Anyone ever worked at Glasto before?

[cocoepops]

I'm not entirely sure that this thread should go in chat instead of questions but here we go. This year, I am going to be volunteering with festaff and working in exchange for my ticket. My question/general discussion topic is as follows; has anyone has the experience of working at Glastonbury and would like to share the details so I know what to expect? I'm slightly nervous and although it's not m first time at Glasto, it is m first time where I will be on my own so any stories of great times you or someone you know has had would be appreciated! Thank you!

[verrymerry]

I haven't, but everyone I know who has, or has mentioned working on efests seems to love it so I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time!

[Pinhead]

Worked Glasto and other festivals for Oxfam on and off over the years. Working two of them this year, though not Glasto. Yes its a bit daunting before you go wondering what it will be like and so on but I found it to be really fun in a different way because you feel part of the running of the place. Plus you get a number of perks like your own campsite, showers, food, bar, security etc. Will it be Tom's Field for you, or outside the fence? Doesn't Festaff just do the wristbanding? If so that's not so bad as you won't be doing any public stewarding stuff like Oxfam. Anyway, you'll meet load of others doing the same thing and make loads of mates I'm sure.

[cocoepops]

Worked Glasto and other festivals for Oxfam on and off over the years. Working two of them this year, though not Glasto. Yes its a bit daunting before you go wondering what it will be like and so on but I found it to be really fun in a different way because you feel part of the running of the place. Plus you get a number of perks like your own campsite, showers, food, bar, security etc. Will it be Tom's Field for you, or outside the fence? Doesn't Festaff just do the wristbanding? If so that's not so bad as you won't be doing any public stewarding stuff like Oxfam. Anyway, you'll meet load of others doing the same thing and make loads of mates I'm sure.

Thanks! I'm actually not too sure about where we will be camping. I'm really hoping it's inside the fence ideally! Yeah they do, so the camping will hopefully be inside the festival

[Earthwindandfire2205]

Worked the last 5 , and this year, with Festival Medical Services. It's great being part of the festival working team

[Mezhyp1]

Glasto Worker is your man to ask, he's the best in the buisness

[Dr Glasto]

I did wristbanding for a few years and loved it. There was a really great team spirit and we were actively encouraged to have a good time so as to make sure that all the punters got a fun entrance to the festival. There was lots of good chat and horsing around etc as everyone was hyped up about the weekend ahead.

The bosses were mostly just volunteers who'd done it before too, so it wasn't like a normal job at all. They turned up hungover for morning shifts just as everyone else did

The best thing about wristbanding is that the majority of the volunteer shifts are on the Weds and Thurs before the bands start (the paid staff tend to take the other shifts) - not sure if this is what you'll be doing? That being said, if you do get a shift from Friday onwards (in whatever job you're doing) and there's a band you particularly want to see, you can almost always swap shifts.

I definitely prefer going to the festival as a paid up punter these days, but I'm really glad I got to see 'behind the scenes' at Glastonbury by working there. Our crew wristbands used to get you everywhere on the Tuesday night (not sure if this is still the case?) and it was awesome walking behind the Pyramid stage when it was all set up and seeing things from the performers' perspective

[sparkythetortoise]

working at Glastonbury

Been working my ticket for a couple of years now and although it has its downside - you are working, for goodness sake - this is more than outweighed by the positives. The best thing I can say is I didn't bother going for a ticket this year, and many people who work - you see the same faces - feel the same.

Apart from not paying for ticket, the perks are

showers - I was dismissive of this until I had one every day without any queueing - puts miles back on the clock

secure camping area - relatively close to the action without the utter mentalness thats stops any sleep

free tea and food - that might just be for recycling etc, which I do, - not sure about wrist bands

Getting to park the car pretty close to where you camp

Subsidised crew bars dotted about all over the site - significantly cheaper, and quite a bit nicer

But best of, in my opinion, is waltzing up on Tuesday with no queueing and casually setting up your tent, a wander round, looking at the empty fields, and then waking up on Wednesday already camped, with a full day ahead of you.

I can't imagine bothering to fight for a ticket now, when I am guaranteed entry every year, without any financial outlay.

I hope that puts your mind at rest

Edited April 23, 2015 by sparkythetortoise

[fred quimby]

I've been working down there for years now. working backstage C&T. Mainly setting up stuff and my work is done by Thursday night.

