Glamping at glastonbury

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

That's a fair point and very true. At the risk of speaking for him, I think that frosty's point is that the younger people who use these 'comfortable' campsites are more likely to be the pretty young things of which you speak, thus enticing more of them to the festival. Fair enough for you fogies with your lumbago and arthritis who need their cocoa of an evening but the increase of offsite luxury camping, along with the BBC footage has coincided with the increase in the look at me brigade.

Which is why the festival might be 'dying'. Spiritually speaking. As a commercial entity it's in rude health.

[frostypaw]

That's a fair point and very true. At the risk of speaking for him, I think that frosty's point is that the younger people who use these 'comfortable' campsites are more likely to be the pretty young things of which you speak, thus enticing more of them to the festival. Fair enough for you fogies with your lumbago and arthritis who need their cocoa of an evening but the increase of offsite luxury camping, along with the BBC footage has coincided with the increase in the look at me brigade.

No worries, pretty much exactly that.

Don't get the impression that I don't like 'people' - I really do - but I enjoyed glastonbury so much more than any of the little in-a-park day affairs I'd been to before and a lot of that was down to a different crowd. One which didn't have "look pretty, smell nice, back to proper shower and loo" as top priority - less judgemental, more openminded and friendly. Now it caters for that crowd, and I don't think it needed to and I don't think they add much - I'd put money on it they're the ones asking "why is this shit on?!" when a Wateraid ad interrupts their day at the pyramid, after a nice hot shower and welly wash at the standpipe.

It was interesting at boomtown - very much roughing it camping, lots of lovely lovely people and the only off attitude I saw all weekend was a bunch of guys with the boomtique camping wristbands. just more data in the pile

[Size9]

Each to their own eh? Isn't that the ethos we are after? The offsite campers aren't hurting anyone are they? Do you really think you could pick them out in a crowd? Honestly now???

[russycarps]

Each to their own eh? Isn't that the ethos we are after? The offsite campers aren't hurting anyone are they? Do you really think you could pick them out in a crowd? Honestly now???

They are hurting the atmosphere of the festival.

Boring non-contributors who think they are better than everyone else. The cause of division within what used to be an all-inclusive festival.

[neil999]

just build a hotel on site..a nice high rise one obvs so it doesnt take up too much space on site

[festiking]

Sorry Russy.....but this is wrong.

I certainly don't think that I am better than anyone else who goes to Glasto. And I'd like to think that my wife and I contribute just as much as ANYONE else.

We choose to stay at WV because it is convenient for us and works for our own needs, and life's other commitments. I don't for one minute think or view anyone who chooses to camp in Pennard or wherever else on site as any different.

Once inside the fence, every day, we will 'take part' and enjoy and contribute just as much as the people standing beside us in the crowd or drinking with us at the Bus.

The Campervan field residents are not met with as much animosity as WV and yet - somehow, we are wrong to choose that option. Ridiculous.

I am looking forward to having a bloody great time in June, with whoever I come across or chat to throughout. I won't be checking where they slept the night before before engaging in conversation.

They are hurting the atmosphere of the festival.

Boring non-contributors who think they are better than everyone else. The cause of division within what used to be an all-inclusive festival.

[LondonTom]

I found the oldies to be far more inclusive and into the 'spirit' of the fest (whatever that is). Yet, ironically, many of those oldies are probably the ones who now opt for the 'comfortable' camping sites, campervans or, in my case, a caravan.

I've done CV East for the past few years and I don't think it's so much where you camp as the attitude you take into the fest.

I don't think you can quite lump the glamping into age generlizations, while us youngsters (just about still! ) are a bit more cliquy about who they hang around /speak with. I've found many of the "oldies" with really obnoxious attitudes to just being near them or littering and stuff.

Each to their own eh? Isn't that the ethos we are after? The offsite campers aren't hurting anyone are they? Do you really think you could pick them out in a crowd? Honestly now???

Bet most could pick them out, cause their hair will be that bit neater than most other people and they won't have that aroma of festival smell.

Otherwise why would they pay for all these extras?

[russycarps]

There were people jeering and heckling the people in the tipi field the other year.

Whilst I dont condone that behaviour, is is a clear sign of the division I am talking about.

The sense that we are all in it together once we are through the front gate, that money affords no advantage, that is degraded now. And each year a little bit more is chipped away.

The fact rich and poor lived in exactly the same conditions was a great leveller. Everyone was filthy together, were unwashed, had the same uncomfortable nights sleep together and so on.

