Glastonbury

Short Films by Southampton Students

A group of Southampton Solent University students spent their time at Glastonbury making a series of films chronicling various aspects of the Festival.

The Spirit of Glastonbury

There's something about the Festival that words cannot describe, so we made a gallery of the Spirit of Glastonbury...

Kate Nash, Pyramid Stage

It might not be chucking it down in traditional Friday morning style, but it’s dark, slippery and boggy underfoot nonetheless. Just right then for tales of bad boyfriends, bitchy mates and nightmare relationships for breakfast, courtesy of Britain’s most desirable ginger bint.

The Feeling, Pyramid Stage

“I used to come to Glastonbury with my dad,� said The Feeling vocalist Dan Gillespie-Sells into his multi-coloured jewelled microphone, “I’m going to cry.� He didn’t cry (as far as I saw, at least).

Biffy Clyro, John Peel Stage

What, there was another headliner tonight?! Of course there was - one hell of a full stop in British rock. If Biffy Clyro aren’t as controversial as Jay-Z it’s because the filled tent knew they were in for a good gig.

In With the In Crowd

We all know about the amazing bands that play at the Festival each year, but the people that really make Glastonbury are the crowds. This gallery is dedicated to the greatest festival audience in the world.

Saturday Shines on Main Stages

Saturday saw sunshine and stunning performances across the Glastonbury Festival main stages, from A. Human to Jay-Z.

Friday Stage Shenanigans

Everybody's got that Friday Festival feeling. As the main event gets underway spirits rise and Festival goers get down and dirty at the main stages. Bring it on!

Lupe Fiasco, Jazz World

Judging by all the controversy you could be forgiven for thinking that Jay-Z is the first hip-hop artist ever to play Glastonbury. He’s not even the first hip-hop artist on this year. There is Dizzee Rascal for example, though he’s a bit garage sometimes.

Sunday, Sunshine and Songs

Sunday at the Festival saw another round of sensational acts on the main stages at Glastonbury...

Balkan Beat Box, Jazz World Stage

Such a magical mix of music took to the stage of Jazz World this afternoon. An infusion of typical world music with hip hop bass lines, brash bass, melodic reggae, singing guitar, rapping and the occasional Michael Jackson-esque screams.

Artist Spotlight Q&As

In our Artist Spotlight series of interviews we spoke to a host of performers as a build up to this year's Festival.

Don't Lose the Music

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) are educating Festival goers and music fans all over about the damage prolonged exposure to loud music causes to our hearing. Victoria Trow sat down with Jay, who has been working at Glastonbury, to find out the facts.

The Grid, Dance West

It seems hard to believe in this day and age, but there was a glorious period when out-and-out dance music actually used to bother the charts. One of the outfits at the forefront of that glorious, if short-lived, movement was The Grid.

The Whip, Dance West

The Whip has risen from the nu rave pyre, thanks mainly to their attitude-free approach to songs that refuse to sit on the indie/dance fence. Due to a few technical problems with Lil Fee’s drums the audience were slow to pick up her beats...

Kosheen, Dance East

The Dance East tent was busy, and the main consensus from the people I spoke to was that this band are amazing. On Sian Evans came, hobbling along with a crutch...

Other Glastonbury Stages

Away from the main stages at Glastonbury you'll find thousands of excellent acts strutting their stuff from Avalon to Shangr-La...

Mystery Jets, Park Stage

As I pushed my way through the jam-packed area in front of the Park Stage I was greeted with the unmistakably English Mystery Jets. With their warbling guitar, and busking sort of style, they are definitely an indie rock band...

Foals, Other Stage

After months of making do with a dodgy copied CD of Antidotes in South-East Asia after having my iPod stolen, I finally heard Foals in the purest form possible. Live! ‘Balloons’ was the number that most stood out for me.

The Blockheads, Acoustic Stage

One of Glastonbury’s most joyful aspects is the chance, every once in a while, to see a band that you never thought you’d get to see again... like The Blockheads...

The Ting Tings, John Peel Stage

The dichotomy couldn't have been greater: a couple of thousand spectators, and just two people on stage. The Ting Tings have arrived. Arguably, the mood of both crowd and band is the same - nervous expectation!

