Glasto angst

[Mikkelbenno]

This year will be my 3rd glasto and I feel really primed to get the most out of it this time.

However, one thing I’m keen to avoid is an angst-like feeling I kept getting both of the last times, sort of a general feeling that I should be somewhere else, watching something else or doing something else...I guess the sheer scale of the site and variety of entertainments on offer, plus an often befuddled state of mind, can lead to that classic feeling of 'the fun is all happening somewhere else'.

The first time I went (2007) I slavishly watched band after band and felt guilty for missing any of the acts I had planned to see (schoolboy error, I know). Then, during 2009, I realised just how much fun could be had away from the stages and that the whole idea of creating a schedule is completely anathema to the spirit of Glasto. However, I still felt guilty (stupid I know) when I decided to sack off going to see a band and instead keep waffling on with a load of strangers in the Rocket Lounge.

This time, I am going to select a choice few acts I really want to see and leave the rest up to the glasto gods.

Does anybody else get this annoying feeling? I even get it sometimes at just going to a regular gig, I switch off and start running through various thoughts in my head, not paying attention to the moment at hand!

It's not really a problem as such, I'm just looking to hone my Glastonbury technique and get the most out of the festival, so I'm wondering if anybody else suffered from this feeling and had any tips to bypass it?

[LusciousLucy]

Just keep going year on year and eventually you will see it all and not feel guilty that you have missed some part of the fest. Took me 10 visits to now be totally cool with it. Number 12 coming up this year and know where I want to head to and with the line up being the way it is, lots of opportunity to go and do things I havent done in a while.

Aim for no more than 12 acts to see over the time you are there, the rest always falls into place.

[tentgirl09]

Number 13 this year and I still haven't seen everything. You need to shrug off that bad feeling, if you have enjoyed and used every second you physically can there then there is nothing to feel bad about, it's a big place.

[rexclark]

There's only a handfull of acts that I'd class as must see's for me. The rest of the time I'll just see who's on and I'll go for a wander of the beaten track and try to see some stuff I didn't last year. Glastonbury is the only festival I go to where I'm happy just to take it easy and go at my own pace, absolutely nothing to worry about.

[Detective McNulty]

I know what you mean. There's so much going on you always worry you're missing out on something amazing. But you can't have that mentality really. Every single inch of the place that isn't a portaloo or long drop is great. The atmosphere wherever you are is amazing. The feel, smell, sound, it's good EVERYWHERE.

You just have to accept some losses. You're not going to experience it all. If you were able to do that the place would be too small and limited and wouldn't have that 'other world' feel to it.

Just know that wherever you are in Glastonbury is a million times better than where you'd otherwise be- work!

[rachmac]

2002 was my first year, and me and my friends spent most of the time legging it between stages (esp on the Friday where we had to leave before the end of Coldplay's set as we couldn't stand up any more!)

Nowadays, I have my must sees and we try to mix up wandering around the circus fields, seeing random bands, and on evenings if we don't want to see a headline, we try to get an early start in Arcadia/Shangri-la et al - so we can actually see what's going on rather than being taken with the crowd and not being able to stop and look at things. So I think it's a good balance most of the time. I think there will always be something you miss but it's inevitable really (if only I could clone myself....)

[thebattleofevermore]

This'll be my third Glastonbury, but the other two times (2005 & 2009) I went with family, so I'm looking forward to going with all my pals and having complete freedom.

The line-up's class for me this year, it's going to be hard not to spend all my time in the Dance Village! Definitely want to explore some of the after-dark areas a lot more than I did in 2009 too.

[sparkythetortoise]

'm wondering if anybody else suffered from this feeling and had any tips to bypass it?

[whateverman]

I had an amazing festival last year - really amazing.

When I got back home and had a proper look at the line-up I realised I had missed an incredible amount of brilliant stuff.

Over the past year I have become aware of great bands that I could have seen at Glastonbury had I known about them at the time.

FORGET ABOUT IT.

Even if you have the best time of your life - you are going to miss several brilliant festivals.

My advice, instead of making a list of bands you're going to see, make a list of things you want to do - e.g. have a nude sauna, watch the sun come up, learn a craft activity in greenfields, dance to acid house/gypsy music/whatever, start a campfire, make a cooked breakfast for you and all your neighbours, etc.

Try and do as many of these as you feel able, and just let the music interupt and charm you as you go around.

[Mikkelbenno]

Thanks for the tips all.

Sparky - your dead right, I am actually quite OCD about thinking whether or not I am getting the absolute optimum out of it, but this often leads to crippling indecision! Therefore I suppose it's handy to have a default plan, if only to dispense with it and go with the flow.

