h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

major downer!
Michael Eavis, announced earlier today there would be no fest in 2001, tho it would be back next year.
Apparently this is due to licencccsing trouble due to his license last year being for 100,000 and 'they' said attendences were nearer 200,000.

What am I going to do for kicks this summer!

Very Depressed and already suffering from Seasonal Affected Disorder.

Zarniroop (Ex-Pesident of the universe)

4th January 2001 Michael Eavis issued the following statement
: "After much deliberation and consultation I have now decided not to run
the Festival this year. There are many good reasons for this -
1. To show all interested parties that there has to be a more effective
control over numbers, which means - amongst other things - designing a
fence that works properly !
2. To tell all the people that come without tickets that their behaviour
is not sustainable and that by doing so they are taking up valuable
resources on site from the people who are here legitimately.
3. Because the problem of excessive numbers on site is causing us some
concern, particularly after the festival in Denmark last year where nine
people died. This year off will hopefully give a powerful message to everyone that we
are worried about the large number of gatecrashers and we will use the
coming months to develop ways and means of controlling entry to the site
effectively. People will have to understand that the growing culture of
fence-hopping has to be stopped and the long-term prospects for the
festival will depend upon us succeeding.
I have to say however that I am very proud of the way we manage this event
generally. The atmosphere and charm of the event is almost without
comparison, which is in part why it is so successful. I have the greatest
respect for the large number of people who work so hard to make this
festival so unique; they have exceptional management skills and are for
the large part volunteers.
I am very sorry and sad to have to make this announcement, but you can be
sure of one thing - we will be back next year in 2002 !
Michael Eavis - 4th January 2001"
For more on the issues underlying this decision visit
www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Is that Eavis of Eavis and Utthead fame? Me thinks so. Why does he not send out a 'powerful message' by building a fence with spiky bits on top, like my local park used to have. Or that broken glass thing worked.
Better still, make one out of soap! That would scare most crusties away.
My final thought is, why doesnt he go to Leeds and round up a couple of hundred bomber jacket clad, gum chewing, gelled back, steroid supping doormen to send out a powerful message that really growls.

Personally, I will miss glastonbury like the Jews miss Hitler.

Judging by that posting, Chestnut Muzzy, I don't think Glastonbury will miss you much either...
I wonder if Eavis' decision has anything to do with the fact that a General Election is expected this year? He was the Labour candidate for the local constituency, Wells, in 1997, coming third in a seat narrowly held by the Conservatives in the face of a strong Liberal Democrat challenge. I don't know whether Eavis is planning to run again, but if so that might be an additional reason for his reluctance to stage a festival this year.

Muzzy - you need enlightening on a few points - There is a big spiky double fence around the whole site, that is patrolled by many hundreds of guards with larger biceps measurements than IQ's, thing is they'll even help you over for a small bribe - in the region of £20 each!

Ormondroyd - good point about the election, don't know wether mr eavis is standing this time tho, interesting....
He'd definetly get my vote no matter what party he stood for.

Points gladly taken fellas. I last went there in 92. Security was a joke, and no 20 quid notes were needed. Will the other festivals (such as Reading or Leeds) be able to take up the slack? There could be 100,000 people looking for a replacement. I cant see Eavis canceling the event just to show those naughty fence jumpers that if the continue to do it he'll take their toys away.

No festival can even compare in numbers of punters or bands appearing, even if people are just after music. Personally I see enough bands, to be quite happy avoiding the main stages at glastonbury and spending my time exploring all the other things that go on. Other festivals just don't have the variety or buzz, being more a kin to a gig in a field than the fest that glasters is.
I was their in 92 for my first fest, and things have changed a lot, some for the good and some for the bad.

Although I agree that no other festival is as large as Glastonbury, if it's exploration and variety that you're after, try the WOMAD festival in Reading (World of Music and Dance). It may not get the biggest names (although Suzanne Vega, Youssor N Dour [sp?], Eat Static, and the ever-present Rolf were there last year) but it has the best atmosphere of any festival I've ever been to, the best food, the best music, and the acts arrive from all over the world, rather than the indie charts and top 40. Give it a go!

Yeah! I went to the WOMAD one in Morecambe a few years ago. The defintion of crapness. I think the top act was some bloke from Tipton. And it pissed down solidly. somebody up there doesnt like festivals.

"The definition of crapness"???

I thought WOMAD 2000 was the best festival I'd ever been too, bar none. As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather wander round and see loads of stuff I'd never usually see than effectively watch a bad facsimile of the indie top 40 on a stage... In addition to that, it was also the most friendly festival and had a great atmosphere for the whole three days.

And remember: just because an artist isn't well known, that doesn't mean they're not any good. Top picks from WOMAD 2000 included the brilliant Eat Static with a storming live set with dancers, the beautiful guitar-oriented music from Papua New Guinea's Telek, the always-wonderful Joi and many, many others.

Hey Dancing Tree!

Go for it! Get Passionate!
Defend Your Beliefs!

IMHO I thought womad was a bit like Jazz world @ Glasters, tho crime levels are lower.

Granted sir, but I'll wager your WOMAD experience wasnt in Morecambe, with its "bracing" climate and knackered streets. Oh, and it was held in the train station.

Jazz World? Heh. Mind you, I didn't see any Jazz at WOMAD last year, just a lot of world acts and some thuming techno from the likes of Eat Static, fusion from State of Bengal and so on. Oh, and a double Rolf Harris set.

Funny thing about Jazz World is that I don't think I've ever seen any Jazz there! Don't know how it got it's name but it's a bit like a mini womad within glasters tho crowds and acts are compareable in size and style.