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reading all these 'is he relevant?' or 'who is he? my mates haven't heard of him!' has me chuckling at how long these forums have been going. I think back to the excitement on here in the buildup to 2009 (just 15 years ago) when Shakey was part of one of the greatest ever lineups....with Crosby, Stills & Nash billed on the day after him, opening with 'Southern Cross' about 15 minutes after Springsteen had just done his cameo with Gaslight Anthem in a tent, and about 18 hrs after Lady Gaga had strolled over to play Club Dada post-midnight after Shakey had finished up on the Pyramid (you know ... in case you chose The Specials instead of Ms Gaga's first gig of the day on the Other) on a day when 'OMG Michael Jackson died' t-shirts were already on-sale Friday morning across the site well before Bjorn Again opened up the Pyramid in the light rain. Being fortunate this year to have the chance to finally make it to my 10th Glastonbury (after having not gone since 2019) and get an aging legend with a superb backing band (and younger than last time - sadly, I think about eveyone on stage with him last time has passed away?) on the Pyramid Stage, keeps the greatest 5 days 'relevant' for someone who enjoyed seeing Roger Waters, Robert Plant, and Isaac Hayes at his first one back in 2002 (back when these forums were discussing what Micheal meant when he said "he had Pink Floyd playing" and maybe I'll catch Rod Stewart this time instead of Air on the Other Yes, his crowd likely won't be massive (these days) but it's going to be fantastic, I may have an even easier time getting a similar spot as here in '09. What an emotional turn of 48 hours that was...for the good

I miss you too. 💲📫✍️

Be rude not to. He's only 7 seconds away.

You never know, with a bit of luck there’ll be artists you don’t like headlining Friday and Saturday too, and you won’t have to go at all 👍🏼

It’s funny, I had to defend the bbc for allegations of bias from my Dad and his partner. Two more Brexity, Faragist boomers you couldn’t hope to find anywhere outside of Clacton. The fact that people on the left accuse it of the complete opposite version of bias simply proves that it tries (sometimes too hard and not always successfully) to tread a very narrow tightrope to deliver the impartiality dictated in its charter. It’s not perfect, but the fact is, it is the most trusted news channel in the U.K. and the US (YouGov 2024) for a reason. Its “cosy” relationship with Glasto is massively beneficial to both parties. The awareness the festival receives by being on the countries most watched channel is massively beneficial. Its mass popularity, and its cultural significance would drop really quickly if it were on anything other than a free to air channel, and the BBC’s ability to deliver massive outside broadcast and production is significantly better than ITV or Channels 4 or 5. Glasto headliners aren’t beholden to the bbc except that the BBC presumably have the contracted right to broadcast the event for which they are the contracted broadcaster. Seems fair to me, and would presumably be the same for Sky at the IOW for example. We don’t know what the BBC asked for that was so unreasonable, but I can’t imagine it was much beyond the ability to air it live and host it on the iPlayer, along with requesting a set list ahead of time. All of which seem completely reasonable to me, given their contract with the festival. The fact that some artists might have an issue with that seems to me to be an artist issue, not a festival or bbc issue.

Can’t believe I got chosen tbh can’t wait for the crazy experience 🙌

One of my favourite Glastonburys ever was 2005 and that was, to a large extent, because of the drugs. I'm not referring to any mind altering substances that I may or may not have taken but to huge numbers of other festival goers. In June 2005 magic mushrooms were still legal in the UK as long as they hadn't been processed in any way which of course includes drying. At that time psilocybin (active ingredient of 'shrooms) use had rocketed in the UK mainly because the indoor cultivation of 'shrooms such as Golden Teachers had become increasingly commonplace and was actually risk free as it wasn't illegal. This resulted in them being available,fresh, in headshops, market stalls and various other outlets. At the 2005 festival they were available for sale all over the place. It wasn't only stalls selling them, there were mobile vendors wandering around will huge trays of them. This, in my view, caused a huge shift in the whole vibe and atmosphere of the place. The festival is famous for being full of happy people but 2005 was on a whole different level. So many enormous grins everywhere and groups of people laughing so hard that they almost had to hold each other up. I think that this hit it's peak on the Sunday afternoon/night as all the vendors either cut their prices or just gave their remaining stock away as they had a very short shelf life and wouldn't last until the next event. It was lovely! Hope that this isn't too off topic as mushrooms are of course edible and some would argue food for the soul. In July 2005 the law was changed and fresh magic mushrooms joined heroin and crack cocaine as a class A drug.......

