Pyramid Crush during Gorrilaz

[mikeb]

Never experienced any particular probs entering/leaving the Pyramid Field as such. Often ridiculously busy with everyone piling in/out and all that but nothing too serious providing you weren't in any particular hurry or that bothered exactly where you were going to end up Trying to get somewhere specific wasn't that easy but if all else failed, my usual policy of just going with the majority crowd and sorting it out afterwards meant all was good etc. However, the top path along the front of Row Mead was absolutely bl**dy mental on several occasions tho ! Has always been a quick/easy route from Ye Olde Tent around the Pyramid crowd to the markets and beyond in previous years no matter how big the crowd might have been but this year it did get way more than a tad silly up there sometimes for one reason or amother. Sorry if anyone did have big probs or feel rather concerned about things tho

Edited July 5, 2010 by mikeb

[llcoolphil]

I can't believe a few people are making light of this thread.

[verrymerry]

I don't know if I was just being naive but I was surprised it was so busy for Gorillaz. Me and my other half also got caught in the crush on the path coming from JP, I lost him (he ended up climbing over some bins into a gap to escape!) and in the meantime those people who camp between the path and the fence pulled me into their campsite until things died down - I owe them much thanks! It was a total nightmare so I think I'll be approaching the Pyramid from another direction in the future.

Did notice that during Muse / Stevie there were lots of stewards and police on the path and it was kept reasonably clear

[fraz]

Access to the Right of the Pyramid stage rather than the left (as you look at it) has a bottle neck as the space between the hedge and the front of the stage is narrower than the left. And the exit along the top path is a narrow gate which when you get through it has tents down both sides of the path.

When you compare it with the access to the left of the stage which has 2 big paths taking the crowd in 2 seperate directions the left is usually less crowded. We noticed this years ago and always avoid any entrance or exit to the right hand side of the stage. If it means missing something so be it.

Edited July 5, 2010 by fraz

[NeilVJ]

Think that one of the main causes was that people who were desperate for shade were sat down in the walkway down the left hand side. This meant that there was less room for people walking. In my opinion the stewards really need to keep these walkways clear. Also if there were 3 exits rather than the current two then it would ease traffic. Though would mean there would be less space for tents next to the mandela tent

[toby13]

Tried to exit the Pyramid top right hand corner after about 30minutes of Gorillaz when we, perhaps like a lot of others, had given them a try and decided they weren't our thing. Haven't ever left Pyramid mid gig before so didn't know what to expect but it did get a bit hairy at one point, and I also saw a couple of police officers looking a bit anxious. Only have ourselves to blame though I think, when you stop to think sensibly about it (which you dont always do at the time)the Pyramid was way busier than previous years due to line-up and the paths around it rarely clear with people trying to find shade. Had no problems with Muse (apart from lads pissing on the floor around me which is another story) or Stevie where I was right by the mixing desk.

Looking back at it now though, its the first year we have done all Pyramid headliners so am sure thats been the same for loads of others. The heat also stopped us moving about as much and definitely increased the armchair brigade. If we're lucky enough to get tickets for next year we have decided to have a Pyramid free weekend.

[Treeswinger]

I was quite near the front for Gorillaz and it was fine and spacey!

The worst crush I had all weekend was during Rolf - sounds ridiculous - the front right of the Pyramid was nuts, people were sat on chairs on the path, and STAYED THERE even though there were people tripping all over them/falling on them in the crush to get in and out. Stupid.

I'm really short (5ft), I find crowds scary sometimes even though I'm obviously really used to being face to armpit in crushes. It must be really properly scary for kids - especially in the heat when it feels as if you can't breath.

I found that most crushes (there was another one heading around the back of Other at one point, and another on the path at the top of Pyramid at the end of Snoop), were caused by vehicles on the paths. Security busy saying to each other down radios 'yeah there's a big crush up here due to sheer volume of people'. No berks, there's a big crush up here due to sheer volume of landrover blocking the path.

[llcoolphil]

(there was another one heading around the back of Other at one point

[katiepougher]

I was quite near the front for Gorillaz and it was fine and spacey!

The worst crush I had all weekend was during Rolf - sounds ridiculous - the front right of the Pyramid was nuts, people were sat on chairs on the path, and STAYED THERE even though there were people tripping all over them/falling on them in the crush to get in and out. Stupid.

[Paadzer]

I was really upset about people at Glastonbury. On the Wednesday I was walking down the path from Park Home Ground towards the other stage and people were all walking in the opposite direction and refusing to get out of my way or the person next to me (which I was appaled at as he had a baby strapped to his front on a carrier) people like this should be banned from Glastonbury as it is not a festival for selfish uncaring people

[LondonTom]

Maybe it was cos it was my first time at the Pyramid and I wasn't expecting how the crowd would be, but its the first time I have ever felt really unsafe in a crowd, my fault kind of to as I didn't realise I had entered the pit for Dizzee (it seemed small without crowds in it!) and was must of been the main track where people entered/exited and tried going forward. There just a weird atmosphere in the air for gorillaz I felt, No one seemed to care about anyone else, eventually made my way to the side for the start of gorillaz but still felt it was a bit crowded there. Left feeling quite disappointed after 3/4 songs (which tbh the crowd probs effected my outlook on the band to).

