Somerset Archives - Blasdale Home

Glastonbury 2025 – Thursday

Posted on August 3, 2025 by SteveAugust 3, 2025

26th June 2025

It rained a little during the night, (after I had got back to the yurt at 3.00), enough to keep the dust down. Our first breakfast, and we were one of the early ones for it. Coffee from a coffee bag, plenty of yoghurt, cereal and pastries and a full English breakfast. We took our time over this meal. Lovefields know how to put on a good breakfast.

We all headed into Glastonbury; our first mission was the Joe Wicks exercise class. I had a few minutes to spare, so visited one of the Glastonbury post card stalls, Here I bought a couple of postcards, wrote them, placed a stamp on them, and franked the cards with the Glastonbury Festival stamp and posted them. R’s postcard was there next day. Since heard that Ann’s card also arrived.

Joe Wicks

Headed back to the Gateway Stage and we waited for Joe Wicks to start. He was being interviewed while his stage was being prepared, He started the work out, his brother DJed the music, and we exercised. This was quite fun and lasted a good 30 minutues. Huge queue at the end to get a selfie with Joe. We decided not to queue. Instead, walking down towards the acrobatics and circus area where we watched a competition to build the highest stack of crates where the builder had to remain on top of the stack. Very funny – old and young competed. The highest was 14 crates, the strong wind causing issues the higher the stack became. We walked onto the West Holts Stage where some processions were taking place, music and dancing.

Temple Uprising

I headed over to Temple Uprising to hear a couple of talks and songs relating to freedom.

Songs of Survival: West Papua’s Story Through Music and Memory with Koteka Lali Kuragan Wenda
Sound of Freedom: Palestinian Rhythm of Resistance with Palestine Pulse – Grandchildren of the Nakba

Needless to say, there were many Palestine flags being waved at the Palestine talk and music.

Circus

Afterwards I was back at the circus area and watched some acrobatics and highwire acts. Much more impressive close up, than watching at the pyramid stage.

The Evening

I arranged to meet with ex-Walker colleagues Ed and Mary, and found they were at the Sensations Stage. I quickly found them along with Jon. We started off watching Showhawk Duo, then the next band was Elvana Elvis Fronted Nirvana. These were very popular, and unfortunately, we ended up in the nearby bar. Ed & Mary had to leave, because they were on duty that night. I ended up wandering around the site, where I even visited the Ribbon Tower. The queues were not that long, finally, I left the park area at around 3.am, getting back to the yurt at around 3.30.

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Glastonbury 2025 – Wednesday

Posted on June 25, 2025 by SteveAugust 3, 2025

25th June 2025

Time for the pilgrimage to Glastonbury, my 15th. These are the years I have previously visited. 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 1999, 1998, ie every Glastonbury since 2009. On 2019 I took uni friends Simon and Ravi to Lovefields. In 2024 I took Phil and Selina. I started using The Lovefields in 2014, mainly because I had ticket issues. They have a variety of accommodation, from pitch-your-own tents/campervans, to various pre-erected constructions at varying levels of sophistication. The Mongolian yurts at the top of the range with insulated walls, and bell tents lower down the scale. Depending on the structure you rent, you also have access to breakfast, or not. Breakfasts are very good, good range of pastries, cereals, juices and of course a cooked offering. Veggies are catered for. Full breakfasts are from the Thursday to Sunday, with a packed breakfast on the Monday to keep you sustained for your journey home.

When I first went to Lovefields, lunches were included. Now they cost extra and are offered on only a few days of the event. I think Thursday and Sunday. I don’t take part in the lunches. The facilities at the glamping site have improved, with the construction of the barn, more music venues, bars and popup food stalls. You could almost stay here, and forget the festival. I wonder if anyone does?

Leaving for Glastonbury

Selina and Phil arrived at our home on Wednesday with Dr Grebo (their cat), which was deposited on Rosemary, to be fed and pampered while we were at Glastonbury. We left home at 10.45, using are usual route, stopping at Starbucks at at Beckington Services for a coffee and cake before continuing on to Glastonbury. I remembered to put into Google the intermediate ‘way points’ to get us where we wanted to go. This was to stop Google sending us down narrow lanes, and residents only roads to bypass any traffic jams. So, yes, we did join a short traffic jam but were soon at Lovefields.

