Is Glastonbury the World's Major Music Festival?

[ecc]

Hello fellow Clarets.

I have heard a lot of people (including the BBC describe Glastonbury as the world's biggest music festival.

What do people think?

[MarkGreen]

No! I believe Coachella and Tomorrowland are far bigger

[RVclaret]

Glastonbury is the absolutely incredible. Not been to Coachella so can't comment on that, hard to imagine it having the same atmosphere that Glastonbury has though, with it being full of yanks.

[claptrappers_union]

Sky also say the Premier League is the best league in the world

[ashtonlongsider]

I think we tend to 'big' our own festivals and tournaments up a little bit too much. Think Glastonbury is renowned the world over but I'm sure there must be festivals bigger or on a similar level. Like the PL, don't think there will be too many Spanish folk thing EPL is bigger that La Liga. At the end of the day everything is subjective.

[Loyalclaret]

Neither of tomorrowland or coachella are as big as Glastonbury in terms of numbers.

However both are highly sponsored so no surprise they might have more worldwide publicity and awareness. As opposed to Glastonbury which give % of profits to charities such as water aid/oxfam which are advertised at the festival.

I have in the past been surprised when travelling and talking to people about Glastonbury that many have little or no knowledge of it.

Tomorrowland looks interesting from a production point of view and is heavily electronic dance music orientated- which would interest me.

Coachella looks and sounds crap. Drinking pens wtf?

If people want a diverse festival Glastonbury must be one of the best in the world! Next for me to try is Burning Man

[Chester Perry]

Depends on how you view it but I would argue that Glastonbury isn't even the biggest in England by ticket sales - both the BBC's proms and V sell greater numbers of tickets (albeit by dint of multiple venues or festival length).

It could be argued that Glastonbury is the most important Pop/Rock/Dance festival in the world as a result of it's history and longevity but that would be as far as it goes

The proms is forgotten because it is not regarded as relevant by many but close to half a million ticket sales and a radio/tv audience for every single performance many of which are broadcast around the world cannot be beaten by Glastonbury or the others that have been mentioned

[MarkGreen]

Neither of tomorrowland or coachella are as big as Glastonbury in terms of numbers.

I believe Glastonbury holds around 175,000 people, they tend to stay there through the duration of the weekend, not many leave. However as Coachella allows a verity of different tickets instead of weekend/day pass they get 600,000+ guests through their turnstiles as many guests come and go far more regularly than Glastonbury.

[Winstonswhite]

Coachella has a maximum of 100,000 each day whereas Glastonbury has 135,000 per day I think.

As for comparing V with Glastonbury, well less said about that the better. V has just six stages/tents. Glastonbury 60.

[Chester Perry]

Coachella has a maximum of 100,000 each day whereas Glastonbury has 135,000 per day I think.

As for comparing V with Glastonbury, well less said about that the better. V has just six stages/tents. Glastonbury 60.

Like I said depends on how you interpret "biggest" - and then specified tickets/audience I deliberately steered away from qualitative perspective as that is all subjective

not really a fan of any - but are all Glastonbury's tents music based - my understanding is they were not (could be wrong) still see an argument as Glastonbury being the most important/significant festival on the criteria outlined above

[SammyBoy]

I always thought Tomorrowland attracted around 180,000 festival goers each year? being bigger than Glastonbury in terms of numbers anyway, I would absolutely love to go to it as well!

[Loyalclaret]

I believe Glastonbury holds around 175,000 people, they tend to stay there through the duration of the weekend, not many leave. However as Coachella allows a verity of different tickets instead of weekend/day pass they get 600,000+ guests through their turnstiles as many guests come and go far more regularly than Glastonbury.

Ticket are around 135,000 but there are just under 210,000 allowed on site (206 I believe), a high percentage are workers/festivals goers and freeloaders.

It's open weds to monday- even being generous at 135,000 x 5 nights /6 days there are no comparisons... Other than the highlighted Proms which as detailed I had not thought of

[RMutt]

I'd love to go to the Fuji festival. Beautiful location. Wide selection of bands.I would imagine a small fortune to get to though.

[Vegas Claret]

We just had the EDC dance music festival in Vegas this summer, well over 400,000 people attended over the 3 days - so no, Glastonbury isn't even close

[Oshkoshclaret]

World's largest music festival, verified by Guinness, is Summerfest in Milwaukee which routinely draws 800,000+ guests and celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

[Loyalclaret]

We just had the EDC dance music festival in Vegas this summer, well over 400,000 people attended over the 3 days - so no, Glastonbury isn't even close

Think you might have to look at them numbers again Vegas Claret

[Vegas Claret]

why ? at least 135'000 people per night x 3

[Loyalclaret]

Glastonbury has upto 200,000 for 5 nights! It's obviously not full Wednesday but equals far more than EDC.

Can't be far off summerfest either.

