Glastonbury Festival bans heavy rock / metal bands
| I've never been to the Glastonbury festival, and it looks as if I am probably never going to go now. So what is stopping me from going? There are a few reasons as to why I haven't been before, but the main reason is that my taste in music tends to lean more towards heavy rock and generally there isn't a lot of that on offer at the Glastonbury Festival. | |
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What really irritates me now however is the narrow-minded attitude of the festival organisers in regard to the bands that have been chosen for the line-up this year. I found out today that they will not be including heavy rock bands because, and I quote "We've avoided that heavy American rock like Offspring because you get crowd surfing, and all those things that seem to cause problems " - from BBC News What gives? I saw that particular band at Milton-Keynes bowl, and although its not even close to the same scale as Glastonbury, I still didn’t see a line of stretchers going by. |
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Yes it’s true that there is usually some degree of crowd surfing and ‘moshing’ when a heavy rock band is on stage, but these shows usually take place without the stream of casualties and trouble that Michael Eavis our Glastonbury man seems to think will occur. And besides, if they concentrated more on security at the site (as I believe they are doing this year) and preventing people without tickets entering there would definitely be a lot less trouble. The deaths that took place at Roskilde, in Denmark were very unfortunate, but I don’t think they should be jumping the gun and placing a ban on all heavy rock bands. Not everyone wants to come along to watch Rolf Harris and Rod Stewart, and the fact that bands such as Oasis and Radiohead didn’t want to perform means that this event must surely be loosing its appeal to a fair number of people.
Glastonbury Information Glastonbury on the air Oxfam |
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Comments from visitors
Glasto has always been very light on the rock side of music, and completely ignored the metal side.
From watching various interviews with Eavis it seems, to me, these musical styles are not to his taste, ergo the above. Additionally for the past 10 years or so Glasto has become increasingly mainstream and keen to get away from the old 80's image of itself. From Eavis's point of view its not really that surprising considering the events at Glasto during the 80's and 90's very nearly brought about its demise.
Personally I'm disappointed that the once beacon of counter culture in the UK has turned into a mainstream, heavily corporate sponsored event. But at the end of the day the event has always been Eavis's vision, the current state of affairs is presumably what he wants then so be it
From watching various interviews with Eavis it seems, to me, these musical styles are not to his taste, ergo the above. Additionally for the past 10 years or so Glasto has become increasingly mainstream and keen to get away from the old 80's image of itself. From Eavis's point of view its not really that surprising considering the events at Glasto during the 80's and 90's very nearly brought about its demise.
Personally I'm disappointed that the once beacon of counter culture in the UK has turned into a mainstream, heavily corporate sponsored event. But at the end of the day the event has always been Eavis's vision, the current state of affairs is presumably what he wants then so be it
+2
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They don't take heavy metal bands because most heavy metal bands get mosh pits going, this means that Glastonbury would have too have more doctors on site. Furthermore most heavy metal bands enter some were that is new and clean and they leave with the place destroyed. SO THESE ARE THE REASON WHY THEY CAN'T GO TO GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL
+1
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Glastonbury will always be the best festival in the uk if you want metal go download if you want offspring go reading and hang out with sixteen year olds getting drunk on carling for the second time and throwing up and just to clarify you think glastonbury organisers are narrowminded? have you ever even seen a reading, leeds or download line up?
-9
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Glastonbury will always be the best festival in the uk if you want metal go download if you want offspring go reading and hang out with sixteen year olds getting drunk on carling for the second time and throwing up and just to clarify you think glastonbury organisers are narrowminded? have you ever even seen a reading, leeds or download line up?
+6
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I love metal music, but I don't agree that they should play at Glastonbury. That's not their demographic. If you want to see rock / metal bands, go to Leeds, Reading or Download, or go abroad and check out Bloodfest.
I've just got back from my second Glasto, and have to say it was completely amazing. You could have a great time without going to any bands at all. The community and the shear scale of the thing is immense.
By being so close minded you're missing out on an amazing life changing experience.
But no bother, I'll be there again next year, and it'll be you guys that miss out.
I've just got back from my second Glasto, and have to say it was completely amazing. You could have a great time without going to any bands at all. The community and the shear scale of the thing is immense.
By being so close minded you're missing out on an amazing life changing experience.
But no bother, I'll be there again next year, and it'll be you guys that miss out.
-2
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Metal fans should be glad that metal is banned from Glastonbury. It's just a pop festival. Same as those Radio One gigs that you get at the seaside.
-1
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I am so angry because I was so pumped up to check this festival out, and every time they announce a new line-up, the disappointment mounts.
And you know what, I've already got those tickets the months ago (plus I'll be flying in from asia).
For one thing, I do not understand the marketing style of "PRETENDING TO SELL OUT" when you've probably got tones of tics lying around everywhere, and trying to make some kinda artificial demand (just my opinion).
Another thing is, why all this hard sell tactics when the line up hasn't even been fully published???? It's only 2 months to the big show, and no list? What's going on?
Maybe it's because I'm new to Glastonbury, but I seriously think the organizer should learn a thing or two from the rock festivals in Japan (Fuji Rock anyone?).
