Leeds Festival!

[Fried_chicken]

Soz have been away
But am still deffo going next year, cos we still had an awesome time without even going near the riots, and apparently the story about the reading kid who got his bollocks blown off, apparently is fake, it was oringally posted on Efestivals and apparently there was loads of scandal about it and didnt actually happen, so whatever rlly, still u can have a great time at leeds, so am deffo goin again.

 

[the B]

Hmm, if I do a Carling festival at all, Reading please. That does somewhat depend on other people (who are for geographical reasons more keen on Leeds) but I have excellent powers of persuasion...

 

[William of Walworth]

William, if you could post it up for me on efests**, that be great. Be interested to see what other people make of it too. Thanks

**i.e. The B's post where he described what he saw at Leeds

Just seen this. Will sort it out tomorrow (Monday)

 

[the B]

**i.e. The B's post where he described what he saw at Leeds

Just seen this. Will sort it out tomorrow (Monday)

Thanks

 

[William of Walworth]

In fact Tuesday. Just doing it, right now .....

<click, whirr, etc. ... >

That thread over on efestivals Leeds forum, is now 91 pages long!!! Even with a different (somewhat shorter) page length over there, that's massive!



Will never get to read that now, but I reckon that's where most of the eye witness accounts are ...

Some of them from twats apparantly, one or too now banned form over there for cretinously, and possibly legally compromisingly, stupidly glorifying some of their exploits (but I've only heard that second hand, not read the actual posts in question -- a minority apparantly).

Other pretty good accounts over there too I think, maybe Lisa can confirm?
Including somo's post that I quoted earlier in this thread ...

 

[the B]

The thread is long and full of spam though... that's the thing... puts me off actually searching for other accounts and the good posts.

 

[William of Walworth]

I might get time to skim it at some point, but my reading of it would have to be very selective .. perhaps the crap would make that easier.

 

[bfg]

Well, there are other festivals which a much nicer vibe.

Also on in the Leeds area the same weekend was this:

http://www.leedscarnival.co.uk

Took place in parts of Leeds that usually make the news for gang activities and many consider to be no-go areas, heavy but in no way heavy-handed police presence, soca bands here there and everywhere, the smell of jerk chicken every 20 yards, a smaller but more amiable version of Notting Hill Carnival. In all a great way to spend a bank holiday weekend.

Don't want to detract on the issues mentioned about dodgy security, violence, etc. Just stating that theres a decent enough local alternative

 

[the B]

Fair enough - sounds like a northern Notting Hillish thing. Thing about the Carling festivals though, ace music - somewhat shod crowd in places... nice as any other in many others.

When it comes down to it, I'm not overwhelmingly convinced about going next year - and hence, not got an advance ticket (if they are actually going to sell them).

 

[friedaweed]

Having been to Leeds and V for the past 7 years I wanted to take my nipper (6 year old) away with me this year as it was her last summer as the only child before her brother arrives (Due in 5 weeks).
Having read the thread here and on efest I’m glad I took her to the Cambridge Folk fest.

I could not imagine what it would of been like for people who were there with their kids

We had a lot of teenagers amongst us who have been to Cambs since they were knee high but they said they were looking to go off by themselves to Leeds next year.

It's hard to encourage them when this shit happens almost every year now. Their obviously nervous parents asked me what I thought of Leeds as a suitable venue for their kids first solo trip. When you've got kids sitting there hoping you'll say "Yeah it's great just let'em go they'll love it" its a tough spot to be in. I spent most of my time dodging the issue and trying to persuade them to head for glasto or Weston Park.

It's a shame really, people forget that not everyone gets overexcited at a bit of anti-social behaviour. Sure it’s a buzz I suppose if that’s your kick but I bet quite a lot more people were actually shitting themselves at being dragged into the chaos.