Green Traffic lives on, looks like I’ll be back on the farm this year for the 40th anniversary of my first Glastonbury

Just thought id also take this opportunity to say that although i don't post on here as much as others, i have been in and around this forum under different guises for around 15 years i reckon (maybe more - don't know how long its been going)! Right now its great to be able to come on here and discuss headliners, crowd sizes and all entertain ourselves with Suprefan. Some unfortunate and dark times for my family in the real world right now and in the same way music is an outlet, i appreciate being able to come on here and have great chats and debates with you lot................. even Suprefan. SO keep up the great work and IF anyone could start a more serious rumour of Gaga - that would be fantastic Happy new year all

Glastonbury is a bit like if a Saga cruise ship washed up on the beach in Ibiza at the exact same moment when the nerd farm and new parent club got parachuted in and they all just set about parting together.

I do (approximately) know what the BBC asked for, as I have a copy of the standard artist terms and conditions for acts on the big stages. Albeit I don't know whether NY was offered an amended version or not. But basically you've got about right. It's more detailed than this but can be reasonably summed up as: - The right to show (an agreed part of) the performance live or as live on BBC services, with it also being available for 30 days afterwards on iPlayer & BBC Sounds (12 months where part of a multi-artist highlights package). - One track (artists choice) made available for promotional purposes on the likes of YouTube and Social media. - The right to re-broadcast the set at later dates. - The right to use 30 second snippets in trailers and the like. So nothing wildly controversial, I'd imagine if the sticking point was just one minor aspect of that then it'd be negotiable. Suspect it's the whole package that's the problem. Anyone trying to pretend that a commercial broadcaster wouldn't have exactly the same issues is deluding themselves.

100%. It's nice every now and again for the curtain to be pulled back and to be reminded that this massive cultural behemoth is being run by a family of farmers out of an old stone house in the middle of a field in Somerset

That sign used to be in a better spot

Primavera has to evolve or die un/fortunately. I mean, I get it... I've been through similar ill-feelings with Leeds/Reading, Latitude, Tramlines festival etc, but the sooner one realises that maybe it's no longer a festival you want to attend, but there's others you want to instead, the more at peace you'll be. If there ever becomes a time when Massive Attack/LCD Soundsystem/NIN/Radiohead/The National can't get on any festival line-ups because of the new crop of acts, then you can legitimately be annoyed I suppose. Plus it seems to be overlooked that, just because a certain act's touring schedule lines up, doesn't mean it's a done deal that they will or should play a festival. Maybe Primavera could afford NIN but they felt their fee wasn't reflective of their pull. Maybe they had unrealistic demands. Maybe there's some label/sponsor exclusivity thing going on. There could be a whole host of reasons.

Friday Pyramid - The 1975, Paramore, Alanis Morrissette, Snow Patrol, Ezra Collective, The Lathums, The Stranglers Other - Loyle Carner, Deftones, Tate McRae, Amyl and the Sniffers, Wunderhorse, Myles Smith, Nieve Ella, Shed Seven West Holts - Basement Jaxx, Goat, En Vogue, Pa Salieu, Geordie Greep, Lakecia Benjamin, Nala Sinephro Woodsies - Clairo, Magdalena Bay, TBA(Mumford and Sons), George Clanton, Warmduscher, Sofia Isella, Antony Szmierek Park - St Vincent, Future Islands, Kae Tempest, Katy J Pearson, The Hard Quartet, Throwing Muses, Still House Plants Saturday Pyramid - Neil Young, Pulp, Jorja Smith, The Script, CMAT, Jacob Collier, Ibibio Sound Machine Other - Charli xcx, Haim, The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, Rizzle Kicks, Kneecap, Alessi Rose, Hard-Fi West Holts - FKA Twigs, Kamasi Washington, Jpegmafia, Nilufer Yanya, Yazmin Lacey, The Sugarhill Gang, Minyo Crusaders Woodsies - Kaiser Chiefs, Girl in Red, Japanese Breakfast, Potter Payper, Fat Dog, Good Neighbours, Girlband! Park - Underworld, Beth Gibbons, Public Service Broadcasting, TBA(Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols), King Creosote, Fabiana Palladino, Corto.Alto Sunday Pyramid - Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Rod Stewart, Olly Alexander, Travis, Choir/Orchestra Other - The Prodigy, Jamie T, Davido, Beabadoobee, Father John Misty, Foster the People, Hard Life, Rianne Downey West Holts - Maribou State, Shygirl, 070 Shake, Sampa the Great, Imarhan, Jamila Woods, Meute Woodsies - Jon Hopkins, The Wombats, Nines, TV on the Radio, The Dare, Joey Valence and Brae, Luvcat Park - The Maccabees, Self Esteem, English Teacher, Royel Otis, Osees, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, Crack Cloud

