Has sponsorship killed the festival spirit?

Since the first festival in 1970, Glastonbury has become more than another music event, it is now a fixture of the British summer along with Wimbledon and the Henley regatta.

Music fans also have events like Reading and T In The Park to look forward to - as well as scores of similar festivals around the world.

But many are covered in sponsors' logos and critics say festivals have become too commercial - but thousands still go every summer.

Are today's music festivals all they are cracked up to be? Has sponsorship killed the festival spirit? If you went to Glastonbury this year - how was it for you? You told us your festival experiences.

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I am a 15 year-old female and this was my first Glastonbury festival. I went with a group of six boys and all we seemed to get over the entire weekend was hassle. I was hit in the eye by a drunk man, my friends were threatened with hammers and had their belongings stolen from the tent. The thing that worried me was no-one seemed to care - when I told an official they did not seem concerned for our safety.

I was hit in the eye by a drunk man, my friends were threatened with hammers and had their belongings stolen from the tent

JC, UK

One thing which really appalled me was while I was walking along the inside of the perimeter fence, I saw a group of about 10 trying to get through - they succeeded. When they suddenly realised two police women on horseback were going past, they clambered back through the fence to avoid getting in trouble, but the police women actually stopped and one went back and told them it was OK to come though, they "didn't care". Appalling that the police were letting it become overcrowded, endangereing the people who had paid £87 for the event.

As for sponsorship, I honestly don't care how much there was/will be in the future, if the money went towards more security, more clean toilets and better fencing, keeping theives and dealers out. What harm does sponsorship do us? We as the general public/festival goers don't have to take any notice. A tip for the police for next year, try putting a couple of hundred people undercover in the crowds, and see how many times they are offered drugs. I'm sure almost a third of the people there were trying to sell some kind of illegal substance. Not at all what I expected, a great disappointment.
JC, UK

Commercialism? Turn a blind eye. For me Wateraid, Greenpeace, Oxfam and the Worker's Cooperative are worthwhile organisations and should be encouraged to sponsor the event. The thing that consistently gets me down is the conmen operating the stalls - not the street hawkers who are on the make but offer you better prices for beer, food, tobacco than many of the stall holders. The organisers really need to look again at who they allow to run stalls and how so many free loaders get in - they are the ones who boost the crime rate needing sleeping bags and tents when they finally get over the fence. The festival? Keep it coming, nothing, absolutely nothing compares to this.
Vern, Wales

It's not surprising that Glasto has become commercial - some of the organisers act as corporate bully boys themselves, so it's not surprising they've sold out. "Give us the money" is the desire of some. It's a shame that Glastobury has become what it used to despise!
Neil Greenway, UK

Festivals such as Glastonbury, do become worse as the sponsorship increases but unlike any other festival I have visited, Glasto has found its own ballance. It has all the commercial rubbish you would expect but it also has a natural balance of what the festival used to, and still does, stand for: peace, love and freedom. You have the dance stages with your Fat Boy Slims and Chemical Brothers but walk 200 metrers up the road and you are in the tranquil and independent area of the Green Fields. And no matter how many sponsors there are and how ever many tents they have, there is just as much if not more to look at explore and create in this place. It is the other extreme to the beer tents and the mobile phone tent, and it has the best view in Glastonbury.
Alex Horder, England

Glastonbury is probably the biggest testament to free market anarchocapitalism in existence and corporations should be just as free to contribute as any other organisation. Monsanto seem to have gotten a very bad press there and I'd suggest that they sponsor clean and comfortable toilets for next year's festival.
Mike Holmes, Scotland

Over the past four years I have been to Reading, V99, Homelands and Glasto. Glastonbury is the mother of all festivals. All the others are too commercialised. I hope that Glastonbury keeps going. Michael Eavis is a dude.
Julia , Cambridge UK

This was the first time I have ever been to an open air concert and I must say that it was the best weekend of my life. Roll on next year and many more to come.
Nicki, Midlands,UK

Without sponsorship many of us would lose the ability to see many of the events we like to watch. Many of the events could simply not afford to take place without the money they receive from sponsors. Too much advertising can seriously damage your enjoyment of an event but not so much that I'd rather not see the event at all!
Tristan Abbott-Coates, UK/USA

I went to Glastonbury This year and absoloutly loved every single minescule second of it. All the people that are whining about horrible toilets, so what? It's not like you are going to die, also what can you do to stop people being horrible in the loo? have someone standing by every toilet on the site inspecting it before and after someone goes in? Being unclean and unkempt for a few days is a small price to pay for the best weekend of your life.
Tim, UK

I didn't attend the festival, but used to go years ago to similar events. Four years ago I went to the Phoenix and the unbelievable state of the toilets was the last straw. Sadly, many festival goers seem unable to behave properly and the sights I saw were a disgrace. There really has to be an improvement in this issue by the organisers, or the punters who want to enjoy the music in comparative comfort will stop coming when they are old enough to want something better. It's a pity. I've had some great times at festivals, but sanitation defies belief and there seems to be no serious effort to improve it. Perhaps the sponsors would like to do something useful with their money??
Sharmian Niel, UK

I've had some great times at festivals, but sanitation defies belief and there seems to be no serious effort to improve it.

