The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, often referred to Glastonbury or Glasto, is the largest green field open-air music and performing arts event in the world. The festival is best known for its contemporary music, but also features dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and many other arts.
Vibe
Glastonbury was heavily influenced by hippie ethics and the free festival movement in the early 1970s, beginning with the Isle Of Wight Festival.
Because of it's size and appeal, Glastonbury has become quite a corporate event, however due to the philosophy of organiser Michael Eavis, there are still aspects of the hippie feel still to be found in the festival
The festival retains vestiges of this tradition such as the Green Fields area which includes the Green Futures and Healing Field.
There are also a lot of profitable charitable work that takes place at Glastonbury, with the ethics of eco friendly ethics felt throughout the festival.
Most of the staff working at the festival are volunteers aiding the festivals work in raising money for good causes.
Stages and other entertainment
The Pyramid and Other stage play host to the biggest commercial successes. The Jazzworld is the place for all things world music and the Acoustic stage is a great place to find some singer/songwriters.
Over recent years the festival has expanded it's dance music programme from one stage to a whole Dance village which offeres the best in house, breaks, techno and Drum & Bass throughout the day and well into the night.
Away from the music and scheduled events there is a variety of activities on offer at the festival. There is a cinema stage which shows films ranging from recent blockbusters to cult horror films, it has also been use to show live sporting events such as the World Cup final.
Other attractions at the festival include the healing fields where massages, relaxing music and mediation are the order of the day. One of the site's main draws is the Stone Circle where thousands flock for impromptu jam sessions and fire juggling or to just enjoy the sunset.
A very important thing to remember about Glastonbury is it's size, it can often take as long as 30 min to walk from one stage to another. It's very important to purchase a map and this festival is suited to those who just go with the flow.
If you are someone who likes a rigid plan, we highly suggest getting familiar with good meeting spots and making sure everyone you go with has a working watch should their mobiles cut out!
The Shangri-la and Trash City are also popular ventures for a choice selection of twisted nightlife - expect fire, explosions and dancers.
VIP/GLAMPING
TIPIS:
Each Tipi can house up to 6 adults. In 2013 Tipis cost £950 to hire (Festival tickets not included). Tipis will come complete with a groundsheet and rain catcher, but you will need your own bedding, camping equipment, etc, and any necessary creature comforts. Tipi dwelling is an incredible and elemental experience, but not a luxury one.
There are also outsourced companies who provide their own glamping experience, more details coming soon.
Children
Glastonbury is a suitable festival for children, there is a huge dedicated area called The Kidz Field, with workshops, play areas and plenty of activities.
Children are also welcome to enjoy entertainment in the Theatre and Circus area, we would advise sticking to the the morning and early afternoon shows.
Lost children can report to any information point and will be taken to the Kidz Field until 8pm, after which they will be taken Waggonshed Welfare.
However it is important to note there are no creche facilities so you will need to supervise your children at all times.
Disability Access
There are no separate disabled tickets HOWEVER once tickets are purchased you need to contact the festival for an application form which grants you access to diabled facilities on site, as well as the 2-for-1 PA Scheme where a personal assistant can attend for free.
To do this email disabledenquiries@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Weather
June is a very hit and miss period for the UK summer, it's either the time when an early heatwave can happen, or when rainy periods are still settling.
Glastonbury is famous for it's mud, even in summer times so bring wellies!
Local Accommodation
The following places have been recommended as good local hotels to try out:
- The Overlook
- Number Three
- Apple Tree House
- Parsnips Bed & Breakfast
- The Kings Arms
You can find some other places recommend to stay here
What to wear
As soon as a hint of the UK Summer Festival season begins, fashion magazines and media outlets with fashion sections will churn out endless useful and useless articles on what they recommend wearing, while trends come and go, here are the standard items mentioned across all posts and features:
FOR GIRLS:
- Maxi Dresses/Floaty Dresses: Sometimes just packing black leggings and a selection of dresses and cardigans is the easiest but most accessible way to pack for a festival, not only are they easy to dance in but when the beer and burger float kicks in, something non restrictive is the way to go.
- Decorative Poncho: Nobody wants to carry a rain coat around but then having wet clothes isn't much fun either, there are tons of fashionable and colourful ponchos on websites like Primark, New Look, H&M, the list is endless.
FOR MEN
Rock a cool hat to make up for your miserable wellies.
FOR BOTH SEXES
As is the case for all festivals in the UK, weather is unpredictable so awesome wellies will see you through the weekend!
Camping
There will be standard Camping availanble
Campervans and Caravans
A separate campervan/caravan ticket must be purchased with your weekend ticket, and this can be done by calling 0844 412 4626 then providing the caller with your weekend booking reference number.
Gaining vehicular access to the site opens at Midday on the Tuesday until 2pm in the Sunday. This then reopens for people to leave at 6pm on the following Monday.
For those using hired campervan/caravan that need to arrange delivery onto site, their contractor will need to contact the Glastonbury Off-Site Manager to arrange arrival and documentation.
Each caravan is allowed one car to be parked beside the caravan however a £20 car parking ticket must be purchased.No generators are to be brought on site and there are no electrical hookups provided.
