Flags?

Durkin · #1 07-10-2009, 02:26 PM

I was just wondering what everyone thought about the flags at Glastonbury...Not actually been before so I don't know the extent of it, but I was wondering what the general verdict was here?

Are they a pain or should they stay?

GlastoWatch · #2 07-10-2009, 02:43 PM

I wondered how long it would take someone to mention the "F" word.

I didn't used to mind them, but this year it was ridiculous, sometimes I couldn't see the stage or screens for a sea of flags.
When I'm there, I want to see the act, not some twat telling the world that he

Sausages!

In moderation they're ok, but it's got too much now.
Banning the sale of flags onsite might be enough to reduce their number to a more reasonable level while not restricting what people can do.

Buffystar · #3 07-10-2009, 02:46 PM

They are a massive bug bare of mine first few years I went to you had the wolves flag which was small and fine (think the guy is now gone now) which was fine but with the upscaling of the amount of people ergo more flags. I have not got a problem with small flags that will not obstruct the festival goer's views of stage or Video screens. But now it has got silly watching most of Sundays bands from the bar area on the Pyramid stage we couldn't even see the screens due to the amount of Flags. We did move to try and get a better view but wherever we went we couldn't see much. We are also not the type of people who like to go into the mosh pit getting old now.....

So in conclusion yes they are a pain.

stinkywitch · #4 07-10-2009, 02:56 PM

I think they should be allowed just not in front of the stages, we went with a group and had a peace flag wich helped no end when we had to find each other, it also seemed to help a few neighbours as well, we heard them telling friend they were near the peae flag but behind the sausauge flag

umopapisdn · #5 07-10-2009, 03:08 PM

Mine never left the campsite which was brave as it was a Juventus flag.
It was undoubtedly a massive pain in the ass; I saw next to nothing of the Pyramid when I was stood backwards of the sound-tech cavern.
As 'Watch said, the majority of the flags were bought on site so eliminating the sale of them will undoubtedly stem the tide of pole-bound flapping material.

That said, if they ban the flags what will they ban next?
Whilst I agree they shat on the view for 80% of the crowd and 100% of telelvision coverage, if people didn't have the flags to be annoyed at would they then feel compelled to fine something else to moan about?

Maybe the key lies with cutting them down (in quantity, not literally...) as opposed to completely abolishing them?

puppyhand · #6 07-10-2009, 07:17 PM

Flags are a part of Glasto's spirit! They characterize the campsites, and help you find your tent when you're off your trolley.

Instead of banning them the Eavis family should merely discourage people from carrying them around. If you want everyone to see your hilarious slogans then camp by a path!

FoxyKinder · #7 07-10-2009, 09:23 PM

Never had a problem with flags, to be fair. Always found they were handy navigation aids in the mass of tents and mass of people (when you've had to leave a crowd for whatever reason and are trying to relocate your posse.)

Remember on the last night in '03, watching Doves on the Other Stage through a mass of flags, banners and mascots. It was amazing! Completely added to the atmosphere and seemed to compliment, not compromise, the whole set.

Do you think TV companies have anything to do with this? Think with other festivals the problem might be flags obscuring corporate sponser ads, at Glasto this would mean people not seeing the charity banners on TV.

Mandypants · #8 07-10-2009, 11:23 PM

I like the flags, BUT, there are too many, and they're too big. It's unfair because we've all paid to be there, so why should we not be able to see the stages because of the sea of flags, which obscure the view, and the cameras which broadcast onto the big screens, which are there for those of us who can't get close to the stage. I don't think it's about the TV companies, it's about us people not being able to see the stage because someone else wants to show off.

I have no problem with flags in the camp site, we had one ourselves, but I do want to see the bands on the stage!

WiTS · #9 08-10-2009, 01:54 AM

flag stay but just in camping area.

Durkin · #10 09-10-2009, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by stinkywitch

I think they should be allowed just not in front of the stages

I can imagine that being impossible to control.

At Leeds etc it would be ok because you have the arena where you have to pass through security, so they could take them off you, but isn't glasto just all open plan?

Would be funny watching a security guard struggling through the crowd to tell someone to put their flag down

puppyhand · #11 09-10-2009, 04:38 PM

True there are no arena gates for security to take flags off people, but if the Eavis's put out a message strongly discouraging flags by the stages people would listen. And anyone trying to bring a flag in the middle of a crowd would be jeered at by people around them.

GlastoWatch · #12 09-10-2009, 04:47 PM

If that doesn't stop them, we can always follow Vlad's example.

He certainly knew what to do with long poles!

whatme · #13 09-10-2009, 07:17 PM

we had a flag and i didnt even mind carrying it from one stage to other

made things easy for the rest off the clan to follow,also when the kids went of to get ice cream drink's or go t' toilet they could easyerly find us

we were never right up close to the stage,always near the back(2kids with us,they cant see if your up close)
i must admit that Sausages flag did get in the way a little,but made me laugh lots

Keep The Flags Flying

Mart44 · #14 10-10-2009, 02:00 PM

Flags add to the atmosphere for me and are part of Glasto. With the big digital screens either side of the stage you get close ups of the performers anyway and lets face it unless you are close to the stage you cant really see the acts.
Having said that the sausage flag was bugging me by the end of the festival !!

GlastoWatch · #15 10-10-2009, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Mart44

With the big digital screens either side of the stage you get close ups of the performers anyway

At times I couldn't see the stage or screens!
I may as well have turned around and faced away from the stage, it wouldn't have made much difference
As I said earlier, they should stop the sale of flags onsite, this would greatly reduce their number.