Louder Than The Music

We at LTTM have just been sent an exclusive Blog by our good friend Galactus Jack, talking about his experience at Glastonbury and also some Christian Festivals he went to. Please sit back and enjoy.

Holla

So Festival season for both the secular and Christian world is firmly upon us, and my busy summer has begun in high fashion with one of each!

Just the other weekend I had my first experience of the legendary festival that is Glastonbury, and it did not disappoint! The music line-up was great and the weather matched it beautifully. Oh sure we had one day of rain, but that was just enough to give us an experience of the Glastonbury mud without turning everything completely to mush (and show off my trendy wellies), and as far as I know no-one got washed away this year!

As a lifelong Blur fan the anticipation and build up all weekend to their headline slot on the Sunday night was only kept in check by the quality of the music that was on offer all over the site. Whatever type of music you're into there's something for you somewhere. In fact the biggest surprise for me was how little time I spent in the dance village, and the only major dance act I caught all weekend were Pendulum who rocked it up large with their D&B/Rock crossover (certainly gave me lots to think about as I plan some new live tricks for next year�). Honorable mentions also to Kasabian, Jason Mraz, N*E*R*D, and Bloc Party to name but a few great performances I caught.

Anyways, back to Blur who lived up to all of our unbelievable expectations with an epic, almost 2 hour, set of classic songs that had the jam packed crowd at full voice. I can honestly say that the quality of the performance matched with the atmosphere of the crowd created one of the best gigs I have ever been to, and I've been to a lot!

Outside of the music the vibe of Glastonbury is really infectious. Everyone just wants to have a great time! I lost count of the amount of strangers who randomly sparked up conversations with me, or the times I walked past someone who looked like they were having the time of their life. There's a really interesting spiritual vibe that runs through the festival, particularly up by the 'healing fields'. I forget the spiritual ideas behind it all, but its all very new age and alternative. The overriding feeling I couldn't shake about Glasto though was how 'me' focused it all was. The spiritual aspect was all self-help, massage, tarot and rune reading etc. All things designed to benefit me as an individual.

So as much great work as Glastonbury does alongside Water Aid, Oxfam and Greenpeace, and as great a time as I had with all the music, the vibe I carried away with me was hugely self focused and self indulgent, something we have all around us now in the modern world and the youtube 'broadcast yourself' generation.

On the flip side I just got back from a couple of days in Stoke On Trent at Adoration festival. The musical line up featured artists like Matt Redman, Hillsong London, Yfriday, Andy Hunter and LCGC.

I didn't catch all that much of the music in the end, busy-busy and all that, but what struck me about this event, similarly to Glasto was the vibe. Except where Glasto was very 'me' focused, there was no doubt whatsoever that Adoration had one focus only. God.

For two days people were encouraged to engage with God through music and arts, to make him the centre and purpose of their lives. For those cynics out there thinking that doesn't sound as much fun as Glasto, well maybe in someways it wasn't (although there was much fun to be had!).

I tell you what though; the joy on the faces of the Adoration crowd on the final evening exceeded even that of yours truly as Blur played their final song at Glasto. For all the temporary euphoria the things of this world can bring us, nothing can compare to the true joy of knowing and engaging with God, and whilst seeing Blur at Glasto will stay with me for a long time, Jesus will stay with me eternally.

Whatever festival you end up at this summer, Christian or not, have a great time, enjoy yourselves and don't be too cheeky if we cross paths anywhere. Speaking of which this weekend I'm off to Rave In The Nave fest in Cambridgeshire sharing the bill with amongst others those Sheffield rockers The Gentlemen. Hope some of y'all can make it and rock out with me a little bit!

Until next time beautiful people, Keep It Real.

GJ.x