Flags...

[Justiceforcedave]

Apologise if there is already a thread about this, but it seems the flags were back in force again this year. Didn't see much on the Pyramid but when I did it was largely populated by them! Shame as they seemed to die down in 2011...or 2010 I forget.

[HoTWire]

I'm not a big fan of flags (Sonisphere was great viewing wise without flags)... however there were a couple of great ones doing the rounds. At Rolling Stones "True or False, Ronnie Wood?" ... and the fantastic Westboro Baptist styled "God Hates Flags" were both worthy of a chuckle.

Also someone had the Sardinian flag which is one of the most badass flags ever, it has 4 severed heads on it!

[dessie rascal]

Its been done to death the whole flag thing but a couple of observations we had were...

1- if your going to go to the effort of carrying one around all day then put some effort into the actual flag.. we saw some absolutely awful ones such as the word "pink" shabbily written on a yellow flag or a blow up pig half attached to a pole. Not good enough. Have some pride in your flag if your going to lug one about!

2- are they not to make it easier for people to find you? We spoke to a group that were marching around with their rubbish flag looking for a mate.. surely the idea is to stand still and they will navigate to said flag!?

We did rant a lot about flags over the week in our group to be fair. We even had a go holding one guys when we found ourselves walking next to him. Well heavy

[Thrash D Garbage]

Its been done to death the whole flag thing but a couple of observations we had were...

1- if your going to go to the effort of carrying one around all day then put some effort into the actual flag.. we saw some absolutely awful ones such as the word "pink" shabbily written on a yellow flag or a blow up pig half attached to a pole. Not good enough. Have some pride in your flag if your going to lug one about!

2- are they not to make it easier for people to find you? We spoke to a group that were marching around with their rubbish flag looking for a mate.. surely the idea is to stand still and they will navigate to said flag!?

We did rant a lot about flags over the week in our group to be fair. We even had a go holding one guys when we found ourselves walking next to him. Well heavy

[TheParkAfterDark]

As much as flags at the stages are a pain in the arse there were a couple of very good ones this year. The Bowie one and the carrot peering round the corner one were both excellent. Also saw someone at Gold Panda with the national flag of Kiribati, as national flags go it's one of the best.

[frostypaw]

"God Hates Flags" was the only one to get my vote!

The flags seem to have pissed the beeb off at last too - did anyone else notice the matrix of 24 odd cameras on the sound desk so they could digitally patch and filter out the flags? That's no mean expense

The beeb's footage on the other stage also often had shots of just flags where their view was obscured.

I'm hoping this will be the motivation they need - they seem too confused by the conflicting messages from the public. It's a mess-up as newbies who have only been coming since the flags think they're useful for navigation as they never had to do without and they have no idea how clear the view of the stages was before the flags either. There are a lot of newbies and folk who haven't been contributing to their poll etc while all the old regulars remember and complain.... I can see how it's confusing.

But the beeb call the shots on the main stages (witness how much less political/jokey/sweary it is since the heavy tv coverage) so they'll get their way

[jameshunt]

Flags are fine in themselves. Flags between mixing desks and stages and flags blocking screens for those at the back are well out of order. Selfish c*nts who just want to see themselves on TV when they get back home and don't care that 90,000 people have their view of the spectacle blocked completely.

[Thrash D Garbage]

I saw the selfish prick with the Everton & California State (I think) flags, on the one pole, being told in no uncertain terms to move out the way or take the flags down in the JP tent when The Strypes were on. First time the screens cut to the camera at the sound desk you couldn't see anything but that selfish prick's flags. Made me happy that one.

My mates and I were chatting on the Sunday afternoon about the flags, imagining it would be great to have some flag burning laser, or even worse for the flag bearer, a magic beam that turned all the flags exactly the same. That way they couldn't tell what flag was what and sit and masturbate furiously when they got home cos they saw their flag on the telly

[GuitarManDan15]

I hate flags but two made me laugh, the god hate flags one, who seemed to be at all the same bands i was at! And there was a jimmy saville flag with 'can't get no satisfaction' on it, which made me smile

[Ruwise]

I think if you are going to bring a flag at least make it entertaining. God Hates Flags made me laugh! I think flags to do with football clubs have no place anywhere at Glastonbury and are only likely to cause animosity.

[guypjfreak]

didnt seem so many this year

[AiiShotTheDJ]

It was my first Glastonbury and surprisingly, the flags didn't really bother me. If anything, I pitied the people who had to carry them. However, during The Stones I wanted to lamp somebody with a flag- it was a flag of Jimmy Saville saying "I can't get no satisfaction". Thought it was absolutely tasteless and disgusting in many ways. Also saw a few groups of young lads with "flags" made out of sticks and pillow cases saying "flag" on.

