Glastonbury

[Jah Lush]

The last time I went to Glastonbury in '83 or '84, can't remember which, I woke up on a pool table in Mr Eavis's house.

[TillieTrotter]

Had you been smoking "pot" Mr Lush!:))

[Michael Palaeologus]

or were you there to re-baise it and fell asleep on the job?

[Jah Lush]

OK! Confession time. I'd arrived there early in the morning after going a couple of days without any sleep, been snorting far too much of the Columbian marching powder and drinking copious amounts, went straight to the cider tent, took loads of acid, took some downers later to ease it off a bit, wandered around having lost my friends, vaguely remembered UB40's laser light show, next thing I remember...pool table Mr Eavis's house. Obviously, I was a bit of a drug casualty, huh huh! How's that for honesty?

[Bleep]

UB40 had a laser show? Wow.

The first time I went to Glastonbury in 1990 I shared a lift with a man who had but just a towel for possessions. That's the spirit.

[Asset]

I went in 1990 too for the first time. went for 2 nights and did not take anything with me! Didn't cross my young and carefree mind that I might need say, a tent or a change of clothes yuk. don't think I slept much, can't really remember.

[mockney piers]

I've never been, but these days oxford st does my head in, so the thought of being stuck with 170,000 people in a field would probably freak me out.

I went to Green Man last year and it was absolutely superb.

note the space!!

and being a bunch of hippies, the child sacrificial offering tent was very popular

 

[Jah Lush]

It may have been a laser show Bleep, or maybe it was the acid playing tricks with my mind. Who knows?

[Asset]

I went to the Big Chill a couple of years ago - it was like a microcosm of East Dulwich.

[mockney piers]

One of the big chill organisers lives in East Dulwich so not entirely coincidental

[SeanMacGabhann]

Ok, just back this morning and now I have been de-caked I thought I would post a few words on this years fest for those who missed out (hello TT and S)

I guess most people have caught sight on the TV of the rain and mud. Definitely the worst part - well the rain was - mud is fine, a pair of wellies and it's nae bother. Even though we had nothing like the biblical storm of 2005 this years weather was worse because, well, it just wouldn't bugger off. At least in 2005 it did what it did and left us to it - no more rain and even baking sunshine for rest of the festival. This year was just endless interruptions to any plan, music or social

But like everything else at Glastonbury that soon gets folded into the routine. The weirdest thing about this festival compared to any other, and compared to my life is how adaptable everyone is. How adaptable even I become. I was composing this paragraph in my head on the way back only to find that Charlie Brooker has only pre-empted me in today's Guardian. Almost word for word. But still.. things I hate or don't usually do:

Crowds

Noise from neighbours

Not having easy access to shower

Camping

Not being able to cook

Mud

Rain

But here I just relish it... everyone just gets on with it. A mental shift happens and it just makes everything.. great

Anyway, highlights:

Obviously the stuff you don't see on telly - the late night secret gigs (Madness, Aliens being two, at 3am in Lost Vaguness field)

The attendant parties at that hour

Brendon Burns living vicariously as ever in the comedy tent

The Specials reunion as part of Lily Allens set

The stage invasion during Iggy's set (routine on this tour I know but still great fun)

Kate Nash in the Park

Aliens in the Guardian Lounge

Meeting friends I didn't expect to see after x years

and more

The new areas - The Park & the gay red-light-district

Less impressive: (but minimally so)

The extra 46000 people made things a bit TOO busy.

Larger proportion of crowd than usual had an air of home-counties stag-weekend mentality which brought an edge I wasn't keen on

Police were a bit heavier handed than usual with peoples "possessions"

I now have decompression to go though - until then I will be tired and emotional (can you tell?) for most postings

[georgia]

Welcome back and glad you had a good time despite the rain. Did manage to see some of it on TV but have to say I was happy to be sat in my nice dry flat! May give it a go next year...

[Ladygooner]

I thought Shirl was great! Shame she didn't have pink wellies to match her outfit!

[SimonM]

>>I was composing this paragraph in my head on the way back only to find that Charlie Brooker has only pre-empted me in today's Guardian.<<

So you too were accompanied by a piece of ex-BB blonde totty? :))

[SeanMacGabhann]

Someone even better than that Simon ;-)

[Ladygooner]

Just saw that Shirl's chopper nearly crashed on the way back to London. Thank goodness she lived to tell the tale!

[TillieTrotter]

Nice one Sean! I can tell youve had another spiritual experience, I was grinning and nodding reading your synopsis there! Glad you had a good time albeit with constant rain, which I fear would have gotten to me by the sunday eve!!

[SeanMacGabhann]

Cheers Tilli

Just got around to uploading some photos as well

[TillieTrotter]

Looks fantastic as ever, great one of your lady (cant remember her name)!!

[*Bob*]

As ever, a TOP TIME was had by all.

It never ceases to amaze me how you can cram 200,000 people into some fields with very basic facilities, watch them guzzle booze, class A drugs and smoke themselves silly for four days solid, and still fail to hear a voice raised in anger all weekend - let alone anything approaching a fight.

Good to see everyone on the forum is still bitching and sniping about the same old guff though. I look forward to joining in, once my seratonin levels take the inevitable plunge.

[TillieTrotter]

Dont be drawn in BOB, we need people to ooze some peace and love back into the forum.

[SeanMacGabhann]

*Bob* - you forgot to mention that no voice was raised despite relentless rain for the duration.

Looking at the footage on TV it does appear as if everyone was miserable but I had a similar puss on despite the fact I was having a great time..