Joan Baez, Acoustic Stage

It’s a surprisingly intimate gathering in the Acoustic Tent at first. The main sets, elsewhere, have ended and the fireworks are flying high, but this set has had little fanfare compared to fellow old-school icons such as Leonard Cohen and Neil Diamond...

KT Tunstall, Pyramid Stage

Fresh from last night's backstage warm-up gig, KT Tunstall took to the stage for an uplifting Friday afternoon performance. Having previously played at the top of the bill at the Acoustic tent last year, Tunstall traded an intimate evening environment for the buzz of the masses.

Hidden Gems

What people who have never been to Glastonbury often don’t realise is just how much is going on around the site before the main stages kick off on Friday morning.

Shower in the Sinks - a how-to guide

While Glastonbury Festival only officially begins today, people have been camping here since Wednesday. Stiff backs and messy hair abound.

Leonard Cohen, Pyramid Stage

Welcome to Glastonbury, Leonard Cohen; welcome to this gloriously gaudy feast of holy fools and neon-clad fakirs, of prophets and loss, of ecstasy and revelation. Welcome to a tower of song erected in a farm, where closing time is Monday...

Jay-Z, Pyramid Stage

So the controversial headliner has played. Jay-Z has answered Glastonbury's critics with a defiant set of hits and specially written rhymes for his British audience, and he answered Noel Gallagher by opening with Oasis' 'Wonderwall' wearing a Gallagher-esque parker.

Interview with Phil Jupitus

Maud Milton found an excited and chatty Phil Jupitus preparing to introduce Jimmy Cliff on the Jazz World Stage. With a list of Jimmy’s most famous tracks written on his hand to ensure he didn’t forget anything crucial, Phil was really excited.

4 Poofs and a Piano, Cabaret

4 Poofs & A Piano are outrageously entertaining of course, in their own limited way, but sets like this show their humour to be one-dimensional and shallow, with little real wit, just lots of cheap vulgarity and tasteless endeavours.

Tunng, Park Stage

“Glastonbury’s not the sort of Festival you’d expect to see a metal band,� front man Sam Gender tells us before playing a faux folk/metal song, complete with ridiculously funny power stances.

Country Dad, Jazz Lounge

There were no convenient words with which to introduce Country Dad, so nobody really tried, and having sat through 45 minutes of their set, I’m not sure I can produce any either.

Jazz Lounge 2008 Review

The Jazz Lounge has had to weather some truly rotten conditions in the past three years, the deluge of 2005 resulting in acoustic-only sets just to keep things going. Well – just like jazz – the Jazz Lounge is made of stronger stuff, like its programmer and top-hat wearing auteur Tony Benjamin.

Seth Lakeman, Acoustic Stage

I had heard of Seth Lakeman two hours ago, I think I had even heard one of his songs, but my main knowledge of him came from three people who told me in the last 24 hours that he was one of the best acts they'd ever seen.

Turner Prize

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that, sooner or later, all who inhabit the hallowed turf of Worthy Farm will eventually encounter the joys of Nik Turner.

Golden Silvers, Other Stage

Playing before midday on the Other Stage when most people don’t know your songs is hard work, but the fresh faced Golden Silvers are an amiable bunch and didn’t seem to notice that their crowd hadn’t made it for the start of their 11.50am slot.

The Proclaimers, Avalon Stage

So what can I tell you about The Proclaimers? That they are brothers who belt out tunes about women and travel in close Scottish harmonies you know already. Is there really any more to them than this?

The Cribs, John Peel Stage

This was another big moment in the rise of the brothers Jarman, but it was perhaps a controversial move to place them on the rather petite John Peel Stage. Luckily the combined factor of a sedate crowd and the pull of other artists mean that security have little to worry about.

An Interview with Shakin’ Stevens

Fresh from his debut appearance opening the Pyramid Stage on Saturday morning, the official Glastonbury Website invited 80’s pop icon Shakin’ Stevens onto this old bus (sorry) where Stalker most certainly did not ask him what was behind the door…

Battles, The Park

As a more than satisfied owner of Battles’ album, Mirrored, I was keen to see them play live for the first time, and was, as one does at Glastonbury, trying to interest my friends in joining me for their set at The Park.

