There's something rather unpleasant in Noel Gallagher's remarks that hip-hop and Jay-Z are "wrong" for this year's Glastonbury.
Over the past week there has been a lot of hysteria in the press about how the decision to award Jay-Z the headline act may have contributed to sluggish ticket sales this year at the normally sell-out three day event.
That hysteria, of course, largely ignored the fact that the ludicrous price of tickets for Glastonbury and the fantastic explosion in recent years of smaller, cheaper festivals has meant that paying £150 for sitting in a field of mud isn't perhaps as appealing as it once might have been.
But what concerns me is this weird suggestion that somehow hip-hop is not right for Glastonbury.
Noel Gallagher's argument is that Glastonbury was "built on a tradition of guitar music" and therefore hip-hop has no right to be included at the festival - conveniently ignoring the many hip-hop acts that do in fact use guitars; Rage Against the Machine, for instance, played in 1994. It also ignores the fact that over the years some of the biggest hip-hop acts of the time - De La Soul, Cyprus Hill and The Roots to name three - have also played sets there.
But while Glastonbury may well have its roots in predominantly guitar driven music isn't it also an innovative festival, unafraid to evolve and pick headline acts that break the festival's more traditional mould? Emily Eavis, the daughter of Glastonbury founder Michael, writes about this in today's Indy.
The way I see it, if non-guitar acts like Shirley Bassey, Kylie Minogue, Basement Jaxx and Fatboy Slim were fine to headline, then why not Jay-Z?
Oh, I forgot, Jay-Z is one of the richest men in hip-hop and therefore must be too commercial for Glastonbury. But if Jay-Z is commercial then what the hell is Kylie?
Or is it because white guitar maestro Noel is simply not ready yet to give a warm welcome to the predominantly black urban music that now outsells him every day?
Noel is just bitter, twisted and frankly rather rude. Why anybody should listen to what he says is beyond me.
Posted by: Hobgoblin | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 11:47 AM
Festivals such as Glastonbury grew on the ideal of the hippy dream. Their location, close to nature, was part of the appeal.
It shows how far Glastonbury has come (or gone) that rap music should headline, with its roots in city ghettoes, with strong undertones of guns, violence and misogyny. In atomspheric terms, quite how this will sit against the backdrop of the Tor, the New Age bookshops and the druidic mythology, I don't know.
It's impossible to be objective about this, since there are few neutral opinions about rap music. As far as I can tell, rap music, whenever performed live, is a terrible way to listen to it: the lyrics are usually inaudible, and by it's very nature, rap is fairly tuneless. Rap has to be in-your-face, and a man on a stage 100 yards away is never that.
Personally, I'm off up the Hop Farm to see Neil Young.
Posted by: Andrew Forbes | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 12:37 PM
Even in good weather, the spectacle of Glastonbury wears off after about 48 hours. After which everything is slightly tedious and overpriced. The headline act has never really been a concern to most fans. I don't think I've ever bothered with a single headline act. Glasto is an opportunity to see many bands that you wouldn't see otherwise.
What turned me off was eventually the crass commercialism, not of the headliners but the actual festival and the atmosphere. The whole point of outdoor festivals is to throw off the shackles of commerce and convenience but theres so much infrastructure and trade there it might as well be a saturday afternoon in Bradford with bands.
Glastonbury has always been hugely mainstream in the main acts. However, the mainstream most glasto veterans knew is vastly different to today and since the security upgrades it seems more like a concentration camp for wealthy middle class kids. And yes, the crass undertones of mysogeny and money worship that characterises black pop music certainly isn't befitting Glasto.
But Noel is still talking out of his moist flaps.
Posted by: Peter North | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 12:55 PM
i agree with hobgoblin, glastonbury was never about massive commercial acts, middle class volkswagon trendies and seeing the current line up makes me sad, how about some exposure of the masses to the ozrics or ozomatli or any of the myriad of underground brilliance that the world has to offer..dont want to see kyle or jayzee, nothing personal just leave them for top of the pops..too expensive, too commercial, not enough diversity, what happened?
Posted by: jim | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 12:58 PM
who wants to pay £150 for a headache, bring back good old british rock music, would much rather see oasis than some bloke who thinks what he does is singing when all it does is attract 12 year olds who play it on busses from there phones and piss everyone off with it.
Posted by: craig | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 01:00 PM
I actually believe Noel made a comment about Kylie playing too, so its well possible he thinks all the 'novelty' esque acts playing there are rubbish and shouldn't play!