Pre Erected Tents
The festival will be providing their own pre-erected option for the following prices:
(not per person but in total)
- Pre-erected classic scout-style tent - £250 for 5 nights
- 2 person Cloud House - £300 for 5 nights SOLD OUT
- 2 person 9ft Yurt - £300 for 5 nights SOLD OUT
- 4 person Bell Tent - £500 for 5 nights
- 4 person Tipi Tent - £500 for 5 nights
- 4 person 12ft Yurt - £600 for 5 nights SOLD OUT
- 2 person dome tent - £200 for 5 nights
- 4 person dome tent - £400 for 5 nights
- 6 person dome tent - £600 for 5 nights
- 8 person dome tent - £800 for 5 nights
Site Information
Cash Machines
There are Natwest Cash machines near the farmhouse that do not charge for cash withdrawals, and are open 24 hours from Thursday 10am to Monday Noon.
There are also ATM's that charge £2 for withdrawal and are situated near the following destinations:
- Near the Park Home Ground Medical Centre
- Near the John Peel Stage
- On the walkway between the Jazz World Stage and the Other Stage.
Telephone Service
You can charge your mobile for free at the Orange Help Centre, although free you are encouraged to make a small charity donation. There are also payphones located at the five Information Points across the festival site.
Toilet Roll
Free toilet paper is handed out at various information points
Food and drink
With over 500 food stalls Glastonbury has something to cater for any taste. There is the standard hoard of burger vans, which are probably the most common type of food stall but there are also a number of less obvious stalls such as fresh fruit, asian cuisine, african, vegetarian and vegan, kosher and even a place selling a breakfast baguette called Pauline Fowler's Growler (named in honour of an Eastenders character).
Perform at the festival
Every year the festival launches an annual competition offering new bands a chance to win a slot on the festivals Pyramid Stage.
2012: Bands and Artists have until 5pm on January 24 2013 to enter the competition via the festivals website
All entries are judged by a panel of 40 music bloggers from the UK, 8 of those acts then go forward chosen by Michael and Emily Eavis.
There is then a live final in April at Worthy Farm where bands battle it out as it is decided who is the winning act.
Past winners include Scouting For Girls, Golden Silvers, Stornoway, The Subways and We Have Band and Treetop Flyers.
Volunteer or work
The following companies are recruiting for Glastonbury: Festaff
Drugs and security
Whilst drug use is common at Glastonbury it is no less illegal than it is anywhere else. Always be careful when buying or taking drugs at Glastonbury.
There will usually be a huge amount of people selling various drugs in various places at Glastonbury. People selling drugs vary from relaxed hippies selling hash cakes to students selling nitrous oxide (laughing gas) balloons to serious dealers loaded with hundreds of pills or large amounts of cocaine and ketamine.
Use caution when dealing with anyone selling drugs but also use your intuition. Drug dealers at Glastonbury may be far from trustworthy so act accordingly.
Drugs are available all over Glastonbury. Most people tend to drink and smoke during the day and resort to more illegal substances as darkness falls.
It is common knowledge that drugs are available (and that drugs are frequently taken) at the 'Stone Circle' at Glastonbury. If you visit this remote, quiet field you will be sure to find someone either selling something, or someone that can direct you to someone who is. Laughing gas is very common at the stone circle during the day, night and into the early hours.
Stream online
2013 details of where to watch Glastobury have yet to be announced.
Mobile Apps
At the 2011 event, a free app was available for iPhone, Android and Nokia platforms, with the app split into Schedule, Map and News.
There was also a personal planner option too.
Trade At Festival
Trading at the festival can be found here
Trivia and History
- The first festival was headlined by T.Rex.
- Local Pilton Resident get a free ticket every year.
- A murder trial was put on hold one year to allow a juror to attend the festival.
- Organiser Micheal Eavis was originally set to join the British Merchant Navy, but returned to the farm after the passing of his father.
- In 2002, A £1 million "superfence" was finally erected in 2002 to beat the fence-jumpers and to boost security.
- In 2007, a volunteer found £6,000 in cash.
- Despite being named as one of the worlds most influential men by Time Magazine, Micheal Eavis remains humble and is often seen taking pictures with attendees.
- The First festival was held in 1970, the day after Jimi Hendrix died. & The price of a ticket in 1970 was £1 and included free milk from the Glastonbury farm
- The festival celebrated it's 40th anniversary
- In 2012, organiser Micheal Eavis was awarded with the Lifetime Acheivement Award at the European Festival Awards ceremony.
In 2012, Glastonbury and promotion company Festival Republic have parted ways in what has been called a "mutual and cordial" departure.
Melvin Benn, who has recently been appointed Chairman of Wembley Stadium, added: "From an operational point of view, myself and my team have taken the Festival as far as I can and it is time for a change I think... I am committed to ensuring as smooth a handover as possible to the new team in Pilton and enjoying Glastonbury for many years to come as a festival goer myself."
The management of the festival has now moved in-house.
Past lineups
As standard practise, Glastonbury festival is taking a year out for the land to recover, but Glastonbury 2011 was a success with a lineup that features U2, Morrissey, Wu-Tang Clan, Biffy Clyro, Coldplay, Elbow, Paolo Nutini, Tinie Tempah, Beyonce, Pendulum, Primal scream, Mumford & Sons. The Chemical Brothers, Queens of the Stone Age, Kaiser Chiefs, Cee Lo Green and Janelle Monae.
To have a look at past headlining highlights, click here where we have mentioned all the main headliners since 1971.
If you want to watch past highlights, a quick youtube search will bring up what you need, here are some of the popular highlights from the past
- Beyonce 2011
- Coldplay 2011
- Radiohead 2011