My Morning Jacket, The Park

I joined an intimate group of couples, loners and leftovers on the hill in front of The Park stage on Sunday night to watch My Morning Jacket in their headline slot.

Black Dog Interview

Prior to their Saturday evening performance on the Dance West stage, Stalker spied Martin and Richard from Sheffield-based collective The Black Dog. Collaring them before they scooted up the loading ramp they gamely answered a few questions for us.

Polly and the Billets Doux, Bandstand

Isn’t it great that with all these hugely popular bands you can have one of your Festival moments at a bandstand planted in one of the many Festival highways. Everyone wants one of those stolen ‘Woodstock’ moments with sunshine, free dancing, happy faces and music...

John Mayer, Pyramid Stage

Climb on your boyfriends’ shoulders for John Mayer, girls, but be careful not to cream your pants, because this man is sex. With a deep, sexy husk for a voice and guitar skills that will make even the straightest man change his ways, he is irresistible! Oh, and the music's alright too.

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Duckworth’s voice, often drowned out by a busy background sound in recorded tracks, rang through clearly in his live set, and the charming earnestness on his little face even led me to forgive him for his preachy lyrics.

Blood Red Shoes, John Peel Stage

Serious illness has caused a last minute cancellation, so it's a very nervous first Glastonbury for garage rock two piece Blood Red Shoes. The emotion and apprehension of Glasto virgins only makes for an even more edgy and enjoyable experience for both band and audience.

Amy Winehouse, Pyramid Stage

Who needs Lost Vagueness when you’ve got Amy Winehouse? No amount of gimps, gore and ghoulish grandiosity can compare to the one-woman freak show that this irresistibly gifted songstress’s life has become.

Massive Attack, Other Stage

Massive Attack are local boys. Bristol's just a stone's throw away. After their dark and heavy opening track, Robert Del Naja received loud acknowledgement from the packed crowd when he asked if there was “any simple country folk in the house tonight?�

Spiritualized, John Peel

I waded through the dense crowd of denim clad thirty-somethings and got to the front (a bonus of being short and solo) to appreciate the laser and light show, mind-blowingly combined with the spaced-out music of Spiritualized.

Poetry Slam, Poetry&Words

For those who don’t know, a poetry slam is the ultimate competition for performance poets. Forget Forward prizes, slammers do it live, at short notice and rarely stick to their notes. It’s fast, and gets faster as it nears it’s finale. And there can only ever be one winner.

Crystal Castles, John Peel Stage

Finally, someone raised the performance bar this weekend! And few would have thought it would be the relatively minor Crystal Castles who would push the button to start the chaos of Glastonbury's final night.

Jimmy Cliff, Jazz World

Despite being the busiest person out of the 177,503 people here at the Festival, Michael Eavis made sure he witnessed the living legend and the Godfather of reggae, Jimmy Cliff.

Newton Faulkner, Other Stage

There are many things that one can shout at Newton Faulkner in recognition of the most unmanageable dreadlocks since Bob Marley first got his head caught in a fanbelt, but I think a flippant “Yer shampoo’s f*cked mate!� from the wag to my left...

Holy Fuck, John Peel Stage

OK, I admit it, it was the band's name that drew me in, so maybe marketing does work. I had crossed paths with Holy Fuck before and never managed to see their entire set. So this was it, a chance to take in this experimentation of noise rock...

Black Lips, John Peel Stage

Vomiting, urinating, nudity, fireworks and a chicken. These are just some of the reasons why Black Lips have been banned from performing live at various venues across the US (no further information is available about the chicken).

Caribou, The Park

You could forgive Caribou for feeling unsociable at Glastonbury - having travelled all the way from the US, they landed at a less than packed Park Stage early on Sunday evening. At least it was sunny.

The Family Mahone, Avalon Stage

One of the perks of coming to Glastonbury that is often taken for granted is the licence it gives you to live like an alcoholic for a few days, guilt free. In musical terms the band on early this Sunday afternoon on the Avalon Stage are the perfect accompaniment.