Posted by: Al | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 01:16 PM
I do think there is some truth to Noel Gallagher's comments. And while hip-hop acts have played at Glastonbury in the past, such a big commercial act hasn't headlined.
Rage Against The Machine, for instance, are a political experimental act which is very suited to an environment such as Glastonbury. Jay-Z, on the other hand, is a very 'bling' act which doesn't appeal as broadly to the mud-dwellers of Glasto.
There was a similar reaction to Kylie's headlining act announcement, but due to sad circumstances she was unable to play that year.
In addition to that, the fact that Jay-Z is also headlining at this summer's O2 festival may have driven fans to that event, leaving less demand for Glastonbury.
We also have to look at the other headliners. I think The Verve have enough draw to attract the crowds, but I don't think Kings of Leon are suited to this festival as headliners.
I believe it's a combination of all of these factors in addition to the plethora of alternative festival options that have impacted Glastonbury ticket sales.
Posted by: Kal | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 01:23 PM
Quite the opposite, in fact. There is something rather unpleasant about the defenders of Jay-Z in the media who suggest that he has some kind of 'right' to play, or that Glastonbury would be failing to embrace an ethically diverse whatever if he didn't play, or that Gallagher should be chastised for not appreciating Hip Hop.
Posted by: nmc | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 01:27 PM
The reviewer should check his facts. Rage against the Machine is a bone fide metal band, with rap style vocals. The band and it's fans would be highly offended by the description that they are a hip-hip band.
Who goes to Glastonbury these days anyway? A bunch of "scenesters" mainly willing to buy tickets without even knowing who the acts are. They just want to say that they were there and going in the hope that something interesting or scandalous may happen. There are many small non commercial festivals all over the country now with diverse styles to suit everyone. Support these fests instead rather than lining Mr Eavis' deep pockets.
Posted by: Paula Wheeler | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 01:35 PM
The problem with JayZ is NOT that he is hip hop - that was a ridiculous remark to make, and anyone who knows Glastonbury even remotely well knows that it's all about diversity! Noel obviously hasn't wandered far enough from the comfy backstage compound to work that out.
JayZ is a bigot. I love ALL sorts of music. Before I went to Glasto as a young teenager I was hugely into hip hop. There are plenty of artists out there who aren't misogynistic, raicist or homophobes. JayZ is. Glasto is about freedom. JayZ isn't. It's simple. That is why HE is WRONG. No other reason. Not about style, taste etc. Just freedom, and a live and let live attitude which JayZ clearly does not have. End of.
Posted by: Mia | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 02:03 PM
i,m going to glastonbury. i,ve been every year since 2000 and to tell you the truth i dont care who,s on headlineing.if i remember rightly it,s a festival of performing arts so the choice of what you see is endless.its about finding that little hidden jem in a field you never knew existed.its still the biggest and the best.keep up the good work its worth the 8 hour drive from middlesbrough
Posted by: richard lindley | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 02:13 PM
First off, I don't think Rage Against The Machine would get upset about being grouped in with hip-hop (or even hip-hip...), seeing as they've covered tunes by cypress hill etc, and cite influences.
The only real issue is that the headlining act is supposed to be someone who everyone can either bellow along to, or wave their arms about to going "wheeey!!". That's the sole point of the headlining act! When Basement Jaxx stepped in for Kylie, not much happened until they did a cover of the ace of spades, and then the place went mental. Kelis played in the dance tent, and finished off with a cover of smells like teen spirit. Maybe Jay Z will pull something out of the bag, and erupt the place, but I dunno that his style is exactly what's needed in a headlining act playing to umpteen thousand people wasted on homebrew cider and sunstroke. Wich I think is exactly what Liam meant.
But so far, all this has been blown out of proportion by self-righteous gits whos main argument seems to be "EVERYONE IS RACIST APART FROM ME! THEREFORE I WIN!!".
Posted by: Jim Hughes | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 02:19 PM
Noel Gallagher is yesterday's man, his comments give him the air time he has so desperately missed.
Posted by: Chyke | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 02:29 PM
I dont give a flyin monkeys if JAY-Z is headlining or if it woz the pope with a guitar..!! This is glastonbury..!! i have been going since 1998!! yes its becoming more commercialised but that has never stopped me.. the main acts arent why you go to Glastonbury??!! its the hidden talents tucked away in the fileds that you stumble across..!! Glastonbury will always be a magical place no matter how commercialised people think its getting..!!
