Glastonbury Archives - Blasdale Home

Glastonbury 2025 – Sunday

Posted on June 29, 2025 by SteveOctober 10, 2025

29th June 2025

Another fine day in Paradise, blue skies with some wispy clouds to save us from some of the heat. Our usual breakfast, which has proven to be excellant and then off to watch some music.

Thandii

I made my way to the West Holts stage, where I saw Thandii, a tall blonde singer backed by drums, keyboards, and a guitar. I would classify this as modern jazz. It was a fine but not an overwhelming performance

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Abel Selaocoe & the Bantu Ensemble

The next act on the West Holts stage was a real treat: Abel Selaocoe. The performance was a captivating fusion of virtuosic classical cello playing and traditional Bantu singing. Being a classical music ignoramus, I did not realize South African cellist Abel Selaocoe was a world-famous, genre-defying artist, celebrated for boldly blending Western classical traditions with his African heritage.

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The Riptide Movement

I went back to the The Love Fields. It must have been to pick something up. I only know because I took some photos. On the way back to see Rod Stewart at the Pyramid Stage, I dropped off at the Acoustic Stage for a beer and caught a few moments of the band called The Riptide Movement.

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Rod Stewart

Made it to the top of the Pyramid field to watch Rod Stewart’s perform in the highly coveted Sunday afternoon Legends Slot.

The 80-year-old rock veteran, following an introduction by rousing bagpipes, treated the sun-soaked field to outfit changes (including a wonderfully bright pink suit), a dazzling array of backing singers and musicians, and a parade of his greatest hits.

While there were fair questions raised over the strength and gravel of his voice on a few of the rock songs, his stage presence and ability to orchestrate a massive singalong remained completely intact. Highlights included a heartfelt rendition of The First Cut Is the Deepest and the unexpected appearance of Mick Hucknall for a duet, but the crowd truly exploded when Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood joined him for a blistering run-through of Stay With Me and Hot Legs (the latter also featuring Lulu).

The show delivered spectacle, nostalgia, and a proper Sunday afternoon party, culminating, naturally, with Sailing.

Set List Highlights

Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)
The First Cut Is the Deepest (Cat Stevens cover)
Maggie May (includes snippet of ‘Gasoline Alley’)
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?
I Don’t Want to Talk About It
If You Don’t Know Me by Now (with Mick Hucknall)
Stay With Me (Faces song, with Ronnie Wood)
Hot Legs (with Lulu and Ronnie Wood)
Sailing (The Sutherland Brothers Band cover)

The Verdict: Was he past it?

Absolutely not. While his voice might have lost a bit of its classic rasp, Rod Stewart understood the assignment perfectly. The Legends Slot isn’t about proving you’re the sharpest rock and roller; it’s about rolling out the hits, delivering entertainment, and bringing the festival to a joyous crescendo before the final headliners. He brought the party, the spectacle, and some brilliant surprise guests, securing his place as a true Glastonbury Legend.

Goat

After Rod Stewart, I rushed over to West Holts to see the band called Goat. Only saw last 20 minutes of this set. All the players were dressed in masks ,( Slipknot ). Their signature blend of driving Afrobeat, motorik krautrock, and hard-grooving psychedelia felt perfectly suited to the spiritual, sun-drenched landscape of Worthy Farm. The dual drummers laid down a colossal, thunderous backbone that drove every track.

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The Brian Jonestown Massacre

While The Brian Jonestown Massacre played, an aircraft drew a vapour trail in the sky, a Smilie. More fun than listening to the band playing. The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s 2025 West Holts set was less psychedelic bliss and more predictable chaos. Anton Newcombe seemed more interested in glaring at the sound engineer than playing, allowing endless tuning breaks to murder any festival momentum. It was a definite downer.

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The Prodigy and the End

Visited the Other Stage for the headline act of the Prodigy. I was rather disapointed, the music is good, but there are so many long pauses between each piece. The whole rhythm of the gig just died on me.

With Ed and Mary we went on a bar crawl, looking for music venues, visiting Sensations for a covers band, and the Small World tent for some violin playing. I bailed out at around 3 and went back to my yurt.

