Glastonbury – Part 1, Survival and Summery

As is perhaps tradition, Glastonbury was wet again this year. Back after
a two year break the festival took up its showpiece position as the king
of the festival circuit. However this year will probably be remembered
as one of, if not the wettest on record. This is of course irrespective
of the efforts of those that rocked the show, and believe me some really
did rock!. Nevertheless it was tormentingly wet, unrelentingly muddy and
increasingly claustrophobic, especially for an ageing festivalite like
me. But the burning question arises, did I enjoy this years adventure in
the fields of Somerset as much as previous years, especially as Hels
failed to make it at the last minute?.

The answer to this was initially a tough one, since as I left site I
wasn't really sure if I'd had a good time or not. This may seem like a
strange statement, but let me elaborate. I arrived in the rain, I left
in the rain, I sat in the rain and mud for several days … so spirits
were a little low. The festival food also took its toll on me, giving me
the worst case of festival belly I've ever encountered, which again
kicked me sideways into next week (and for once I can't put this down to
ale!). So when it's cold, wet, miserably and your food is reappearing
from both ends at mac 3 is it possibly to have a good time?. Well the
answer is yes, and hindsight allows me see why. Yes my apathy is driven
by the conditions and sickness, but really this is a just a sideline.
The real answer is a lot simpler; I just wasn't properly prepared for
the Glastonbury this year. It's as simple as that!.

Now, by not prepared I don't mean I lacked wellies, a tent or proper
sleeping bag … Nope I mean I'd not done my homework. I had simply failed
to spend the time to research who were playing – thereby identifying
bands who should be the focus of attention, and which gem would reward
my efforts. Let me give you an example, in 2004 I spent weeks following
the press, radio 1, borrowing and buying cd's looking for what was hot
etc prior to festival weekend. That year I was reward with amongst
others The Killers on the John Peel tent, who have since gone on to
great things – including a fantastic/amazing headline set on the Pyramid
stage this year. Sure I could just turn up wonder round, focusing on
headline acts, which I did. But this kind of miss's the point a little
especially as it proved so bloody difficult to get around site this
year. The point is Glastonbury is in my opinion a voyage of discovery
which starts before the gates even open and I simply failed to realise
that this year. So what is the message here, did I miss something?.
Well, a little yes and there are lots of excuses for this. My MBA hardly
leaves me any free time to relax let alone anything else. The bloody
exams finished only two weeks before Glasto, and the fact I commute to
Copenhagen to work every week must also become a facture. But the real
observation is that my life is just plainly shit out of kilter!. So the
Glastonbury voyage this year was a different one, and one that is
probably as valuable as the chance to see the bands I did see.

So, yes with hindsight I did have a good time, despite the weather etc.
So thanks to those that I went with, those also in the crowd, as well as
those who didn't make it in the end!. The value of Glastonbury for me
this is year is that I need to actively do something to get my life back
into some form of balance. For this reason alone, the wakeup call, the
festival was worth it. However, all that said I did manage to catch some
great bands, artists and comedians, as well as see one of my friends
dressed a horse. More of all this in part two!

So come rain or shine, Glastonbury is still the king of festivals
…..