Band of Horses, John Peel Tent

They might be from Seattle, but this is very far from grunge. Think a more-countrified Shins, or a more laid-back My Morning Jacket, and you’re getting near Band of Horses territory. And think beautiful, lilting, heart-wrenching and brave.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pyramid Stage

What is it that makes Glastonbury so special? For some it’s the cider, for some the anarchy, and for others it’s the opportunity to get butt naked in a field (although not for everyone else).

Goldfrapp, Pyramid Stage

Descending on the folk-themed Pyramid Stage came Goldfrapp, all dressed in bright aerial whites, with the exception of Alison Goldfrapp who was covered in ribbons of colour like a folky maypole.

Fun Lovin' Criminals, Jazz World

Following on from Candi Staton and Lupe Fiasco, the Fun Lovin’ Criminals brought their groovy, super-smooth funk from New York to the Jazz World Stage.

Black Kids, Other Stage

It’s a well known law of new music that some bands are an instant hit while others are ‘growers’ taking a little longer to hit the right spot. As Jacksonville lightweights Black Kids hit the stage, it was clear that their music split the crowds like a pot of musical Marmite.

The Courteeners, John Peel Stage

The mood on this stage seems to change as frequently as the weather sometimes. Just when you think that you know what’s going to happen, it can suddenly swing the other way and then in a different direction entirely. Running some 15 minutes later than expected...

The Pigeon Detectives, Other Stage

The bass pedal got the mass clapping going and from there on in The Pigeon Detectives never looked back. This gig was what I was expecting, good British indie and a good British crowd.

The National, John Peel Stage

It’s strange to think The National are from Brooklyn, New York; so much about them is quintessentially English. Look at the name, for starters, and the song titles: ‘Squalor Victoria’, ‘Daughters Of The Soho Riots’. But most of all, listen to their music...

Poetry&Words on Saturday Afternoon

Kat Francois opened the afternoon’s poetry session as compere, then a powerful and commanding voice drew the audience into Adam Horovitz's stage presence and colourful phraseology.  He treated us to assorted delights...

Sons and Daughters, The Park Stage

The trouble with this band is that they really are genuinely bad for your health and becoming the worse for wear only encourages them. Drunk? Drink more. Wet? Get wetter. Muddy? Roll in it. Tired? Get up, dance and stop being a wuss. No, don’t hang on to someone, that takes all the fun away.

Groove Armada, Other Stage

Glastonbury isn’t just a music festival; it’s a serious test of endurance. By Sunday night, the conscientious have left, the emotionally unstable are crying somewhere attached to their favourite tree, and the mate you lost in Trash City on Wednesday could be anywhere.

Sam Sparro, Dance East

This is easily the best forty five minutes of my week. We have a winner folks. Sam Sparro is by far the most entertaining, charismatic, downright good time of the Festival by a million, million miles.

Mark Ronson, Other Stage

Here is a question for you… how much fun can you have with a string quartet, trumpet solo, a Brooklyn rap duo and Lilly Allen? If your name is Mark Ronson then the answer is quite a lot, actually!

Neil Diamond, Pyramid Stage

Even the old ‘uns have managed to squeeze their way towards the front of the packed Pyramid arena for Neil Diamond. Glittering ‘Neil’ banners held aloft, the crowd are in a playful mood...

Scouting for Girls, Other Stage

One thing Scouting for Girls certainly have going for them is boyish charm. Singer Roy Stride had the face of an excited eight-year-old as he began superhero fantasy song ‘James Bond’ with the proclamation: “No, James Bond, I expect you to die.�

Will Young, Avalon Stage

When Will Young was reported to have been spotted among the Glastonbury throngs a few years back there was barely disguised indignation. Just what did the poster boy for manufactured pop think he was doing at this most non-mainstream of festivals?

Candi Staton, Jazz World

I’d be lying if I said that Candi Staton didn’t make me tingle all over. She was, in a word, incredible. The beginning of her set may have been slightly slow; although her vocals were as shiny as her gold top, I wasn’t really enjoying myself. Then she turned it up to 11!