Im glad some people are getting put off by it.. more chance of me getting tickets every year and not having to be constantly calling hung over on a sunday morning or panincing through the year thinking i may not be there thi year..!!
To all you Glasto Grumps out there, dont bother coming to the festival!! Glasto is for the fun hearted, the people who dont care about mud, and rain and rappin acts..!!
I may go and see Jay-Z... i may not.. i dont plan anything in Glastonbury..!! I go where my wellies take me..!!
Peace and Love to you all... See you in 10 weeks..!!!!!!!
Posted by: Portaloo Dan | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 02:45 PM
I think you have to read between the lines and interpret the message as being "kids who know and care enough about music to go to Glasto aren't going to be tempted by an act like Jay-Z" which is patently obvious and fair enough.
Posted by: Jason Kane | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 02:48 PM
Exactly as others have stated, the problem doesn't lie with 'Hip Hop' It lies with commercial music. All dance music has a 'cool' top end, and a 'commercial' low end.
All genres of music are welcome at Glastonbury, just not chart tripe.
Most people into alternative music grew up with it and it's part of their soul, people who listen to chart music generally haven't a clue about quality music, or about who they are, that's why they resort to the text book.
Oasis attracted many townies, and I wouldn't say that Noel is in a position to make this statement, adding to the fact that he's a self proclaimed bellend.
I wouldn't go to Glastonbury these days if it was free. It's full of 'Topshop' emo kids. Give it a few years and the fashions with change and the emo kids with it, and glastonbury will be yearning for its rockers and hippies back.
Posted by: Wayne Bevan | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 03:32 PM
Gangster Rap music at as flower power festival.... I dont think you need to be fussy to see the problems in that.
Getting the old guy out of retirement wasn't the organiser's best idea ever.
I like him and have been to see him in Manchester but all he sings about is drugs, woman, guns and money.
It's a FACT that they didn't sell as well this year as they did last, there's no arguing with that.
It's got nothing to do with Price or mud, get Pink Floyd or Led zeplin out of retirement and head lining and do you think it wouldn't have sold out in half an hour?
He's not all that good anyway and personally admits he's a sell out to the "gangster rap" style of the genre.
What would you say if 50 Cent was head lining?
De La Soul are a TOTALLY different band to Jay-Z, it's a totally different style of music.
If you want to spend a full night listening to how he pimps out woman and is a full time drug dealer and the best rapper in the world, then it's gonna be a fantastic night.
Who does Jay-Z appeal to? What age range? Will you mam or dad like him? or your 30+ brother? Seen as he's now out the game I'd be suppirsed if even you young 15 year old sister likes him!!
I'm a fan but it's a "wrong place, wrong time" thing.
Time will tell when he's getting bottles thrown at him to get off stage :D
Posted by: Andrew | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 04:21 PM
"That hysteria, of course, largely ignored the fact that the ludicrous price of tickets for Glastonbury and the fantastic explosion in recent years of smaller, cheaper festivals has meant that paying £150 for sitting in a field of mud isn't perhaps as appealing as it once might have been."
Oviously that doesn't sound appealing, but if you've got Pink Floyd sat in front of you playing a set, it's gonna be the best muddy field you've every been to and the best 150 you've ever spent.
Especially when Jay-Z charges £40 per ticket to see him for an hour and half at Manchester.
It all depends if your going to see a good band doesn't it?????
Posted by: Bob M | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 04:31 PM
I don't think it's just Jay-Z thats putting people off, who is honestly that bothered about seeing the Verve? I love loads of different types of music and was fully intending on going to Glasto this year, having not been the last 2 years but seeing the line up made me decide against it. It's interesting that the year that they announce the headliners before the tickets go on sale it doesn't sell out. To be fair the price doesn't help either. 150 quid is ridiculous considering 10 years ago my ticket cost 80 quid. Cropredy Festival here I come!!!!
Posted by: Tom Blenkinsop | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 04:52 PM
I don't actually like Oasis but I have to admit the man is RIGHT. Hip Hop is not what Glastonbury in the sun is all about. Sorry.
Posted by: Ian | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 06:18 PM
Im a ten year veterian of Glasto who wont be attending this year. I have lived through rain, knee deep mud, awful toilets all with a smile on my face.
