Downpour drenches Glastonbury revellers on opening day of festival
Glastonbury Festival has officially kicked off. As part of the early festivities on Wednesday night (21 June), thousands of music fans were welcomed to Worthy Farm by a large fireworks display and burning of the Phoenix ceremony.
Over the next four days, revellers will see headliners Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses, and Elton John, along with hundreds of other artists.
Arctic Monkeys’ set is currently in doubt after frontman Alex Turner was diagnosed with acute laryngitis. However, co-organiser Emily Eavis, who opened the gates solo on Wednesday at 8am, sounds confident the performance will go ahead.
The weather for this year’s festival is predicted to be a mixture of sun and rain, after a month’s worth of rain fell in the UK last weekend. You can find a day-by-day guide to the forecast in Somerset here.
Meanwhile, the BBC is broadcasting the festival across all of its main channels, including BBC Radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
Glastonbury 2023 talking points
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Michael Eavis reveals the performances he’s personally looking forward to watching at Glastonbury 2023
Michael Eavis says he’s looking forward to watching Elton John and Cat Stevens perform live at Glastonbury.
Speaking to Glastonbury Free Press’s Chris Salmon, the festival co-creator said he’s definitely looking forward to watching John perform live.
“Well, Elton John is obviously going to be incredible,” he said. “I’m so pleased he’s finally playing. And I can’t wait for Cat Stevens. I absolutely love his music.”
Eavis also shared that he went to visit Stevens “in London 20 years ago because his agent said if I did, then he’d play.
“So I went up on the train, and then caught a bus to his house. He knew I was coming, so he’d put out all the tablecloths and he gave me a piece of cake. We had a really nice afternoon. And after that, I thought it would happen, you see. But it didn’t! Well, not until now. I’m so glad we got there eventually!”
Peony Hirwani22 June 2023 12:10
Watch: Stunning timelapse footage of sun setting over festival’s first day
Glastonbury: Stunning timelapse footage of sun setting over festival’s first day
Peony Hirwani22 June 2023 11:50
Everything you need to know about Guns N’ Roses at Glastonbury 2023
Guns N’ Roses are among the headliners at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
Below is everything you need to know about their performance.
Peony Hirwani22 June 2023 11:30
Glastonbury festival fashion isn’t just about ripping off Kate Moss… it might not even exist anymore
The standard-bearers for Glastonbury aesthetics remain the queens of Noughties boho glam, writes Olivia Petter – but has the decline of fast fashion killed it off? And is that a good thing?
Peony Hirwani22 June 2023 11:10
Emily Eavis has a plan if Arctic Monkeys are forced to drop out
Fans of Sheffield’s finest Arctic Monkeys are still fretting over whether frontman Alex Turner will recover from a nasty bout of acute laryngitis in time for their headline set on the Pyramid Stage this Friday.
Fortunately (did we ever doubt her?), co-organiser Emily Eavis has plans (plural) in place should this happen. We’re guessing there are at least one or two bands ready to step up should Arctics pull out. But she also says she’s feeling confident they’ll be just fine.
And an interesting titbit from my colleague Jacob who’s on site right now: A poster at Worthy Farm says “Arctic Monkeys will go by in a Blur…”
Are we about to see Turner singing on stage with Damon Albarn?
Roisin O’Connor22 June 2023 11:04
Watch: Domino’s delivers pizza to Glastonbury festival-goers by jet suit
Watch: Domino’s delivers pizza to Glastonbury festival-goers by jet suit
Domino’s have announced they are trialling a jet suit pizza delivery service at this year’s Glastonbury. Hungry festival-goers can now order a pizza, which will be flown into them via jet pack. Footage shared by Domino’s shows a delivery “flyer” dropping into the local restaurant and picking up the pizzas, before taking off and heading for the fields of Worthy Farm. He then lands at the campsite and hands the food to those waiting on the ground. Domino’s has partnered with Gravity Industries to be the first pizza company in the world to deliver via jet suits.
Peony Hirwani22 June 2023 10:50
Hardwicke Circus’s Glastonbury performance cancelled due to ‘problem with tickets’
Carlisle band Hardwicke Circus has announced it won’t be able to do its three sets at Glastonbury this year because of a problem with tickets.
Below is the full statement.
Peony Hirwani22 June 2023 10:30
Glastonbury fireworks in pictures
(REUTERS)
(EPA)
(REUTERS)
Peony Hirwani22 June 2023 10:14
Glastonbury 2023 lineup: Who is headlining this year’s music festival?
Glastonbury 2023 lineup: Who is headlining this year’s music festival?
Peony Hirwani22 June 2023 09:54