[Big Vern]

I mildly liked the one that said "Obscuring your view"

[GuitarManDan15]

I think instead of banning them we should get rammstien to headline and just burn them all with their face flame throwers. Oh wait no metal allowed at glasto... but maybe just this once?

[Big Vern]

Its no glass allowed, metal is ok

[helen-8]

I don't mind the flags in principle, especially if there's been some effort put into them, I do think they shouldn't be allowed between the sound desk & stage though, the TV footage looked like a bit of a nightmare to edit!

[EighteenSixty7]

It was my first Glastonbury and surprisingly, the flags didn't really bother me. If anything, I pitied the people who had to carry them. However, during The Stones I wanted to lamp somebody with a flag- it was a flag of Jimmy Saville saying "I can't get no satisfaction". Thought it was absolutely tasteless and disgusting in many ways. Also saw a few groups of young lads with "flags" made out of sticks and pillow cases saying "flag" on.

[mpsamuels]

As a frequent flag bearer I have to say I don't see too much of a problem with them.

Yes, they may block your view a little but my experience is that they only completely block the view of a stage once you are so far back that it's unlikely you could see much of the action anyway even if the flags weren't there. The big screens help out here so I don't see what the fuss is about.

I do wonder why some people would go to the effort of carrying some of the less meaningful or poorly thought out flags but if they can be bothered to do it, good luck to them as long as they aren't doing any harm.

Personally, I like to make my flag relevant to one of the smaller bands playing lower down the line-up that I'm already a fan of. I only raise the flag on my way to, from and during their set and find that...assuming they see it, it's a great way of showing support to someone who may not be expecting much attention and they really appreciate the effort. It even seems to raise a smile from other fans when they recognise the reference too. I do try to be considerate and make sure I'm not blocking anyone's view or likely to knock anyone when taking my spot at the stage.

Although I've not experienced it myself, I can see why people get annoyed at those who are less considerate and stand in people's way or continually knock people while flag waving.

Those who were taking flags into Arcadia though...

[mkgirl1981]

I'm going to be controversial & say i think the flags look nice

[stardustjunkie]

I'm not bothered by flags much.. I think they make the crowd look prettier, the view of the whole crowd with the flags always looks good. I also find them interesting to look at while I'm waiting for the band to start.

That being said though, it pisses me right off when some dick with a massively tall flag stands right in front of the screens so no one can see the screen properly. And when you get the ones that get in the way of the cameras that are filming the stuff to go on the screens. The screens are there so everyone can see what's happening, not to be blocked by some moron with a flag who is already down the front and doesn't need the screens anyway.

Edited July 5, 2013 by stardustjunkie

[DeanoL]

The flags seem to have pissed the beeb off at last too - did anyone else notice the matrix of 24 odd cameras on the sound desk so they could digitally patch and filter out the flags? That's no mean expense

[badger80]

Far too many flags at the Pyramid! It is getting silly these days. Keep the flags at your tent or just take a small one on some garden cane if you want to find your mates! These massive telescopic fishing rods are simply unnecessary.

But now has anyone noticed that some bellends feel the need to take two or even THREE flags on the same pole? That is just taking the piss!!!

[kidpresentable]

When they finally ban them I'll be delighted!

[izcuje]

GOD HATES FLAGS was practically everywhere. Was that even just one flag or a bunch of people with identical flags? Saw it at the main stages, at the food stalls, walking about - or was that just in my mind?

Flags didn't bother me as much this year, but seeing a big ass Nemo on a stick during Smashing Pumpkins smack in the middle of the stage did a little.

[airwaves]

As a frequent flag bearer I have to say I don't see too much of a problem with them.

Yes, they may block your view a little but my experience is that they only completely block the view of a stage once you are so far back that it's unlikely you could see much of the action anyway even if the flags weren't there. The big screens help out here so I don't see what the fuss is about.

I do wonder why some people would go to the effort of carrying some of the less meaningful or poorly thought out flags but if they can be bothered to do it, good luck to them as long as they aren't doing any harm.

Personally, I like to make my flag relevant to one of the smaller bands playing lower down the line-up that I'm already a fan of. I only raise the flag on my way to, from and during their set and find that...assuming they see it, it's a great way of showing support to someone who may not be expecting much attention and they really appreciate the effort. It even seems to raise a smile from other fans when they recognise the reference too. I do try to be considerate and make sure I'm not blocking anyone's view or likely to knock anyone when taking my spot at the stage.

Although I've not experienced it myself, I can see why people get annoyed at those who are less considerate and stand in people's way or continually knock people while flag waving.

Those who were taking flags into Arcadia though...