Not sure I would go as a punter now.

We are able to be there the weekend before which always good, and with the amount of people there and bars opening it is like the festival itself, but easier to get around. I have friends who work it, and run the backstage bar so for me it's a great time to catch up.

You'll have a blast

[glasto-worker]

I'm actually not too sure about where we will be camping. I'm really hoping it's inside the fence ideally! Yeah they do, so the camping will hopefully be inside the festival

I have worked at Glastonbury for the past 26 years .

Have no clue where they camp but if its outside the fence I would doubt its not all that far - 40% of the time its been outside the fence but its only been feet from the wall.

so really you should not get all that hung up about where the crew site is - facilities do vary and they may or may not have a catering unit.

The WBC Crew area even has a 24 hour mess tent ' with television ' { I am not joking } - lots of power extensions for peoples phones - a cheap bar - hot showers and flushing toilets but I doubt if you will have the same facilities as I don't think Festaff will gave that many volunteers - you could end up sharing a general crew campsite - I am sure you will find out nearer the event.

what is handy for me is I am friendly with the WBC set up crew so they let me know what the ground is like in advance - they will be there two weeks before the event starts.

you will meet loads of new people so it really does not matter if you don't know anyone.

[cocoepops]

I did wristbanding for a few years and loved it. There was a really great team spirit and we were actively encouraged to have a good time so as to make sure that all the punters got a fun entrance to the festival. There was lots of good chat and horsing around etc as everyone was hyped up about the weekend ahead.

The bosses were mostly just volunteers who'd done it before too, so it wasn't like a normal job at all. They turned up hungover for morning shifts just as everyone else did

The best thing about wristbanding is that the majority of the volunteer shifts are on the Weds and Thurs before the bands start (the paid staff tend to take the other shifts) - not sure if this is what you'll be doing? That being said, if you do get a shift from Friday onwards (in whatever job you're doing) and there's a band you particularly want to see, you can almost always swap shifts.

I definitely prefer going to the festival as a paid up punter these days, but I'm really glad I got to see 'behind the scenes' at Glastonbury by working there. Our crew wristbands used to get you everywhere on the Tuesday night (not sure if this is still the case?) and it was awesome walking behind the Pyramid stage when it was all set up and seeing things from the performers' perspective

yeah it is wrist banding! That's what I'm most excited for because every time I go to a festival the wristbanders are always super cheery. The AAA aspect is something I hope still happens.

Been working my ticket for a couple of years now and although it has its downside - you are working, for goodness sake - this is more than outweighed by the positives. The best thing I can say is I didn't bother going for a ticket this year, and many people who work - you see the same faces - feel the same.

Apart from not paying for ticket, the perks are

showers - I was dismissive of this until I had one every day without any queueing - puts miles back on the clock

secure camping area - relatively close to the action without the utter mentalness thats stops any sleep

free tea and food - that might just be for recycling etc, which I do, - not sure about wrist bands

Getting to park the car pretty close to where you camp

Subsidised crew bars dotted about all over the site - significantly cheaper, and quite a bit nicer

But best of, in my opinion, is waltzing up on Tuesday with no queueing and casually setting up your tent, a wander round, looking at the empty fields, and then waking up on Wednesday already camped, with a full day ahead of you.

I can't imagine bothering to fight for a ticket now, when I am guaranteed entry every year, without any financial outlay.

I hope that puts your mind at rest

It does! Thank you so much. Did you find the other workers went alone though? Or do most people go with a friend Edited April 23, 2015 by cocoepops

[cocoepops]

I have worked at Glastonbury for the past 26 years .

Have no clue where they camp but if its outside the fence I would doubt its not all that far - 40% of the time its been outside the fence but its only been feet from the wall.

so really you should not get all that hung up about where the crew site is - facilities do vary and they may or may not have a catering unit.

The WBC Crew area even has a 24 hour mess tent ' with television ' { I am not joking } - lots of power extensions for peoples phones - a cheap bar - hot showers and flushing toilets but I doubt if you will have the same facilities as I don't think Festaff will gave that many volunteers - you could end up sharing a general crew campsite - I am sure you will find out nearer the event.

what is handy for me is I am friendly with the WBC set up crew so they let me know what the ground is like in advance - they will be there two weeks before the event starts.

you will meet loads of new people so it really does not matter if you don't know anyone.

