Bonefish Blues
Banging donk
- Location
- 52 Festive Road
He surely must have been asked. Wonder what the backstory is there?
BBC and Glastonbury
- Thread starter cisamcgu
- Start date
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Dunno but apparently he hasn't either with Dire Straits or as a solo artist. As you say, he must surely been asked to do it.
MontyVeda
a short-tempered ill-controlled small-minded troll
- Location
- Lancaster... the little city.
I reckon the festival expects any artist to beg for a slot in return for a lacklustre fee... and many artists just aren't interested.
I don't think Knopfler is in this category (obvs I don't know), he has always gone his own way. I doubt money is a motivation otherwise he'd be touring Dire Straits playing the hits.
Bonefish Blues
Banging donk
- Location
- 52 Festive Road
That's well known about Glastonbury - and part of why it can do what it does, I guess?
VinSumRox
Über Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders
Neil Young's set was pretty good, especially rockier songs.
MontyVeda
a short-tempered ill-controlled small-minded troll
- Location
- Lancaster... the little city.
that's the point. If money were the motivation he'd make a lot more just playing a gig somewhere other than Glasters
DaveReading
Don't suffer fools gladly (must try harder!)
- Location
- Reading, obvs
Is it OK if they disapprove of acts because they just aren't very good?
The 10 or so main stages host around 250 acts over the weekend. How many of them do you expect the BBC to show?
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Nadine Shah declined to play there this year because they couldn't provide TV coverage. It's a loss leader for some bands because it boosts publicity for tours or albums. But if the publicity isn't good enough, others just can't afford to play there. Maybe Mark Knopfler just feels/felt he didn't need it/didn't fancy it.
It gets a bit murky when it comes to festival workers. My friends do litter picking. It's hard work but (I'm not 100% certain of this) they don't get paid, they just get in for free. I think they get their ticket refunded at the end. They are in their late 60s and don't mind exchanging hard graft for the festival experience. It's something they look forward to all year. But they say that a lot of younger people aren't prepared to work for free so that model may not work indefinitely.
There's an article here https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-...-acts-bookers-backstage-workers-b2774672.html
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VinSumRox
Über Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders
As to Glaxo, never got to go sadly. Best chance was back in the eighties, whole bunch of friends went along, but was doing shift work at the time and 2 people on my shift had already booked leave to go. Could have done a sickie, but doubt I'd have got away with it. Used to look forward to the BBC highlights a few years back, but in recent times the lineup is all unfamiliar to me - no longer the target audience I guess. Rod Stewart is to appear I've heard, so good luck to him, that show at least is what I've grown up listening to, so good memory lane stuff
Having stewarded at it a few times, I wouldn't pay to go as it gets so busy at times it's difficult to move about and can take a long time to get between stages. We see more bands at smaller festivals in a more chilled atmosphere. Most of the bands that play at Glasto appear at other festivals over the summer, except for some of the main headliners (who we usually aren't bothered about seeing anyway)
VinSumRox
Über Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders
We go as steward volunteers and you have to work 3 shifts and get the rest of the festival to yourself. Crew camping is in separate areas to the public. A returnable deposit is asked for to make sure you do your shifts. It is very popular and all the places fill each Glasto with a whole mix of ages.
Stewarding, litter, gate staff and many others are volunteers. Security staff are paid workers.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
Oh and I've said this before, but
'Just'
"He was just 4"
"She was just 59"
What age are you?
Oh, I'm 'Just43'
What an utterly pointless word to prefix everything with!!
... And at what age do you stop being 'Just' anyway??
I'd never noticed that.
I will now. Thanks Doug😁
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Exactly this.
He isn’t into the self promotion. He’s happy just playing small intimate venues.
I’m not sure he has played any big festivals, he’s just not into that scene.
And yes. He’s been offered fortunes to play with Dire Straits but won’t. Much to the annoyance of the other band members.
He also didn’t turn up to their induction into the rock and roll hall of fame.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Iron Maiden are another band who have never been asked, but do play other festivals.
They have gone on record to say they would refuse if asked.
Last night they played the London Stadium almost as a direct F You to the festival organisers.
They have gone on record to say they would refuse if asked.
Last night they played the London Stadium almost as a direct F You to the festival organisers.
Mad Doug Biker
Banned from every bar in the Galaxy
- Location
- Craggy Island
You are quite welcome!
Anyway, it's my Dad's birthday next month, he'll be 'just78'!
