Obsession with glastonbury.!

[grumpyhack]

Hi k8y

I'm a GF newbie, finally deciding to go this year after years of feeling that, although being at festivals is where I feel happiest in the world, Glastonbury just isn't/wasn't 'my' kind of festival. Too big, too 'mainstream' blah blah. Last autumn something 'clicked', and instantly I knew that I had to go this year. I genuinely don't know why, but suddenly it felt completely right, and that had to go.

I think you'll discover that Glasto isn't too big and certainly not 'mainstream.' It's really a collection of about a dozen festivals side by side and you can hop from one to another or even avoid some bits completely. If you skip the Pyramid and concentrate wholly on the fringes you could go to a totally alternative, non-mainstream event. But you can also dip in and out of the mainstream bits if the mood takes you. It's the best of all worlds and I hope you enjoy.

[stuartbert two hats]

I think you'll discover that Glasto isn't too big and certainly not 'mainstream.' It's really a collection of about a dozen festivals side by side and you can hop from one to another or even avoid some bits completely. If you skip the Pyramid and concentrate wholly on the fringes you could go to a totally alternative, non-mainstream event. But you can also dip in and out of the mainstream bits if the mood takes you. It's the best of all worlds and I hope you enjoy.

He will. I've been going since 97 and never known of someone who gets the festival so well without ever having turned up.

Stu

Edited May 24, 2015 by stuartbert two hats

[glasto-worker]

I can see how some people who have never been before can get obsessed as there is so much information out there

this will be my 30th Glastonbury going back 36 years

when I started going very few people in London even knew there was a festival { which was no big surprise seeing the last official one was eight years before in 1971 }

people now have access to so much information but in the old days it was really a local affair - poster is from 1970 where 1,500 showed up

it may have remained a local affair apart for one key change - Michael getting involved with Mid Somerset CND in 1981 and then bringing on National CND who then started promoting the event via their extensive CND mailing Network.

Up and down the Country you could walk into any CND shop {and some record shops} and buy tickets over the counter.

I wonder what would have happened if that deal with CND was not struck - I doubt it would be still going.

[bennyhana22]

He will. I've been going since 97 and never known of someone who gets the festival so well without ever having turned up.

Stu

Just sorry you won't be part of that S2H...

2016 it is

Ben

[GlastoEls]

So glad you posted this k8yphillips. I have been lucky to have been to Glasto several times and am getting more and more obsessed too. I am sure that my family thinks I am a bit nuts!

I can, and do, turn any conversation round to talking of any aspect of Glasto!! Hubbie politely listens but I can see his eyes glazing over!!

Have a brilliant time and worry not! X

Great post.

[k8yphillips]

I can see how some people who have never been before can get obsessed as there is so much information out there

this will be my 30th Glastonbury going back 36 years

when I started going very few people in London even knew there was a festival { which was no big surprise seeing the last official one was eight years before in 1971 }

people now have access to so much information but in the old days it was really a local affair - poster is from 1970 where 1,500 showed up

it may have remained a local affair apart for one key change - Michael getting involved with Mid Somerset CND in 1981 and then bringing on National CND who then started promoting the event via their extensive CND mailing Network.

Up and down the Country you could walk into any CND shop {and some record shops} and buy tickets over the counter.

I wonder what would have happened if that deal with CND was not struck - I doubt it would be still going.

I would have loved to of gone to the festival back in the day. I watched the Glastonbury film the other day and it looked bloody amazing.!!

Edited May 24, 2015 by k8yphillips

[Spacey]

I first went to Glastonbury in 2000 with a friend. It was a last minute thing. Got tickets the week before and didn't really know much about it. I remember sitting in Bella's field soon after arriving and being blown away. It was amazing. Had a brilliant time and I think it changed my perspective on things. Realised what fun could be had. I have been to every one except one since and am still excited by it. No two years are the same.

I've been with my husband a few times but it's not really his thing. Also been with different friends but most of them although they enjoy it don't really get it and aren't that bothered if they don't get a ticket. I'm in my 50s and still have a good time. Like to wander around and meet up with people I know.

This year I'm going on my own. My son will be there and some other friends I met at Glasto in previous years as well as some other people I know so I will have people to meet up with. (My son loves Glasto too so I can talk to him about it). I like this forum as it allows me to be quietly obsessive. I will be at the meet hopefully after braving it for the first time last year. All the people I met were lovely. Hope to see you there K8yphillips.

[Sofa]

This is a really good thread.Its great to see peoples excitement growing as the weeks tick by and im not even going this year.