The Lovefields

We checked in at Lovefields VIP reception and were soon processed. Our wrists were tagged with EPO bands by the lovely Sue, then we were shown to our yurt, where we duly unpacked. This year we were supplied with a padlock and two keys, so were able to lock the yurt up, and we could get back inside without having to find the key from the others. Lovefields was much the same, the yurts, bell tents. airstreams all in similar positions. We had electricity, useful for charging. This time it was easier for us to get to the showers and loos, and yes a new shower block without having to walk down the hill. Car parking was more civilised this time. Last year there were too many cars parked in odd places. Maybe they cut back on the numbers this year, or they found more space to park?

What changes at Lovefields this year? There appeared to be a life-size unicorn on the barn veranda. Why? The bar and stage area had been improved, there were now some rooms (shipping containers) away from the stage, fitted out with loungers where you could chill and have a conversation while the bands were playing. In front of the stage there were more benches all made from recycled scaffold boards.

The area below the VIP area, had been reorganised slightly, food stalls were on the North side, and there was a gift shop on the South side. Stage, canopy and fire pits were in much the same area as last year.

Glastonbury Festival

After unpacking, we did our usual wandering around the festival site, having a cider from the Brothers Bar. That was the only cider I drank from there this festival. I seemed to use the cider bus far more often, drinking their real draft cider which had absolutely no sweetness to it. I was even warned by the person pouring the cider, who recommended the medium rather than the dry. I stuck to the dry, and lovely it was.

We walked up to the Park and visited Glastonbury on Sea. Selina had not been there before. I had visited the previous year. Yes, it was very busy, and the show was similar to last year. There are some fascinating automatons playing musical instruments. We spent quite some time there.

Glastonbury 2025 Wednesday 25th June. Pyramid stage opening ceremony.

As evening arrived, we went to the Pyramid Stage. This was the opening ceremony and featured acrobats. I am sure it was spectacular for those near the front, but way back in the crowd it was difficult to see, and the rule/decision on not having any amplified sound on the Wednesday, meant you could not hear anything going on. I liked the drone display last year, probably because we could sit in the bar at Lovefields and see it. But I heard others on the Pyramid Field had thought it was a disaster. We want some noise.

I headed over to Silver Hayes and met up with my Walker/Elevon colleagues from years back. They were stewarding the area, so I could not stay there too long talking with them.

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Glastonbury Abbey Festival 2024

Posted on August 2, 2024 by SteveFebruary 14, 2025

2nd August 2024

R and I headed off to Glastonbury for the one-night Glastonbury Abbey festival. We were to camp in the temporary Abbey Festival campsite for a couple of nights. We arrived at the site just before 1pm and were shown to our pitch. The usual guys were on site. The Welshman soon has us parked.

A lovely day, so we went for a walk, walking up the Tor to view the surrounding lands and campsite from above. The nuclear reactors off Hinkley Point were well in evidence. Also spotted the new design towers which are to carry the power from Hinkley Point power station. On the other side of the Tor, we should have been able to see the Pyramid Stage. Without its coat, the steel frame is hard to spot. The extremely zoomed in phone camera does show a very ghostly pyramid on the edge of the field.

After our walk up the Tor, we headed to the nearby Glastonbury Brewing Co and taproom. First time we had visited here, and it won’t be the last. Chatted to some fellow campers.

The next day was music day, so we walked into Glastonbury for the Extravaganza. Our usual look around the shops, and lunch in town. We ate in the same place as last year, the George and Pilgrims Inn. Across the road we popped into Visions, a card and photoshop run by Michelle, a Glastonbury photographer who we follow on Bluesky.

Bought supper in Tesco and headed for the queue to get into the Abbey Extravaganza. It is a laid-back enjoyable festival (hence R comes), with large groups of people bringing in chairs, tables and huge picnic meals and bubbly. Not sure if we saw any candelabra this time. Tonight’s entertainment was provided by the Shepton Mallet Big Band (good fun), Hothouse Flowers and finally Keane. After Keane was the usual firework display. A huge display which runs on and on. R quite taken with Keane (!).

Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza 2024 with Keane

Walking around the site, when I was buying some refreshments, I bumped into Michael Eavis. He is definitely looking old these days. Also, he seems to be confined to a wheelchair, or in this case being driven around in a buggy.

Getting out is a little tedious, with huge crowds converging on small exits. A final walk through the town to catch the courtesy coach back to the campsite.

Longburton and Sherborne

Sunday, decided not to rush up the Tor for sunrise, leave that to Michelle, who does it most days. We headed off to see Ken and Sue. (This turned out a disaster with me scraping the sill of the van on a piece of concrete. It’s been fixed now, paint redone, but there is still an indent in part of the sill.) We found them in their usual good form.