Sharmian Niel, UK

Events that cannot support themselves by ticket sales alone and, by definition, do not necessarily appeal to everyone, can only be funded by voluntary corporate sponsorship. This is clearly an appropriate response, especially when the only alternatives are either not holding the events at all or the even more objectionable government subsidy.
Mark M. Newdick, USA/UK

We live in a commercial world. The music festivals may be covered in corporate sponsorship but that's the only way they'll take place and as long as festival-goers get to see strong line-ups that's OK. It's when sponsors require festival organisers to sanitise festivals' images by cracking down on harmless dope-smoking and pill-popping that things have gone too far. Stick your logos on the stages by all means, but don't try to make the experience a heavily-policed weekend of blandness.
Paul B, UK

Stick your logos on the stages by all means, but don't try to make the experience a heavily-policed weekend of blandness.

Paul B, UK

Glastonbury has become more and more commercialised in recent years. It has lost it's initial appeal and atmosphere.
Louis Kabbani, UK

Never mind sponsorship this event must continue to happen - my best time in a while.
Richard Howell, England

Mobile phones are killing the festival spirit of 'getting away from it all' - surely they should be banned from events such as Glastonbury.
Keith, UK

Mobile phones are killing the festival spirit of 'getting away from it all'

Keith, UK

The coverage of Glastonbury on the BBC could have been better if we had been allowed to see more of David Bowie on stage, instead after four and a half songs and 29 years, it switched to two Yorkshire lads and then a dance act where the sound cut out. Why make a point of all weekend, building up to Bowie been shown and then cut him. I bet Wimbledon will not be cut like this? The one decent thing on BBC television this weekend and it is cut short - what do we pay a licence fee for?
Karen Parkinson, United Kingdom

Went for the first time this year, and I must say it was a fantastic experience. So what if it is more commercialised now - do you get the stars of the weekend - the likes of Bowie, Chemical Brothers, Moby and Death in Vegas for free? Saying that though, I felt that the level of overt sponsorship and commercialism was surprisingly and pleasingly low. Many thanks to Mr Eavis and co for an experience not to be forgotten.
Neil Walker, England

Went for the first time this year, and I must say it was a fantastic experience

Neil Walker, England

I've got no problem with a company paying to advertise at a festival, and offering money in exchange for the chance to put their message in front of lots of people. What I object to is when that company expects to decide how the festival will be run, rather than where to place its advertisements.
John B, UK

When Phoenix first started it was well organized, with better facilities, although it was much smaller and therefore much more appealing than the disgusting mess it became in 1996. The day-trippers coming for the huge funfair and other attractions (completely separate to the music) completely ruined the whole "festival atmosphere" for me and put me off camping at festivals for good.

It would be extremely naïve for us to think that Glastonbury is not a corporate venture

Reef, England

However, I have nothing against events, which are blatantly commercial with the emphasis on specific days like Reading, Essential or V2000.

It would be extremely naïve for us to think that Glastonbury is not a corporate venture and eventually even bigger and better events will overtake it. It won't be around forever.
Reef, England

I have no objection to commercial sponsorship. Without it these events would not exist. But what was the BBC doing transmitting continuous live coverage on its digital platform. If this continues in future years it must only undermine ticket sales for the event. I also attend the Cambridge folk festival every year. Again the BBC are usually present but only make recordings for broadcast at a later date on TV and Radio 2. I would feel cheated if the events were broadcast live.
John, UK

Old hippies will tell you that a few logos for credit card companies and a Radio 1 tent have killed the original festival spirit; but old hippies are like that, everything was better in their day apparently

Richie J, England

My abiding image of Glastonbury 2000: a pair of bearded hippies selling bead necklaces as "made by genuine hippies". Good for them - I hope they turned a healthy profit on them!
David T, UK

Surely the spirit of any festival is down to the people who attend. Seeing a billboard advert would only spoil your fun if you let it, in which case you probably deserve to have it spoiled!
Judith, England

Old hippies will tell you that better organisation, a few logos for credit card companies and a Radio 1 tent have killed the original festival spirit; but old hippies are like that, everything was better in their day apparently. I doubt it was any more 'spiritual' then.
Richie J, London, England

You'd think with paying £90 for a ticket, the security and sanitation would be a lot better.

