Every early winter, I lay a fire, a teetering Jenga of kindling, a waxed fire lighter at its heart like the boiled egg in the log of luncheon meat the old man favoured in his packed lunch. I ramp a few split logs against it. A hoppy ale - 20 minutes out of the fridge to lose a little of its chill - sits on the table. As the wood catches, I sit back, the first swishes of
Like Matt I’ve never been, vaguely felt I should have done but never much wanted to - even more so after reading your piece! Suspect the conditions are better these days but still. The crowds. The fact you can’t really see the bands. Why would you?
I've never been, and don't think I'll ever feel the urge to change that. Much as I've loved live music over the years, the freedom to open my bowel and bladder away from where tens of thousands of others have hovered theirs remains a key deterrent. The BBC's coverage really is quite excellent, too! Thank you for Gerald.
What a great/terrible story - brilliantly rewritten. My first festival was Knebworth in 1978 - do you know I can’t even recall the toilets but at 18 they weren’t as important to me as they are now!!
That year was the 1st year I was really conscious of Glastonbury, I was 17 and living in Wiltshire where it was all over the news.
I have been tempted to go, but fortunately my first wife was too posh to camp, especially risking mud, and my second, more bohemian wife had been 5 times without paying (4 years over the fence, 5th year by being in a coffee outlet) and wasn't 'about to start paying now'
Now I am single and can make decisions without considering others... well, I will consider others, in particular I will now consider Gerald
We're back in Festival mode (work for us), which is certainly a love/hate passion. Like you we share JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) about these things, though we always look forward to Latitude. A very civilized affair, and unlike many Irish festivals, almost guaranteed good weather. Enjoy your weekend. We're packing for Kaleidoscope and lighting candles that it doesn't rain like last year.
There is something about Glastonbury that particularly overcooks my porridge. I really loved The Good Life Experience a few years ago and I suspect Latitude would be similarly excellent - I will encourage myself there one year for sure and hope it will be one where you are attending...it has been too long!
This made me laugh - I went once and have no desire to go again. Unfortunately my other half has never been and wants to (or at least he says he hasn't - he may very well for all I know be Gerald).
I went once, to record for the FP. Met some nice people catering in different areas, but otherwise a nightmare. Stunned that people would part with money for such an experience. I felt blessed /fortunate/lucky/grateful/ almost prayerful when I was back on the train heading home. Nowt so queer as folk doesn't quite sum up the Grand Canyon of human desire that split me from those thousands. Enjoy you feet-up, Mark.
You could see Glastonbury Tor from Derek's mum's house. He worked in the music business so we went to all sorts of events - some pretty grim, mostly on comps.
I shall be raising my glass with you - Mark, enjoying the creature comforts of home as well as the excellent coverage on the Beeb. I love(d) going to gigs - and have been to many more than was ever going to be good for me (especially the ear bits) but festivals I absolutely hated. My name is not Gerald - poor poor fella - But I'm looking foward to seeing Gerard Langley and the magnificent Blue Aeroplanes (yet again) in Camden in September...
Like Matt I’ve never been, vaguely felt I should have done but never much wanted to - even more so after reading your piece! Suspect the conditions are better these days but still. The crowds. The fact you can’t really see the bands. Why would you?
I would love to WANT to go, but I really really don't!
I've never been, and don't think I'll ever feel the urge to change that. Much as I've loved live music over the years, the freedom to open my bowel and bladder away from where tens of thousands of others have hovered theirs remains a key deterrent. The BBC's coverage really is quite excellent, too! Thank you for Gerald.
I couldn't agree more with every word you say
I flipping laughed and laughed and laughed at this - what a treat. (Not a treat for Gerald obviously).
Poor Gerald...
What a great/terrible story - brilliantly rewritten. My first festival was Knebworth in 1978 - do you know I can’t even recall the toilets but at 18 they weren’t as important to me as they are now!!
Knebworth must have been an experience, in many senses of the word!
That year was the 1st year I was really conscious of Glastonbury, I was 17 and living in Wiltshire where it was all over the news.
I have been tempted to go, but fortunately my first wife was too posh to camp, especially risking mud, and my second, more bohemian wife had been 5 times without paying (4 years over the fence, 5th year by being in a coffee outlet) and wasn't 'about to start paying now'
Now I am single and can make decisions without considering others... well, I will consider others, in particular I will now consider Gerald
Gerald should be everyone's guide...
I would love to go to Glastonbury if I were younger, fitter, more resilient and also a completely different human being.
Amen to that
Was it by any chance the same Gerald who now features on Clarkson's Farm? Would explain a lot....
It would!
We're back in Festival mode (work for us), which is certainly a love/hate passion. Like you we share JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) about these things, though we always look forward to Latitude. A very civilized affair, and unlike many Irish festivals, almost guaranteed good weather. Enjoy your weekend. We're packing for Kaleidoscope and lighting candles that it doesn't rain like last year.
There is something about Glastonbury that particularly overcooks my porridge. I really loved The Good Life Experience a few years ago and I suspect Latitude would be similarly excellent - I will encourage myself there one year for sure and hope it will be one where you are attending...it has been too long!
This made me laugh - I went once and have no desire to go again. Unfortunately my other half has never been and wants to (or at least he says he hasn't - he may very well for all I know be Gerald).
If he was Gerald he will never go anywhere near agin. I wish you luck in keeping him to the correct path
I went once, to record for the FP. Met some nice people catering in different areas, but otherwise a nightmare. Stunned that people would part with money for such an experience. I felt blessed /fortunate/lucky/grateful/ almost prayerful when I was back on the train heading home. Nowt so queer as folk doesn't quite sum up the Grand Canyon of human desire that split me from those thousands. Enjoy you feet-up, Mark.
Sheila, you have made me even happier. Thank you very much indeed
...yeeeeeouch....
My apologies...
If only I had a few under the belt, when you let this story out! Priceless.
thank you thank you
Bah humbug!! Enjoy your clean weekend without the risk of sitting in someone else’s faeces, I imagine!!😉
I couldn't be happier!
It's glorious isn't it
I was there from 81 onwards until the late eighties- once with the convoy. The Elephant Fair too. I have no desire to return.
Elephant Fayre was my first festival - I feel a twitchy pen in my hand about that one...
Need to read this. How much do you remember though, 😆😏
You could see Glastonbury Tor from Derek's mum's house. He worked in the music business so we went to all sorts of events - some pretty grim, mostly on comps.
He's always refused to go to near it.
I take my hat of to him
I shall be raising my glass with you - Mark, enjoying the creature comforts of home as well as the excellent coverage on the Beeb. I love(d) going to gigs - and have been to many more than was ever going to be good for me (especially the ear bits) but festivals I absolutely hated. My name is not Gerald - poor poor fella - But I'm looking foward to seeing Gerard Langley and the magnificent Blue Aeroplanes (yet again) in Camden in September...
Like you, a gig where you can see the whites of their eyes is still the place to be in my humble view. And that's very excellent about the BAs