What's changed?

[lefthandedopener]

Delighted to have secured tickets yesterday, first time trying since i last attended, previously been in 2008,2009,2010 and 2013.

 

So to forumistas who attended during these years and were there in 2024 what are the noticeable changes to look out for? Any tips/tricks for a new/old hat?

 

Many thanks! 

[Skip997]

The vibe 

[Ricci's Special Kebabs]

Scousers, sh*t loads of them

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

I'm going to disagree with Skip on this one. In my own experience, the general vibe and atmosphere is the same as it's always been in the time I've been going. Certainly since the dates you've mentioned. I can't speak for Skip's own experiences of course.

 

All I will say is, be prepared for less space, more queues and a generally busier feeling overall. That's certainly the biggest difference since 2013. Everything else feels much the same to me. Same spectacle, same atmosphere.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

In the same boat 😄 

 

Prepared for big stuff like Glastonbury on Sea and the changes to John Peel, but can’t wait to discover everything else that the TV doesn’t show. 

[danbailey80]

Silver Hayes (Dance area) is much much better now with new stages such as Levels

More people/ queues so plan the right place/ time to eat or toilet

Glade area even better (although line up last year raised a few eyebrows). has 2 areas now.

South East corner has had various changes since 2013

Arcadia field wasn't there in 2013

Woodies (was John Peel) area now has The Wood and a new stage that has acts after the main stage finishes.

[ghandi]

20 minutes ago, Supernintendo Chalmers said:

I'm going to disagree with Skip on this one. In my own experience, the general vibe and atmosphere is the same as it's always been in the time I've been going. Certainly since the dates you've mentioned. I can't speak for Skip's own experiences of course.

 

All I will say is, be prepared for less space, more queues and a generally busier feeling overall. That's certainly the biggest difference since 2013. Everything else feels much the same to me. Same spectacle, same atmosphere.

I'd  certainly agree. First one was 2009 and then early teens. Went in 2019 before covid and even in 2022 our next visit I noticed an appreciable difference, very much busier probably caused by the influx of tickets given to sponsors etc ( approx 7k on the gate ). I can't say the atmosphere is that different aside from a few idiots you might encounter. But that's the Sam's as in normal life tbf

[Nice hymer]

And for another perspective...

 

More space in some areas, particularly if you avoid whatever the 'hot' act is. 

 

But wherever is 'hot', it'll be busy and there's a chance you might be turned away or find that routes are closed.

 

Food seems loads better than days gone by, eating is now very much part of the experience (rather than just being a necessity).

 

Larger groups, sometimes less community spirit or consideration for others, more selfishness.

 

The vibe is still loads better than most other festivals, so it's all relative....

[The_Fish]

1 minute ago, Nice hymer said:

 

 

Food seems loads better than days gone by, eating is now very much part of the experience (rather than just being a necessity).

 

 

I'm going again for the first time since 2009 and I'm devastated to learn that I won't be able to taste Pauline Fowler's growler anymore. 

[Watergirl]

More people on their phones all the time.  Even more flags than before - only bothers me at the Pyramid and sometimes Other.

[Physical_graffiti]

agree with the above - same vibe, same happy mix of people. Feels much busier everywhere, though it was always busy. One not mentioned - looking back at pics from the early 2010s, there was litter everywhere, it's really jarring to look at as the festival feels a fair bit 'cleaner' these days. 

 

Also we've not had rain/mud since 2016, so it's better weather these days 😉 

[MilkyJoe]

There’s no alleyways any more.

 

Festival’s gone.

[ghandi]

21 minutes ago, The_Fish said:

 

I'm going again for the first time since 2009 and I'm devastated to learn that I won't be able to taste Pauline Fowler's growler anymore. 

Better experience, more cost though, everything's gone up.

