Whats Changed?

[Soggy_feet]

Hi all, long time listener first time caller!

2015 will be the first time I have attended since 2002, having attended the previous 5, I missed out on tickets in 2003 and me and my mates decided to combine a bit of travelling with a European festival and this is what we have done pretty much every year since.

Over the years I have been watching on the TV, web etc. and it almost seems unrecognisable from 2002 with the expanded stages etc but seems to retain the same atmosphere.

For the people who have been attending year on year what do think is the biggest change since 2002?

[tommyds]

I've only been going since 2009 but, even in that short time, the South-East corner has been growing at a ridiculous rate

I can only assume that compared to 2002 it will be unrecognisable

[The Nal]

Lost Vagueness is gone obviously. The SE Corner takes up a huge part of the site. The Park is new to you. Loads!! You'll be totally lost for the first day.

[5co77ie]

it's less bottleneck crowded than it was then, and much better drainage, the toilets are much improved.

The whole naughty corner has grown immensely - Lost Vagueness is no more but there's a whole world of nightly entertainment. The swan stone circle vibe has also changed immeasurably. There's also the grandiose Arcadia with it's flames and sound system.

The tipi field has moved and feels more sterile, the Bimble Inn is less bimbly, and now cited in the Park area which has appeared along with the ribbon tower, and views of the site - mainly with the camping expanded into the car parks from the new viewing area and crows nest above park.

There's much less live in vehicles in the greenfields and the atmosphere is a bit less charged.

Much less camping in Babylon and more stages in the flat areas beside the railway line - much of the trees and views along that have changed, the area around glade is much changed.

The cabaret field is much less prone to flooding, there's now a bridge making walking through the bit the guy used to canoe through much easier. Generally site movement in bad weather is much improved, though hopefully it's be terrific weather so you won't notice.

There's much less '3 steller for a fiver', 'hash for cash', and 'shroom' sellers these days so you can't just plonk yourself down and have the festival come to you anymore.

[russycarps]

more hipsters less hippies

[5co77ie]

oh Avalon's also changed a fair bit now has a big wooden bar, the wise crone cafe is completely different, and Star Child aren't there.

[jeffie]

Big!

[russycarps]

no outdoor cinema!

[Mr Splodge]

To many NOS users

[tommyds]

Depending on your views, the use of bad drugs has increased and the use of good drugs has declined or vice versa

[morph100]

it's less bottleneck crowded than it was then, and much better drainage, the toilets are much improved.

The whole naughty corner has grown immensely - Lost Vagueness is no more but there's a whole world of nightly entertainment. The swan stone circle vibe has also changed immeasurably. There's also the grandiose Arcadia with it's flames and sound system.

The tipi field has moved and feels more sterile, the Bimble Inn is less bimbly, and now cited in the Park area which has appeared along with the ribbon tower, and views of the site - mainly with the camping expanded into the car parks from the new viewing area and crows nest above park.

There's much less live in vehicles in the greenfields and the atmosphere is a bit less charged.

Much less camping in Babylon and more stages in the flat areas beside the railway line - much of the trees and views along that have changed, the area around glade is much changed.

The cabaret field is much less prone to flooding, there's now a bridge making walking through the bit the guy used to canoe through much easier. Generally site movement in bad weather is much improved, though hopefully it's be terrific weather so you won't notice.

There's much less '3 steller for a fiver', 'hash for cash', and 'shroom' sellers these days so you can't just plonk yourself down and have the festival come to you anymore.

This sums it up well, some good and some not so good changes but generally it improves every year so you are in for a treat.

[suzie sue]

so many more dickheads there

[cdm22]

so many more dickheads there

^ This unfortunately.

[russycarps]

less acid and weed, more coke and ketamine

[stuartbert two hats]

The Bimble Inn is less bimbly,

The Bimble Inn didn't arrive with The Park? How long has it been going? Where was it before?

[Fingerbobs]

It's a lot bigger and busier than 2002. That was the year they forgot to sell all the tickets (or rather it was overzealous licensing restrictions after 2000 capping the nos) so there was space aplenty that year. People enjoy The Park now and in large numbers. And most people appear to be camping in fields that used to be car parks outside the fence. It's still awesome though.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Mandroman

[fatyeti24]

After the 2000 festival I didn't attend again until 2008. In those intervening years the festival took a noticeable, yet entirely predictable, downturn. Floods, rain and Rod Stuart. A miserable state of affairs, I'm sure we can all agree.

When the festival was struggling to shift tickets in the run up to 2008, I decided to help out again, and things have been improving ever since, with the 40th birthday celebrations in 2010 being a particular highlight.

Sadly I was otherwise engaged and thus unable to attend this year, and Kasabian were somehow allowed to headline. I won't be so lax in my duties again.

I have a ticket for 2015, so it's be safe to assume everything will be back at full tit once more.

Have a great time, OP.

[fatyeti24]

Back at full tit????

Brilliant typo

That, my good man, was not a typo. How very dare you.

[5co77ie]

The Bimble Inn didn't arrive with The Park? How long has it been going? Where was it before?

Next to Avalon in the old tipi field, where Block 9 now resides, not sure what year it first arrived. Edited October 16, 2014 by 5co77ie

[srb]

Some also believe it's now an unofficial refugee camp for Liverpudlians

[whisty]

Some also believe it's now an unofficial refugee camp for Liverpudlians

One of those guys kindly took time out to help me break into my car when I lost my keys. I of course made the jokes, especially when I said how do you know how to do that and he replied "well I'm a scouser aint I" but he must have been a reject because he failed miserably

[fatyeti24]

Some also believe it's now an unofficial refugee camp for Liverpudlians

Now?

I used to rely on them to get me in back in the 90s. £10 outside or £20 inside.

[kalifire]

The tipi field has moved and feels more sterile

I'm not sure what this means - could you explain?

[fatyeti24]

I'm not showing this as an explanation to anything, but talk of the old tipi field reminded me of this old pic. Yours truly in said field in 2000. Note the daft hat and two litre bottle of cider, de rigeur in days of yore.

[sedra]

More people campervanning, worthy view official pre-erected tents outside fence. More people. More crowded at all the stages and a crowd crush barrier at the pyramid ( though it's open not a golden circle) less campfire get togethers as more after hours stuff going on. Cider bus still there though! Better toilets though not enough last year I thought- less portaloos! Mobile phone coverage and recharging. More hard standing roads and much better drainage. Less camping in east of site more in west.