I think the point about entertainment through the night is spot on but sadly for Leeds it has a rep that it needs to upkeep now and that can only ensure that the incidents escalate with each year that it continues. I personally think they should call it a day and throw the towel in on there being any more at Leeds.

Maybe I’m just getting old but I always though going to a festie was about kicking back and chilling not re-enacting the beach scenes of quadraphenia

Shit maybe i'm becoming a folkie

 

[the B]

Glasto is much more sound.

Leeds - the family area was untouched afaik. Given that they have a 'secure' locked off area too... in fairness, the rioters were actually pretty controlled in directing it towards the festival owners and corporate/capitalist supporters - not other festival go-ers, especially not the ones who wanted to steer clear of troubles.

The family area/green zone was a good half a mile from the outer most fringes of trouble.

The towel wouldn't be thrown at Leeds - too much money spent on that new site to call it a day now...

 

[belboid]

actually, it is bloody easy to avoid any 'trouble' for the vast majority of punters. I walked back through the campsite just after foo's had finished (walking me sis back to the car park, losing her, and walking back to our campsite again) and didnt notice a bloody thing! Spoken to a few other people who went as well, and they didn't see anything either.

 

[the B]

actually, it is bloody easy to avoid any 'trouble' for the vast majority of punters. I walked back through the campsite just after foo's had finished (walking me sis back to the car park, losing her, and walking back to our campsite again) and didnt notice a bloody thing! Spoken to a few other people who went as well, and they didn't see anything either.

Would have been too early... and in the secure area for workers - not surprised

 

[belboid]

naah, not in that bit, and i thought it had kicked off by then, it was gone twelve when i walked back.

 

[the B]

Just to clarify that, trouble only really got going after security had arrived and acted like tits. I had hoped security would not turn up and be cunts. But after an hour or so, they cracked and went ape shit. Then acted like apes... and well, read my account...

 

[the B]

naah, not in that bit, and i thought it had kicked off by then, it was gone twelve when i walked back.

Waaaayyyyy too early. 2am before the really 'serious' shit got going. My account only starts at about midnight after I had finished queuing to get some drinks and snacks from the 'supermarket'.

 

[friedaweed]

Glasto is much more sound.

Leeds - the family area was untouched afaik. Given that they have a 'secure' locked off area too... in fairness, the rioters were actually pretty controlled in directing it towards the festival owners and corporate/capitalist supporters - not other festival go-ers, especially not the ones who wanted to steer clear of troubles.

The family area/green zone was a good half a mile from the outer most fringes of trouble.

The towel wouldn't be thrown at Leeds - too much money spent on that new site to call it a day now...

I'm sure you’re right B on the Glasto front, i've not been for a few years but i hear it's sorted. However I’m not so sure that the rioting teeny boppers were so clued up to all fall under the banner of anti corporate/capitalist freedom fighters.

My experience of previous years trouble would lead me to think that the perpetrators of such weren't capable of thinking on that level. Liberating a few crates of beer and putting on a pyrotechnic display with dangerous gas cylinders is not exactly what I’d say is going to bring down the state and encourage a socialist utopia but then as i said I am rapidly changing into a folkie.
I can feel the lamb chops growing as I type.

I doubt very few of them were in Edinburgh and most of the young nutters i've met misbehaving at Leeds get picked up in mommy's 4x4 or daddy's jag on monday morning. Still it's a nice thought.

Come the revolution and the freedom of our devine right to light gas canisters near sleeping people in flamable tents

Just kidding mucker

 

[belboid]

aah, okay, sounded like it was earlier than that before.

 

[the B]

I'm sure you’re right B on the Glasto front, i've not been for a few years but i hear it's sorted. However I’m not so sure that the rioting teeny boppers were so clued up to all fall under the banner of anti corporate/capitalist freedom fighters.

Number of Kaffiyeh I saw might indicate otherwise. It certainly drew in any of the anti-corp/cap types. They knew how to mask up very well for 16 year olds Might be a subtle hangover from G8, not sure.

