Time waits for no one with last minute events
This weekend, the Glastonbury festival returns, having taken a break during 2012. Rain (most likely), mud, tents and lots of live music will once again unite at Worthy Farm at what is arguably the most revered and talked about event on the UK’s festival calendar.
One act in particular is taking centre stage this year, both literally and metaphorically. “I think there have been conversations forever,” said organiser Emily Eavis, when recently quizzed about her family’s previous attempts to secure the Rolling Stones. “”Since the beginning probably. I think probably the last twenty years at least. A long time. The actual serious conversations have been taking place since the end of the last festival really.”
It appears all that hard work paid off, as the band will officially be headlining the Pyramid Stage on Saturday. Less impressed are the BBC, who are still holding talks of their own regarding how much of the performance they can broadcast live. Still, it would be better to be there, wouldn’t it?
Twenty years is a long time to organise anything, but you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s a little over the top for the seemingly inoffensive task of booking a band for a live event – even if they are, some would argue, the biggest band anyone could hope to see on their line up poster.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though, even if you’re the Stones. We like a challenge at Precise and, even though it didn’t involve Mick Jagger and co, last week was certainly one which put us to the test. Two short notice bookings made twenty years look like a lifetime. On Wednesday, we had just two hours to deliver a white-carpeted stage for a wedding. Call at 8am, install by 10.30am. Done. Then, just a day later, we were tasked with providing sound for 33,000 square feet of new shopping centre space (plus outdoor sound and CCTV). In seven days. No problem!
But what about the Stones? Has it always taken them so long to deliver themselves to an event? In fact, maybe not. On 27th April this year, the LA Times hastily ran a story on a confirmed Rolling Stones gig taking place that evening. No forewarning, no pre-event clamour for tickets, just a single, last minute concert held in front of 700 lucky people, the tickets for which were a refreshing $20.
If you’re heading to Glastonbury this weekend, have a great time – we’re sure it will be worth the wait!