After our visit, we headed off to a Camping and Caravan Certificated site. Stopped in Sherborne at Waitrose for some supplies. West Hall Farm is a small site (5 vehicles only) at Longburton. It was very quiet, and we were the only occupants. There were a couple of caravans which had been rented out, but were presently empty. The site was quiet, but had electric hookups, toilets and showers. The toilets and showers were rather basic. There is a wedding barn there as well, I think this is what the owners were concentrating on.

The campsite is a small corner of a large field. At the bottom of the field is a stream, ponds, reeds, birds and dragonflies. The field contained three alpacas. Up the private road is a pub, where I did have a drink, and the bus stop.

The next day, Monday, we caught the bus into Sherborne. Here we walked around the town, following a town walk itinerary. Plenty of charity shops seem to have crept into the itinerary. R triumphant at finding a book which apparently I wanted to read, The Three Body Problem. A light lunch at the Digby Tap.

Back on the bus to the campsite, where the sun was shining, and the wind was quiet. An idyllic spot. On our walk back from the bus to the campsite, we met a Romany who said he had worked all around the world, helped out all sorts of landowners over in Norfolk and knew/was related to (we got a bit confused) the Kray brothers. He really needed to get someone to write down his life story.

Cerne Abbas

Another idyllic day. We caught a bus going in the opposite direction, so this time towards Cerne Abbas. Cerne Abbas, the home of the Cerne Giant. Here we ate at ‘The Giant Inn’, and then went for a walk through the village. Fabulous butterflies and our first of the season English Hummingbird Hawk Moth, all on a Buddleia. We saw the remains of the Abbey and St Augustine’s Well. Nearby there was an archaeological dig in progress. The dig was excavating the old Abbey which had been destroyed by Henry VIII. Walking on further we went to view the Giant. It is fenced off to stop erosion, a drone is a must. Or walk down to the layby where there is a good view of the Giant. We walked back along the stream and stopped at the Giant Inn again for a drink while waiting for the bus home.

Avebury

Today we packed up and left for home. On the way back we stopped at Avebury. Very busy, carpark pretty full. Difficult to get pictures of the stones without hundreds of people blocking the views. Anyway, there were some stunning thistles, and it is always worthwhile seeing.

Glastonbury Festival 2024 – Sunday and SZA

Posted on June 30, 2024 by SteveDecember 19, 2024

30th June 2024

Another dry morning, though cloudy and not very warm. Not much planned, did walk through the Carhenge and photographed the Car Henge in the daylight instead of the dark.

Good Habits

Walked past the ‘Band Stand’ and spent a while there watching the first couple on, called ‘Good Habits‘. They played the Cello, and Accordion. Because it was early in the morning, very few watching. So sad, quite enjoyable.

Seasick Steve

This must be the fifth time, at least, I have seen Seasick Steve. He attributes his succes to Jules Holland. Seasick Steve was about to give up music and lose his home, when a scout found him and invited him to play on a Jules Holland show. Since thoses days he has been a regular visitor to the UK. He thanked us for our support many times. The changes I have seen over the years are mainly the instruments he plays. In the early days they were totally home constructed string instruments made for garbage. He still plays those, but now much of the music is on proper commercial guitars.

I have seen him play at Glastonbury in 2010, T in the park in 2015, The Cambridge Folk Festival in 2022 and the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza in 2022, And now again in 2024.

Balming Tiger

Back at the West Holts stage it was Balming Tiger, a South Korean music collective from Seoul. They sang and danced to a background track.

Steel Pulse

Steel Pulse are a roots reggae band from the Handsworth area of Birmingham, England. They played the West Holts stage in the afternoon. Excellant.

Glastonbury-On-Sea

The pier, Glastonbury-On-Sea has been there for several years, Today was the first time I ventured onto the pier. Seemed to be inhabited by robots. Yes, it was worth the visit, especially as I was walking by and it was not to busy. Some of the arcade entertainment devices were not working, but others were. Fun to watch.

SZA

I decided to see SZA. Found a reasonable spot between the sound mixers. I am afraid I was not impressed. It seemed a very strange headline act. The large number of people leaving the show was very noticeable. Indeed, I did not wait until the end and headed off. The stage backdrops were very impressive, but I could not get to like her songs which appeared disjointed. Not the best headliner for the final act on the Pyramid Stage. A huge disappointment.