An Interview with Reverend and the Makers

Excited isn’t really a strong enough word to describe the buzz that Sheffield’s Reverend and the Makers are feeling right now after their evening set on the John Peel Stage. The Reverend Jon McClure is out in the crowd entertaining the masses on his acoustic guitar...

Daisy and Archie at Chai Wallah

Look them up on MySpace, they are new and need friends! As they are this good, it won’t take them long to be innundated. Influenced by Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, and I could hear Bjork and Amy Winehouse and even Loius Armstrong in her vocals too.

Manly Meat and Sticky Moustaches

When I woke up with a fuzzy felt faux moustache stuck firmly to the top of my right arm my initial terror at seeing it – thinking it was a spider – was sluggishly replaced by the dawning recollections of the previous night.

Dance Village Daze

Lost in the wilderness that is the dance village I stumbled upon a tent named Silent World. Not so silent, it turned out, as a chorus of not-so-sober Festival-goers sang the Jackson Five’s “I Want you Back� to DJ/VJ supremo DJ Yoda.

Poetry&Words, Saturday Morning

Another round up of the poetic happenings at the Poetry&Words stage in the Enchanted Tent, with brief reviews of Joolz, Dizraeli, Pete Hunter and more

Don't Have a Plan

There is no point to have a plan, if you can. Walking free to see what gets thrown at thee. "I've got down The Subways at 12.10, Vampire Weekend just after that, maybe a bit of Devon Sproule in between."

Live for the Now

Granted, it's not been as bad as some of the festivals I've been to but I've still seen too much of it. I’m talking about the obsession of Festival-goers wanting to video their 2 minutes and 30 seconds of video content of a stage show that their cameras make look like a bleary spaceship in heavy fog.

Tired of Getting Shellacked?

Close to the main entrance to Shangri-La, but tucked slightly out of the way, in a nice, cool, tree-shaded spot, you will find the Grammophon Salon...

Breakfast with the Locals

I’m on my fifth or sixth Glastonbury now and like to think I’ve got the art of eating down to a tea. The south side of the site – affectionately known as the Hippy Fields – is the place to go. The food is always great...

The Festival We Know and Love

Well it would appear we’re back on track. After lots of sun in the run up and a fine Wednesday, then a grizzly drizzly pain in the arse of a Thursday and a sticky Friday we seem to be on firmer footing for Saturday.

Love Bullets

Fashion designer turned peace activist Jegede has turned a nine tonne war tank into a thing of love as he campaigns against violent acts. His message is that violence is not acceptable and through love peace an end to violence can be achieved.

Glastonbury shopping: weird, wacky and wonderful

Glastonbury is a goldmine of trinkets and treasures for someone with a full-ish wallet. You could rock up with nothing and purchase tents, sleeping bags, pillows, air beds, gas canisters, gas cookers, anything!

Glastonbury Poems, Sunday

AF Harrold closes his run of Festival poems with a bang and a run of 12 poems, euphoric that he managed to get himself a backstage pass to the astonishing Leonard Cohen concert that effectively closed the Festival, for all poets on site at the very least.

Video Poetry

For the latest edition of AF Harrold' poetic Glastonbury collection, we're going digital with video streams of the man himself.

Be Free

There are so many things you can do at Glastonbury other than watching bands. In fact there are so many things on offer that it would be difficult to afford to do more than one or two, so I set about finding some interesting, but free, activities to participate in.

Stoned Circle

It’s the first night of Glastonbury Festival 2008 and revellers have made their way to the infamous Stone Circle in Kings Meadow to celebrate the sunset and the start of another weekend of music and madness.

Tent Envy

Tent Envy Wandering through some of the camping fields of Glastonbury today, I had a good look at the average Festival-goer’s living quarters. It was a mixed bag, with the common theme obviously being the tent. I think the state of one’s tent says a lot about the person staying in it.

Tarot Card Reading

I really can’t make up my mind about what to pack into the last day, so I ask Sara, a Tarot card reader based on Soothsayers Avenue in the Healing Field, to help me out...

Kings of Leon, Pyramid Stage

Choosing the Kings of Leon to headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday night was an interesting choice, I thought. The Followill clan played their first festival gig at Glastonbury in what was then the New Bands tent, back in 2003.

