• The Spirit of the Festival: Glastonbury’s Community Vibe and Its Future Inspiration for Fuji Rock


    Crowd gathers for a workout class. Photo credit: Keiko Hirakawa

    Crowd gathers for a workout class. Photo credit: Keiko Hirakawa

    Attending Glastonbury this year was a fantastic experience. As someone who usually covers Fuji Rock, it was amazing to see the festival that inspired it all. The sense of community at Glastonbury is something special, and it’s quite different from Fuji Rock. Here’s a peek into the unique vibe that makes Glastonbury stand out.

    Vastness and Accessibility

    The first thing that struck me about Glastonbury was its size. Covering 900 to 1,100 acres and hosting up to 210,000 people, it’s enormous compared to Fuji Rock’s 100,000 to 150,000 attendees and 1.5-mile stretch. But despite its vastness, Glastonbury’s circular layout makes it surprisingly easy to get around. Every path seems to lead to another exciting part of the festival, unlike Fuji Rock, where you often have to trek through the entire length to get from one end to the other.

    Post office inside of Glastonbury with a vast variety of postcards also available for purchase.

    Post office inside of Glastonbury with a vast variety of postcards also available for purchase.

    Diverse Community Activities

    Glastonbury’s community vibe is boosted by its incredible variety of activities. I joined a Samba class, which felt just like my weekly Zumba classes—a judgment-free zone where I could dance my heart out. But that was just the beginning. There were movie viewings with Q&A sessions, like one with Florence Pugh discussing “Dune 2.” Entire sections of the festival were dedicated to relaxation, with massages, aromatherapy, and tarot readings. Activist movements were also prominently featured, encouraging everyone to engage with important social issues.

    Iconic Carhenge at Galstonbury.

    Iconic Carhenge at Galstonbury.

    One particularly memorable spot was Carhenge, a playful homage to Stonehenge made of cars. Right next to it was Terminal 1, a new interactive section where you could learn about the migration process and the challenges faced by migrants in the UK. It was eye-opening and added a layer of depth to the festival experience. Adding to this “village-like” atmosphere were unique features like a post office, a pharmacy, and even the Glastonbury Free Press, a newspaper created specifically for the festival. These elements gave the festival a small-town feel, where you could truly immerse yourself as a resident of this annual community.

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    Flags fly all over Glastonbury to showcase individuality and solidarity. Photo credit: Keiko Hirakawa

    Global Musical Diversity

    The music at Glastonbury was another highlight. Over the weekend, I saw bands from all over the world. From Japanese taiko drumming and traditional Indian bands to Mexican mariachi performances, the festival showcased an impressive array of global musical traditions. There was even a new stage dedicated to uplifting musicians from the Global South, particularly South Asia. This commitment to musical diversity really highlighted Glastonbury’s inclusive spirit and celebration of cultural exchange.

    Vegan food and options found throughout Gklastonbury.

    Vegan food and options found throughout Glastonbury.

    Culinary Variety

    The food scene at Glastonbury was equally diverse. While Fuji Rock offers about 100 food stalls, Glastonbury boasts around 400, offering a vast array of culinary delights that reflect the diversity of England. The food at Fuji Rock is undeniably fantastic, with high-quality cuisine no matter what type, but Glastonbury’s sheer variety is hard to beat. From classic British fare to international delicacies, there was something to satisfy every craving.

    Fuji Rock’s Unique Community Vibe

    While Fuji Rock has a strong community vibe, it’s distinct from Glastonbury. The differences can be attributed to both Eastern and Western cultural nuances and the broader access to diverse musicians and attendees at Glastonbury. However, it was heartening to overhear people at Glastonbury talking about Fuji Rock. This interest suggests that Fuji Rock might begin attracting more international attendees, further diversifying its offerings in workshops, food, and performances.

    Glastonbury’s community vibe is characterized by its vastness, accessibility, diverse activities, global musical representation, and culinary variety. It’s a festival that not only celebrates music but also fosters a sense of global community and cultural exchange. As Fuji Rock continues to evolve, it may draw inspiration from Glastonbury’s inclusivity and diversity, enriching the experience for attendees from around the world. There’s hope that Fuji Rock could also incorporate similar village-like components, helping attendees connect deeper with one another as “residents” of the community that comes together once a year.

    Photography credit: Keiko Hirakawa

  • Green Initiatives: A Comparison Between Glastonbury and Fuji Rock


    The aftermath of Glastonbury's main stages at 3am each night.

    The aftermath of Glastonbury’s main stages at 3am each night.

    When it comes to sustainability, two of the world’s most iconic music festivals, Glastonbury and Fuji Rock, offer some intriguing contrasts and lessons for each other. Both festivals have made strides in reducing their environmental impact, but each has unique approaches shaped by their cultural and logistical contexts.