Finally got my lump sum from my private pension. At the age of 60, for the first time in my life I've got savings and can buy gig tickets and records without worrying about whether I can get through the month unscathed! 🙂

Okay @Sziget2025_Leaks you can come out of hiding now. We've forgiven you for that debacle of an undercard announcement - on the proviso that announcement two contains many more people who play instruments and sing rather than just push buttons (apologies to EDM fans for that generalisation!) So, when are we going to start hearing more info about the major changes to the festival and, once assumes, new stage layouts?

imho the best way to tell who from Cat Stevens and Neil Young is a Glastonbury headline act vs. who is a legend slot act is to look at how they've been booked by Glastonbury Festival.

Yeah, I look at that video and think it's just further proof that Glastonbury is exceptional. There have been years where seeing the festival through to the end is an endurance event, where you're dead on your feet and facing packing up and dragging you and your sh*t home fills you with dread. But the spirit of Glastonbury endures, the 2016 crowd were a pleasure to be amongst, determined to grin and bear it and just have the best time of it in the circumstances. It was one of the smiliest, most co-operative and friendly years for me, that shared experience of battling through the mud and the rain and coming out the other side with calves like iron after walking for nearly a week with several kilos of mud clagged onto your boots. I went into 2016 in two minds whether to go, as I was seriously in the depths of depression. I spent the Tuesday night in the queue, sat in the pouring rain, pitched my tent in 2 or 3 inches of standing water on the flat ground of Darble and let Glastonbury work it's magic. I won't say it wasn't tough going, but finishing my festival off with Of Monsters and Men and then that heart-affirming Coldplay gig broke the spell, realigned my mind along a positive path and I went home refreshed, a new man who felt, indeed knew that I could face anything that life and my cranky, misfiring brain could throw at me.

But why do all 3 headliners need to be relevant to young people. Glasto would be shite then. It's great cos you can get some old codger who's a legend to the 50+ generation headlining the night before a young pop star who no one over 30 could name a tune by. Both massive and totally opposite ends of the spectrum, deserving to headline for different reasons. Plus there's 100 other stages at the same time. Glastonbury's fantastic because of this spectrum. Let's not try turn it into Reading or Leeds

Hearing now that Charli XCX is actually the biggest act there's ever been in history.

Because Sabrina is just unremarkable Disney machine pop, but Chappell feels like she could be a generational voice.

Happy New Year all. Now to look forward to 2-3 weeks time when we get a load more names and the stage splits 🎉🎉

Hello everyone, I hope 2025 is treating you well so far. Am I correct in thinking there is an organised run event at the festival? If so, please can someone link me the details or relevant pages etc? I'd love to take part! Off the back of this, I would love to take the opportunity to share something very special. I am running the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for a wonderful charity close to my heart - The Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust. It's a charity that raises money for our local Hospital's (Medway Maritime) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - The Oliver Fisher Unit. Both of my children received treatment from the NICU, with our son's literally being life-saving. We took them to Glastonbury Festival in 2023, and they are also coming this year! My daughter actually managed to make it on TV and was filmed by the BBC team for Cbeebies! Amazing! my page for fundraising is here should you wish to donate 💚

