Glastonbury
is a lively (if a tad tiring) documentary on the famed U.K. festival, and will
be of particular interest to fans of the British rock scene. I am a fan of the
British rock scene, so I enjoyed the film even though I did feel it runs a little
too long (it’s in the neighborhood of two and a half hours.)
Upon
arriving to this screening, we met up with our buddies Andy, Sheldon, Jeff, and
Josh. They’re all professed fans of British rock as well, so they were quite
pumped to see the movie. Andy in particular was giddy at the idea that he might
get to see some rare footage from his favorite band Oasis.
Before
the screening, I turned to my left to see who I thought was director Julien Temple
standing against the wall of the packed screening room. I leaned over and asked
if he was in fact Julien Temple. He replied with a resounding “yes”!
He then asked who I was to which I sheepishly replied; “I’m nobody”.
He laughed and said; “You’re not nobody...Adam.” Before I knew
it, we were engaged in an interesting little conversation. Nothing important.
Just small chit chat about music and such. At one point, I asked if we could expect
some big time Oasis footage, because my buddy Andy was such a huge fan. Temple
flashed us a devilish grin and said; “no”. Andy fired back with; “why
not?” Temple replied by saying; “we had to cut all the crappy stuff
out of the film”. Temple then began to laugh as did Andy. Temple’s producing
partner then went on to tell us that there would be Oasis footage on the DVD.
Andy was finally at peace.
I’ve
always wanted to go to the famed Glastonbury festival, but I’ve never had
a chance to make it. Thankfully, this film serves as an insightful recap of the
last thirty plus years.
Included,
several intense live performances including the likes of Morrissey, Coldplay,
The Chemical Brothers, Bjork, David Gray, Joan Baez, and David Bowie. The film
follows the history of the festival dating back to it’s first year–1970–when
it was simply a modest roster of bands playing to a group of hippies on Michael
Eavis’ 150 acre farm. Basically, it was the British equivalent of Woodstock.
Obviously,
Glastonbury has become a much bigger deal these days, and like other festivals
that have evolved through the years (i.e. Sundance), it has turned into a money
making monster that shows no signs of going away. But, as is the case with Sundance,
it’s a beautiful thing if you go in with the right mind set. Glastonbury
is essentially about people coming together with a common bond–The love of
music.
Julien
Temple has painstakingly sifted through hours upon hours of archival footage to
capture what is ultimately a mere snap shot of what many proclaim to be the most
beloved rock festival in the world.
Glastonbury
won’t appeal to everyone. But for those of us who have been there or who’ve
always dreamed of going, this is a magical (and exhausting) glimpse into a British
rock lover’s wet dream. Personally, I hope to make it there someday.