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Leaving

We packed up and left in the morning. Unfortunately Love Fields is a long distance from the main road, with several other campsites, car parks and glamping grounds in between, each letting their clients onto the road. We sat stationary for ages, hopefully our speed of movement would improve as we passed each exit onto our road. It did, but still we waited. Then we started to move, the traffic lights onto the main road were reprioritised to allow more of us to exit.

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Glastonbury 2025 – Saturday

Posted on June 28, 2025 by SteveOctober 6, 2025

28th June 2025

Saturday was another dry day at Glastonbury with blue sky to start with. As the day progressed some clouds came in.

Infinity Song

Infinity Song is a family-formed band. They hail from New York City. The group comprises siblings Abraham, Victory, Angel, and Israel Boyd. Raised in a household steeped in music – their father, a musician and minister, instilled in them a deep appreciation for diverse genres and the power of collaboration. From busking in Central Park to performing at prestigious venues, their blend of R&B, folk, pop, and gospel has garnered them a dedicated fanbase. I admit to being underwhelmed.

Here they played the opening Saturday set at the West Holts stage.

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Nilüfer Yanya

The London-based artist signature style features a mix of restless, guitar-driven melodies, often with a ’90s alt-rock or grunge-indebted edge, paired with her remarkably expressive and smooth vocals. Her appearance was part of a day on the West Holts stage that also featured acts like Bob Vylan and Kneecap. As the performance came to an end, the artist used her platform to show solidarity with Palestine. A pro-Palestine banner was unfurled on stage during her closing message to the crowd, with a backdrop that read “Free Free Palestine.” This gesture was one of several political statements made by various artists across the festival weekend.

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Climate Catastrophe Panel Moderated by Robin Ince

I next walked up to the Green Fields to listen to some discussions on climate change. In the Green Fields, there are a number of tents with forums and talks. One year, Sir David Attenborough came to give a talk. This year, as in most years, there are talks about climate change, and I engaged with the speakers.

Nova Twins

After the talks, I headed over to Woodsies Stage (formerly the John Peel Stage) to see the Nova Twins. My way was blocked, because the path past the West Holts Stage was packed with people. This was due to the crowds for the sets by Bob Vylan and Kneecap. I took a bypass around the back and managed to make it to see the start of the Nova Twins‘ performance—a band I have seen several times.

The atmosphere inside the Woodsies tent was electric well before their 16:30 slot. Stepping on to the stage, the pair immediately unleashed their signature “Nova Sound,” transforming the woodland area into a visceral rock and roll sanctuary. Their setlist, which featured fan favourites like “Antagonist,” “Piranha,” and “Glory,” alongside newer cuts from their recent album, Parasites & Butterflies, was a relentless assault of energy.

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Pulp

I had to go and see the secret set by a band named “Patchwork”. I was way back in the crowds, so no view of the stage. This was the worst kept secret of a surprise secret set. The Britpop legends Pulp took to the Pyramid Stage for a surprise afternoon set, billed cryptically on the schedule as “Patchwork.”

Thirty years and four days after their legendary, last-minute stand-in headlining performance in 1995, Jarvis Cocker and co. returned to the iconic stage to a rapturous, jam-packed field. The show marked the band’s return to the festival’s main stage to commemorate the anniversary of their breakthrough performance, which became a cornerstone of Glastonbury folklore.

I had seen Pulp before at another secret set in 2011 at the Park Stage, a much smaller stage, and I had arrived very much earlier. I had a clear view, but could hear only the singing of three women next to me.

The band’s arrival was suitably theatrical, with a line of people in black and white ponchos briefly obscuring the stage before the iconic keyboard refrain of “Sorted for E’s & Wizz” began. A message flashed on the screen: “Are you ready for PULP SUMMER.”

Frontman Jarvis Cocker was in his usual form, witty and charismatic, dedicating “Mis-Shapes” to the massive crowd of outsiders and oddballs. He also noted the significance of the day, pointing out that “Sorted for E’s & Wizz” and “Disco 2000” were first played on that very stage exactly thirty years and four days ago.