Dave Harris, UK

I have just come back from Glastonbury, and can say that it will be my last time. You'd think with paying £90 for a ticket, the security and sanitation would be a lot better. Last year I only had my sleeping bag stolen. This year I had my whole tent stolen. A friend had beer emptied all over the inside of his tent, and the last straw was when I witnesses 10 blokes blatently climbing over the fence whilst a single security guard stood close by watching, and too afraid to say anything. Too many people are going for the all wrong reasons!
Dave Harris, Bristol, UK

Certainly the best way around to be able to meet that old hippie telling you that he still like hanging around that dance tent.
The whole event lasted 5 days for me and was rich in mixed meeting, forgeting the big bands for a while and just letting the sun directing my steps has been a sheer experience, also glad to meet you again there BBC people (when you are not working(?))
Laurent Dreveton-Amzalac, England

Unless you're permanently completely wasted on drugs, you're going to hate it.

Barry, UK

I was at my first ever Glastonbury this year and it will definitely be my last. It's not about the festival, it's not about meeting people, it's not even about the music - it's all about drugs. Unless you're permanently completely wasted on drugs, you're going to hate it. I got about 4 hours sleep in 2 days and then came home early because someone had set up a techno tent about 50 feet from my tent. They pumped out ground shaking techno 24 hours a day with ignorant disregard for everyone else around them. I won't be going back.
Barry, UK

Glastonbury is a remarkable musical feat of organisation with a unrivalled bill- which still has space for hippy nonsense like the teepee field. All hail Michael Eavis and the British summer!
Nick Murray-Leslie, UK

Glastonbury Festival is a great event, but I am concerned by its seemingly inevitable colonisation by corporate interests...I have read several emails on this page protesting that these kinds of events would not occur without sponsorship... these statements indicate the extent to which the 'suits' have convinced most people that the status quo of commercialism is just 'the way it is'... I find this very worrying. This festival could quite easily happen without sponsorship.

As soon as alternative culture pops up nowadays it is immediately colonised and gradually reduced to a money-machine.

Mark Ayre, UK

It would just require a change in people's mindset about what is possible (less and less nowadays it would seem, at least without the benevolent and gracious help of the almighty companies.) What is Glastonbury meant to be about anyway? The music primarily, but also as a chance to champion noble ideals such as animal rights, ending poverty, explore the possibility of living differently and also the chance to celebrate all the good things about us... however what we have now is increasingly the packaged version, taken away, gutted and then sold back to us by big companies.

Along with this comes the other symptons of the over-commercialised and hyper-individualistic culture that we now live in - shocking levels of crime being the most obvious. As soon as alternative culture pops up nowadays it is immediately colonised and gradually reduced to a money-machine. What is there to celebrate about that?

I am not knocking the festival completely... it is still a lot of fun, and honours a lot of good causes and ideals...but this aspect of it is disappearing...I am not a crusty old hippy, but I agree with a lot of them on this point.
Mark Ayre, UK

Watched it all on BBC 2 & Choice. Excellent coverage. There was a few points where they were showing the same feed on both channels buth other than that, brilliant! Also, top idea getting Adam & Joe to present the Choice coverage. Enjoyed it much more that Theakston and co.
Paul Gault, Rosehearty, UK

Nothing short of a revolution will stop the sponsors on their social slash and burn.

Benj'min Mossop, UK

Sponsorship has killed a lot of things and proceeds to wreck festivals and practically everything else which can be brought, sold or have a logo stuck on. Who knows, maybe the human genome will be next?

Sponsorship did a lot to damage sports some time back (take a look at football), festivals and the music industry have been added to the list of victims. Nothing short of a revolution will stop the sponsors on their social slash and burn.
Benj'min Mossop, Britain

What a waste of money, £90 on a ticket and the person behind me paid the security guard ten pounds to walk in without a ticket.