Fatboy Slim, Dance East

Certainly no stranger to the Festival, Fatboy Slim once again sent crowds wild with his Friday night headline slot in the Dance East tent. Fans of the Brighton-based DJ packed out the tent long before his scheduled 11pm appearance, eager to hear anthems such as ‘Right Here, Right Now’ and ‘Praise You’.

Mingling Popstars

Pop stars are just people. I’ll say that again. Popstars are just people. The crucial factor is whether they are naturally down to earth, decent people and likely to stay that way or whether they allow the intoxication of sudden fame to turn them into unpleasant people, confusing arrogance for cool.

Fairy Delight

Festivals have a tendency to bring out the best and the worst of Great British traits, most notably in the weather, alcohol consumption and fancy dress. So far this year's Festival is no exception, with people flocking to the vintage stalls and Oxfam wedding dress rails.

Arriving at the Festival

Things have been going uncommonly well on my journey to the Festival. My lift and I met no traffic on the way, found our parking gate straight away and immediately bumped into someone we knew who arranged a lift on site so we didn’t even have to carry our bags very far.

The Verve, Pyramid Stage

Leave it to The Verve to close what was a ruddy glorious Glastonbury on the stage of all stages. It was as if Mr Ashcroft and the gang had never been apart. As Rich shouted “Let’s rock and roll!� to the whole of Glastonbury, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad knowing that this was the final night to rock.

Andy Nowak Trio, Jazz Lounge

The exciting new Bristol-based Andy Nowak Trio show what Tony Benjamin (the programmer for the Jazz Lounge) has been doing in the build up to this Festival. Andy Nowak challenges himself with his compositions as he searches for a unique sound, bringing fragrant solos mixed with jagged off-beats.

Robot Drummers

So finally after all these years of being mocked, drummers have been replaced by robots. I guess it was only a matter of time before the powers that be decided to install a characterless bionic version of robot of rhythm...

There Goes the Sun

Bagpipes drone as a man in druid robes hails the outgoing sun. Someone dressed in flowery wellies, a leather jacket and wearing a lion mask climbs to the top of the central stone in the circle. Crowded around a fire a group of Rastafarians sing, while a man sporting a bucket hat twirls a didgeridoo.

Reverend and the Makers, John Peel Stage

Bless you my children. We are gathered here today to witness the bonding of The Reverend Jon McClure and his flock. May their union be blessed with many happy offspring, minimal strife, health, happiness, long life and above all, peace and love.

Buddy Guy, Jazz World Stage

Five time Grammy winner and legend in his own lifetime, Buddy Guy has come to Glastonbury for one reason and one reason only; “I came here to play the blues!�

Theatre and Circus Fields

The Theatre and Circus fields are the place to go to dress up and let your hair down. Website photographer Cyril Laffort caught all the action.

Trash City

Glastonbury may boast some of the most beautiful scenery in the south-west but it also has a darker side. Festival goers missing the low-down and dirty edge of city life can head to Trash City.

green.tv at Glastonbury

Friends of the Glastonbury Festival, green.tv, were out and about the fields of Worthy Farm investigating the latest green gadgets designed to make your life more environmentally aware.

Eddy Grant, Jazz World

Eddy Grant? A lot of people I’ve spoken to were a bit perplexed; “What did he do?� they’d ask. Sing them a bit of ‘Gimme Hope Joanna’ and ‘Electric Avenue’ and the light dawns. But even I’d forgotten about ‘Do You Feel My Love’ and ‘I Don’t Want To Dance’.

Billy Bragg, Leftfield

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Billy Bragg this animated, to be honest. He’s having a proper rant. And that’s a really good thing; the self-confessed ‘Marmite-man’ of music (you love him or hate him, y’see) may be the family man living in comfortable, leafy Dorset these days, but he’s a long, long way from losing his ideals.

Dave Ball Interview

Glastonbury website reporter and Worthy FM DJ, Stalker, caught up with Dave Ball, founding member of Soft Cell and one half of The Grid, backstage at Dance West on Saturday night and talked to him about the last twenty years, making electronic music and more.