Rich and poor, old and young, men and women, black and white: we were all the same. Not any more.

[The Nal]

The sense that we are all in it together once we are through the front gate, that money affords no advantage, that is degraded now. And each year a little bit more is chipped away.

The fact that you can afford to get a ticket at all shows that money does give an advantage. There are lots of people who used to go and pill it up all night long in Pennards who just can't afford the cost of the festival now.

I've never been a pill it up, no shower, no sleep sort of person anyway so I'm happy theres somewhere relatively comfortable to have a kip and a "4 x S" - Shit, shower, shave and a shake.

Edited October 21, 2014 by The Nal

[russycarps]

The fact that you can afford to get a ticket at all shows that money does give an advantage. There are lots of people who used to go and pill it up all night long in Pennards who just can't afford the cost of the festival now.

I dunno, I think it's still just about possible to save up for the ticket cost if you are pretty much on the breadline. I dont think everyone at the festival can be considered rich just yet. But we're getting there.

It's pointless moaning about the changes in the festival anyway. The change happened years ago. I cant remember who it was, but someone on here pinpointed 2009 as being the last year the festival retained a shred of it's old character.

Edited October 21, 2014 by russycarps

[The Nal]

I dunno, I think it's still just about possible to save up for the ticket cost if you are pretty much on the breadline. I dont think everyone at the festival can be considered rich just yet. But we're getting there.

It's pointless moaning about the changes in the festival anyway. The change happened years ago. I cant remember who it was, but someone on here pinpointed 2009 as being the last year the festival retained a shred of it's old character.

I bet people who went in the 70s we're saying the same in the mid 80s!

09 though? Why? I haven't noticed a big change from 09 to be honest. Or 2004 for that matter really.

I fluked VIPs in 04 and spent an hour backstage (before I got really bored) and it was full of hip industry types and hangers on, too cool to even go to most gigs.

I'd actually put a big change down around the time Kate Moss turned up in the hunter wellies. 2005 I think? That was all over the celeb rags and Glasto became a bit of a fashion catwalk from then on and less about people and music. Lots of the mags have "how to dress at Glastonbury" sections etc. Started becoming a bit uniform. Blokes and girls.

And now with the chance you may be seen on the Beeb you just have to dress well! No place for mud or bags around the eyes these days.

Edited October 21, 2014 by The Nal

[russycarps]

I bet people who went in the 70s we're saying the same in the mid 80s!

09 though? Why? I haven't noticed a big change from 09 to be honest. Or 2004 for that matter really.

I fluked VIPs in 04 and spent an hour backstage (before I got really bored) and it was full of hip industry types and hangers on, too cool to even go to most gigs.

I'd actually put a big change down around the time Kate Moss turned up in the hunter wellies. 2005 I think? That was all over the celeb rags and Glasto became a bit of a fashion catwalk from then on and less about people and music. Lots of the mags have "how to dress at Glastonbury" sections etc. Started becoming a bit uniform. Blokes and girls.

And now with the chance you may be seen on the Beeb you just have to dress well! No place for mud or bags around the eyes these days.

Aye probably. In 10 years time the newcomers now will be moaning about the newcomers then!

But in fairness I dont remember ever moaning about changes in the festival up until the superfence.

I cant remember why that fellow said 2009, but he made a good case for it at the time. Personally 2013 was the first time I thought "im not that arsed if I dont get tickets for next year". That was the tipping point for me.

It'll be a sad day when those who are unwashed and stinking are the minority!

It's hardly worth moaning about things like worthy view now though. It's an established part of the festival now, and will only grow.

Edited October 21, 2014 by russycarps

[russycarps]

Thaat's rubbish. I remember you saying that before 2013 too.

really? If I did, I never meant it! 2014 though, I reckon I could have missed out on and not been devastated....

[kalifire]

The sense that we are all in it together once we are through the front gate, that money affords no advantage, that is degraded now. And each year a little bit more is chipped away.

The fact rich and poor lived in exactly the same conditions was a great leveller. Everyone was filthy together, were unwashed, had the same uncomfortable nights sleep together and so on.

Rich and poor, old and young, men and women, black and white: we were all the same. Not any more.

I see it as relative, myself. Those who spend money on glamping are probably still roughing it in comparison to their usual lifestyle. Once in the crowd, tucking into an fish curry or using the long drops, nobody is experiencing anything different, no matter how much cash they have. Yes, they may sleep in comfier, quieter places, and yes they will miss out on a core element of the festival for many, but I don't begrudge them the opportunity to join in.