The problems with people keep trying shove in the pit could be solved by them having a barrier at the entrances they can close, they done this at T and it allowed plenty of room in the front but the circle seemed bigger.

[godders1966]

I was really upset about people at Glastonbury. On the Wednesday I was walking down the path from Park Home Ground towards the other stage and people were all walking in the opposite direction and refusing to get out of my way or the person next to me (which I was appaled at as he had a baby strapped to his front on a carrier) people like this should be banned from Glastonbury as it is not a festival for selfish uncaring people

[Cooter]

I was really upset about people at Glastonbury. On the Wednesday I was walking down the path from Park Home Ground towards the other stage and people were all walking in the opposite direction and refusing to get out of my way or the person next to me (which I was appaled at as he had a baby strapped to his front on a carrier) people like this should be banned from Glastonbury as it is not a festival for selfish uncaring people

[amfy]

I remember in these situations someone used to just put their hand up and shout "stop" and everyone would. Then after a few moments everyone would start shuffling again but be aware there was a problem and take it steady. People moving into a crowd aren't necessarily aware of a crush in the middle and this method of alerting those at the edges to stop pushing works well. I was always very impressed by the level of informal co-operation that kept it safe.

I've not experienced a scary crush since 2000 but my thoughts when they increased the capacity a few years ago by adding to the camping fields, was that it doesn't increase the space in the areas like The Pyramid. The last few years has seen The Pyramid crowded and lively all the way back, where it used to be people sitting around campfires in the back of the field,

and there was a lot more space. I'm not sure that the new capacity really stands up to scrutiny.

In 98 I can remember dancing down from the back of The Pyramid Field as Pulp kicked off with "Do you remember the first time?" in open space. It was a great gig but The Pyramid field wasn't filled to bursting for anyone.

[jonbob]

Really bad crush at Hawkwell entrance to the Pyramid Stage on Friday at the start of Gorillaz. I camp up in that area so we just went back to the tents and watched the gig from there.

Worst crush I've ever been in was Chemical Bros headlining the Pyramid in 2000. Imaging being unable to touch the ground as far back as Mandela Bar.

[Cooter]

Some of these very busy areas (yes can be dangerous for some) but for me are quite enjoyable. I was up at the pyramid crush by the top right narrow pathway and found it all quite respectable and polite, with most people cracking jokes etc. No sign of people panicking or stressed, just tiptoeing along contently and laughing at themselves and others.

If this is the worst it gets nowadays then thats great. I remember not so long ago these sort of crushes were regular occurances at any entrance/exit to any field most of the day and night.

[WS_Jack_III]

It was bad. I left the black keys and ran over to the pyramid but just hit a wall of bodies. Then as I was attempting to find my girlfriend some guy just shoved his flag in my back and forced me through the crowd. People were looking at me as if I was the one pushing but I couldn't help it. In the end I got through and into some space but I couldn't find my girlfriend.

[SpookyAngel]

I've been in crowd crushes before & hate them, i find them very scary, infact i have never been back to V fest due to been stuck in a very scary crowd crush there.

I've never been in a crowd crush at glasonbury untill now, this year has been the worst & it was all round the pryamid. Again as other people have said, it was that top route to the right hand side of the pryamid where the disabled vewing area is. A few times i have been caught in a crowed there during a set.

its fine ME increasing the camping capacity every year but if your going to increase the camping capacity then the main viewing areas need to be increased too.

[j-j-j-j-joe!]

I agree that crushes are not exactly fun, but short of making the organisers aware of these concerns there's not a lot you can do.

[The Nal]

The can have security ushering people etc, someone up on a high chair, easily done.

Worst ever was leaving Slane in Ireland at the Chilli Peppers a few years ago. People crying and screaming etc. Really dangerous and shabby. Typcial MCD for you though. "Lets get 80,000 people into a field and then when its time to go just abandon everything and let them look after themselves".

[windy_miller]

I got caught in a crush in a similar place, but it was in 2007 and it was in sticky, welly-eating mud. Not fun.

[philipsteak]

The can have security ushering people etc, someone up on a high chair, easily done.

Worst ever was leaving Slane in Ireland at the Chilli Peppers a few years ago. People crying and screaming etc. Really dangerous and shabby. Typcial MCD for you though. "Lets get 80,000 people into a field and then when its time to go just abandon everything and let them look after themselves".