Doctor Barnett's Amazing Audio Solari Cyclonator, Mandala Stage

This is a true discovery of festival wonder. I think it was the bikes that drew me in originally - two sweaty peddlers going at it. The pressure was on. They couldn’t stop or the magic would have ended.

Noah and the Whale, The Queen’s Head

Noah and the Whale are an interesting mix. For two of them, Somerset would seem to be their natural habitat: their trim curly haircuts, perfectly placed cheekbones and tweed waistcoats could easily pass them off as olden-days farm labourers.

Booka Shade, Dance West

Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier aren’t your average dance music superstars. They don’t wear their sunglasses at night, they don’t have a bevy of blonde bitches powdering their noses, and their balding heads and crotch crunchingly tight black attire make them look like Right Said Fred.

Editors, Pyramid Stage

Performance is an odd word to associate tonight's Editors' appearance with. Ritual is a far better. From the moment the band rises through the smoke on opener 'Bones', its all an issue of necromancy from the four suited necromancers.

Crowded House, Pyramid Stage

The convergence  of Austalian flags arounfd the Pyramid Stage herald Oz's favourite musical export, Crowded House. Actually, they're from New Zealand. But there is no time to get into that argument as'Private Universe' launches this return of the Finn family.

Sinead O’Connor, Acoustic Stage

There is a noticeably older, more polite crowd at the Acoustic Stage than elsewhere on site. People say “excuse me" as they push through towards the stage; seated patrons stick obediently to the designated chair.

CSS, The Park

Due to over-runs and time restrictions, it’s well past midnight before CSS arrive onstage in an eclectic flurry of electro/funk chaos, their faces covered by pictures of random folk and curly blond wigs.

Website Artist: Gemma Hastilow

Glastonbury Festival website artist, Gemma Hastilow traipsed through Worthy Farm in search of those little oddities and wonders to transform into her own cartoonesque vision.

A. Human, Dance West

You’ve got to feel sorry for A. Human. Those intrepid festivaleers brave enough to have ventured into the dance arena before the sunsets will know that the only revellers remaining are the wreck-heads and wronguns still partying like it’s 1999 from the night before.

Webteam Bus Video Interviews

Throughout the Festival the webteam have been picking the brains of Glastonbury performers including Editors, The Automatic, Elbow and Foals on video to stream back to you.

Stackridge, Acoustic Stage

Let me get it out of the way. Stackridge opened the very first Glastonbury festival in 1970. It is really the only reason to be here 38 years later. There are probably about as many people here to witness this little bit of history as there were witnessing that little bit of history.

Blues Club with Gráinne Duffy, Acoustic Stage

Not content with opening the Acoustic stage on Friday, Gráinne Duffy and her band of merry men crept up the bill on both Saturday and Sunday. After three days of performing one could expect a tired, worn out set which, thankfully, was not the case.

The Futureheads, John Peel Stage

"Play one of the old hits. From back when you were popular". Oops. Looks like someone's arrived early for Biffy Clyro. And, right on cue, the brand new Futureheads single 'Radio Heart' sends the John Peel tent mental.

The Cave Singers, Park Stage

Early in their set, Pete Quirk of The Cave Singers announces to the audience that his breakfast consisted of a "few shots of Jack Daniels and a beer". Possibly as a result of this, he later tells us how ‘open’ he’s feeling and that he’s not over his ex-girlfriend...

Last Night a Ska Man Saved my Life

It wasn’t so much that I was lost but more like I didn’t know where I was. Ok, perhaps it was Shangri-La or Trash City... hmm… anyway, it was definitely Glastonbury.

DJ Booths

Wherever there is space on site there seems to be DJ Booths shooting out of the ground. Whether it is a one-record maniac ploughing his trade in an abandoned diner, a friend of a friend having a go at the hidden backstage bars.

Wonderful Wednesday!

It's was a wonderful Wednesday as the Glastonbury Festival began and the crowds gathered, enjoying the sun and the sights.

Ladyhawke, The Queens Head

Had I been hearing Ladyhawke (aka. Pip Brown) with my eyes closed, I don’t think I would have realised that there were more musicians than just a bassist and a drummer present.

