Glastonbury is one of the world’s best-known festivals, headlined by some of the planet’s most famous musicians over the past six decades (think: Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Beyonce, the Foo Fighters, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Adele, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John, Jay-Z, Metallica, Dolly Parton). But as seasoned festival-goers will tell you, there’s far more to “Glasto” than the big names. Here are five things that may surprise you and go some way to explaining why it’s on many travellers’ bucket lists and has pilgrims returning time and again (if they can get tickets).
A BONANZA OF ECLECTIC MUSIC While the largest crowds flock to the mighty Pyramid stage — where Coldplay headlined for a record fifth time this year — Glastonbury has more than 100 other stages with myriad genres of music, from folk-rock and soul to hip-hop and electronic dance, performed at this five-day festival. Watch everything from nostalgia acts (such as Cyndi Lauper and Shania Twain) to Grammy-feted groovers and south Asian DJs, plus utterly unique newcomers (a standout this year was Voice of Baceprot, an all-female hijab-wearing Indonesian metal trio). Australian acts on the 2024 bill included Confidence Man, Angie McMahon and Perth rockers Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, while Russell Crowe and his band Indoor Garden Party graced the Acoustic Tent and each night, a ceremony with Aboriginal representatives from the Whadjuk Noongar nation opened the Arcadia Stage.
That’s ho.