[Ezmereldasays]

Ok.!! So I'm a long time lurker on efestivals, and after a few drinks I have the courage to post. My first glastonbury was last year due to my partner saying how much he thinks I would love it, ( he has been quite a few times!!)! So I went last year and now have tickets for 2015, now I have the such an obsession with the festival, I think, sleep eat Glastonbury, lucky I am from somerset and have now been to worthy farm just for walks on the farm. Anyway what I'm saying is since my first time last year I am totally obsessed with the place.!!! Is this normal glasto lovers?? and if not why can I not think of anything else??? Eat, sleep, glasto, rave, repeat!!! Is this obsession normal?? Xx

It's quite simple, you have fallen in love

Edited May 24, 2015 by Ezmereldasays

[k8yphillips]

My only regret about Glastonbury is that I never discovered it sooner!!

I cannot wait to get back on that farm next month.!!

I'm going to take the kids and climb the Tor this week just so I can get even more excited.!!

[k8yphillips]

It's quite simple, you have fallen in love

I sure have.! X

[frostypaw]

Quite normal, but not everyone gets it like that. Lots of people love it but for some it strikes a deeper resonance and you see echoes of it everywhere. As Ez says you fall in love and it can be all consuming

Over the years it wore me down a bit - the run up is much longer than the festival which seemed to flash by. I'd arrive so het up I'd get ruined before i started. Slowly I learnt to keep it to an insistent trickle until the festival is close, let it build to a roar as the gates open until sometime usually thursday it explodes

It's always there though and occasionally it's fun to look behind the floodgates at years of OMFG moments and deeply treasured memories that will make my heart flutter for many many years to come. Roll on the electric twilight and the gathering revellers, the surge of the dancing crowds and the seconds that slow to a near standstill when just then, just there surrounded by the expanse of the festival everything is perfect.

[Bisque]

I can't imagine not going.

[ghandi]

Hi k8y

I'm a GF newbie, finally deciding to go this year after years of feeling that, although being at festivals is where I feel happiest in the world, Glastonbury just isn't/wasn't 'my' kind of festival. Too big, too 'mainstream' blah blah. Last autumn something 'clicked', and instantly I knew that I had to go this year. I genuinely don't know why, but suddenly it felt completely right, and that had to go.

From THAT moment onwards, I have been ENTIRELY obsessed with all things Glastonbury. I had a military operation set up with friends to ensure that my one, single coach ticket was secured (got it at 7.01pm in the Wed coach sale!). I have read just about every post on here since...and that's a ridiculous number, even if confined to the Headliners 2015 thread! I have watched every vid, read every article. I feel that I am as familiar as one can be without ever going, not to spoil the surprises and wonders I will see, but to try to make sure I get as much out of my first Glastonbury as possible.

So, I've gone from 'not for me', to 'i know I'm gonna want to go EVERY year' without having even been!

I've even made a series of complicated shift swaps at work in 2016 to make sure that, should I get a ticket, I can go next year!!

You are not alone...

Ben

x

It's going to be really interesting to read your posts after the festival Ben

[fred quimby]

I have been going since 82 and the friends I am down there this year with not long after. We still talk about it incessantly when we meet.

The obsession never stops, I guess when it does you stop going.

[fred quimby]

This is a really good thread.Its great to see peoples excitement growing as the weeks tick by and im not even going this year.

Is it Australia you are off to though instead. That sounds just as good

[Janski]

My partner is going for the 1st time, my 7th, everytime I see him I tell myself, stop talking about Glastonbury, but I inevitably end up bringing it up! I'm sure it's driving him crazy, hopefully he will understand once he's been.

Frostypaw, I couldn't quote your post, cause I'm on my phone, but it was quite beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. Well said

[Funkyfairy!]

I can see how some people who have never been before can get obsessed as there is so much information out there

this will be my 30th Glastonbury going back 36 years

when I started going very few people in London even knew there was a festival { which was no big surprise seeing the last official one was eight years before in 1971 }

people now have access to so much information but in the old days it was really a local affair - poster is from 1970 where 1,500 showed up

it may have remained a local affair apart for one key change - Michael getting involved with Mid Somerset CND in 1981 and then bringing on National CND who then started promoting the event via their extensive CND mailing Network.

Up and down the Country you could walk into any CND shop {and some record shops} and buy tickets over the counter.

I wonder what would have happened if that deal with CND was not struck - I doubt it would be still going.

I love the way you could get tickets by post by writing to M Eavis esq ... Wonder if the same would work now :-)

[Woffy]

The brutally honest brevity of Couchy's post nails it for me.

(and regular efesters know what a deviant he usually is ...but i feel paternal towards the young upstart).

Anyhoo, i've done more than 10 Glastos now and Frosty's 'deeper resonance' quote is another really good one.

2 examples / reasons:

I first went using (one of my) best friends' ticket, who'd just died at a horrifically young age in a car accident. His gf / my friend asked if i'd go with her (her first GF too) as I was probably the biggest music obsessive of our group of friends.