This year however, I think the Evis's have lost the plot, picking an argument with the very fans who have made it what it is, attempting to tell us what we should like. Of course the festival is not just the headliners but to pretend you can bring in someone who isn't even very popular in the UK (Independent 12/4/08) is a bit daft. The tickets cost £150 for goodness sake, and with so many stages, why is so hard for the organisers to find headline acts to suit everyone. Other festivals seem to be able to do it.
Unfortunately, even after Michael drags him on stage, Jay-Z is going to be gesticulating to an empty field.
Posted by: BabyDave | Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 11:04 PM
"Or is it because white guitar maestro Noel is simply not ready yet to give a warm welcome to the predominantly black urban music that now outsells him every day?"
Hmm, it really annoys me when something gets turned into a black vs. white thing. That's wrong and not what Noel was saying.
Noel is right in what he says and I'd go so far as to add that Jay-Z and his music is forgettable and not something that will be around in 10 years time unlike a lot of other bands that play Glastonbury's main stage.
Glastonbury is all about a crescendo over the weekend. To have this guy headline is similar to seeing Nora Jones follow the The Rolling Stones and the Beatles.
Posted by: Reddies | Wednesday, 16 April 2008 at 09:39 AM
personally i agree with portaloo Dan. the whole idea of glasto is the experience not just the acts.There are plenty more acts to go and see apart form the headliners.
I think that having Jay-Z there will allow people who have not ever thought of going to festivals going to one.
Just be happy if your going to glasto. and don't get tooo worked up about the headliners. see you all soon (who is going). !!!!!!!!!!!!
:):)
Posted by: Fab | Wednesday, 16 April 2008 at 06:56 PM
blah blah blah,who cares.glastonbury is mint.cup of organic tea,indian massage,off to the circus,cider infront of the jazz stage,twirling in the ballroom,hands in the air in the dance village,hip hopping at the pyramid,off to the glade for a rave,stone circle for supplies and watch the sun come up.the problem is what?oh yes,Noel"i talk shite"gallagher sticking his oar in.when they last played i nearly fell asleep.i hope jay-z plays a stormer of a set and gets rave reviews and puts off all the opinionated nme reading kids from getting in my way when im trying to have a good time.right thats my two pence
Posted by: ingaz | Wednesday, 16 April 2008 at 07:09 PM
Portaloo Dan : "To all you Glasto Grumps out there, dont bother coming to the festival!! Glasto is for the fun hearted, the people who dont care about mud, and rain and rappin acts..!!"
I agree Dan - I'm glad if the moaners aren't coming. I've often found that the best Glastonburys are when there are less obvious headliners and the lightweights have been put off by recent mud - at least those who are left really want to be there and are much more positive about having a good time.
I've been going for 20 years so I'm certainly not part of the JayZ target audience, but it doesn't bother me that he's headlining. Glastonbury has never been about one type of music, so I don't know where this belief that it should be rock/guitar/indie bands has come from - maybe these people have never actually been, or have not left the main stage area? And of course, music is only part of the experience with the wealth of other arts on offer.
For me, it's about seeing a mix of my favourite bands and a whole heap of stuff I don't know. I don't know much about JayZ but I'm happy to check him out and form my own opinion. And if I don't like it, there's plenty of other stuff to choose from.
Posted by: Jeepers | Wednesday, 16 April 2008 at 07:11 PM
by the way bob m,10 years ago glastonbury was free if you know what i mean
Posted by: ingaz | Wednesday, 16 April 2008 at 07:12 PM
i hope he gets bottled!!! If noel gallagher was headlining no doubt it would have been sold out in less the half an hour!!!
Posted by: max harper | Wednesday, 16 April 2008 at 07:42 PM
I'm 41, white and bought up on guitar music, but balls to Noel Gallagher, I go to Glastonbury for the diversity and I'm going to make a point of seeing jay-Z (who I'd never heard of before!).
The real reason for poor sales is that Michael Eavis offended a lot of people with his ageist comments last year, and the people who can't handle a bit of mud have probably gone away, which can only be a good thing.
Posted by: Guitar Freak | Wednesday, 16 April 2008 at 08:04 PM
if it's a problem with Jay-Z? so be it, your problem
if it's a problem with the genre? so be it, but remember that's YOUR opinion, not everyone elses.
it's a festival of performing arts, it may have started with another ethos or five, but it's currently performing arts.
next year the headline could be Blue Man Group, a Ska band you've never heard of or even Mettalica, who knows.