I've been waiting for this gig for 6 months now, and I guess I'll make do with whatever they dish out.
Btw, what was up with Jay-Z being the headliner last year?
That put me of big time.
I want mayhem!!!!!!!!! Not bouncy crap hip hop or feel good country side nonsense!!!!
And you know what, I've already got those tickets the months ago (plus I'll be flying in from asia).
For one thing, I do not understand the marketing style of "PRETENDING TO SELL OUT" when you've probably got tones of tics lying around everywhere, and trying to make some kinda artificial demand (just my opinion).
Another thing is, why all this hard sell tactics when the line up hasn't even been fully published???? It's only 2 months to the big show, and no list? What's going on?
Maybe it's because I'm new to Glastonbury, but I seriously think the organizer should learn a thing or two from the rock festivals in Japan (Fuji Rock anyone?).
I've been waiting for this gig for 6 months now, and I guess I'll make do with whatever they dish out.
Btw, what was up with Jay-Z being the headliner last year?
That put me of big time.
I want mayhem!!!!!!!!! Not bouncy crap hip hop or feel good country side nonsense!!!!
+2
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Yeah, Glastonbury blows chunks. Didn't they have some rap guy and that whinehouse woman there. I mean who would actually pay to see that kind of crud!
+2
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Glastonbury blows - 11-Oct-08 13:15
Metal will be round alot longer than Glastonbury, and it'll ALWAYS be the bigger dog.
-7
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Please. Come to Mexico City, sometime.
Unknown Kisses.
Johana Does.
http://mx.geocities.com/johanadoes
Unknown Kisses.
Johana Does.
http://mx.geocities.com/johanadoes
+10
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Anthony, I'd even avoid that lot as well.
For real festival experiences with stuff that's worthwhile you really need to get yourself off to the Continent. Wacken Open Air, Graspop, Hellfest, Rock am Ring, and so forth... cheaper and a better quality of acts on the whole.
For real festival experiences with stuff that's worthwhile you really need to get yourself off to the Continent. Wacken Open Air, Graspop, Hellfest, Rock am Ring, and so forth... cheaper and a better quality of acts on the whole.
-9
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Attero Dominatus - 12-Mar-08 00:39
The end of Heavy Metal would be a catastrophic loss to the world. Imagine the consequences.
-4
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Went for the first time this year and hated it. Bands were crap for the most part, just a field full of rich kids constantly saying "this is so cool" why is it cool, a field full of mud and second rate bands for £150 is certainly not what I would class as cool. As for the Glastonbury spirit , there was none, go to Reading , V , Download to see real festival Spirit. Will never even contemplate going again.
+14
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Well it struck me this year that Glastonbury is full of rich kids and teasing tarts in mini skirts and wellies who just need a good seeing to.
+1
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Having gone this year I think the festival sucks. Why are punters expected to trudge aroung in up to a foot in mud for 4 days. Eavis needs to sort it out, tarmac the place or at least provide a proper amount of raised footways. It seems to me the Glasto spirit is supposed to be sufficient when proper investment and facilities are not provided.They're taking the p*** out of us. I wont go again.
+5
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Haven't you rockers and emos got Reading for that crowd surfing, head banging malarky? Why come and ruin Glastonbury which is a peaceful happy place. Frankly you'd all ruin it anywaay so it's best all round if you stay away!
+4
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Glastonbury sucks. A festival without Rammstein or Mudvayne is NOT a festival. Why get trenchfoot and have to queue for six hours to use the loo when you can stay at home and listen to the same crappy commercial bands spout their drivel on the radio.
-3
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Ant and Bear - 24-Apr-07 14:06
So what people think Rock and Metal offensive? people think the supporters are yobs?
I think it is really disgusting that its excluded, yeah a lot of the public dont like Metal and Heavy Rock, but then again a lot of people dont like whats on the radio or at Glstonbury as well. It works both ways but for some reason us rockers just get shut out!
Just look at Trashy Popular Hip-Hop/Rap its Vulgar and a lot of the fans far from pleasant, but they seem to get respected beacause its a recognised cultural style.
Yet again, the people behind the Media are just complete fools.
I think it is really disgusting that its excluded, yeah a lot of the public dont like Metal and Heavy Rock, but then again a lot of people dont like whats on the radio or at Glstonbury as well. It works both ways but for some reason us rockers just get shut out!
Just look at Trashy Popular Hip-Hop/Rap its Vulgar and a lot of the fans far from pleasant, but they seem to get respected beacause its a recognised cultural style.
Yet again, the people behind the Media are just complete fools.
+3
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What I dont get with this whole situation and with british music culture too is that things like Glastonbury and the BBC are constantly trying to promote all kinds of music and culture. They go out of there way to have positive outlooks on all styles and genres but somehow Metal/Heavy Rock just gets lost.
+2
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Glastonbury is a middle class money making scam, concoted by middle aged hippies who grew up and realised there was more money to be made out of the capatalists, and so became part of em, they just lockthemselfs away behind their expensive west country stonewalls, and play "we are real" and thats not even the festival!!
+11
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