    Glastonbury’s Sustainability Efforts

    Glastonbury, held in the UK, has been a pioneer in festival sustainability:

    1. Waste Management: Glastonbury has a massive team of volunteers who sort through waste, using color-coded bins to ensure proper recycling. They even have an on-site recycling facility that sorts everything out.
    2. Biodegradable Materials: They’ve banned plastic and glass, opting for biodegradable and compostable alternatives. This helps keep the festival’s footprint low.
    3. Water Refill Stations: One of the standout features is the availability of free water refill stations throughout the grounds. This greatly reduces the need for single-use plastic bottles.
    4. Renewable Energy: The festival makes extensive use of renewable energy sources, ensuring that stages and facilities are powered sustainably.

    Fuji Rock’s Approach

    Fuji Rock, held in Japan, also emphasizes sustainability, but with a distinct cultural twist:

    1. Litter-Free Grounds: A remarkable aspect of Fuji Rock is how clean the grounds stay. Attendees take personal responsibility for their trash, adhering to the Japanese principle of leaving no trace. This contrasts sharply with Glastonbury, where staff have to clean up littered areas every night​​.
    2. Camp Chair Etiquette: At Fuji Rock, you can leave your camp chair out all weekend without fear of theft. This level of mutual respect is a testament to the festival’s community spirit. Meanwhile, at Glastonbury, reports of chair theft from campsites are not uncommon​.
    3. Eco-Friendly Initiatives: This year, Fuji Rock has ramped up its sustainability efforts, including increased recycling and the use of eco-friendly products. They’ve partnered with local organizations to promote environmental awareness among attendees​.
    4. Energy Conservation: The festival uses renewable energy sources, including solar panels, to power various parts of the event​.

    How can both festivals improve?

    At Fuji Rock, despite its strong sustainability ethos, Fuji Rock doesn’t provide free water refill stations. Attendees often have to buy plastic bottles, which creates unnecessary waste. Implementing refill stations would be a major step forward. As for Glastonbury, they could take a leaf out of Fuji Rock’s book by encouraging attendees to take more responsibility for their trash. Handing out trash bags at the entrance and promoting the importance of the cleaning crew more visibly could help.

    Learning from Each Other

    There’s a lot that these two festivals can learn from each other. Glastonbury’s structured initiatives like water refill stations and comprehensive waste management are top-notch and could be adopted by Fuji Rock to reduce plastic waste further. Conversely, Fuji Rock’s cultural practices around cleanliness and mutual respect offer valuable lessons for Glastonbury.

    Comparing Glastonbury and Fuji Rock reveals both festivals’ strong commitment to sustainability, albeit in different ways. Glastonbury’s structured and proactive measures contrast with Fuji Rock’s cultural and community-driven approach. By learning from each other, both festivals can enhance their sustainability efforts, creating greener, more enjoyable experiences for all attendees. As the festival world continues to evolve, the exchange of best practices will be crucial in achieving a sustainable future for these large-scale events.

    References:

    https://www.nprillinois.org/2024-06-29/can-the-worlds-largest-music-festival-be-sustainable-glastonbury-is-trying

    https://www.wusf.org/2024-06-29/can-the-worlds-largest-music-festival-be-sustainable-glastonbury-is-trying

  • Glastopedia: Interview with Creator Ben Smith


    1-Glastopedia

    Glastopedia, an extensive and unofficial online compendium dedicated to one of the world’s most famous music festivals, Glastonbury Festival, offers a treasure trove of information on every aspect of the festival. From its history and timeline to detailed data on performers, venues, campsites, crew, and vendors, Glastopedia expands far beyond the capabilities of the festival’s official website and app to date.

    I met Ben Smith, the sole creator of Glastopedia, in London during my year there, and had a chance to enjoy Glastonbury together this year. Having come across Glastopedia while doing my own searches for new performers on the horizon at Glastonbury 2024, I was excited to find out that my own acquaintance was the sole brain behind the encyclopaedic website. Here, we get insights into the inspiration and aspirations for the ever-evolving grassroots archive.

    Ben Smith, the creator of Glastopedia, enjoying Glastonbury.

    Ben Smith, the creator of Glastopedia, enjoying Glastonbury.

    Interview with Ben Smith of Glastopedia

    Ben Smith, the creator of Glastopedia, shares his journey from being a latecomer to Glastonbury in 2019 to becoming deeply obsessed with the festival, leading him to create what is now one of the largest unofficial encyclopedias dedicated to Glastonbury. Reflecting on his first experience, Ben describes how he was “blown away” by the temporary city that emerges and disappears within a week, sparking his curiosity and eventual deep dive into all things Glastonbury.

    Since its inception, Glastopedia has grown exponentially, fueled by Ben’s passion for uncovering and documenting every aspect of the festival, from stages and performers to the people who build and run it. He reveals, “I’m a bit of a data nerd,” which is evident in his meticulous research methods, including scouring the web archive, old festival forums, and even long-forgotten Flickr accounts to unearth hidden details about the festival’s history.

