Is GFL arrogant?

[Boopickledaddy]

There's many ways to look at it. Some may think it arrogant. I definitely don't.

I actually think it's works to the benefit of those who want to "go to Glastonbury" as opposed to those who want to "see (insert name of artist here) at Glastonbury".

If you spend all of 5 minutes looking at the official website you can see that you can still get an almost full refund right up until May - by which time I'd imagine the full lineup will be out. This is no different to, as others have said, buying early bird tickets for a 2015 festival the day after the 2014 festival finishes.

I know some people without tickets for this year that will be trying in the resale irrespective of whether the lineup is released by then or who's on it. They know, as many on here do, that there is so much more to the festival than plonking a camping chair in front of the Pyramid all day.

If withholding the lineup means that we get more tickets back in the pot from people who aren't that bothered and therefore there's more available for people who want to go irrespective, I'm all up for leaving the lineup till after the first resale!

I agree, more tickets for those who want to go whatever the line up sounds good to me

[UEF]

They don't tell us now because there's often nothing to know. Glasto is run on a low budget for it's size, so they have to wait and see who will play the festival for less money than the other big festivals. When they know, we'll know (or soon after), give or take some game playing they use to make sure tickets sell.

[GlastoLuvvinJock]

I feel the need to argue with most on here as I do think that they are arrogant. But this is an arrogance that they are fully entitled to have because they put on the most amazing festival every year which over 100,000 people are willing to buy tickets for despite not knowing or giving a flying f*** who is going to be playing. The arrogant people are the one who buy a ticket and think that they should have a say in who plays and how the festival is run.

Keep up the arrogance Glastonbury, you have worked had and you deserve to have it.

[dccool]

I doubt very much the people on this site are representative of Glastonbury's whole demographic. We love Glastonbury. Christ, the whole reason we joined this site was to talk about Glastonbury. However I would strongly argue to a very large number it's simply a music festival.

It probably works the other way for those people - whilst to us the music is an incidental bonus. To them, the extras are.

Personally, I don't give a s#@t who plays and who doesn't on which stage at what time. Been going for long enough (first mid 90's) to realise that it doesn't matter.

However, I do think that they should release the line up before the payment date.

Punters go to music festivals for the music, punters go to Glastonbury festival because its Glastonbury festival and I think they do play on that fact.

I just think its the right thing for Glastonbury Festival to do.

[whisty]

Can I just say though I find the attacks and Insults thrown by some at those merely asking for the lineup as distasteful as any so called 'disrespect' towards the festival by those people.......yes many who criticise glastos stance 'don't get it' in terms of the fest not being all about the music alone.....but on the large part how are these people meant to get it? As many of those moaning are new to the festival so not aware yet of 'why' the lineup doesn't really matter so much......I know because as I said above I was like that my first year going.....no need to be so hostile towards people who the festival may depend on in the future to keep going, think of how you come off to these glasto newbies? Hardly the so called glastonbury spirit .

All this 'piss off and give someone else your ticket' kind of mantra is what I'm speaking of....not so much here but I've seen Enough of it around to annoy me

I know the festival needs new blood and maybe you have a a valid point, but there are so many regulars who didn't get tickets that are desperate and dont give a flying who's headlining.

[Padgey]

If you're a newbie just give it a go even if the line up doesn't suit, I know if it was my first time I'd be reluctant but knowing what I know now it's 5 days of having an absolute blast, and as someone said earlier it's time to relax, unwind and not have a care in the world.

[briddj]

I don't care what the line-up is going to be to a certain extent. I just know, as always, it's going to be an out of this world five days with one hell of a hangover to follow.

First time I went they announced the line-up towards the end of May. It didn't matter a jot - it was all part of the suspense and excitement.

[Lockley123]

I'm a newbie and I am 100% going whatever the line up - paid my balance first thing. I am desperate to know, but purely just cos I'm excited, and if there are bands I am not familiar with I want to have a listen to them in advance, not cos I feel aggrieved at having to pay the balance without knowing. I feel privileged to get a ticket so there is no way I am giving it up, I'm not a fan of Kanye west but there will be loads of other stuff to see.

In my opinion, the festival is only arrogant if the market says it is - if people are happy to buy a ticket without knowing the line up then they are still entitled to do it this way - if people get pissed off they will vote with their feet (or debit cards) and it will be arrogant (and not viable) to continue like that. The festival sold out in record time this year - in my opinion that tells us all we need to know. Only if and when that changes will they need to think about the process.

[stardustjunkie]

I don't think arrogant is the right word.

There's definitely an air of confidence that could backfire one day though. It would be interesting to know how many people aren't planning to pay for their ticket based on the Kanye West announcement. People who might otherwise keep their tickets if they were able to see the line up as a whole.