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Glastonbury Festival 2024 – Friday and Heilung

Posted on June 28, 2024 by SteveDecember 12, 2024

28th June 2024

Another dry day in the paradise city of Glastonbury Festival, the seventh largest city in the south of England, after London, Bristol, Southampton, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Brighton. Alas not as warm, and now it was cloudy. Found another Polestar 2 parked in The Love Fields, they must have arrived on Thursday. I rushed out after breakfast to see the first band on stage at Woodsies. I arrived early and had to wait to get in. There was a talk about cosmology given by Brian Cox at The Tree. I listened to this while waiting for the Voice of Baceprot to appear.

Voice of Braceprot

The Voice of Braceprot are an all-female metal band from the Philippines. They were all dressed in black hijab. They explained how they were hated for the music they played. They considered metal was just like any other music, but more enjoyable to play and listen to. It was an enjoyable set, played with precision, but lacking a little bit of soul.

Lambrini Girls

Next up was a three woman queer punk band called the Lambrini Girls. The lead singer took crowd surfing to the next level and spent most of her time in the crowd. Plenty of energy and heart in this band. Quite enjoyed the atmosphere.

Squid

I walked over to West Holts for a Brothers cider and to watch Squid. Close to the front. The drummer is the vocalist, I managed to get onto the BBC TV. I have not heard this band before, but it is well worth listening to.

Vaccines

Back over to Woodies to see The Vaccines play.

Danny Brown

Walked back to West Holts (yes I was already to 10,000 steps) and was met by a mass of people leaving. The Sugababes had just finished. It was chaotic, so I chose a nearby food stall, and ordered and ate supper until the Exodus had completed. Chose to watch Danny Brown an America rapper. I wanted to be at the front for the next band.

Heilung

I was at the front for Heilung. A very strange act. More like a religious ritual than music. They had also played at Download, but I had decided not to hear them there because they were on at Glastonbury. The base drumbeat was exceptionally loud, I and the other guys I was standing with asked (signed) for earplugs from security. The loud deep base is unfortunately not evident in the soundtrack of the video. I quite enjoyed listening to them after the pain had been reduced by earplugs. This video is not suitable to being published on Facebook who have a censorship policy of female bodies.

Fulu Miziki

I decided not to see the headline on West Holts (Jungle) or the Pyramid (Dua Lipa), or the Other Stage (Idles). The Other stage was the hardest, I love the Idles, and I therefore I missed the Banksy migrant inflatable boat. Instead I watched a short set of Fulu Miziki at Car Henge before popping over to Arcadia for Fatboy Slim.

Fulu Miziki was all I was expecting, a percussion set on mainly odd bits of recycle materials.

Arcadia

I headed over to Arcadia, I had missed Arcadia for a few years, not because of trying but because of the huge crowds and congestion. I was going to get there before the main acts had finished. On the way I paused on the rail track to look at the Other Stage and the Idles. I was tempted to stay but decided to head on to Arcadia.

Arcadia had been refreshed, the dock crane had gone, and instead there was a dragonfly in its place. The flames were still there, and so were the crowds. This is one of many places for dance music, fire and light shows,

The Hive

After Fat Boy Slim, I headed towards the Silver Hayes, in the hope of meeting with Ed, or Jon but found the Silver Hayes area was totally packed out, with no entry signs, I instead managed to find a small stage, The Hive where N’FAMADY KOUYATÉ was performing. I had seen him more than once last year at Glastonbury, and at the Cambridge Folk Festival the year before. He was his usual best.

Now it was back to The Love Fields but stopping by at Carhenge where Fulu Miziki were yet again preforming. This time on a trailer stage which started to move away at the end of their show.

The Hive where N'FAMADY KOUYATÉ was performing

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Glastonbury Abbey Festival 2023

Posted on August 5, 2023 by SteveDecember 31, 2023

5th August 2023

Rosemary and I embarked on our annual pilgrimage to the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza, this time with a twist—a pre-concert camping adventure near the charming village of Priddy. Nestled in the Cheddar Gorge, the Cheddar Camping and Caravanning offered was complete with freshly baked pastries available each morning. Priddy itself beckoned with its quaint pub and hidden charm, while a longer-than-planned afternoon hike (much to Rosemary’s initial chagrin) led me to the mouth of a mysterious cave system – a tantalizing glimpse into the subterranean world below.