The set blended classic hits with new material from their recent chart-topping album, More, including tracks like “Spike Island” and “Got to Have Love.” The performance culminated in an epic, unifying rendition of “Common People,” which was punctuated by a perfectly timed, and presumably coincidental, flyover from the Red Arrows, leading to a massive, delirious crowd sing-along that sealed the moment as a true Glastonbury highlight.

The full set list performed by Pulp on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, June 28, 2025, was:

Sorted for E’s & Wizz
Disco 2000
Spike Island
O.U. (Gone, Gone)
Acrylic Afternoons
Something Changed (Acoustic)
Do You Remember the First Time?
Mis-Shapes (Dedicated to the audience)
Got to Have Love
Babies
Common People (with Red Arrows flyover)

Father John Misty

Caught the last 20 minutes. Woodsies, Glastonbury was packed out for this. Sounded great bold music.. I don’t know any of it.

Tom Odell

I then went to watched Tom Odell at the same venue. Nice music, but a bit boring for me. Probably wish I hadnt seen him, because it made me late for Neil Young

Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts

I wasn’t initially planning on seeing the set, but ended up there. I was able to get in quite close to the front by entering the side of the field and edging forward over time as people left.

There were strongly divided views of his performance, which ignited one of the Glastonbury weekend’s contentions: what exactly constitutes a great rock and roll performance? Some long-time fans and purists hailed the 79-year-old rock veteran’s appearance with The Chrome Hearts as a masterclass in “proper R&R.“ They lauded the fierce, unadulterated musicality—the extended, ragged guitar solos, the heavy sound, and his refusal to pander to a modern festival audience. In an era of polished spectacle, his set was celebrated as a defiant reminder that substance outweighs showmanship.

Conversely, a more mixed crowd, particularly those unfamiliar with his live reputation, voiced criticism, suggesting he had limited stage presence and minimal interaction with the crowd. Comments circulated on social media about his subdued demeanour and extended, indulgent blues jams. My opinion is that the music itself was great, and ultimately, that is what counts. His sheer longevity and the depth of his catalogue, featuring classics alongside newer tracks, stood as a testament to his legendary status.

Set List

Neil Young’s set on the Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury on Saturday, June 28, 2025, included the following tracks:

Rockin’ in the Free World
Sugar Mountain (Solo Acoustic)
Cinnamon Girl
The Old Laughing Lady
Cortez the Killer
Be the Rain
Ohio
The Loner
The Needle and the Damage Done
Harvest Moon
Comes a Time
Heart of Gold
Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)

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After the set I left and tried to meet up with Ed and Mary, who were on shift in the Silver Hayes area. Big mistake—huge crowds. I managed to extract myself and had an early night back at Love Fields, where there were still live performances in the bar.

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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 Festival 2024 – Monday and Next Year Rod Stewart

Posted on July 1, 2024 by SteveDecember 20, 2024

1st July 2024

The festival was over, and the populace were leaving. This year, Love Fields laid on a Monday takeaway breakfast. This was new and lined our stomachs for the drive home. I hope they repeat. Except we chose to have a walk around the festival site to see if there were any bargains to be picked up. It was amazing how tidy the site was, hardly any litter on the ground. Too early to see if all the tents were taken home. A dry festival, so there should be no excuse to leave anything behind.

Rod Stewart

Let us hope next year when Rod Stewart plays the Legends Slot, that the weather will be kind.

We picked up a coffee, and some cut price nuts from a vendor. A walk up to the stone circle where some diehards were still sitting around. I stopped to take some more photographs of the ‘Model Glastonbury’ by Bellas’s bridge. I do this most years.

We left and eventually took the queue out of the grounds. At Love fields, because we were in the posh part of the site, we did not have to wait and were quickly on to Pylle Road. Then we stopped, there was the hour drive up Pylle Road, each site and camper van site prioritised their vehicles onto the road. The further we travelled the faster we progressed.