[ghandi]

6 minutes ago, Physical_graffiti said:

agree with the above - same vibe, same happy mix of people. Feels much busier everywhere, though it was always busy. One not mentioned - looking back at pics from the early 2010s, there was litter everywhere, it's really jarring to look at as the festival feels a fair bit 'cleaner' these days. 

 

Also we've not had rain/mud since 2016, so it's better weather these days 😉 

The weather gods will not be happy

[iamstreety]

I've been going every year since 2007. The main change for me is the openness of the drug taking. So much coke and not even trying to hide it. Also loads of groups enjoying a balloon or two.

 

It also feels busier since I started going. There are more traffic pinch points which might be to do with numbers or poor stage timings/allocations.

 

Don't think that the Glastonbury spirit/vibe has changed.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

13 minutes ago, ghandi said:

The weather gods will not be happy

IIRC it rained when the fest was supposed to be held in 2020, so hopefully that’s our rain quota for the next few years all used up. 

[CharlotteB]

It's been said, but the bump in capacity is a big one. Consider missing the big acts. This is what I do. I quickly realised that the bigger acts, even if you like their music, aren't as enjoyable. Try out cool smaller acts more often 😊

[Respectfatfrog]

22 minutes ago, iamstreety said:

I've been going every year since 2007. The main change for me is the openness of the drug taking. So much coke and not even trying to hide it. Also loads of groups enjoying a balloon or two.

 

It also feels busier since I started going. There are more traffic pinch points which might be to do with numbers or poor stage timings/allocations.

 

Don't think that the Glastonbury spirit/vibe has changed.

 would go with this drug taking has become more public. 

 

think the spirit has evolved into an Instagram worthy post a bit more but the core is still there and 99% are kind and good spritid

[Skip997]

1 hour ago, iamstreety said:

I've been going every year since 2007. The main change for me is the openness of the drug taking. So much coke and not even trying to hide it. Also loads of groups enjoying a balloon or two.

 

It also feels busier since I started going. There are more traffic pinch points which might be to do with numbers or poor stage timings/allocations.

 

Don't think that the Glastonbury spirit/vibe has changed.

There’s far less drug use, open or otherwise than back in the day, which is why the vibe has changed.

[cheesey_toastie]

Peoples tents are much bigger. Fewer people share and the campsites feel fuller because of it.

[Talcroft]

Ketamine and coke are the in drugs rather than mdma and pills. People's behaviour has changed accordingly. 

 

Visually the site is so much more interesting, except the lost alleyways of Shangri-La - much missed. 

[gooner1990]

56 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

There’s far less drug use, open or otherwise than back in the day, which is why the vibe has changed.

 

my own observation (especially during the day) is there a lot more people doing coke than smoking weed than when I started going 20 years ago.

[Skip997]

2 minutes ago, gooner1990 said:

 

my own observation (especially during the day) is there a lot more people doing coke than smoking weed than when I started going 20 years ago.

True

When was the last time the predominant smell at a stage or venue was weed. 
 

Sad sign of the times and part of the reason why the vibe is changing for the worse.

 

Too much alcohol, coke, NOS and Ketamine.

Not enough weed, LSD, mushrooms and MDMA

[deepkittycaz]

2 hours ago, ghandi said:

The weather gods will not be happy

Shutupshutupshutup

[phillyfaddle]

Started going in 2004. Been to every one since apart from 2013. Biggest change is numbers of punters and the fact whole areas have started being shut off. Worst I’ve seen it last year (Barry Can’t Swim, Sugababes, Avril Lavigne). If there’s an act you REALLY want to see, get there at least 30 mins before. Or go and see someone else. I’ll be avoiding most of the main stages next year.
 

Like others have said, I’ve seen a big increase in coke consumers…off mobile phones in the middle of the day 🙄 but weirdly far less open drug dealing. No more skunk cider for sale around Other, which is probably for the best 😁

 

Vibe is still authentic around Strummerville, Green Fields, Avalon, Ancient Futures, West Holts and Woodsies.