Friday saw us driving through the dramatic Cheddar Gorge, past Deerleap Viewpoint with its stunning vista of Glastonbury Tor, before stocking up at Waitrose in Wells and settling into our temporary Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza campsite beneath the imposing Tor. The heavens unleashed their fury, sending some neighbours packing, but we weathered the storm, comforted by Google’s promise of sunshine for the concert.

Saturday in Glastonbury was a treasure trove of second-hand finds and antiquarian gems. We secured a pre-packed picnic supper for the evening at a local bakery. Decided we wouldn’t do so again. After a good lunch at The George and Pilgrims, we joined the throngs entering the Abbey grounds, securing a prime spot near a crowd-cutting footpath. As the clouds parted, the setting sun painted the sky in fiery hues. The Wells City Band entertained us first with their brassy brilliance, followed by the upbeat rhythm of Lightning Seeds and their anthem, Three Lions. Finally, the Scottish powerhouse Texas. Shame on me for not knowing their roots ran north of the border! The fireworks erupted in a finale of dazzling colour, and we cheered along with the ecstatic crowd before catching the coach back to camp.

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The Lightening Seeds, Texas and the firework display.

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Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza 2022

Posted on August 5, 2022 by SteveFebruary 2, 2023

5th August 2022

We have been visiting Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza for several years, missing the COVID years when music festivals were forbidden. R enjoys it, camping for two nights, and a half day of music is enough for her. The campsite is getting busier, the early arriving vans were packed tight to ensure there was enough room for all the booked vans. Those arriving later had more than enough room and were spaced further apart. Tents are now in a different field, and cars parked in yet another area.

It is a basic site, there are the Glastonbury Festival long drops, a breakfast van, and water points and a hand basin. So, Friday was the drive to Glastonbury, parking and (much against my better judgement) decorating the van. I walked up the Tor for a pleasant view of Hinkley Point nuclear power stations and the world’s largest crane called “Big Karl”. This year I also managed to see the Pyramid Stage. On previous occasions I had not looked in the correct direction.

Saturday, the day of the Extravaganza, we walked into Glastonbury along the main road, and then up Wells Road to the East of the Abbey grounds. Along Abbey Road there are quite a few stone plaques describing the history of strategic locations. We walked along the High Street visiting some of the shops, having a coffee and ordering an Italian picnic box for supper. We made our traditional visit to the “The Who’d A Thought It” pub for lunch. There is a lovely mural painted on the wall of the house opposite. So much detail goes into the picture. You also have the odd procession walking down the street to complete the Glastonbury scene.

We queued early for entrance to the Extravaganza, so we could get a reasonable position, once our place had been located in the queue, I went back to the Italian Deli and picked up our supper box.

Once inside we seated ourselves a little distance back from the stage, located along the path which goes from one side to the other. Spectators around us were setting up huge meals and breaking open the bubbly. We consumed a few pints of beer and Pims from the bar.

The music started with the Black Dyke Band, followed by Seasick Steve and then Paloma Faith. She did turn up to sing this year. Paloma had been booked to play in 2018. She had turned up but did not perform because of laryngitis when Michael Eavis flew in Tom Odell. an excellent replacement. He had been called up during a family BBQ supper and flown by helicopter to Glastonbury. R not keen on Ms Faith, preferring Tom Odell & Rodney Branigan.

The usual firework display finished the evening’s entertainment, and then we were whisked off by coach back to to the campsite.

Next day, I was up at 4am to walk up Glastonbury Tor to catch the sunrise and hopefully to meet Michelle Cowbourne a photographer, who walks up there most days to photograph the sunrise. I did not find her, she had been there, but from lower down the Tor. There were many people there waiting for sunrise. It was a lovely morning, mist in the fields with the golden orb of the sun shining.

I departed and made my way back down for breakfast.

We packed up quickly and headed over to see Sue and Ken for lunch. Being a tad early we made a short visit to a National Trust house called Lytes Cary Manor. It is a house you can hire as a holiday let but it does allow visitors around the gardens and chapel. It was a short visit, so we were soon on our way for lunch at the Old Inn.

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Glastonbury 2022 Love Fields

Posted on June 22, 2022 by SteveSeptember 20, 2022

Glastonbury 2022 Love Fields

We missed you Glastonbury! Three years since the last one. COVID causing the cancellation of the two previous years. But I was now on my way to the greatest music festival in the world. This would be my twelfth Glastonbury. Attended 1998,1999, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and now 2022. This was to be my sixth visit to Love Fields, an oasis just outside the festival site by pedestrian gate C, the entry to the Theatre Area.