    Despite moments of doubt, Ben persevered, and Glastopedia is now flourishing, attracting around 100,000 visits per month. His dedication to maintaining an ad-free, community-driven platform is clear, as he emphasizes, “I never will monetize it… I just want it to be something for the people to use.” Ben’s work has also garnered attention from the festival community, with longtime festival workers reaching out to contribute information, further enriching the site’s content.

    Ben shared further insights into Glastonbury’s unique atmosphere, its evolving yet evergreen nature, and the challenges of maintaining its grassroots identity in a rapidly modernizing world. He emphasized the festival’s open and accepting culture, allowing attendees to fully express themselves and pursue their passions. Ben described Glastonbury as a place where “anyone can do anything they are passionate about and showcase it there,” highlighting the festival’s commitment to providing a platform for creativity and self-expression.

    A notable aspect of Glastonbury’s charm, according to Ben, is its resistance to modernization. He mentioned that while the festival’s website and processes may be considered outdated by some, this quirkiness adds to its authenticity. “The fact that everything’s a little bit shit… it’s kind of cute,” Ben said, drawing a contrast between Glastonbury’s organic vibe and the polished, Instagram-perfect aesthetics of other major festivals like Tomorrowland.

    Ben also reflected on the festival’s commitment to sustainability, particularly in comparison to Fuji Rock. He acknowledged that while Glastonbury takes significant steps towards environmental responsibility, such as eliminating single-use plastics and using sustainable power sources, there are still cultural differences that influence the festival experience. For instance, he noted the prevalence of rubbish at Glastonbury despite its eco-friendly initiatives, contrasting it with the near-pristine cleanliness of Fuji Rock, where even the smallest piece of litter is rarely seen.

    A highlight of the interview was Ben’s recounting of his favorite email from a long-time festival contributor, Alistair. Alistair, who has been involved with Glastonbury since its inception, shared stories about the festival’s early days and expressed appreciation for the website’s archival efforts. This exchange underscored the importance of preserving Glastonbury’s rich history, with Ben noting, “Archiving things is so important… Glastonbury is a culture and community of itself.”

    Ben’s passion for documenting the festival’s history is evident in his meticulous approach to gathering even the smallest details, such as set times for specific performances. He expressed a deep sense of pride in his work, acknowledging that it is an ongoing project that will likely continue long after the festival itself. This dedication to preserving the festival’s legacy speaks to Glastonbury’s enduring impact and the importance of keeping its story alive for future generations.

    The interview concluded with a discussion on the challenges of securing tickets for Glastonbury, a process Ben described as “the worst day of the year.” Despite the difficulties, he emphasized the importance of community and teamwork in overcoming these obstacles, staying true to the festival’s core values. He shared the strategy of forming groups and pooling resources to increase the chances of obtaining tickets, reflecting the festival’s spirit of collaboration.

    Looking ahead, Ben is excited to continue expanding Glastopedia, particularly focusing on the festival crew’s stories and exploring new ways to present data, such as visualizing how stages have evolved over time. He concludes by expressing his excitement for the future, hinting at new projects in the works that will further deepen the site’s offerings for Glastonbury enthusiasts. Overall, Ben’s insights provided a deeper understanding of what makes Glastonbury so special—from its grassroots origins and commitment to sustainability to its unique culture and sense of community. His passion for the festival and dedication to preserving its history shine through, offering a glimpse into why Glastonbury continues to captivate and inspire so many.

    General Website Information

    Glastopedia covers the festival’s rich history, providing insights into each year’s events, weather conditions, and standout performances. It includes comparisons across different years, allowing users to see how the festival has evolved. The site also features detailed statistics and interactive maps to enhance the browsing experience.

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    Venues and Performers

    Explore the 401 venues and 5,600 performers that have graced Glastonbury over the years. From the iconic Pyramid Stage to lesser-known, intimate spots, Glastopedia provides detailed information on each venue’s capacity, genre, and unique characteristics. The performer section highlights headliners, Sunday legends, and poets in residence, along with performance statistics.

    Campsites and Crew

    Find the perfect place to stay with comprehensive details on the 97 campsites available, including regular spots, crew and performer areas, and luxurious glamping options. Learn about the 99 crew members who make the festival possible, from festival founders to production designers.

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    Vendors and More

    Glastopedia lists over 1,300 vendors, including food and drink stalls, traders, and bars. The site also features spotlights on special aspects of the festival, quizzes for fans, and practical information on packing and causes supported by Glastonbury.

    Ad-Free and Unofficial

    Created by Ben Smith, Glastopedia is an ad-free, unofficial guide to the festival. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the official Glastonbury Festivals. The site aims to be a comprehensive, user-friendly resource for festival-goers and fans alike.

    Explore Glastopedia to delve into the vibrant world of Glastonbury Festival and immerse yourself in the festival community with detailed information and fun insights.

    Visit Glastopedia here

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    Happy Bunny Couple

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