If it's someone you don't like or even hate then watch something else, go to the Dance Tent, Jazz World or The Park. You don't HAVE to watch the headliners!
think about it, £150 for seeing any number of bands, shows and films of your choice and a feel-good vibe? it's worth it
Posted by: Jimmy | Wednesday, 16 April 2008 at 11:44 PM
I think Jay-z will do just fine and the people will enjoy, good job
Posted by: charles black | Thursday, 17 April 2008 at 06:29 AM
Michael Eavis has shot himself in the foot with his ageist remarks and his posturing as regards Jay-Z. Remember when Reading had 50 Cent high up on the bill and the clot got bottled off after 10m? I'm certain Glasto folks are too nice to do that to Jay Z, I fear the reaction will be apathy though, which is worse in a way. The classic glastos of years past suddenly seem far distant, don't they? Frankly Glasto is horribly overrated, a bubble that's finally burst-how many consecutive years of mud has it been now? I do love seeing the likes of smug Farmer Giles getting his botty kicked in all this.
Posted by: Neil McNab | Thursday, 17 April 2008 at 01:13 PM
you know this article is fair and outlines interesting points.... right until the last line when you have t slip in the racial line just to try and create a bit of a deeper argument.
while i dont know noel, i dont believe him a racist, hes just old and set in his ways, hes entitled to his opinion as are the many fans who didnt buy a ticket this year... are they all racist???
While jay-z may be the biggest rap act still going in this day and age, the sad truth is that noels comments simply back up the fact that this year the festival has been criticised for its diverse choice of headliner, and the proof is in ticket sales.
If your going to suggest racial issues and predjudice then you have to suggest it on the part of all those not going to the festival this year who did last year... but then that would be just plain stupid wouldnt it? so in typical media fashion, you wait for a celebrity to stick his neck out and say something, only to begin hacking away at him... its not big, and its not clever... and it totally ruins your article. Get a new writer.
Posted by: mike | Thursday, 17 April 2008 at 02:14 PM
I think Noel Gallagher has said it right - he's spoken what most were thinking - i'll certainly be avoiding the pyramid stage on the Saturday night.
Posted by: Zoe | Thursday, 17 April 2008 at 05:28 PM
Im completely shocked at this issue. Anybody who has regularly been to festivals including Glastonbury has to agree, that Glastonbury provides you with freedom to roam, the amense amount of choice and diversity with music, entertainment and food. Everybody who enters the gates should leave normality behind, open their minds, conversate with anyone and everyone, express their personalities without judgement. Glastonbury isn't just your average festival, it changes your life. If it hasn't for you, your going for the wrong reasons, main stream acts are justs a formality here. Godspeed to you all, and please try and be more positive its really depressing.
Posted by: Mick Bentley | Thursday, 17 April 2008 at 05:48 PM
Forgive me for pointing this out but does Glastonbury not have a few hundred bands playing? Why is everyone having a little cry about Jay Z? I like guitar bands but could pick out a few from the line-up who would be second choice after pouring acid into my ears.
Dinosaurs like Noel Gallagher and all the narrow minded, boring simpletons who only listen to bands that play guitars, are not the keepers of the soul for Glastonbury festival.
All the whingers blatantly have no idea of what Glastonbury festival is about and judging by some of the comments on 'Rap music' and the negativity surrounding it, they have no clue about music that isn't on MTV. Why don't you put down the NME and open your mind to the WHOLE WORLD of music that is out there before you make generalised comments about a very diverse genre you know nothing about, thus making yourself look like an idiot.
Posted by: Pallworthy | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 01:25 AM
I believe that many people (including Noel Gallagher and Emily Eavis) have missed the point about Jay-Z at Glastonbury. I don't believe it is that the act is hip-hop that people are offended by (I'm sure an act like the Sugarhill gang or Jurassic 5 would go down a storm).
Unlike positive hip-hop acts (as above) Jay-Z is part of a wave of 'hip-hop' (Gangsta Rap) that incites extreme sexism, animal cruelty, excess consumption and violence. These kind of themes in my opinion contradict the whole point of a festival which 'celebrates' peace and unity at its core. I feel that choosing an act like Jay-Z undermines individuals who previously enjoyed this peaceful ethos.