If anything, we need to be wary of inverse snobbery, where nobody is permitted to have anything other than one person's experience. I heard jeering at the tipi field in 2014 as well and glanced across to see a family, for whom a tipi was probably a great option. My irritation fell squarely on the bitterness of the jeerer, who was bringing resentment into the farm instead of having a great time.

Personally, I couldn't care less what anybody else sleeps in. My problem is with anyone who treats anyone else worse or inferior because they're not in a Winnebago or some such; people who look down their noses at the paupers at Pennards etc., and I saw none of that. Absolutely zero. The only thing I saw that gave the allusion there was a class difference was a couple of snide remarks from regular campers.

[The Nal]

I cant remember why that fellow said 2009, but he made a good case for it at the time. Personally 2013 was the first time I thought "im not that arsed if I dont get tickets for next year". That was the tipping point for me.

The rain in 07 was for me. Didn't go in 08 as a result but haven't missed one since.

[didyeaye]

Camped inside the fence at Gate D in Bushy Ground last time and paid the £50 to use the showers at the powder rooms. It was amazing for me. I could never go 2 days without a wash never mind 6 days so it was a god send. We all agreed.

Some of our group stayed in a pre erected bell tent and they loved it as well and that is probably what will happen again. I preferred having the best of both worlds. Getting up in the morning and going a wander to have a shit and a shower in undeniable comfort was awesome.

[Thearg]

Let's face it you're not ''doing'' Glastonbury properly unless you're suffering.

[mr gumby]

Got to admit, this year I really liked having showers to use, but that was because I was working litter picking and felt thoroughly filthy after each shift. Previous years I've made do with wet wipe washes. Certainly wouldn't pay extra for the privelige!

[russycarps]

Let's face it you're not ''doing'' Glastonbury properly unless you're suffering.

I dont think sleeping in a tent and not washing for 5 days is suffering though is it? I always sleep like a log. And why would anyone care about not showering? It's not going to do you any harm. It's liberating if anything.

It only becomes an issue when you are conscious of being dirty and smelly when around other people who are clean and fresh I guess.

[whisty]

I've worked a couple of other festivals and the use of a shower is real nice. Punter at Glastonbury since 2007, am old as well but slum it and of course you can wash with a large bottle of water and a little soap, it's quite easy really. Maybe for the other gender it's a bit harder. Anyway, either it's changed even since 2007 or I have, 1 of the 2. Wish I'd gone before superfence but .......................

[frostypaw]

I could never go 2 days without a wash never mind 6 days so it was a god send. We all agreed.

You're just fundamentally wrong.

You can go months and months without a wash. What you meant was "I choose not to" or "I think I shouldn't have to" or "I have been programmed into thinking I cannot go without..." etc

It's a really big grammatical problem that a lot of people have here which is making this discussion really difficult.

Which is to me part of what I think the glamping fails on... someone earlier said "Once inside there're all eating the same food, going to the same long drops"

Only they're not... in fact that belief that one person's arse is better than another leads to all the hovering and the people who will literally leave site every time they need to go to the loo.

To which the usual response is "it's up to people how they want to experience the festival"

So then I assume those people who argue that are the w*nkers with the chair circles and blankets down in the pyramid/other whinging at people impinging on them being able to experience the festival how they want to - I assume those people are the ones quite up for building on-site hotels and other luxury facilities.......

By that point it had better all be sounding pretty stupid. Clearly some line needs to be drawn about what facilities are available and a decision over whether the rich deserve better facilities because they have more money.

I say no. I've met a lot of the rich, very very few of them have deserved better - most of them are horrendous people.

[fatyeti24]

Let's face it you're not ''doing'' Glastonbury properly unless you're suffering.

Well that's what you get for camping within earshot of the other stage.

[Thearg]

Well that's what you get for camping within earshot of the other stage.

Never understood people who camp there,looks horrendous.

[tweed1981]

"Posh" camping only exists because there is a demand for it, the world changes, so do festivals and so do peoples expectations.

It isn't enshrined somewhere that if you go to a festival you have to camp and not wash and that if you do you are somehow enjoying it more.

We used to live in caves, but thankfully we now have electricity/heating/broadband etc.

[fatyeti24]

That posh off site camping does seem to keep some of the neighbours sweet. There doesn't seen to be the annual attempt to get the festival to stop anymore, though I don't live in the area so could be wrong. Tangerine fields is on Anne Goode's family land.