This was the first year I never saw the owners of The Love Fields. Owen was about saying goodbye to the glampers, but we missed him.

Selina and Phil purchased me a bottle of gin from Love Fields, called ‘We are not Worthy‘ gin as a thank you.

Anyway, we have our tickets for next year and will be at Love Fields yet again. Too early to say who is playing, other than Rod Stewart (Legends slot) is confirmed on the Pyramid stage. You can keep a track on festival rumours at the efestivals site. Another excellent site is ClashFinder where Glastonbury is a core listing. I find ClashFinder so much easier to use than the official festival apps. It has an excellent mobile webapp which works without a mobile phone signal. (Assuming you have registered and loaded your itinerary). You can also keep notes on each act you watch, and that information is there for you to review later, and on your laptop or PC. For those who like a hardcopy itinerary, you can print it out.

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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 – Saturday and Coldplay

Posted on June 29, 2024 by SteveDecember 19, 2024

29th June 2024

Another dry morning, and after breakfast headed over to the West Holts stage to see an Irish band called Kneecap

Kneecap

I lasted 10 minutes with this Northern Ireland band, not my cup of tea, I couldn’t understand a word they sang or said. Not at all sure why they have a big following. So back to Pyramid via the Theatre and Circus area to see Ayra Star

Ayra Star

At the Pyramid stage I watched Ayra Star with her 10 backing singers. Very beautiful to watch, but not my style of singing.

Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy

Now at the West Holts stage to watch Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy. They are a Ghanian group, singing gospel, It improved as the set went on. I did leave a little early so I could see the Last Dinner Party at the Other stage.

Last Dinner Party

Saw the ‘Last Dinner Party’ last year when they were playing the first set at ‘Woodsies’ on Saturday. Now they have been promoted to the “Other Stage”. Missed the first part of their set, but made it to listen to quite a few songs. Excellent as before, especially now I can sing along to the chorus of ‘Nothing Matters‘

Circus Funtasia

Decided to watch Circus Funtasia, Selina had mentioned it from the previous day. The five motor bikes driving around the inside of a sphere was interesting. The next act, close to my heart, the man on stilts with chain saw.

Coldplay

Watched Coldplay with Selina and Phil. We were far back, so no chance of seeing Coldplay in the flesh, especially with the array of flags. A good crown around us enjoying the event with dancing around us, including a Scottish guy in kilt. Selina appears in the video below.

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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 Festival 2024 – Thursday and Jordan Watson

Posted on June 27, 2024 by SteveDecember 8, 2024

27th June 2024

The day started with a good breakfast at The Love Fields. Lots of tea and coffee, bacon and eggs, cereal, and pastries. As we left, I did notice it was worth eating early, we missed the queues which had built up.

Joe Wicks

First event of the day for us was Joe Wicks. Selina and I joined the crowd to work out for 30 minutes. We didn’t join the queue for the selfie afterwards. There were several hundred exercising, the crowds stretched all the way back to the arch between the Circus and Cabaret fields. While we were exercising, Phil chatted to a couple of Glastonbury volunteers. We kept bumping into them throughout the event, and it wasn’t as if they worked in the Cabaret field.

Greenfields

Afterwards we all headed to Greenfields, which is very crowded on the Wednesdays and Thursdays. It is crowded because the area is running talks, craft tutorials, alternative technologies, and massages, while the main stages are not fully running until Friday. We listened to a talk about Hydrogen power and watched a small rocket being created and fuelled by hydrogen which was electrolysed from water.

A walk around the Stone Circle, exploring the hedges in the hope of spotting the location of the Piano Bar. We did see the dragons in the stream.

Walked around the craft areas, Selina went back at a later time to do some willow work.

Micheal Eavis

We split up, and I saw Michael Eavis on the Park stage singing ‘ My Way’ and others.

