An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary. Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out ! Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

This isn't actually a music spot but an information post all about it. A veritable mountain (or pyramid) of music this weekend on the BBC > TV, iplayer & radio.

This year was meant to be the 50th anniversary of the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts. The festival, organised by Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily Eavis, at Worthy Farm in Somerset has been cancelled after selling 135,000 tickets in just 34 minutes. Which leaves a lot of disappointed fans out there... but from this Thursday evening the BBC are filling the void.

I have never actually been to Glastonbury, that appears to be more like a small town (10-12 different stages) and on a scale never imagined at the first festival in 1970. (More on that at a later date). While this year marked 50 years it would have actually only been the 37th festival in total, due to years missed, mainly during it's early evolution. However my feelings about festivals and large venues is rather mixed and a couple of quotes I've recently read struck a real musical chord with me:  

"But let's face it, you don't really go to Reading, to any festival, for the music. Not really. How many examples have there been in the longish history of rock festivals of bands turning in that blinding performance that defines them in your head for ever?"

"The problem with playing music in a stadium is that it can end up sounding like stadium music, booming and empty. The audience applauding their memories rather than the present performance."

I am no fan of the London O2 or similar arenas and feel if you are so far away from the artists on stage, so detached from their presence, that you're watching the screens all the time, you may just as well have been at home watching on the telly. 
That said the sound systems these days are fantastic and certain shows can require a massive stage to work their magic. But I still think the occasion is the attraction and not necessarily who's playing. Which maybe why the BBC are calling their weekend The Glastonbury Experience.
You can watch past performances in the comfort of your own home > www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife/full-schedule-bbcs-glastonbury-festival-4242960
Click that link for the full schedule that begins Thursday 10pm on BBC4 tv with Julien Temple's documentary about the world-famous music festival. 

Ahead of this Friday's Music Spot, that will follow in a suitable fashion. 
Want a teaser... ? (click this)   See you there ♫