Becky, UK

What a waste of money, £90 on a ticket and the person behind me paid the security guard ten pounds to walk in without a ticket. Maybe we'll all try next year!
Becky, UK

The security can be an issue, but there are some dodgy places to camp and some that are better. Same goes for avoiding home brewed techno tents. This year was a blinding festival
Iain Shaw, UK

If you've never been then you are missing the nearest thing to the middle ages and a hedonists heaven

Sion Williams, Wales

I've been to Loads of Glastos, first was in 1983.The last I made it to was in 1997.Its a brilliant experience,and if you've never been then you are missing the nearest thing to the middle ages and a hedonists heaven. But now I'm a fat old GP who works too much,but soon my kids will want to go ,and with luck there will still be generous souls like Mr Eavis putting their livelihoods on the line in 2010. Party on.
Sion Williams, Wales

Before you walk through the gate or climb the fence or bribe the security guard, you have to LET GO of all of your opinions and your rules and regulations, and if you are very lucky and Glastonbury grace shines on you then you might just get the point. Of course you must first climb the Tor!
Kev Ollier, Glast. UK

Just wait for the Sky bid !!!!
Jonathan, Denmark

I note that no-one has questioned the huge Greenpeace banner. As for everything else, as long as I can overdose on the excellent weekends music I don't care.
Douglas McLellan, Scotland

What is wrong with a couple of signs - the music was not polluted and that is the main objective, or not?

Johan De Min, UK

Anyone who thinks that such massive events can be run without sponsors lives in cloud cuckoo land. What is wrong with a couple of signs? (By the way I wonder how much that Greenpeace sign fetched) The music was not polluted and that is the main objective, or not?
Johan de Min, UK

Glastonbury has so much to offer and to see even though it has become a commercial function. Then why is the BBC so good at showing so little of the real heart of the site.The side shows and the home made shows is the blood that keeps the whole three days flowing. Not the BBC camp fire and clips of the main acts 90% recorded "early in the day"
Thomas Mercer, England

I do not think that corporate sponsorship has killed the festival spirit. Festivals of this kind need corporate sponsorship just to provide the acts that will attract people to them.
Jeff, USA

Glastonbury used to be about the music and having a great time - now it is an annual meeting place for middle-class poseurs with mobile phones and filofaxes!

ER, Northern Ireland

Glastonbury used to be about the music and having a great time. Now it is an annual meeting place for middle-class poseurs with mobile phones and filofaxes! It is now the preserve of public school boys and students. Not forgetting the wannabes who enjoy getting their Prada dirtywith the common folk for a few days every year. Oh, and the 'oh so cool' hippies/travellers/scroungers. How could I forget the 'colourful' presence of our pungent, tie-dyed friends! Bah Humbug!
ER, N. Ireland

No one should go to these festivals to actually listen to the music with the same quality as they can get from CDs. They should go to roll about in the mud and kiss and complain about the state of the toilets. And you don't need sponsors to do that!
Derek O'Brien, Northern Ireland

Big love and thanks for the great time we had there to Paul, Martin, Janet, Katie, Helen, Paul, Paul & Caroline, Sarah, Vebecka, Curtis, Christie & Helen (sunset set), Haly & Francis from Bath, Simon(bagel shop) and mate, Noby, Lead singer of CCQ for the sheer dance @ The Glade, Dee (happy hippie), The Avalon Bar staff, Joe & Jane, Mieles, Anne, Shoan and the thousand of people who smiled back to me and made up the festival-the true one- for me. XoXoXo
laurent, England

It's the people who go which make a festival - try Womad in Reading at the end of July

Bob William, England

Living in Reading and never missing Glastonbury I have seen the festivals change over the years. They may have become slightly more commercial over the years but its the people who go which make a festival. Try Womad in Reading at the end of July. It has managed to retain the atmosphere which could absorbed at festivals many years ago.
Bob William, Reading, England

I have been to Glastonbury for the last 8 years and think that the only thing that has gone wrong is the mudbaths in the last few years.This year had everything going for it,the weather was great,you could just sit down anywhere without the worry of getting filthy,ok the toilets were not the best in the world,but hey,you did not have to eat your food while sat there...keep 'em coming Michael Eavis!
Mark Remnant, Gloucestershire,England,UK

The all night impromptu gigs are what Glastonbury is all about

Matthew Jackson, UK

Perhaps Barry would prefer a concert at Wembley arena. My friends and I happen to think the all night impromptu gigs are what Glastonbury is all about. Take away all the tent DJ's and such and it would not be "Glastonbury" anymore. Do you really expect to get eight hours undisturbed sleep? It is no place for Victor Meldrews. This year over previous years I think the offical acts were of poor quality, too many student guitar based whiners on stage. The dance tent is becoming a joke with whoever books the acts not getting it at all.
Matthew Jackson, UK

Out of our group of 15, nine of us were either robbed, attacked or harassed in some way

Katy Minn, UK

This year was my first Glastonbury & to say it was an disapointment would be an understatement. Out of our group of 15, nine of us were either robbed, attacked or harassed in some way. As regarding sponsorship, I was pleased to see very little commercial advertising but that's probably down to the huge blackmarket opperations that run like a disease through the festival. ( Future festival goers: The rivers that run down the hills from the Portaloos are not to be camped in like many spangled people did this year....!)
Katy Minn, UK

