Glastonbury 2022

Still trying to get my head around the whole thing so here is a brief account of the goings on.

Left Rosslare on 20:45 sailing Tuesday and parked in East 16 Campervan field at approx 04:45 Wednesday morning. We were the last few vans in that field and sent in to fill spots. Ended up by the porta loos so had the soothing thud of doors all night and a whiff when the wind blew the wrong way but it had the benefit of being very handy to get to them and dump the toilet cassette, so you win some you loose some.

First can of cider was opened ceremoniously at 05:07 and settled in on some chairs in the sunshine to watch the crowds roll in. We were 1-1.2km from gate C via the hill of death (totally over exaggerated). By around 7am the queue for entry was back up to us and kept going. I think we crashed around 8:00 for a few hours. Got up at 11 had some brekkie and headed in. We caught the end of the line at 12:00 and were checked in just after 13:00 so I think we got lucky.

Wednesday afternoon was spent wandering around the site taking it all in, it is huge and while some areas are still in build it’s a great time to see some of the SE corner before it all kicks off. Overall a chilled day of exploring, eating and pints not to mention a bit of sunburn.

Thursday was a leisurely kick off and in around lunchtime, numbers were increasing and the buzz was building. There was music today so lots to see, we had planned to be at Williams Green to see Michael Eavis and the TBA but by the time we got there news of Bastille was out and the area was completely blocked off. It was no issue as there was loads more on anyway.

I had a items planned on clashfinder, it was moreso a list of what was on that was of interest rather than an actual schedule so as not to standing around scratching my head wondering where to go if someone was crap. Anyway that pretty much went out the window. A good exercise but my advice would be don’t let it dictate your day as half the fun is stumbling onto things you wouldn’t ordinarily do.

Surprises – Pheobe Bridgers, wasn’t on the list but arrived just for the start. Were heading for Jesus and Mary Chain but thought it would take ages to get passed the Pyramid stage which it didn’t so saw her whole set. She put on a stunning show and has some talent. Would not have been on my list at all.

On Saturday the Gabriels on the Park Stage were fantastic, a super show. Of course we were at Macca, first hour was a bit slow and then it took off. Sound was brilliant and fair play, he can still belt them out. Of course Dave Grohl and Bruce upped the ante even more. I suspect that may be that last big Macca gig that we will see but I’m probably wrong.

Sunday I went Irish with the Sprints, Imelda May (poetry – who knew??), Damien Dempsey (magic set), Orla Gartland (superb) and then Imelda may again rocking out the Avalon tent. After that we wandered around and soaked it all up before heading back to the campers as very happy campers

Monday, alarms 0600, engines started 0630 and off for the 14:45 Pembroke Ferry. Got out with no delays, stopped and grabbed a bite around Cardiff. Home around 22:00.

So – its crossed your mind – do it, if it hasn’t – do it anyway!

Other than that, all that’s left to say is…………

THAAAANNKKK

YOOOOOUUUU

GLAAAASSSSSSTOOONNNNBBUUURRRYYYY!

Is Glastonbury actually over for this year now. :)

(WARNING: Long Post Alert)

My fifth Glastonbury.. and although not my favourite music-wise, might be one of my favourites I've been to. That just proves that Glastonbury is more than about music!

Some things I did differently this year: went to more varied music across stages, spent a night in T&C fields, avoided SE Corner completely.

Wednesday:

Was lucky in that myself and my other half bought CV Tickets, so our CV Ticket and entry tickets were available at entrance to CV Fields. The others in our group has to circumvent the perimeter of the farm to get to International Box Office via PG A.. though I didn't make the journey myself (roughly 5km they reckon), was told it was a treacherous journey in parts so I'd hope they make an improvement next year though doubt it.

While the rest of the group was wandering, we wandered in via PG D to T&C Fields and onwards through Stone Circle up to Glasto sign for Fireworks. Definitely way more on site this year than ever on Wednesday - probably due to rail strike. After fireworks finished, took a good 25 minutes to get from field just to Bimble Inn.

Grabbed some average Thai food across from Rabbit Hole and wandered back home. Relatively early night as the day travelling, and the extra trek for 4 members of the group, make us all a bit weary.

Thursday:

Can't remember much about Thursday being honest bar a substantial amount of wandering (T&C, Avalon, Bimble Inn, Glade etc).. Williams Green was the plan for evening but was rammed thanks to the Mel C/Eavis/Bastille combo. Paul Currie's "Panda Hands" was a highlight.. even though I saw it numerous times, still makes me laugh!

Friday:

• Confidence Man (The Park) - caught the last half but great fun!
• Sigrid (JP) - wasn't a huge fan beforehand, but she really held her own on stage. Very talented!
• Phoebe Bridgers (JP) - went nearer to front here and she was excellent.. bar very bassy where we were standing. Not very chatty but her songs really hold up live, though would have like a few more from first album (Stranger In The Alps). Spotted a few celebs beside us (Paul Mescal, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and husband, and Daisy Edgar Jones).
• Foals (Other) - never got a chance to see them live.. always missed them, or had clashes. But was more or less center (in front of Wine Bar) towards back of other and they sounded incredible.
• Groove Armada DJ Set (Arcadia) - rammed. Stayed for a while but was too much!