Thought I'd collate everything we know about so far in terms of GM-friendly non-British artists at European festivals that weekend: Gunnersbury Park: Khrungabin, TV On The Radio Paredes de Coura: Air, MJ Lenderman, Cassandra Jenkins Pstereo: Viagra Boys, Altin Gun, Okay Kaya Stowaway: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Anna Erhard UK tour dates up to 14th: Alan Sparhawk Also Mannequin Pussy who cancelled last year are at Reading & Leeds the following weekend and Helado Negro just got added to Sziget the previous weekend. Nothing of interest to add yet from Rock en Seine, Pukkelpop, Lowlands (though they're teasing an announcement next week), Cabaret Vert, Parken, We Out Here or Wild Fields.

You might change your perspective when you reach that day! Oh please... you absolutely glamp it up and in prime real estate. Maybe if you had to camp on the outermost regions of the festival you'd need a chair or a day bag to carry some things around with you. No - you just glamp right in the centre of the festival, moan that Avalon is in your way and tell everyone else how they should do the festival without a bag??

So then! Basement Jaxx. Must admit I'm a fan so this sounds like an ideal Friday night (*with the experience of Where's Your Head At?)

It's a vibe where it is.

I don't agree that the acts are interchangeable or have that much crossover between the Acoustic and the Avalon. That's like saying techno and dnb are the same for want of a better example. Avalon have pivoted to doing more popular and crowd friendly acts and acoustic is still an oasis of folk, americana or folk-adjacent stuff. I think we need to be careful to encourage the wide musical diversity as much as possible even if we aren't into that particular thing or we will find that when they come for our particular thing there isn't anyone left to defend it. Or something.* *apols for rambling, I'm doing a late thing in town at the moment and daylight is not my friend.

It's definitely growing, albeit pretty slowly, but an improvement on Threads. Starter pack here... https://go.bsky.app/DQ7ah9E Glastonbury T&C also recently joined, I don't think they're on that list.

I did actually email the festival asking if they could have a Bluesky presence for those that won’t support X. That was 6 weeks ago-not had a response yet

I feel the whole SE corner could do with a tiny bit of rejigging, I think there's definitely enough space to add at least 7 or 8 more venues playing drum and bass.

It's a whole other conversation, but I'm largely with your mate on this one (not REM, obvs). Sweeping statements and all that... First album is a culmination of all the work they've done to that point, the songs that got them signed. Second album is made up of tracks rejected from the first, plus a few others written while on tour. Third album, the drugs have kicked in and they believe their own hype. Fourth album, a key member has left to pursue an ultimately unsuccessful solo career, rest of the band are knackered, disillusioned and generally not arsed anymore. Everything afterwards is an attempt to reproduce the first album but the spark has gone. Time for the first album anniversary tours to start.

From what we can gleam, they’ve now had a couple of years where they haven’t been able to book the acts they most wanted, for various reasons (Taylor: fame and schedule; Madonna: cost; Stevie: health). At the same time they’ve been fortunate enough to have landed on an incredible run of all-timers of Macca, Elton, and Coldplay (I’m not suggesting the ‘Play are in the same league but in terms of putting on a spectacle they’re about as good as it gets). At some point availability and cost of huge names had to catch up with the festival. I respect that Neil Young has had a hell of a career but he still feels like a charitable booking for Michael. O-Rod ticks the boxes for rising pop act with momentum, and The 1975 seem decent enough for those who like them but aren’t realistically going to thrill most ticket holders in the run up. All the usual caveats about number of other stages, strength of the undercard, etc. etc., but as a headliner trio - if all three rumoured acts do actually materialise - the festival is somewhat hobbling into the fallow, imo.

Earth, Wind & Fire? Really?

isnt it great how we all differ ... shed be a massive upgrade on any of the current 3 names mentioned for me ... thats also why the festivals so good with a shed load on offer ...edit also not the biggest fan of country

Well, I didn't manage Red January (didn't even try in the end, too much on), but as of this morning, I am 3 stone down since 2024 festival! Over half way there, another 1-2 to go. Haven't run much since having flu at the start of Dec so must start that up again this week.