My experience of previous years trouble would lead me to think that the perpetrators of such weren't capable of thinking on that level. Liberating a few crates of beer and putting on a pyrotechnic display with dangerous gas cylinders is not exactly what I’d say is going to bring down the state and encourage a socialist utopia but then as i said I am rapidly changing into a folkie.
I can feel the lamb chops growing as I type.

What of the cherry bombs and flaming torches to help burn stuff? Maybe it was one or two very clued up people... but it wasn't too bad as improvising goes! I admit, they take a while to work out throwing stones was better than plastic bottles.

I doubt very few of them were in Edinburgh and most of the young nutters i've met misbehaving at Leeds get picked up in mommy's 4x4 or daddy's jag on monday morning. Still it's a nice thought.

Would probably agree with that. But you never know, they might have been inspired... just because someone starts off 'there', doesn't mean they can't believe, support and build a struggle working against other things.

Come the revolution and the freedom of our devine right to light gas canisters near sleeping people in flamable tents

Just kidding mucker

Charge!

 

[friedaweed]

Just to clarify that, trouble only really got going after security had arrived and acted like tits. I had hoped security would not turn up and be cunts. But after an hour or so, they cracked and went ape shit. Then acted like apes... and well, read my account...

It seems to be the experience of most accounts I’ve read comrade B.

That's probably the most worrying part. The people who run security outfits are not known for being gentle businessmen. Most of these outfits have evolved from how shall i put it..........well they aren’t the types you fuck about with. Especially if your 16 and pretending your Che

Even if they replace SS you're only going to get a similar outfit that have to deal with the same sort of incidents.

Incidentally is it just down to cost that Police presence was so low this year. In recent years I’m sure I’ve seen more coppers than what’s been said of this year?

 

[Onket]

What is a cherry bomb by the way?

 

[the B]

Especially if your 16 and pretending your Che

Actually, there was one little dude who had a Che flag...

Even if they replace SS you're only going to get a similar outfit that have to deal with the same sort of incidents.

Incidentally is it just down to cost that Police presence was so low this year. In recent years I’m sure I’ve seen more coppers than what’s been said of this year?

Provided they have someone with more control and brains at the top, they'd sort it out... if I was somehow in charge of security...

Not sure why police presence was about zero. Maybe they were busy doing the Leeds carnival? Either way, once security actually call the police - they lose the 'right' to go kick the crap out of kids (under flimsy, private license laws that allow bouncers and security in clubs for example to smack people around).

If the cops had arrived that night, you can be sure as fuck SS would have been shat all over. I find it fucking shit beyond belief that SS basically tried to cover the whole thing up really - lots of injured and no justice for them.

Thumbs down to authority...

 

[the B]

What is a cherry bomb by the way?

Well, cherry bombs are strictly speaking fireworks... I say cherry bombs because they acted like them - lots of sound - very small and hard to see.

 

[friedaweed]

Leeds fest = Training ground for revoluting kids

What of the cherry bombs and flaming torches to help burn stuff? Maybe it was one or two very clued up people... but it wasn't too bad as improvising goes! I admit, they take a while to work out throwing stones was better than plastic bottles.



Would probably agree with that. But you never know, they might have been inspired... just because someone starts off 'there', doesn't mean they can't believe, support and build a struggle working against other things.



Charge!

Hehe maybe i should reccomend those kids go there after all. I'll tell them to report to comrade B next year for training

 

[the B]

Hehe maybe i should reccomend those kids go there after all. I'll tell them to report to comrade B next year for training

Won't be there

Get them to look out for that Pirate Kyle bloke.

 

[friedaweed]

Won't be there

Get them to look out for that Pirate Kyle bloke.

I bet he grows up this year and becomes a cowboy
me parrot concurs

 

[the B]

I bet he grows up this year and becomes a cowboy
me parrot concurs

No way - pirates are much better than cowboys. And ninjas.