I will never again be interested in attending Glastonbury for this reason. I cannot in any way condone music that is openly disrespectful and corrosive towards humanity and the planet. Instead I will be enjoying the (celebrations) of mutual respect, environmental responsibility and peace at the Sunrise Celebration festival in Yeovil.
Posted by: Kelly | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 10:31 AM
It makes me laugh - all this hoo-hah reminds me of when the late, great John Peel started to play reggae music and his core audience who liked punk wrote in to complain - apparently he even received death threats. Sadly it doesn't seem that things have moved on much.
But I reckon this is going to be a FABULOUS GLASTO!
Why?
Well for a start it looks like there will be a lot less "tourists" who only come for the big acts and sit around gossiping when a band they don't know is on. People that don't realise that the headliners are only the biggest selling artists, not necessarily the most talented or entertaining.
Less musically retarted people who think anything recorded after they were teenagers, or that is outwith the narrow genre they've algined themselves to "isn't proper music" and not worth listening to.
Less cry babies who need their home comforts and can't handle a bit of rain, mud and crowds.
Less scenesters who only go because they think it's cool to do so.
Less huffy people who think that Mr Eavis's drive to get more young people back to the festival is a personal ageist attack on them.
Less unrealistic idealists who think that it's gone too commercial because of the cash points and mobile phone masts - would a festival purely interested in money screen disturbing Oxfam/Greenpeace/Wateraid films between bands? Or give away a huge chunk of the profits? Or allow you to bring your own booze and food?
It's the people that make Glastonbury - not the headliners, and last year there were too many people who fell in to one or more of the above groups that put a bit of a dampner on things for the rest of us. They aren't buying tickets this year? Good riddance I say! I certainly had less trouble getting a ticket this year!
Glastonbury is a festival of performing arts, so by it's nature the lineup should be diverse. Of course every act isn't going to appeal to everyone - just as well because you couldn't see every single act if you wanted to. Just look at the rumour list: http://www.gorge.org/glastonbury/lineup.shtml (many can be confirmed by looking at the artists myspace) if there aren't at least a dozen bands on there that you want to see then you really should broaden your horizons.
It's really quite simple, if you only like rock music with a hard edge, go to Reading / Leeds / Download, if you only like daytime radio-friendly fare with nothing too extreme then go to V festival, if you only want to see lesser known acts go to somewhere like Truck, if you want a friendly but small festival without many big name acts go to somewhere like Wickerman. If you can't handle mud and rain, go to one of the festivals in Spain. If you feel you are too old to go camping stay at home and watch the TV coverage.
Glastonbury is for people who are genuinely open minded and don't think music begins and ends with daytime radio. People who are determined to have a good time, and take the lows (mud, rain, putrid toilets, lack of shower facilities, favourite band having an off day or cancelled, dodgy sound) in their stride because they know that the many natural highs make up for those lows with bells on. Something I never understood until I went.
It's about seeing acts you'd never dream of going to see normally, and finding yourself having a ball (Chas N Dave, Hayseed Dixie, Basement Jaxx, Shirley Bassey fall into this category for me) it's about all the stuff that goes on away from the music stages that for many are reason enough to go.
Selling 100,000 tickets in a single day without an obvious traditional guitar based headliner is testement to just how good a festival it is.
Posted by: John King | Friday, 18 April 2008 at 11:44 AM
Great comments John King - absolutely spot on!
Posted by: Jeepers | Sunday, 20 April 2008 at 11:10 PM
The plain fact is this:The real reason a lot of middle class rock types do not like Hip Hop is because Hip Hop is what rock n roll used to be before all the well brought up middle class types got hold of it. misogyny? - are u gonna tell me "Rock music" does not mistreat women? Racism - Bowie,Elvis costello,Lennon, Clapton, etc have all dabbled in it - but as usual that gets overlooked - or written off as irony.Im an old school hip hop fan of over 25 years and i dont like a lot of what comes out now,but its excatly the same with rock - there is mountains of garbage foul mouthed women hating,racist rock music out there.Hip Hop has been the FIRST type of urban music that has made the creators of the music rich,and with it able to say WHT THEY REALLY THINK.Basically what i and a lot of people see is pure hypocrisy, and a "Dont want that sort of thing round here" middle class attitude which a lot of "urban music" fans - have to face in everyday life.Most inner city people look at Glastonbury as a good idea ,but the festival is full of phoney,we love everyone weekend hippies, or rebel posturing.
Posted by: Mark | Monday, 30 June 2008 at 06:27 PM