I would just like to congratulate the BBC on possibly the worst coverage of a festival i have seen. Not only were the diaries of the festival uninterseting but they were showing them when great bands and performers were on stage. The whole weekend seemed like an ego trip for the two presenters, esp. Jamie Theakston. Do you really think that the viewers wanted to see Jamie singing badly with Billy Bragg when David Bowie was on the main stage. For those of us who couldn't make it this year, the BBC really drove the point home that we weren't there. What a wasted opportunity!
Gus Niven, Scotland

I think that the Michael Eavis' Glastonbury Festival has done remarkably well in staying commercially free, whilst remaining a credible platform for contemporary music and theatrical performances.
It is true that as interest and variety in the event has grown, that some sponsors have arrived, but these are media interests such as The Guardian, Orange, and the BBC. You will not find fizzy drink and lager ads emblazoned around the stages with irksome adverts for products you'd rather not buy. You will find that Glastonbury actually sponsors people like Oxfam, WaterAid and Greenpeace, has naked people wandering around, (normally in mud), and a kind of self policed "ordered anarchy".
As for mobile phones, you'd never meet friends at such events without them now!
One day Mr Eavis will not be able to run the show, and I feel that if the festival survives him, it will sucumb to the same commercial pressures as the rest.
But there are smaller festivals and rallies which truly keep the spirit alive, but the orginal is still the most varied, the most commercially free, and the best. Long live Michael Eavis.
Tim Rose, UK

This year I had my rucksack nicked - but I wouldn't miss it for the world, there's nothing like it

Seb, England

This year was my third Glasters, the previous being the muddy 97 and 98 festivals. Each time I've been I've ended up shattered, dirty, sweaty, considerably poorer and incapabale of productive work for at least 3 days, and this year I had my rucksack nicked. But I wouldn't miss it for the world, there's nothing like it, and corporate sponsorship is an irrelevance to 90% of the people that go.
In my opinion it's the best event of any description in this country, if not the world. It's not for individuals to decided how the festival will develop, it'll be down to the people that go. If you want clean toilets, and a risk-free environment I suggest you stay at home.
Seb, England

This was my first Glastonbury and in a way I found it rather similar to Amsterdam. Walking around in a daze looking and just taking in the new atmosphere. A good break, nice to get away from it all.
Dominic, Stevenage UK

A great festival. for those worried about corporate sponsorship - you need to head up to the green fields more often...sitting in one of the tea shops, or sharing a battered conversation with a group of stall owners or acid dealers truly brings home the festival spirit(!)
You may see a fair bit of commercialism down on the main drag - as well as inflated prices - but this all helps bring in great music from an industry which is 101% commited to charging as much as it possibly can.
Spend a night at the stone circle, and you'll see the other side of the story.
Sam, England

As usual I had a fab time at Glastonbury. I saw few of the big name acts, but it doesn't matter. The music, company and experiences were all good. Having said that I wouldn't object to a corporation attempting to win my heart and mind by doing something about the toilets! My one regret is that I missed the Wurzels play!
Matt Prescott, UK

In answer to some of the posts you've recieved already:-
Louis Kabbani - sorry, but it's a myth that commercialism has ruined the Glastonbury vibe. A myth perpertrated by the sort of free-loaders who jump the fence then nick other peoples gear to see them through the weekend - which does much less for the "vibe" than paying to get in. And that's not just the view of some "johnny come lately", it was readily expressed by the long time regulars I met at John Martyn's set who'd come for years and were all working in some capacity to fund their admission. That Glastonbury is to spend more next year on tightening security is a welcome announcement. Besides, unless someone pays how is Glastonbury to attract the line-up it does? But it would seem that those who look down on paying punters and commerical sponorship can't manage this sort of joined up thinking.

It's a myth that commercialism has ruined the Glastonbury vibe

M, UK

And for those who want the non-commerical vibe, the free all night sound systems (provided by Jo Bannana's et al) are still there, and still a major attraction over other more convential festivals.
My sympathy to Dave Harris and others here, know how you feel.
Barry - yes, there are a lot drugs, and seemed to me more than ever this year, but it doesn't have to be about that. As someone who did all night Sunday on nothing stronger than a cup of tea and a can of beer I'd hate to see the sound stages closed down - sorry if you couldn't sleep but......
In summary - Glastonbury still the best festival around for all round atmosphere. Not the easiest place to see all the bands on the bill you fancy, but the best for free after hours. But the crime rate sucks - sort it, and the free-loading that's at the root of much of it, and the idyllic vibe of myth will be closer to the truth than it is right now.
And in case you're reading - hi to the New Zealanders by the main stage for ADF et al Saturday (sorry struggling with names), the mid-afternoon people Saturday at Energy 24, and Tobby, Zoe and everyone else (unknown) at Joe Bananas and elsewhere Sunday night / Monday morning.
M. (Welsh boy), U.K.

