Flags - any point in going to the Pyramid?

[Gnomicide]

Love that video, must have watched it at least 20 times.

[mungo57]

flags are annoying. Yet I advocate them, as they add to the atmosphere. Theres nothing like approaching the pyramid from the rear of the field and seeing a wall of flags...... always amazing.

[LondonTom]

flags are annoying. Yet I advocate them, as they add to the atmosphere. Theres nothing like approaching the pyramid from the rear of the field and seeing a wall of flags...... always amazing.

[JC-Mo'Fucka]

This has been added to the fine guide 2011- what do people think?

Flags

"Glastonbury welcomes flags and appreciates how they add to the atmosphere of the event. However, we are aware that not everyone agrees. Whilst we would never like to ban flags at Glastonbury we do ask that you may consider keeping them away from the main stages, so as not to obscure the view from others behind. As is in abundance throughout Glastonbury, we ask for tolerance and understanding from both sides."

What do people think? I think this is a perfect thing to add to the guide - well done the Eavis'....back of the net!!

[Filthy]

This has been added to the fine guide 2011- what do people think?

Flags

"Glastonbury welcomes flags and appreciates how they add to the atmosphere of the event. However, we are aware that not everyone agrees. Whilst we would never like to ban flags at Glastonbury we do ask that you may consider keeping them away from the main stages, so as not to obscure the view from others behind. As is in abundance throughout Glastonbury, we ask for tolerance and understanding from both sides."

What do people think? I think this is a perfect thing to add to the guide - well done the Eavis'....back of the net!!

[MrZigster]

This has been added to the fine guide 2011- what do people think?

Flags

"Glastonbury welcomes flags and appreciates how they add to the atmosphere of the event. However, we are aware that not everyone agrees. Whilst we would never like to ban flags at Glastonbury we do ask that you may consider keeping them away from the main stages, so as not to obscure the view from others behind. As is in abundance throughout Glastonbury, we ask for tolerance and understanding from both sides."

What do people think? I think this is a perfect thing to add to the guide - well done the Eavis'....back of the net!!

[DVG81]

I'd say they better watch the splinters in their arses from all the fence sitting. Flags are for "look at me" idiots. I can't imagine wanting to lug a flagpole to aid my enjoyment of the main act, I'm loath to even bring a rucksack with me at that time of night to be honest. If you're carrying a flag at 11pm you've obviously not had your quota of glastonbury fun and may as well have given your ticket up to someone more deserving

[trouserpress]

In 2009 they had a "Mr Flag" store down by the pyramid so people could buy a pole and generic flag from there, which was a really stupid idea, and led to the thousands of boring generic smiley faces flags.

Thankfully they removed that stall last year and the number of flags diminished. I have nothing against home-made flags, they can be quite fun. We bring one most years as it makes finding each other easier, nothing to do with wanting to be on telly.

[cejx]

maybe they find it fun, if they want to carry a flag its there business, do they shout at you for not carrying a ruck sack? I have never carried a flag but am glad that many people do as it adds to the atmosphere as the guide says, if you loathe to carry a bag or move your head cos a flag is in the way why don't you watch uninterupted coverage from the bbc in your own home? its a 10ft high flag for gods sake get over it.

[sonny]

I love the flags, they are one part of the Glastonbury experience and really add to the atmosphere around the Pyramid stage.

Just imagine no flags, it would be like one of those zero atmospheric concerts I have seen at Hyde park.

[DVG81]

Adds to the atmosphere? How exactly? Do tell. I'm intrigued.

I agree that selling them on site is feckin stupid, but really really really, do you need a flag to find your mates?

Flags are good at campsites. Bad at stages. It ain't rocket science.

[DVG81]

they look pretty

[amfy]

Adds to the atmosphere? How exactly? Do tell. I'm intrigued.

[sonny]

Amfy, that was so well put Ive actually changed my mind.

Seriously.

[mrtourette]

Didn't have the problem back in my day of attending Glasto but from watching it on the telly or looking at pictures I can imagine they're a massive pain in the arse. However I can also imagine that trying to ban them or even asking someone to move or lower their flag is 'oppressive' or 'not within the spirit of Glastonbury'.