I guess at glasto its more important than ever to get in the moment and just be aware of what's happening in front of you

[izcuje]

after more than a year hanging out in forum threads and going through posts without experiencing Glasto myself yet, I have decided that I am only going to 'plan' on seeing one headliner and just let nature (and my feet) take its course the rest of the time.

[ICGenie]

Can't really add any advice but I certainly feel your pain. Both of my previous Glastos (2007 and 2010) I've had moments when all I could think about was what I was missing rather than what I was enjoying. I guess that's the key for me this year - why stop chatting to a random stranger if you're enjoying it? Maybe the band you're dashing off for will be rubbish and you should have stayed for that chat after all!

And also to not persevere with something that's rubbish. My biggest regret from last year was all the fun I could have been having instead of watching Norman Lovett corpse in the Cabaret Tent...

Edited May 8, 2011 by ICGenie

[duggie20]

Me the missus and 2 kids are going again so we have to split our time between Wed/Thurs craft fields and a good wander around all the sights then Fri/Sat/Sun have our must see band's plus a few of the newer artists the older lad wants to see then maybe a bit of circus/cabaret field and more craft, then one of the nights a late night dash up to Arcadia with the youngest one for the fire show before it gets too busy, i don't know how we manage to fit it all in over the 5 days.

[whateverman]

after more than a year hanging out in forum threads and going through posts without experiencing Glasto myself yet, I have decided that I am only going to 'plan' on seeing one headliner and just let nature (and my feet) take its course the rest of the time.

[danvb]

I do find myself gutted about missing one great act to see another,like this year,im seeing primal scream ,even though ive seen the scream before,but im missing billy bragg headline slot,even though i saw most of it last year,but i wana see him all over again!.grr.

I normally have a few dead certs to see bands far as headliners and must see acts go and am decided before getting there on who to see,who i will have to miss,and how many i wont be able to see due to stage distances ect.

luckily this year isnt too full line up wise,theres a free saturday for exploring other stages and acts i wouldnt know about.

worries about missing the coral,or missin part of mozs set,both acts for me have been must see's for a very long time,and i cant be to sure ile see both again anytime soon!.

also there is that feeling when your seeing one band who you enjoy,you think,just what if that park special guest actually is special and im missing some classic glasto set!,but then its best to get a drink,forget it and enjoy who your seeing or what your doing instead.

You can wonder and see all the great bits of glasto early morning/after bands have been on/stay up till early morning times and wonder the off cut parts of glasto. A lot of wed and thursday is well spent on wandering anywhere and everywhere,spending little time at camp!.

[ToxicJesus]

I'm definitely a sufferer, I think if I had one wish it would be to go to each Glastonbury 10-15 times so I can see EVERYTHING that happened. Groundhog Day: Glastonbury edition. You sound like one of us Glasto4Lyfe types though so always remember that there are plenty more Glastonburys.

Also, perhaps you could leave all your decisions to other people? I think my aim this year is to watch more bands with my whole campsite crew and will solve more clashes by what more of my friends are going to rather than agonising over what I think will be better.

[Pinhead]

It is overwealming and I have felt the same in the past. Just happy to still be a part of it now and see the bands that I want to see. Do a bit of planning before hand and you can see around 16-20 bands on a good year I reckon and not feel so like you may have missed so much. Felt that way after one year though when I just got too trashed and only saw about 3-4 bands ...

[jeffie]

I've not managed to see some of the best bands in the world courtesy of Glastonbury Festival.....

Long may it continue.

[whateverman]

I've not managed to see some of the best bands in the world courtesy of Glastonbury Festival.....

Long may it continue.

[Karmann]

Just keep going year on year and eventually you will see it all and not feel guilty that you have missed some part of the fest. Took me 10 visits to now be totally cool with it. Number 12 coming up this year and know where I want to head to and with the line up being the way it is, lots of opportunity to go and do things I havent done in a while.

Aim for no more than 12 acts to see over the time you are there, the rest always falls into place.

[ukslim]

I've not managed to see some of the best bands in the world courtesy of Glastonbury Festival.....

[fatyeti24]

I actually managed to miss one of my favourite bands last year (Black Keys). That took some doing.

And no need to tell me they were 'really good' or whatever - I've already heard .

[slimfreak]

Welcome to life !! You cant have it all - just enjoy what you have !!!

[whateverman]

i bet you don't regret doing whatever it was that caused you to miss them though!

[BoEsEpH]

Me the missus and 2 kids are going again so we have to split our time between Wed/Thurs craft fields and a good wander around all the sights then Fri/Sat/Sun have our must see band's plus a few of the newer artists the older lad wants to see then maybe a bit of circus/cabaret field and more craft, then one of the nights a late night dash up to Arcadia with the youngest one for the fire show before it gets too busy, i don't know how we manage to fit it all in over the 5 days.