Saturday:

• Metronomy (Other) - caught the last half but really good too!
• Glass Animals (Other) - wind picked up causing trouble audio-wise, so while I enjoyed - we left after a few songs as audio was too wavey. But after watching them back again on TV, they were excellent!
• Big Thief (The Park) - Like Masterpiece, but just was a bit too slow and subdued for a sunny Saturday afternoon.
• The Avalances (The Park) - Was looking forward to it, but was a glorified DJ Set. Somewhat expected some guest vocalists who were playing the festival who played on the second album.. e.g Leon Bridges.. but wasn't to be. Listened to 50 minutes before wandering down to get food and good spot for Macca.
• Paul McCartney (Pyramid) - started off so well with "Can't Buy Me Love" but found his new stuff and questionable visuals ("Johnny Depp?") a bit pretentious. Left after an hour. Chatted to guy in airport who said it improved towards end when he started getting back into Beatles material. Will watch TV broadcast back.
• Roisin Murphy (West Holts) - she's excellent.. had heard it before but truly deserves more acclaim.
• Cirque De Vulgar (Circus) - brilliant circus comedy / magic / acrobat / stunts mix which was more jaw-dropping and hilarious at times.
• Frank Olivier's Twisted Cabaret - comedy, magic, fire-eating, cabaret etc with actual padded seats. Heaven at almost 2am.
• Random wandering in T&C: Dolores Dolores (great mega-mix 80's / 90's band singalong in Summerhouse in T&C fields), Sh*t-Disco.

Sunday:

• Diana Ross (Pyramid) - wouldn't be high in my list of teatime slots..!
• Elbow (Pyramid) - got the energy up and while wouldn't have been a fan, would definitely go back and see them again!
• Lorde (Pyramid) - really enjoy her stuff and she has a helluva stage presence for 25. New album is grand, but material from debut and "Melodrama" (including bangers 'Perfect Places' and 'Green Light') really got the place going.
• Bicep (West Holts) - Listened to a bit, but wasn't for me. Will listen back to TV broadcast.
• Ultimate Power (William's Green) - 2 and a half hour 80's / 90's power ballad singalong with inflatable guitars, microphones and saxaphones among the crowd. Absolutely brilliant fun!

Spent Monday and Tuesday chilling in Bath - strong shower, few pints, good sleep and onto the Thermae Bath Spa for some relaxing, steam room, sauna etc.

Flew back Wednesday.

Oh.. and OF COURSE.. didn't I come back with Covid. Positive as of yesterday morning, and only had it 2 months ago. 4 out of the 6 of our group succumbed to it so far.

Fun fact - the new Covid strain BA4/BA5 is same post code as Glastonbury/Pilton/Shepton Mallet. Coincidence!

Anyways, another 6 days of isolation for me, but I've 90 sets downloaded via iPlayer for watching at least!

Catch ye all in September for ticket madness!

https://twitter.com/andybennett01/status/1543682702439845888

I'll bite. Radiohead, Wilco, Bjork, PJ Harvey, Sigur Ros, Michael Kiwanuka, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Portishead, The Strokes and so so many more.

In fairness most of those are from the 90s (80s in Cave's case).

I'm not sure people will be talking about Kiwanuka or The Strokes in 30 years time, although The Strokes are already 20 odd years on the go.

Who cares? Music isn't about legacy for most people. Macca and Diana Ross and the like came up in an era where music was distributed abd audiences reached in a very different way. The Smiths will always be there for me, I couldn't care less if the kids are talking about them in 50 years. They hit me at a crucial stage in my musical life so it's natural that I feel they're vastly superior to whatever shite my 15 year old is listening to. But I hope his music means the same to him as mine did to me. Music should speak to the present. The rest is just bullshit Twitter arguments.

No I skipped him to go see something else (can't remember what unless I look at stage times, might have been Leon Vynehall) and now I regret it. I've seen him twice in the last few years so wasn't that fussed but they did When the Levee Breaks which I would have loved to hear him sing. I didn't think they'd do any Led Zep stuff as he was with Krauss instead of on his own. I saw him in France 2018/2019 and couldn't believe how good he still sounded.

They clashed with Idles so a big call for me but opted for the Bristolians who were superb. I'd been really looking forward to Plant & Krauss also but I expected Idles to storm it. And that they did.

Thee BBC are terrified of being accused of political imbalance and under constant attack from thee right. They thus lean more in that direction and broadcast nothing that would upset the tories and their Republican friends. Lily Allen and Olivia Rodrigo weren't sitting on the fence with their chat followed by their version of F*ck You dedicated to the SCOTUS..

Agree but Wilco, Womack, Fogerty, Buddy etc arent really American. The Nashville type stuff I mean.