Well I think Glasto is really over hyped, as for Scotlands main festival T in the park, I don't think its hyped enough, I've been to T in the park 3 years in a row after this year, each year there has been more and more improvements and it gets better and better, so what if the line ups not as good as the last two years, the atmousphere is what i go for mainly cos it really is just a huge open air party, I love it! I'm also giving Leeds a visit too this year
Matt, Scotland

At the moment we're on the train back from Glastonbury exhausted,sunburnt and already looking forward to next years festival. To Mr Eavis & co - thanks for a great time!
Lisa & Martin, UK

It was my 3rd Glastonbury this year and it was just fantastic. It is getting more commercial, but that doesn't have to harm the festival spirit which remains true. My only problem is the amount of people who turn up in their high heels and expensive clubbing gear and moan about toilets, theft, people coming over the wall and being ripped off.

It's these whining ridiculous people, who would never normally dream of leaving their home comforts who threaten it's future

Nicola Beaumont, UK

If you don't like the loos don't come, I can assure you that your presence won't be missed. If you don't like the theft don't bring anything valuable, what do you expect when you turn up with mobiles and smart camping gear and clothes?? I had my all my stuff stolen at Reading and you sure learn quick!! And the ones who go over the wall - good for them, I'm happy to pay for them, as one year I might nto be able to afford it and have to do the same. And if you don't like the stuff for sale don't buy it, although I'm sure you've been ripped off more in your local high street, and that there's as many drugs in your local clubs.
The commercial ! ! nature of the festival has led to it becoming more widely available and it's these whining ridiculous people, who would never normally dream of leaving their home comforts who threaten it's future. But for me this year was as mind blowing as the others, keep them coming Michael Eavis!!
Nicola Beaumont, England

To be honest the sponsorship angle doesn't concern me, I've been going since 1984 and although the festival has grown in size it still has that same spirit. After all we have a choice as to whether or not we buy the sponsors products.

I think the Police should give some of their fee to charity every year unless they manage to reduce the crime on site

Kevin Shewan, England

The thing that does concern me though is the increasing number of crimes on site. The Police take over £0.5m from the paying public every year to Police the site and at the end of the day they fail. The number of reported crimes (which is probably the tip of the iceberg) did not change that much from the previous years. Almost everyone I talked to in the queue for the property lock ups had been a victim of crime. We were camped in the "Family field" and didn't see a single Policeman in that field until after a bout of crime on the Friday night, then they came and tried to bolt the stable door!! I think the Police should give some of their fee to charity every year unless they manage to reduce the crime on site.
The other thing that bothers me is how many people think it is acceptable to fence jump. Don't these people realise that if every one did it there wouldn't be a festival. We tend to live in a something for nothing society but at the end of the day someone has to foot the bill for the festival. If you can't afford the ticket then why not do what we do and work for your tickets!
Kevin Shewan, England

Last year was my first time and I just went down on my own...had an amazing weekend. Where else could you do that? This year I was dead proud to drag some mates along and show them this amazing and unique experience, and I have to say that everyone fell in love with it. They all now realise exactly why I haven't been able to to shut up about it for the past few months. This year, although the line-up wasn't as strong, was an even better experience than last year. There seemed to be more going on. Round every corner was a stage or an act or people just making their own entertainment...

This year I was dead proud to drag some mates along and show them this amazing and unique experience, and everyone fell in love with it

Mark, UK

At Glastonbury there seems to be no class, no boundaries and constraints. In a situation like that, you could expect anarchy, yet it what emerges is a very well-balanced mini-society. My only grumble is (and I don't really have any) the availability of drugs. To the naiive and weak-willed, anything and everything is available. You can buy hard drugs more easily than alcohol. If they get the fence sorted out this won't be an issue. I'll be back next year.
Mark, UK

This year's festival was probably the best Glastonbury festival ever. Low crime rates and the best vibe in years. I only saw one fight all weekend and that was someone who had obviously come only to see David Bowie. The weather held out and one of the "magic" moments happened again when Moloko played "the time is now" and the sun peered through the clouds and the crowd went wild. Has to go down with Travis's last year with the rain.
The toilets were as good as I`ve ever seen at a festival!!!!
I personally had a ball this year and can`t wait for next year.
Chris Norton, England

Half the people on my shuttle bus seemed to be coordinating their breaching of the security fence on their phones