I went.

And:

It felt so very, very weirdly like being at home. For the first time.

I will have a moment - alone - this year, like every year, and have a drink and 'chat with him'. It helps. And i'm not spiritual or sentimental in any other way.

Yes GF's changed since my first time, but IMHO the festival retains that indefinable 'thing' that makes it what it is, if you make a tiny effort to look for it...and care to want to look for it. (If not, that's ok too).

Secondly - much like the last year and a bit, but for wildly different reasons - 2011 was a truly difficult time for me personally.

As the 'recognised' / 'novelty' Glastonbury-goer at work, a colleague called me one Monday morning and asked if I'd got a ticket on the Sunday.

For approx. 3 seconds I had no fucking idea what he was going on about.

Then realisation dawned; like waking up heroically hungover the morning after a colossal night out and regret kicks you hard in that area of your gut labelled 'N A U S E A' at the same time (i'm paraphrasing DFWallace here) fate leans out of a darkened alley, dressed comically-stereotypically in a long black trenchcoat, collar upturned, as you casually walk past, minding your own business and whispers nonchalantly in your ear that your a stupid daft c*** and everything is ruined.

Wrapped up in my own personal comfort blanket of shit it hadn't even occurred to me it was T-day the morning before.

It was that bad.

And Glastonbury is that good.

In fact, it's fucking beautiful.

Maybe I am sentimental.

[Couchy is a deviant though! ]

Edited May 24, 2015 by Woffy

[stuartbert two hats]

The brutally honest brevity of Couchy's post nails it for me.

(and regular efesters know what a deviant he usually is ...but i feel paternal towards the young upstart).

Anyhoo, i've done more than 10 Glastos now and Frosty's 'deeper resonance' quote is another really good one.

2 examples / reasons:

I first went using (one of my) best friends' ticket, who'd just died at a horrifically young age in a car accident. His gf / my friend asked if i'd go with her (her first GF too) as I was probably the biggest music obsessive of our group of friends.

I went.

And:

It felt so very, very weirdly like being at home. For the first time.

I will have a moment - alone - this year, like every year, and have a drink and 'chat with him'. It helps. And i'm not spiritual or sentimental in any other way.

Yes GF's changed since my first time, but IMHO the festival retains that indefinable 'thing' that makes it what it is, if you make a tiny effort to look for it...and care to want to look for it. (If not, that's ok too).

Secondly - much like the last year and a bit, but for wildly different reasons - 2011 was a truly difficult time for me personally.

As the 'recognised' / 'novelty' Glastonbury-goer at work, a colleague called me one Monday morning and asked if I'd got a ticket on the Sunday.

For approx. 3 seconds I had no fucking idea what he was going on about.

Then realisation dawned; like waking up heroically hungover the morning after a colossal night out and regret kicks you hard in that area of your gut labelled 'N A U S E A' at the same time (i'm paraphrasing DFWallace here) fate leans out of a darkened alley, dressed comically-stereotypically in a long black trenchcoat, collar upturned, as you casually walk past, minding your own business and whispers nonchalantly in your ear that your a stupid daft c*** and everything is ruined.

Wrapped up in my own personal comfort blanket of shit it hadn't even occurred to me it was T-day the morning before.

It was that bad.

And Glastonbury is that good.

In fact, it's fucking beautiful.

Maybe I am sentimental.

[Couchy is a deviant though! ]

Did you get to go in 2011 in the end?

[Woffy]

Did you get to go in 2011 in the end?

Nope.

Pretended it wasn't happening.

[Bisque]

Woffy, I'll see you & the missus at The Vaccines.

[Woffy]

Woffy, I'll see you & the missus at The Vaccines.

Not my bag.

You two will have go without me.

[stuartbert two hats]

Nope.

Pretended it wasn't happening.

That was the first year I'd missed since 2003. I blame Eavis for moving the fallow year to clash with my wedding. My honeymoon was technically over when the festival started, but a using a technicality to go get wasted in a field isn't the best way to start a marriage!

I can never ignore it when I'm not there. I stick Worthy FM on and watch the webcam + TV coverage. The whole thing. I even stopped flushing the toilet to get the 'Glastonbury Ambience'

[al_coholic]

Love newbies and their Glastobating. My 8th this year. I have friends who used to go 25 years ago but I never fancied it before the super fence went up in 2002. My first was 2004 and as a slight skeptic I was amazed back then. To see the site last year and how it has grown and evolved is brilliant. After 7 I feel like I know the place really well.

As someone said previously, this is not just a festival. It is multiple festivals just in one place at the same time. Silver Hayes, The Park and Avalon could be festivals on their own, and most definitely the Naughty corner.