I think I can count on one hand the number of bands I saw last year, and that works for me just fine but other people love the festival for the bands and that's great for them. I don't think anyone is more deserving of a ticket because they experience the festival differently to how someone else likes to. To me it's arrogant to think that you 'get' the festival and anyone who isn't on the same wavelength as you doesn't 'get it'.

I do believe that there should be more information before the ticket balance is paid, but it doesn't necessarily have to come in the form of headliners. If they want the festival to be less about the big names then why not give Circus some publicity prior to ticket payment? How about announce who will be speaking in the Leftfield? There are many things that they could leak prior to this date to give people something to think about and research.

On the flip side I feel the current way does give people who are desperate to go for whatever reason, a higher chance in the resale because people who aren't that bothered about going will be less inclined to cough up without knowing what they're getting for their money.

[muffpuffin]

I don't think arrogant is the right word.

There's definitely an air of confidence that could backfire one day though. It would be interesting to know how many people aren't planning to pay for their ticket based on the Kanye West announcement. People who might otherwise keep their tickets if they were able to see the line up as a whole.

I think I can count on one hand the number of bands I saw last year, and that works for me just fine but other people love the festival for the bands and that's great for them. I don't think anyone is more deserving of a ticket because they experience the festival differently to how someone else likes to. To me it's arrogant to think that you 'get' the festival and anyone who isn't on the same wavelength as you doesn't 'get it'.

I do believe that there should be more information before the ticket balance is paid, but it doesn't necessarily have to come in the form of headliners. If they want the festival to be less about the big names then why not give Circus some publicity prior to ticket payment? How about announce who will be speaking in the Leftfield? There are many things that they could leak prior to this date to give people something to think about and research.

On the flip side I feel the current way does give people who are desperate to go for whatever reason, a higher chance in the resale because people who aren't that bothered about going will be less inclined to cough up without knowing what they're getting for their money.

First time I went, 1997, I was about 35 years old and I don't think I knew many of the bands playing at all, certainly not anything that had been popular within the previous five years (long story). It was also a very notoriously muddy festival, but at least it didn't actually rain much while we were there. Anyway, I had an amazing time, so amazing I have longed to go back every year since. And I have, until this year, when I don't have tickets. Still, I am hopeful for the resale. My worry is that if the announcement doesn't come during this week, the majority will hold onto their tickets "just in case", whereas if it comes before the balance due date, and people don't like what they see, they may just give up their tickets and leave all the more for the resale. Is this selfish of me? Probably, but I don't really care that much. I don't give a hoot who the headliners are because there is so much else to see and do. I would quite like good weather though

[FuzzyDunlop]

I think I can count on one hand the number of bands I saw last year, and that works for me just fine but other people love the festival for the bands and that's great for them. I don't think anyone is more deserving of a ticket because they experience the festival differently to how someone else likes to. To me it's arrogant to think that you 'get' the festival and anyone who isn't on the same wavelength as you doesn't 'get it'.

Fantastic point.

Those who sit at the Pyramid all day regardless of the line up "get it" as much as people who may see no act there in the whole fesival.

Our first festival in 2009 we were talking to someone on the sunday who had not seen anyone up to that point. Which at the time I found bizare, now I understand why. It isn't me as I want to see quite a lot of acts, but now I generally have 2/3 definites per day. The rest is just on the hop. Others plan to the minute detail. There isn't a right answer.

Getting it, is loving it and wanting to come back. Regardless of what you do.

[briddj]

Fantastic point.

Those who sit at the Pyramid all day regardless of the line up "get it" as much as people who may see no act there in the whole fesival.

They don't really though, do they?

They might have a different experience and one they enjoy, but they don't "get it".

Edited April 2, 2015 by briddj

[SloopJohnB]

I for one would pay in full in October every year knowing nothing. There's quite a few years I've not seen any of the headliners and only watched a handful of bands, others I've watched loads more. But every year I've had a great time and immediately start counting down till ticket day.

Its Glastonbury!!!!

[FuzzyDunlop]

They don't really though, do they?

They might have a different experience and one they enjoy, but they don't "get it".

Why?

Where else can you see Metallica, Rudimental, The English National Balet, Lily Allen, Kelis, Turtle Island, Ed Sheeran and Robert Plant all at the same place?

It isn't what I would want to do, but "getting it" is all subjective.