Michael Eavis singing at Glastonbury 2024

Jordan Watson at the Terminal

We all joined up again and visited Williams Green. I was always hopeful of hearing Fulu Miziki, but missed them again. We joined this long queue which would take us into this building where we thought there would be a good view of the site. The wait was ages, very slow moving and only a few people let in at a time. I assumed it was Health and Saftey running amock. Turned out that this was an art installation called The Terminal by Jordan Watson. It is an immersive art installation at Glastonbury Festival that parodied the UK’s immigration process. We were required to answer questions from “border force agents” and pass a UK citizenship test to gain entry. The installation featured a repurposed airport terminal with airport seats dotted with spikes, adding to the discomfort and highlighting the challenges faced by immigrants. At one stage we had to remove our shoes and walk over sharp stones.

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Glastonbury Festival 2024 – Wednesday

Posted on June 26, 2024 by SteveDecember 3, 2024

26th June 2024

On Wednesday, I set off to the Glastonbury Festival 2024, I was taking Selina and Phil to the festival. The first time for Phil, the third time for Selina (98, 99, 24) and the fourteenth time for me (98, 99, 09, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24). The only gap for me was between 1999 and 2009. The other gaps in the years were when Glastonbury had a fallow year or Covid circulated. We were going to be staying at a glamping site called Love Fields.

We set of at 10.30, stopping at Starbucks near Frome, intention of charging the car with some free BP electricity. Alas all chargers were in use. Arrived at The Love Fields just before 2. A note to myself, ignore Google Maps, it will see the holdups on the main roads around Glastonbury, and attempt to find a quicker route, this inevitably will take you down small single-track roads, and roads that are closed to non-residents during the festival.

I had booked a large Ash Yurt at The Love Fields for the three of us. This is in the VIP area, where there is a selection of accommodation at different costs. There are several bars in the VIP area, and other bars outside the VIP area, but still in Love Fields. There are a couple of stages are in the area, with some bands playing both here and in the main Glastonbury festival. I have always wondered if you could come to The Love Fields and not attend Glastonbury Festival.

The yurt came with electricity and double bed for Selina and Phil, and a single for me. Checking in was quick and easy, driving down to the yurt to unload, and then taking the car back the car park. Slight irritation was by the Friday, the parking was full, and some vehicles were parked in the driveways. We picked up our wrist bands and guides from reception. The glamping site is very convenient to the festival. Straight out of Love Fields and you are at Pedestrian Gate C to the festival. It is also not far to walk to the Pyramid stage. Many staying at the festival site would have a longer walk than us.

Not many bands are playing on the Wednesday, it’s an arrival day. We did go for a walk around the site so Phil and Selina could get their bearings. Met up with Ed for a pint at the Stonebridge bar and headed back to Love Fields to watch the fireworks. Missed Mary, she was initially coming to work, but unfortunately her brother had an accident a few days before, so she stayed behind to look after him.

There is an excellent view of the fireworks from Love Fields. We also got to see the drone display, a first for Glastonbury. To see this, we had to be in the upstairs bar in the “Barn”. I had a Negroni here, but timeline is hazy.

Afterward the fireworks I went for a walk around the site, visiting the Avalon bar, the Ribbon Tower, and then I headed over to Woodsies stage to see the new Tree Stage. Then it was back through the Wood, walking through the trees on a platform. Final walk back to Carhenge to see Fulu Miziki. A Congolese band that makes music from rubbish. Somehow missed them, but they are on again. Good to see Car Henge in the dark. Fabulous use of old American gas guzzling icons set up in the formation of Stone Henge. A nod to the origins of the new age travellers influence on Glastonbury. They had been cast out from Stone Henge in the Battle of Beanfield in 1985 .

This Wednesday, the weather was kind. It was sunny and warm. There had been several days break in the wet weather (we had been soaked at Download), and we were not going to receive any rain this weekend. There had been quite a lot of rain in the preceding weeks, but thankfully it had stopped, and the land had dried out to a considerable extent. Unfortunately, in preparation for continued rain, all the main stages had wood chippings laid out. This meant there was no lovely grass to sit down on at the West Holts stage.

It had been a lovely start to Glastonbury Festival 2024

Video from The Love Fields of the Glastonbury 2024 drone display.

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.

Video

The Lightening Seeds, Texas and the firework display.