Chris Jay, UK

If something needs sorting out it's the transportation away from the site. Last year having survived the scrum for a National Express coach back to London I thought I'd take the comfortable train back home, only to spend 3 hours couped in a pen at Castle Cary station, in the hot sun with several hundred other distressed people. Thanks to the station staff for throwing in bottles of water, but no thanks to Railtrack/SouthWest trains for that fiasco. Didn't they realise it would be busy, where were the extra trains? I also share the gripe about mobile phones, ruins the atmosphere when some bloke next to you is chatting away while you're trying to listen to the music. By the way, half the people on my shuttle bus seemed to be coordinating their breaching of the security fence on their phones. Another reason to ban them?
Chris Jay, UK

I'd like to see more of the hidden talent such as Elliott Smith and The Flaming Lips gracing the main stage, instead of being hidden away in a tiny tent somewhere

Janinja, England

Glasto's great but the line up gets worse every year. Last year Texas and The Beautiful South were on the mainstage (yuk) and this year we had Travis - I'd like to see more of the hidden talent such as Elliott Smith and The Flaming Lips gracing the main stage, instead of being hidden away in a tiny tent somewhere. Also, the organisers should do something about the overcrowding - the gridlock after the bands finished on Saturday night was extremely frightening. As for the man who complained about cellphones - what a dumb thing to say - my cellphone is the first thing I would pack for a festival, Glasto is huge and it's easy to get lost...(turn them off during the bands though!)
Janinja, England

This year was perhaps the fifteenth Glastonbury I have attended. One event showed me that the spirit of the festival lives on. Whilst a large group of people were enjoying a great performance by a folk band in the bandstand, the gap in the music was punctuated by the sound of violent wretching. We all noticed, but one compassionate soul ferretted around for a wet wipe so the poor unfortunate could clean himself. So moved by this act of kindness was the sick man, that he followed her and gave her a big kiss. I could tell she was touched.
Debbie Shoemark, England

If you want to keep your possessions safe, try Wembley Arena

RLW, UK

The people complaining on this site obviously knew nothing about Glastonbury before they went. Of course there are free-loading fence-jumpers, thieving hippies, zombied drunks & drug dealers running about the place - that exactly who festivals like this cater for. If you want to keep your possessions safe, try Wembley Arena concerts, and leave the festivals for the true festival goer.
RLW, London, UK

What a bunch of whingers....Glasto was absolutely classic this year. Yes I did blag in, straight through a hole in the fence for free. I think the figure estimated by Michael Eavis for fence jumpers was well short of the mark. When a crowd was questioned by an artist, "who paid to get in?" only 10% of the audience responded, compared with the huge cheer when asked "Who blagged in?" Our estimates reckon at least 250,000 people were there. As for the people moaning about the "Babylon" areas, I suggest you stay up in the Green Field areas next year....
Da Alien, UK

Glastonbury and other festivals aren't about the music, they're about the drugs. Most people there were so high they wouldn't recognise the band on stage. And the fact that the police happily walked by people openly selling drugs should be a real worry. I won't be going again.
Chris, England

It was the best weekend of my life - it seems too long to wait until Glastonbury 2001

Louisa Edwards, UK

In reply to Barry, UK who complained that Glastonbury was all about drugs and was so noisy that he couldn't sleep. I quote from the BBC Online Glastonbury diary:

"In true Glastonbury style, the real partying didn't begin until the last band had finished.
Everywhere you looked, people were losing it or larging it, from the Sacred Stones to the not-so-sacred - and aptly named - Lost Vagueness Tent.
Sleep is simply not an option for the hardcore, judging by the huge cheer that greeted the spectacular sunrise. Well, you've got to catch it while you can..."

Perhaps Barry should have let himself go a bit - surely he didn't go to Glastonbury to sleep???? or maybe sadly he did. Please get into the spirit Barry before it's too late.
Simon, Bristol, England

It was the best weekend of my life, the atmosphere is so happy and relaxed, no-one bothers you, everyone is there just to hve a good time... It seems too long to wait until Glastonbury 2001.
Louisa Edwards, UK

It was my first year at Glastonbury and I have to say it was amazing! I am not into taking drugs and the fact that I was surrounded by them didn't bother me at all, the strawberry cider sufficed. Hi to everyone I offered it to at Morcheeba!!! I hope you liked it. I was one of the lucky ones who had nothing stolen on me, but if there was anything stolen, it wouldn't have bothered me that much as I didn't bring anything valuable!! The whole weekend was brilliant, the atmosphere was amazing an roll on Glastonbury 2001!!!
Antoinette Finn, Ireland