The Sunday thing was a complete one off though and no disrespect but it was entirely due to SZA. One of the worst bookings the fest has ever done imo.

Honestly, I think it's pretty normal for a festival to turn to a younger demographic. Don't think you can survive in the long run without doing that and trying to bring new faces to the festival. And i think they are smart with their pop music bookings. It's not just "bring the biggest name possible at the moment). Also they are doing a pretty decent job on booking new and promising indie bands (horsegirl, chanel beads, this is lorelei, tramhaus, been stellar etc.). And not only that but booking also some more experimental stuff that are not so radio friendly. Not bringing bands that became popular ten or more years ago dosn't make it less indie. Of course, all that applies if you didn't stop listening to new music at some point. Overall, I think (especially this year) there's so much to see on the undercard if you want to skip mordor. This for me is really one of the strongest line ups of primavera ever created. I was thinking of skipping this year because of the prices but this line up was just too delicious.

But even at 44 I'll drink a pint of piss and purchase a T- Shirt to announce it IF it means a dry weekend

Happy New year for tomorrow 🎇 Has anyone got any New Years Eve plans? As a boring parent who will be staying in, it would be nice to hear about what other people are getting up to ☺️

I totally get that the BBC broadcast agreement helps keep the artist fees low and the calibre of acts high and that this also then helps prevent them having to raise ticket prices even further, but it still feels a bit wrong that as someone who is actually paying for a ticket, the experience we could have had is taken away in order to allow those watching for free at home the opportunity to watch the gig. I wasn't even planning to see NY if truth be told but the principle still stands and it just doesn't quite sit right with me (assuming we take NY's statement at face value). To be clear I don't know what the alternative is whilst still avoiding loads of corporate partnerships/sponsorship, more just giving my gut feel to the situation. I always think there is something quite magical when big gigs happen and they're not televised (think Led Zep reunion at the O2, Prince's intimate London gigs etc) and also in a similar vein but on a smaller scale, the banning of phones on dancefloors, which although not the same is pretty similar in my opinion. The magic happens for those there at that time and actually part of the magic is trying to hazily recall it rather than then being able to watch it back on TV and seeing it all packaged in a nice shiny box with a bow wrapped around it. I think these sort of special 'living in the moment' occasions become more and more important as we become ever more transfixed with always being connected on social media, glued to our phones etc so I doth my cap to NY on this occasion

Happy new year to you and yours, folks. Here's to a great year of gigs and a bumper announcement in March.

I definitely don't want this to sound like an argument, and you did indeed say 'out of respect', but the nolans have left a bigger mark on British and Irish music than maybe we give them credit for. It sounds as though they (one of the sisters at least) overcame terrible abuse from their father to end up having successful careers in music and television. For Linda to lose her life at the young age of 65 is a tragic loss. Rest in peace Linda

Any excuse for the fish finger seagull photo!

For me the weekend means back to work but had an awesome few days in the Fells this week

Just to add to this, last years announcements from now: 20 Acts - 17/01 10 Belgium Acts - 22/01 18 acts - 09/02 The Slope lineup - 28/02 Full times - 12/04

I actually just came here to throw her name into the ring, as no one else seems to be talking about her as a potential. Naturally feel free to take this with a heavy pinch of salt, but someone I know is well connected in the music industry etc and, when I saw him the other week, was adamant that Gaga is headlining Glastonbury this year. He also said that she'd be doing shows in Brazil, which then was confirmed a few days after he told me. Other tidbits were that her album is called something like 'Theory of Chaos' and that Die With A Smile was going to be on it - again he mentioned this before it was known publicly. As a huge Gaga fan, I'm very much hoping this is true - though obviously I'm well aware this might not be what people consider to be a reptuable source, so don't shoot the messenger! Just came on here to share what I was told (whether it turns out to be true or not). Usually very much a lurker on here, don't often post at all - but thought it might be worth saying the above. Unrelatedly, this person I know also told me that Von Dutch by Charli XCX is written about FKA Twigs - because apparently they hate each other. Not relevant to this thread but nonetheless something I found interesting.

Basement Jaxx for me, if the rumoured West Holts headliner slot happens 🤞😎