Bigger doesn't always mean better

[cutsy123]

Hello fellow Clarets.

I have heard a lot of people (including the BBC describe Glastonbury as the world's biggest music festival.

What do people think?

Hasnt a patch on tomorrowland in belgium. That is by far the worlds biggest festival. So big its generally impossible to get tickets as ive tried for the past 4 years.

[cutsy123]

Neither of tomorrowland or coachella are as big as Glastonbury in terms of numbers.

However both are highly sponsored so no surprise they might have more worldwide publicity and awareness. As opposed to Glastonbury which give % of profits to charities such as water aid/oxfam which are advertised at the festival.

I have in the past been surprised when travelling and talking to people about Glastonbury that many have little or no knowledge of it.

Tomorrowland looks interesting from a production point of view and is heavily electronic dance music orientated- which would interest me.

Coachella looks and sounds crap. Drinking pens wtf?

If people want a diverse festival Glastonbury must be one of the best in the world! Next for me to try is Burning Man

Numbers are far greater for tomorrowland. Its that big an event they do multiple now in various countries to cater for people who cant get to belgium

[Loyalclaret]

I know you like a festival and event cutsy- as I've attend a few with you

However tomorrowland is not as big as Glastonbury in relation to attendance per day/week. The reason it has multiple festivals in different countries is because it is commerical, sponsor driven festival aiming and succeeding in being profit delivering.

Like alot of successful business, festivals and club/music brands- they can franchise the event.

Glastonbury festival is strongly connected to the area it is held in (not just by name) and would not work the same. As we will see in fallow year when it may appear at Longleat in 2018.

[Quickenthetempo]

We just had the EDC dance music festival in Vegas this summer, well over 400,000 people attended over the 3 days - so no, Glastonbury isn't even close

I was staying in Vegas while this was on two years ago. A mad weekend just in the hotel itself. Lots of 18-21yr old girls wearing next to nothing. Coming back at all sorts of times in the morning.

[Sidney1st]

I've been to Glastonbury once, in the late 90's when Prodigy were there.

Brilliant and I'd love to go again sometime when my daughter is older.

I know people who try to attend every year.

[Wile E Coyote]

glastonbury is a litter strewen dump, these festivals gain appeal by being over hyped as with everything. A thing to do for the trendy mainly.
Like something to tick off on a list .
a bit like hiking to machu pichu or similar. Dreadful.

[minnieclaret]

The Proms isn't a fair comparison. Limited seats over a long period. Same folk going night after night.

[Dyched]

Lots of 18-21yr old girls wearing next to nothing.

So what are the dates for this festival please?

[Jeremy_Bentham]

. thinks Kendal Calling is the World's Major Music Festival.

[Chester Perry]

One thing we do know is that it isn't the Fyre Festival

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/f ... have-site/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Quickenthetempo]

So what are the dates for this festival please?

It was early June. The world cup group stages were on. They were there for the weekend in the Excalibur. I presume the cheaper hotels are the ones they frequent.

[Falcon]

I think comparing festivals by attendance is only one measure of bigness.

Glastonbury has the history and pedigree. Having been to lots of festivals it has the best atmosphere hands down. It has the most stages by far, and widest range of different acts on.

There are a large amount of bands who consider headlining Glastonbury the highlight of their career.

[Corky]

I'd just like to give a shout for the 6Ts Rhythm and Soul Society Weekender in June at Cleethorpes. 25th Year. Don't get much bigger than that. Sidney Barnes is back to entertain.

[ClaretPuddle]

Glastonbury is historically the biggest and most prestigious festival in terms of both size and reputation. Artists all strive to play there. I have been three times and it certainly lives up to reputation. It is absolutely amazing. I'd love to go back again but tickets are nigh on impossible to get!

[cricketfieldclarets]

Impossible to quantify. Its like arguing who is the worlds biggest football club. A man utd fan on the radio last night insisted Man Utd are bigger than Real Madrid.

Although in my eyes its Madrid you could make a case for either. Or barcelona, bayern, juventus or even some of the south american clubs like Palmeiras, Indipendiente, Boca, River or flamengo.

Depends on hoe you measure it. And its still subjective. Like with bands.

Some people prefer Blur or Stone Roses but its hard to argue against Oasis being the biggest.

Was in Vegas when EDC was on and probably would have enjoyed that at 18 to 25 but not sure it would be my thing now. Burning mans on my list looks great.

Every year I look at Sziget but end up booking something else. Going to EXIT festival and Sea Dance festival for the 3rd time this year in serbia and montenegro.

Sea Dance is a good smaller event which is run by the same people as EXIT and attracts good acts. But I find it hard to beat EXIT. everything about it the crowd, the acts, the price, the setting and the history.

Dont fancy tomorrow land but can see why some would.

Thought the worse / most overhyped was creamfields. In fact I think i went with you cutsy123 about 10 years ago.