Glastonbury
June 20, 2008
Every year people flap on about how frustrated they are about one of the UK’s most prestigious music events – the Glastonbury Festival. I’ve been going to different festivals for over 12 years, they are often fantastic, sometimes memorable, but usually messy, but these are the reasons that make festivals so appealing. Some people see it as a time to get back in with nature, let your hair down and go crazy. They are sociable, and more often than not exciting when some of your favourite artists are on show. This year’s Glastonbury festival has had a lot of press due to the lack of ticket sales, but I think people are pretty stupid to blame the headlining of Jay Z for this.
Let’s break this down into a few different sections.
1. BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER
If we compare the big G to our current British economy, festivals can not constantly keep on growing. Glastonbury has more to compete with and although it is a now a brand name when it comes to festivals, it was the freedom and beauty of it all that originally made it so popular.
In 1981 we saw a manageable 18,000 people turn up to the Eavis farm, but nine years later 70,000 people paid £38 a ticket to get muddy and watch bands. June, 2000 saw a massive 100,000 people pay £87 a ticket with unforgettable sets from Bowie, Basement Jaxx and the Chemical Bros. As you can see, things are getting more adventurous. Last year saw the biggest attendance figures ever with a massive 177,500 people paying £145 turning up to see Bjork, the Arctic Monkeys and Iggy and the Stooges. That is a massive amount of people compared to twenty years before. Trends in music fluctuate and people today have attention spans of around 2.3 seconds, but Glastonbury has just carried on growing. Is that sustainable? This year it seems not.
2. COMPETITION
Each year we see more independent festivals cropping up around the country – and abroad. They all want to be bigger and better than the year before and they aren’t exactly cheap. With more choice to suit an exclusive crowd people can now get what they want from different festivals. Michael Eavis said a few years ago the sun makes people lethargic, the rain makes people switch on. I went to Benicassim a few years ago and the weather was roasting, the festival was great, getting in the sea and sitting by the beach was relaxing… but every festival offers a different experience. People complaining about Glastonbury isn’t what it used to be are right, but is it possible to stick to a 20,000 capacity festival forever? Course not.
3. MUSIC DEVELOPS
Trying to satisfy everyone is generally impossible. No matter who plays, there will be a few people who won’t be too chipper. Fair enough, Glastonbury has its roots, but it’s obvious they are trying to keep up with things and attempt to be at the forefront of new music. For Liam Gallagher to open his trap about Jay Z certainly tells us something about where Oasis are right now… still doing exactly what they were 10 years ago. No disrespect, they do it well, but music doesn’t follow Oasis. Hip Hop and Jay Z obviously have a following. He’s had ten number one albums, but is that relevant when Glastonbury is really a rock festival…? but hang on, we have blues, roots, reggae, progressive house, trance, dub etc etc etc. Need I go on? We have every style of music catered for at Glastonbury so people complaining and blaming Jay Z on failing ticket sales are being very single minded.
If you took the time to consider the things written above I’m sure you’d realise that music and festivals is a massive business. Trying something new, keeping up with trends and being at the forefront of modern culture is a necessity to make anything. Although Glastonbury is not really my thing anymore, I know I would enjoy myself and for people to blame one act for the downfall of a world reknown festival really do need to get their heads out the sand. Glastonbury isn’t dead, they will still make a few quid, but hasn’t Mickey Eavis said he isn’t in it for the money? Competition is good when it comes to festivals and having choice is what it’s all about. Glasto has around 15 stages with so many different things appearing each night I really can’t get over the press coverage this year has made. We really are spoilt for choice now, and look, we still complain!