I arrived in an eco-green car, driving my Polestar. Anticipated arrival at around 1pm. There were no holdups. On the way I stopped at a BP site to top up the battery. The return journey, though possible on the one charge, would leave little to spare for emergencies. Also stopped at an ASDA to purchase beer.

Love Fields had changed a little from previous years. It is always expanding. First came the self-camping sites and the large dining tent. This year I am sure there were far more yurts than previous years. I even had my own reception for the yurts, previously this was shared with the campers. Another update was that the yurts have a lock. This makes them secure; the yurt has an internal wood lattice which would require quite an effort to break through. Undoubtedly possible but would be noisy and very noticeable.

From Love Fields you can see the various sections of the site – The Glastonbury Sign, the Fireworks on Wednesday, The Ribbon Tower, The ‘Tree’ at Greenpeace. On the Wednesday, it is a beautiful place to have a drink, watch the fireworks and listen to one of their onsite bands. The breakfasts in the morning are ace, and there was no queuing for the showers or toilets. (Though in 2019 there were no showers for a day because of the general water shortage throughout the site.)

The Opening Glastonbury 2022 firework display from Love Fields

The Love Fields

Glastonbury and Ludgershall Bike Night

Posted on July 1, 2019 by SteveJuly 13, 2019

That was it. Glastonbury was over. We showered, packed up and The Love Fields at 7 am in the morning. Stopped off for a Costa and arrived home.

Ravi and Simon stayed over, so we entertained them to some local village life. The Ludgershall Bike Night. Thousand of bikes parked up in the village from 6 to 9. Stalls selling beer, fish and chips, burgers were doing a roaring trade. We opted for the pig roast which was run by a local Kingswood man. Was accosted by the Air Ambulance, who saw we had been to Glastonbury and then talked at great length about the event.

There was a fabulous American truck unit on display. Rosemary saw it pass our house that evening. The event earns money for the Air Ambulance and other charities.

Glastonbury 2019 Sunday

Posted on June 30, 2019 by SteveJuly 13, 2019

Our last day at Glastonbury, up early to the loo and the showers were still closed. Looked out again shortly before 9 and they were in the process of being opened. Quickly told Simon and Ravi and then I dashed off to the showers before there were any queues. The word spread around the yurts like wildfire.

Today I was heading over to see Jeff Goldblum at West Holts and Vampire Weekend and The Cure at the Pyramid Stage.

Ambled over to the West Holts and stopped in the Circus Field to watch a musical performance. Interested in the patter that got me into the little stage area, anyone walking by who peered in was fair game for the compere, and if you walked on by, you were grossly insulted.

After this brief entertainment, I stopped at the model of Glastonbury, many clay figures on the ground with caricature models of the stages and festival areas. See some of the pictures below. This was at Glastonbury before but looked more expanded this year.

At the West Holts stage, I was in time to see Hollie Cook, a dramatic reggae singer who was a former member of The Slits. It was fun, pop, reggae with a nice dancing beat.

With a Brothers cider beside me, I waited for Ravi and Simon to arrive for Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer band. Jeff was on stage chatting with the audience during the soundcheck, he also had a humorous repartee with the BBC woman who came on stage and asked him when he was starting. His response was he had already started, at which point the microphones were cut off until the official start time. Jeff also did a signing, and despite the long queue, I bought a vinyl album which he signed for me, and I shook his hand.

While I was queuing, This is the Kit played, earthy indie-folk music, and then the Fatoumata Diawars. At this point, I raced back to Love Fields and dumped my Vinyl and headed over to the Hospitality Area. Simon and Ravi had seen Kylie Minogue and I assumed they would be watching Miley Cyrus. I grabbed a drink and a burger, and then found Simon and Ravi in the Hospitality area also eating. They had given Miley a miss.

I headed off to see Vampire Weekend, quite close to the front and then moved further forward for The Cure. While waiting for the Cure, I spotted Mark S (Walkerite) and his daughter across the other side of the barrier. The atmosphere waiting for The Cure was intense. They came on and played for two hours. Just music, no fireworks, no flares, no paper, just music and lights. For the final song ‘Boys don’t Cry’, I was grabbed by a girl who wanted a quick final dance with me. It was such a beautiful and intense moment. All the old classics played. My recording of The Cure on my phone is absolute crap. Good pictures, bad sound. I have now bought an external microphone for the phone, I will be testing it at Latitude.

I waited for the crowd to disperse and said hello to Mark and his daughter while they did the mandatory selfies.