[sonicpurveyor]

I don't post here that often but for what its worth if anyone questions / has worries over the 3rd headliner / wants to hold on for an announcement / has any other doubts about going etc then I'd say Glastonbury is not for them, head over to V / T-in the Park / Reading / Isle of Wight etc. I didnt go to Glasto for the first time until 2000 - I was an 80/90s metal head and Glasto isnt for metal heads! but my music tastes have drastically changed. I was more or less dragged to my first visit to the place but it sure did open my mind, i didnt get a ticket until a week before and didnt really look at the line up, ever since I just buy a ticket and no matter what the line up I'll guarantee to enjoy myself. Its never been about the music, its about the feel of the place, being around like minded individuals, the little surprises that jump out and grab you by the nuts, 24 hour party people, witnessing a wedding in a boxing ring with a female basque clad vcar whilst your having a pint and tugging on a joint in a makeshift church at 11am on a sunday morning, bumping into an elbow performance in a small pub behind the pyramid on 2002, seeing everyday people and what everyone would deem celebrities just being themselves or being just the people they really wanna be for a week, its like getting out the van when you first arrive and sucking in that air, staying up all night to catch a glorious sunrise from the stone(d) circle, getting to know complete strangers and then experience Glasto with them year after year, its about having a wander around the site and stumbling across something magical its not just about the music its about all these little things. Don't worry yourself about what band is or isnt going to be there because if you get the Glasto vibe and float along with it then you'll have a magical 3 or 4 days, or 7 if youre like me.

[briddj]

Why?

Where else can you see Metallica, Rudimental, The English National Balet, Lily Allen, Kelis, Turtle Island, Ed Sheeran and Robert Plant all at the same place?

It isn't what I would want to do, but "getting it" is all subjective.

Because Glastonbury isn't all about the Pyramid, so if they sit at the Pyramid all day they may well enjoy it - but they certainly can't "get" Glastonbury by sitting in the same place for three days.

[sime]

Arrogant? No. Successfully understand their business model? Yes.

[FuzzyDunlop]

Because Glastonbury isn't all about the Pyramid, so if they sit at the Pyramid all day they may well enjoy it - but they certainly can't "get" Glastonbury by sitting in the same place for three days.

To you and me it isn't, but that doesn't make it a less valid festival. There are people who don't really leave the SE corner, but I couldn't do that either.

[Thelips]

I hand over 500 quid for a newcastle united season ticket in advance with no idea what is instore. Well actually I know it's going to be boring mediocracy so the thought of blindly handing over less than half for 100% pure joy is not a problem at all.

[neil999]

I don't think people on here realise oh little people know about the actual festival, ive told several first timers about there being no arena and being able to carry drink anywhere being VERY surprised

[Untz]

People treat newbies like babies.

Back not too long ago, tickets were sold in full in April only with very little of the line up known. I don't think that stopped newbies then. In this glorious age of the internet, people can research past line ups, look at the various areas and FAQs and get a general feel of the place. I wasn't that surprised when I turned up because I had actually looked at the website. I even knew Pennards was the place to be. Admittedly, it was my first camping festival so I didn't have anything to compare it to.

I don't know how people can go to all the effort of knowing you have to be registered and how the system works and not know what it's all about. Of course, there will always be people only interested in the music and that's fine.

Edit: I shouldn't be allowed to post on the internet before 9:30, I am very grumpy in the morning. I apologise for the excessive grumpiness.

Edited April 2, 2015 by Untz

[jdizzle]

People miss the whole point of Glastonbury

[sloseph]

as a newbie to the festival i can absolutely confirm i don't care about the lineup, i'll be attending no matter what, i'd like to see it just so i've got more information to absorb and get excited about but i don't care who's on it

i think most of us consider festivals a holiday, you get 5 days away from the real world where your only concern is how much fun you can cram into those 5 days, you choose Glastonbury because over those 5 days you have an entire City of fun to explore, it might be that some of your favourite bands are entertaining you or it might be that you find yourself getting a massage, drown yourself in falafel then chat to strangers for hours

the point is Glastonbury isn't about the music, it's about 5 days of fun and you're guaranteed to get that no matter who's on the lineup

[briddj]

To you and me it isn't, but that doesn't make it a less valid festival. There are people who don't really leave the SE corner, but I couldn't do that either.

The SE corner is in many ways far more "Glastonbury" though - in terms of how it is so much different to any other festival you could go to.

[alexwetherell]

Glastonbury is probably the only festival (that i've been too anyway) where the line up, to me, is completely irrelavant. As weird as that sounds, but you could easliy avoid Pyramid,Other and JP and still have an absolute blinder of a time. I could probably count on 2 hands how many acts I watched on the main stages last year and it was the best one i've been to since 2010. I don't think its arrogant for the Festival to let people buy tickets without any line up annoucements. Yeah, it is nice to have that option of watching some acts you like, but when you've been to Glastonbury once, you know there is so much more to it than watching Lily Allen on Pyramid at 6pm friday evening. But then everyone's different, the people that moan about Kanye and refuse to go because he's there clearly don't get it, the people that sit infront of the Pyramid on their camping chairs all day every day don't get it (CAMPING CHAIRS INFRONT OF STAGES DO MY NUT IN). It's an amazing place, as i said, if you don't wanna risk not going cos of lack of line up announcement, then put your feet up at the weekend and watch the festival on the TV? Save the tickets for someone that actually understands the festival.