Good point someone else made earlier - if people go just to stand at the front of the stage with their massive flag all weekend you have to wonder whether they're enjoying the full Glasto experience.

[amfy]

Amfy, that was so well put Ive actually changed my mind.

Seriously.

[amfy]

........or was it an April Fool?

Tha'll be 3 times today!

[sonny]

........or was it an April Fool?

Tha'll be 3 times today!

[cejx]

You're not really but this is my personal opinion.

In general Glatonbury terms my husband kind of put his finger on it after his first Glastonbury when he said he loved the whole Chaucerian vibe of the place, the tented city, a kind of medieval atmosphere, with people fetching water in the morning etc around the campsites, and then the various activities around the craft fields.

For me the flags fit in with this. I feel like people are nailing their colours to the mast so to speak,like the flag leads their "music army", and is planted in front of the band they have come to support.

I am also less affected than others I guess due to the position I take up. At The Pyramid I am always half way up the hill and from there the flags are a vibrant and colourful spectacle, however inane they may be close up. The view of the stage is small anyway but I can see it on and off, and the screens are never obscured. I find the view from there spectacular and the flags are very much part of this for me.

I also think don't think I am the same as most people here about "seeing" a band. For me live performance is about the sound and the atmosphere created. I think I stopped finding it important to "see" an artist when i was about 15 although i appreciate that there are some artists where the visuals are very important and I can see how a set by Madonna, Kylie, or Michael Jackson would be ruined. I don't know how "seeing" Kasabian makes much difference, I am not sure what they do visually that makes so much difference and I have really enjoyed some of their performnces without a great view.

There have been enough of these threads for me to know that a lot of people feel very strongly against them, so I am not going to hold a strong p[osition in favour, but those are the reasons why I like them anyway.

[amfy]

I only felt like you weren't really intrigued in that I appreciate that you already have a firm stance on this and I don't think anyone could say anything "intriguing" enough to change your mind - which is fair enough.

I guess I am also very much of the perspective that they are there, I don't think they are going anywhere, so I think it's a good idea to try and "positively re-frame" them as part of the Glastonbury experience, rather than detract from your experience with resentment of how other people enjoy it.

That's not to say I don't understand why people get angry about flags, just something about "The courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I can't, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Serenity is the only way forward, Glastonbury is too short to be angry!

[p.pete]

Genuinely - I was.

I don't buy the "people want to be seen on t'telly" argument - however, in them there olden days, a couple of flags smattered around certainly did give a certain something to the atmosphere - and using your analogy, with the musical army - brilliant. However, in these armies, there would have been a couple of flag bearers - not every foot soldier would have been carting one about!

When at the pyramid, I stand near the back as I'm too old to be faffed with pushing through the crowds... so yes, you are seeing a pretty small stage. However, I have come to see that pretty small stage and not a load of on the whole generic, unimaginative flags.

Less is more I say. There are loads of flags at Glastonbury, and I don't want to see them banned as they are fab around campsites - but they really are obtrusive at the stages and even more so in the tents (JP etc).

In pre flag crazy days, there was no less atmosphere Glastonbury.

[Douzeper]

I hate flags

I hate chairs

I hate people taller than me

I hate smokey fires

I hate noisy tent neighbours

I hate the dust on a sunny Glasto

I hate to much Sunshine (2010)

I hate to much rain (2007)

I hate Tuborg

I hate smelly toilets

I hate hills

I hate queing

But I F**king love Glastonbury

Just think this time in July it will be all over.

[Gnomicide]

I hate flags

I hate chairs

I hate people taller than me

I hate smokey fires

I hate noisy tent neighbours

I hate the dust on a sunny Glasto

I hate to much Sunshine (2010)

I hate to much rain (2007)

I hate Tuborg

I hate smelly toilets

I hate hills

I hate queing

But I F**king love Glastonbury

Just think this time in July it will be all over.

[Douzeper]

I love this post.

[Gnomicide]

I love that you love my post