Size matters...?

I have spent most of my night watching Festival highlights on TV. This always makes me wistful, it also makes me smile though. Most of my best memories are festival related and the best 5 days of my life are likewise.
These are, of course highlights from festivals I have been too ~ and there is always stuff I missed (watching another band or something). Anyway, I was discussing earlier with a friend, how much I would like a day ticket to see the Foo Fighters at Leeds or Reading this year. His response was that, while he wouldn't mind ~ he would rather catch them at a smaller gig of their own, than at a festival.

Having spent most of my gigging life at venue's such as Norwich's Waterfront and the UEA I very much appreciate the intimacy of a smaller gig, its much more personal, you can see much better, you don't get freezing cold, have to wade about in mud or get piss thrown over you ~ All bonus's, I agree. Another perk is that you get a decent time slot with the band you wish to see.

However, all it took for me this evening, was watching a crowd 80,000 (or possibly more) people deep, moshing, hands in the air, in the cold and the rain. Seeing this, (even on TV highlights) reminded me, why I would still choose a festival, the atmosphere alone is so intense, it is an amazing feeling to be part of that crowd ~ Even watching it back, knowing you were there. It is a completely in-comparable feeling to anything else I can think of. I think for me, it is one of the greatest highs I have ever experienced, and when I watch it back, and realise the sheer size of the crowd I was a part of, there is seriously nothing like it.
So, whilst I can say, I have a passion for music and I very much love the personal atmosphere of a small venue, and I shall continue to gig as much locally as I can. I can genuinely say there is really nothing like being part of an immense crowd, out in the open, braving whatever the weather throws at them, hands in the air, jumping, dancing, moshing and singing back the songs as loud as they can, that comes with an open air festival.
So, yeah! For once I can genuinely say, size makes a difference ~ Now, I think I need to go find myself a Bloodstock ticket! :D