Reading Vs Glastonbury

Although i would never consider myself a critic, having been to both of the Uk's leading festivals in the last two years, i feel like it's appropriate to draw some comparisons. 

Glastonbury 2013 VS Reading 2014 

HEADLINERS 

ARCTIC MONKEYS VS PARAMORE / QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE 

THE ROLLING STONES VS ARCTIC MONKEYS 

MUMFORD & SONS VS MACKLEMORE/BLINK 182 

In terms if quality, they are both superb line ups. I've had the pleasure of seeing the arctic monkeys twice now. Although i've never really got in on the hype, Alex Turner is sauve, charasmatic and a wonderful frontman. In comparison, Hayley Williams led the female domination and absolutely lit up Readings arena and set of the featival with a bang! She faced a power cut and still entertained thecrowd with a very special 'the only exception' interlude! As for The Rolling Stones, although gods within their own right, i justs didnt feel they connected with the crowd very well, similarly Jake Bugg had next to no audience interaction; a massive turn off for me at a festival. 

However  Sunday night was so full of hyped up fans that I have never quite felt a crowd react so well to any performer Macklemore & Ryan Lewis held the reading crowd in their palm, with dancers, interaction with the crowd, flames and fireworks! I have never screamed quite so loud in my life it was absolutely incredible. That was swiftly followed by Blink 182 who absolutely rocked the closing act of the festival, although Mumford and sons are a favourite of mine, Blink did reawaken the 14 year old little rock pop punk in me. 

Overall; excellent music tastes on both sides on differing sides of the spectrum. 

The facilities, toilet standards are similar, however the toilets in reading's arena were a breath of very much needed fresh air! There was also a lovely carnival ( albeit pricey!) and some excellent food options though again their prices were just that little bit too high for my liking (£4 for chips?! Really reading?!) Glasto had a lot more to offer with circus acts, an arts field, the chilled field of avalon... It gave you somethingg better to do than just sitting and waiting between your favourite acts, although I am aware there is a significant size difference between the two venues. 

One thing I will downright SHAME reading for is the drinking rules. Bearing in mind that alcohol has become almost part of the festival experience it annoys me to no end that you are not aloud ANY alcohol into the reading arena. With the average price inside £4.90 for a Tuborg, £4.70 for cider or any single measure and mixer with no ice, to even get a slight buzz could put you back £20! 

I understand the importance of safe drinking, but I can also understand why taking drugs is a more valid option to most reading festival goers, in the long run it is cheaper to get the same hype as spending 30 quid on alcohol. 

Sadly the extrotionate prices have really ruined the reading experience for me.  Water is even charged at £2.20 a bottle with only one water top up facility in the main arena! This should be addressed and sorted because i've found myself having a relatively tame experience in comparison to Glastonbury. 

It could be the exclusivity and competition of getting Glastonbury Tickets, but in general it attracts a different type of people. I've been pitched next to the walkway at Reading and even earplugs wont 

Cover up the hideously annoying shouts of drunken groups of lads, out of their faces or the underaged girls and of course my complete favourite of middle classed man bun wearing arsehole who think that just because daddy paid for their ticket they have a god given right to push past you in a crowd which has no room in it.

Instead of focussing on being happy, many of the Reading go-er's were flattening peoples tents whilst they were in it or even setting tents alight. It's a horrible feeling especially when you are camping alone that you could be the next victim. 

At Glasto, everyone was happy, there was no angry teenagers just people who genuinely enjoyed the music and put two fingers up to everyone else. 

At Reading, I overheard one man say ' fuck me i'd sniff her gash! Followed by a lovely young girl state 'LETS GET FUCKING MORTAL YOU BUNGH OF C*NTS!' 

I think that sums up which if the two experiences I would do again, however the end result is always the same... A desperate need of a shower, bed and new vocal chords! 

Tales of the tube

One of my favourite activoties when travelling around London is people watching. The human race as a whole are fascinating, and the way they act in confined areas never fails to intrigue me. 

I have two stories to share, one involving the beautiful man snapped above, another about a man who reduced me to tears. 

Coming from uxbridge i to central i was sat on the metropolitan line about 3 stops before finchley road. I had my headphones in and was listening to sixties soul machine a new compilation album. As we came up to a stop, and old gentleman came and sat next to me, nothing to indifferent about it, i sat listening to my music when Otis Redding's try a little tenderness came on, i felt a tap on my shoulder and i pulled and earphone out, ready to hear the usual request from the older generation of turn down your music its far too loud! Instead the next few minutes fill my heart with happiness. Gently the old man asked if he could listen to the music with me, in my gobsmacked state i said of course and we sat in amicable silence tapping pur feet to the beat. Aftet the song had finished the man handed me back my earphone and smiled at me, he grasped my hand and told me about when he was you ger, him and his wife had been to see otis redding play. He told me about how try a little tenderness had been one of the songs at his wedding, and finally he told me about how his wife had passed on recently, and that me sharing his favourite song and memories with him had made him so happy. He departed the train with a ' God bless you sweet child, you've made an old mans day' 

Keep it together, my day got weirder. As i changed to the Jubilee line, around Bond Street I was staring around the tube watching people come and go. It took me a few minutes as i noticed this anxious looking devil getting on the tube. What surprised me is that nobody knew who he was, at least if they did, they had the same reaction as me, which involved total starstruck-ness. 

To make the story weirder, i was listening to the les mis soundtrack when he got on, as i went to leave the tube at waterloo, he murmered as i walked past him 'nice song!' 

In all my life i have never been so shaken from two words. 

So there we have it; my anecdotes! Thankfully the actual train journey home was smooth, however nothing will ever compare to that journey. 

Merry christmas guys! 

G x