- Glastonbury Festival Gates Open to Excited Campers
- Lineup Highlights: Sir Elton John, Lana Del Rey, Lewis Capaldi, and Lil Nas X
- Weather Challenges and Festive Spirit: Tales from the Front of the Queue
The gates to the 38th annual Glastonbury Festival have been opened, allowing thousands of eager campers to enter the grounds.
Emily Eavis, co-organizer, greeted the first festival-goers upon their arrival in Pilton, Somerset.
Sir Elton John, Lana Del Rey, Lewis Capaldi, and Lil Nas X are included on the lineup for the long weekend.
Ms. Eavis stated that she had intended for gender parity, but a female headliner had withdrawn.
Ms. Eavis responded that it was “good” to greet the audience when asked how it felt.
“Welcoming guests is always my favorite moment,” she explained.
People at the front of the queue left their residences as early as 01:30 BST to secure a place.
A Met Office amber thunderstorm warning has been issued for the west of England until 7:00 p.m., so festivalgoers can anticipate a wet evening.
The Met Office predicted a 75% chance of precipitation at Worthy Farm.
Edyta Krzesak, who arrived at 11:30 donning a T-shirt, trousers, bucket hat, and sunglasses, was left “soaking wet” by a heavy downpour.
The 45-year-old stated, “I would say it’s been a whole week of weather in one day.”
Ms. Krzesak, who was attending her eighth Glastonbury, stated that the weather “could always be worse” as she recalled the “horrendous” muck from prior years.
Since 2002, Nigel Hayes, a 42-year-old kitchen technician from London, has attended every Glastonbury festival.
“We arrived at 4.30 am, we left London at 1.30 am… “It would be nice to depart and obtain a beer,” he stated.
Since 2007, his 40-year-old sister, London native and personal attendant Joanne Hayes, has attended every festival.
She said, “We’re a little surprised to be at the front of the queue.”
When asked what he enjoyed most about the festival, Mr. Hayes responded, “It’s all about the people.”
“It’s a lovely place to be, with a lovely vibe,” he said.
Ms. Hayes added, “There’s something for everyone, as I always say – regardless of who you are, give it a shot if you can. There is an abundance of music and comedy.”
Kathy Sharp, 53, and her husband Tony, 55, from Liverpool are making their first appearance at Glastonbury this year.
Mrs. Sharp stated, “Our daughter visited here for the first time last year, so she returned home raving, and it’s on Tony’s bucket list.”
“I believe [her] experience encouraged us to try harder to obtain the tickets.”
Two Somerset locals who live less than 10 miles from Worthy Farm and have frequented the festival site dozens of times stated that they set out Tuesday morning to erect their tent next to the Pyramid Stage.
Mike Bash, a 37-year-old construction project manager, stated, “We arrived at 12:15 a.m., then stayed up in the queue and drank a few beers.”
He is alongside 20-year festivalgoer Nigel Bryant, 66.
Mr. Bryant stated that his fondest memory was appearing in a music video for Lily Allen. He stated that they were captured on camera atop the Pyramid stage field.
Mr. Bryant stated, “There are a few of us in the short film… that was an unforgettable experience.
The two stated that they had made “great friends” at the festival.
Mr. Bash added, “The spirit is free; you can go wherever you want and do whatever you want.”
The mysterious band The Churnups is scheduled to perform on Friday’s main stage before Arctic Monkeys and rock duo Royal Blood, which is rumored to be Foo Fighters.
Sunday afternoon, Yusuf, also known as Cat Stevens, will perform in the legend slot.
The veteran folk-rocker, best known for her 1970s records, follows Dolly Parton, Kylie Minogue, and Diana Ross.
Blondie, an iconic rock band, will perform after him.
Disposable vapes topped the list of prohibited items, as they “pollute the environment and can be hazardous at waste centers.”
This year’s “what not to bring” list also included gazebos, non-biodegradable body glitter, disposable wipes, blades, and any items made of glass.
