Is Glastonbury Going to Ban Flags?
Is Glastonbury Going to Ban Flags?Apparently Michael Eavis is considering banning flags at future festivals. This comes after the announcement that they will be barred from Reading and Leeds.
Melvin Benn, the head at Festival Republic, told the BBC that has was talking to Michael Eavis about a ban at Glastonbury.
“You couldn’t see the acts. The flags were everywhere. There have always been flags, but not to the level that there has been. And the flags have become very long and tall.” – Melvin Benn
I personally think its a bad idea to ban flags, they are a huge part of the atmosphere, plus almost all have some kind of outlandish theme or statement. All this is what makes Glastonbury a real festival. If they do decide to ban flags at Glastonbury then it will just be another step along the path of commercialism that they have been taking the last few years.
Dont let them destroy Glastonbury and turn it into another Pop Festival. Voice your concerns here and tell your friends to comment too.
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17 Responses to “Is Glastonbury Going to Ban Flags?”
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i think its a BIG mistake banning the flags… they are great! so i couldn’t see some of the acts for half of the time.. i want to bring one next year!
tell that Melvin Benn bloke to shut the fu*k up, its because of arseholes like him that glastonbury has gone to the sh1tter in the first place. glasto is so commercial these days, its forgotten what the whole thing is about. the god damn music and the atmosphere.
banning flags will make it like a prison camp, people going up to you saying “sorry you can have that flag in here” – if anyonse said that to me he would get a mouth full!!!
i think thats a bad idea , do they even have a proper reason to ban them? i heard people complaining about them when they watch it on TV they think the flags get in the way when theyre watching someone but i think thats a bit over the top “banning” them , what do you think??
I have been going to Glastonbury only for a few years now but this year I did notice that the amount of flags seemed so much more that there ever was before. I didnt really have a problem with it though, as they didnt restrict my view massively. I can see how it might have affected some other people’s view though, people who were futher back or by the sound desk. Banning them completely is too harsh though :S
I think it’s a great idea to ban flags. I would much rather see Bruce Springsteen than a flag. I do agree they can add to the general atmosphere, but seeing the band is the top priority.
I am worried about what I have started to see as a commercialisation of the flag at events. Specifically at Glastonbury, over the past 2 years there is a guy whole goes to the front of the audience at the Pyramid and Other stages with a sign advertising his band’s name. I won’t advertise it more by repeating it here, but regrettably I have numerous photos with his sign in it which were taken while I was trying to take a snap of the performers.
My fear is that more people will start using this highly visible and promoted space to start plastering it with messages which will be viewed by millions. Imagine a coordinated effort of placing 8-10 branded flags in the audience at the front of the pyramid stage during a headliner act. They could easily make a statement to the television viewing audience which might not be at all in lines with what Glastonbury would want to promote. Something like – “Vote BNP” for instance.
I wouldn’t ban them, but they do need to do something about them, there was way too many this year, they need to be on shorter poles, and there needs to be a maximun size.
This is ridiculous. If they get in the way of TV coverage then those people should buy tickets and actually go to the festival. I can’t see how this is anyway, as the flags are amongst the crowd and the TV cameras are in front of the crowd!
Having gone to Glastonbury, I can honestly say that no matter where you stand the flags DO NOT impede vision AT ALL! In fact, there were a number of occasions when the only way I was found by my friends and vice versa was by standing next to someone with a flag.
Oh, and Anthony. It felt a bit Prison camp’ish last year when I had a lit flare candle (which I had bought there!) and was walking between sites. I was approached by a man (only doing his job, but a bit of a jobsworth)who he asked me to put it out as hot wax might drip on people’s heads. Whaaaaat?! I wasn’t even in a crowd…
Ban flags???? Are you mad?? It’s part of Glastonbury! Yeah ok some of them are quite big but there’s no need to ban them!! I really enjoyed looking out for the different flags this year. As long as they don’t offend anyone then i don’t see the problem!
KEEP THE FLAGS!!
Heck No!! Don’t ban the flags.
Just move them up out of the way… Say attached to your super structures (half dome, the sound towers and ect.) if they are higher up out of the way, everyone can see and we’ll all know and remember the countries and groups that are represented. To take the flags away is taking another freedom we all enjoy. Besides, do you want people to forget those who died for us all????? If so, you may have to repeat there sacrifice Again!
what a terrible idea. things like this are making Glasto a poorer festival. its just to keep the people who watch on tv and not pay to attend such an event. i am hoping to bring flag next year
[...] a huge uproar from festival goers concerning the recent announcement from Melvin Benn to ban flags at Glastonbury Michael Eavis has told NME that he wont be supporting such a ban and that Glastonbury festival [...]
Flags are an integral part of the Festival, that there is no doubt. They are perfect for groups to find their friends and join up.
That said there has to be a compromise somewhere as last year there were so many you might as well have put up a massive curtain across the stage at some sets.
I think it’s great that they’re considering banning flags, they get in the way of you seeing the stages and you can’t take pictures! BAN THEM! They are annoying!
Hey! they cant ban flags at the festivals full stop.
all the best festivals are 40% good music 60% atmosphere.
My flag has a high pole but small distinctive flag (wolves head on a gold background). I’ve been taking it since the early 90’s and now have many, many friends who i have made through using it as a meeting point since before the days of mobiles. Without the flag, i’d never get to meet up with all those great people. As long as the flags are on a high pole, and not a ridiculous size, then it’s all right by me. It wouldn’t be the same without them !
Glastowolf.
Dont ban the flags!! For f**k sake! Has that Melvin Benn ever experienced a festival in his life? I’ve been coming to Glastonbury for years and this is what its all about. Its part of what makes it what it is. It sets the atmosphere! This is our freedom!
I was f***ing disapointed when i heard about this! Too many complaints, too many moans, too many rules and regulations, what the f**k! What will they wanna ban next? and then the year after that?
Dont ban them! Or at least cut down on the numbers of flags and advertisments on them somehow if it makes you feel better! What are people gonna do when they get lost? This sort of thing can be used as a meeting point. Theres got to be a solution. And its better to have flags in your photos, it makes it more interesting! if you dont want them in people can just position themselves closer to the stage. Im a photographer and i know this. If this festival becomes more commercialised than it already is turning out to be, its gonna lose the right crowd for the acts! And it will certainly lose that sense of freedom and high spirit that everyone needs!!