I've been working down there for years now. working backstage C&T. Mainly setting up stuff and my work is done by Thursday night.

Not sure I would go as a punter now.

We are able to be there the weekend before which always good, and with the amount of people there and bars opening it is like the festival itself, but easier to get around. I have friends who work it, and run the backstage bar so for me it's a great time to catch up.

You'll have a blast

Thank you both! I'm really excited now. One question though, where is the general camping?

[Dr Glasto]

One question though, where is the general camping?

I was always up in the crew camping around Gate B for wristbanding.

[sparkythetortoise]

Did you find the other workers went alone though? Or do most people go with a friend

I go with a mate, but lots of people come on their own. If you are going solo, I think its a pretty good way to do it. The working environment gives a bit of structure to the day, usefully corrals you into a specific camping zone, and makes you feel less like billy no mates. You end up talking to other people of necessity, which is a great ice breaker if talking to strangers is something that doesn't come naturally to you, and warms you up for doing so when out in the festival proper. Also, bear in mind that although the work isn't exactly tough, you do get on with it, so even if you do go with a friend, you tend to go about your own business while working anyway.

[glasto-worker]

Thank you both! I'm really excited now. One question though, where is the general camping?

I did not use the words general camping - I wrote ' general crew campsite ' - there is a few dotted about and really your best to wait until they tell you - Companies move about all the time - so even if they used a certain spot last year does not mean they will use the same spot this year. At this stage only they would know.

[Neil C]

Have worked on the recycling crew for the last 3 years, I would never even think about getting a normal ticket now much prefer to work for my ticket.

Plus sides are a free ticket (providign all shifts are done) secure camping, 2 free meals per day, free tea and coffee and for me the biggest advantage is beating the traffice and arriving on site on the Saturday.

Previous years have worked Friday to Monday morning 6.00am to midday, love that shift as dont miss anything of the festival

Only negative side for me if the camping area being to the far north of the site thus being quite a trek from the Park area

[Pinhead]

Yeah, could be Tom's Field or even Spring Field then if they are usually around Gate B. 2 x 8 hour shifts for your ticket seems a pretty good bargain! Good to see they hate selfie sticks too...

http://www.festaff.co.uk/volunteer-info/job-guide-fact-sheet

[incident]

Festaff are in Toms Field, so inside the fence. Spring Field is for FMS and one other group who I can't remember right now.

[cocoepops]

Thanks for your help everyone!

[hjglasto]

It's a different experience to going as a punter but still a fantastic one. Plus you get to be on site for 2 extra days! If you're not working Wednesday morning make sure you go and sit up at the top of the Park and watch the transformation - such an amazing sight.

[fat_man_joe]

I worked in 2011 with Oxfam and it was such a great experience, they really do look after you.

Wednesday night was one of my favourites. All the staff just get pissed and have fun at the Stone Circle. You'll have a great time!

[glasto-worker]

I must be doing something wrong as I will be working daily from the Tuesday and not ending until early Monday morning but due to my long service I have first pick at the shifts so the Tuesday will not be on until after the Bread and Roses closes so will not miss the Tuesday drink up.

As there is no other bars open the crew bar will be packed out on the Tuesday and most forgetting they will have to start work from the Wednesday.

[Cieran]

I'm working with Festaff too this year and I'll be going on my own also!

Yeah, could be Tom's Field or even Spring Field then if they are usually around Gate B. 2 x 8 hour shifts for your ticket seems a pretty good bargain! Good to see they hate selfie sticks too...

http://www.festaff.co.uk/volunteer-info/job-guide-fact-sheet

It's 3 x 8 hours at Glastonbury

[Wanderlei]

I've never not worked at Glasto. I've been on the Recycling Crew from 2008 to now. It's hard work, but very rewarding. I wouldn't have it any other way now - there's so many perks. Showers, free meals, lots of space to camp, no queueing to get into the fest, parking right near the entrance. And you don't have the stress of trying to buy a ticket and dishing out the money for one. All good.

[The_Amazing_Oblong]

Working is cool, everyone is sound.

You will meet so many people it's up to you who you call friend.

Go with the flow and Enjoy.

.