This was my first trip to Glastonbury and was without question the best weekend of my life... in response to some of the other mails - fair enough you could bribe a stweard to get over the wall, but without the honest people buying the real tickets the festival would not be possible....and yes the toilets were revolting, but what do you expect when you're catering for the best part of 150,000 people??!!! and yes the drugs were everywhere but i would rather the police spent their time arresting the real criminals who were there purely to steal from other people, than wasted their time trying to stop the dealers from selling a bit of skunk....you can choose whether you want to buy drugs or not - you dont choose to have your tent robbed......one point though - next year try to put in some more cashcard machines - 4hr queues were a bit much.........but i still can't wait to come back - gary & john, thank you so much for the lift to bristol! and thanks mr eavis
Nic, Ireland

It was my first Glastonbury this year, and all I can say is that I regret that i've missed so many. I saw no more than 10 bands in total even though I was present from Thursday until Monday, and ignorant or not took no notice of the corporate sponsorship. I did however have the most fantastic time meeting weird and wonderful people and walking on average 5 miles a day, up to the Greenfields, down to the circus tents and over to the teepee field etc. I thought the whole festival atmosphere was fantastic and it will be a sad day when Glastonbury ceases to exist. A big thank-you to MIcheal Eavis and all his hard workers. (I hope the person that stole my sleeping bag kept warm - I danced in the Greenfields instead)
Micha, Wales

Some people are missing the whole point of the festival - you're not supposed to bring all your worldly possessions with you

Emily, England

After returning from Glastonbury I watched the the video's of the BBC coverage. Once again the coverage was terrible. Who cut Bowie? Why was there only coverage for the dance artists? Perhaps the BBC might loose Glastonbury coverage to another channel? I hope so. As for the thefts; The solution is simple - get rid of the Dance tent. It's no coincidence that the majority of the thefts happen in that area. Yes, alot of people wouldn't like it but Glastonbury would be better without it. I know people will say I am stereotyping dance fans but look at the crime statistics. Why have one genre spoil it for the rest.
Jon Reynolds, UK

I went to Glasto. last year and it was excellent. This year, I worked there as an oxfam steward and it was still one of the best weekends I've had. Some people are missing the whole point of the festival. You're not supposed to bring all your worldly possessions with you - and what you don't want to lose, keep on you. As for sponsorship, I hardly noticed it - and most are worthwhile causes anyway. So here's to Michael Eavis - and the next 30 years.
Emily H, Kent, England

I don't have a problem with the sponsorship of Glasto as it stands at the moment - the Guardian provide those fantastic, essential Guides, which are costly to produce, and Orange offer a charging service which most people seem to consider essential these days. I think the sponsorship is relatively unobtrusive. Only problem is, I think Group 4 sponsor the fence ;-)
Maxine Dunham, UK

Glasters is like no other festival on the planet. The mixture of alternative cultures with corporate "Babylon" main two stage areas is unknown elsewhere.
Nothing wrong with corp sponsorship if it keeps the festival going - it's all for charity anyway.

It isn't some carefully controlled Disneyesque festival - it's an anarchic festival for free thinkers

James, UK

To the people posting here regarding : Toilets, thefts, noisy soundsystems and fence jumping.
Don't come back, you aren't wanted. It isn't some carefully controlled Disneyesque festival. It's an anarchic festival for free thinkers. Don't take valuable stuff down, don't take gleaming brand new tents down, and don't expect running water toilets, and an 11 pm curfew (complaining about noise at glasters ?? come on...!) You are missing the point of glasters so badly it's frightening
James, UK

It was my first time to glastonbury and if it's like this every year certainly not my last. The Sponsorship made no difference if you went to see what the festival was really about: Music. Maybe those worrying about it had too much time or sleep to think about it? To those whinging about the toilets or the drug dealers they're a small price to pay for a brilliant weekend and you have a choice- don't come. Where else could you see bands like the Flaming Lips and their nifty telly-tubby video. (Which By the way blew the socks off Travis) playing in the UK? Michael Eavis Rules!
Stuart, England

To all the moaners and whingers: Glastonbury is what you make it. OK so this year it was a wee bit commercialised - but surely that means more money for the charities. There's no way you can make Glastonbury crime and drug free - it would mean having your own personal police officer. Me and my mates had our best Glastonbury ever this year - if you can't handle it then why not set up a tent in Mummy and Daddies back garden and watch it on the telly. Thank you so much Mr. Eavis.
Stu, Scotland

I think Glastonbury is an excellent festival which caters for all tastes and ages. It has become a little bit too big crowd wise, but thats bound to happen. Although I haven't been myself for a couple of years, its still the best music festival to go to in Europe. so there! The toilets ain't that bad if the wind is blowing in the right direction....
Steve, UK

As if all this "alternative" youth culture crap wasn't a cynical commercial fabrication in the first place!
M. Conomos, Australia