Mitch Benn, Cabaret Tent

Some people think that musical comedy is the lowest form of humour. Personally, I think "Your mother" jokes take that prize. Either way, Mitch Benn is not the lowest form of anything.

Kid Sister, Dance East

Kid Sister Dance East Saturday You may have already heard of Chicago based MC Kid Sister – she features on The Count and Sinden’s recent repetitive track ‘Beeper’ and has just released an ode to the art of getting her toes and

Martina Topley-Bird, Pyramid Stage

Backed by a stealth of black-robed Ninjas and sporting her very best red party frock, Martina Topley-Bird swept onto the Pyramid Stage on Sunday morning with all the grace and swagger of an Oscar-winning film star.

Glastonbury Poems, Saturday

AF Harrold, the suavely dressed, prodigiously bearded poem-producing machine who is the Official Glastonbury Website's poet in residence, has done it again! Looks like there may be a pamphlet's worth by the end of the Festival.

Seasick Steve, Acoustic Stage

Great bluesmen are something of an endangered species these days, so I feel particularly lucky to be able to watch Seasick Steve close Friday night on the acoustic stage. OK, so he tends to call himself a ‘song and dance man’ rather than a bluesman, but it sounds an awful lot like the blues to me.

Manu Chao, Pyramid Stage

Manu Chao opened to a crowd of bobbing flags, inflatable flamingos and a mass of hats of all shapes and sizes. He started his set with a reggae/rock fusion that soared through the speakers to the massed crowd, all of them skanking.

The Raconteurs, Pyramid Stage

Anything less than a thorough search through the Saturday line up of the Pyramid stage might have missed The Raconteurs, positioned in this odd afternoon slot. Luckily, though, thousands turned this potential tiny dot on the radar into the huge blast that it deserved to be.

Duffy, Other Stage

Welsh flags were flying high in the sky as Amiee Ann Duffy took to the Other stage this evening. Looking a little flushed after having spent an afternoon in the sun fielding journalists and photographers in the backstage compound...

Martha Wainwright, Pyramid Stage

Midday glittered for Martha Wainwright’s set on the Pyramid Stage, a stream of bubbles blown by someone at the front of the crowd offsetting the gold sequins on the chest of cross-dressing drummer Mad Johnson.

Joan Armatrading, Jazz World Stage

Joan Armatrading sauntered onto the Jazz World Stage on a sunny Saturday afternoon to a warm reception from a loyal band of fans that were clinging to the barriers at the front.

Gong Healing

If you’ve got any aches and pains, or the stress of deciding which band to watch next has become too much, then don’t worry – help is at hand.

Plump DJs, Dance West

If you thought that walking through sticky mud swallowing your wellies was a mission then think again. Try walking into the Dance West tent to see the Plump Djs. Take your tops off and put your shades on if you want to fit in this crowd.

Cassette Boy & DJ Rubbish, The Glade

It was only 5 minutes into the start and DJ Rubbish already had the crowd screaming "The Queen is a Lizard". This pretty much set the scene for an hour of non-stop quips, rip-offs and out-and-out mockery.

Kevin Eldon, Cabaret Tent

Kevin Eldon is not a comedian, he’s a character actor – which is exactly what makes him such an enjoyable stand-up to watch. He’s loosely known as "The Man Who’s In Everything" due to recurring appearances in respected cult shows such as Fist Of Fun and Alan Partridge.

Neon Neon, Other Stage

At the start of Neon Neon’s set, Gruff Rhys says that he will take us on a journey through the life of John De Lorean, the infamous car manufacturer. This seems ambitious for a Saturday afternoon...

James Blunt, Pyramid Stage

James Blunt seemed to be having more fun onstage than any other artist I have seen this weekend. He jumped off the stage, on top of the piano, and inevitably into the hearts of the three girls stood behind me, who screamed “I love you!� approximately once every five minutes during the set.

The Wurzels, Avalon Stage

“We used to be pop stars we were!� grins lead Wurzel Pete. “We were heartthrobs – the original boy band! Somerset’s answer to McFly!� Well, there’s a tendency towards tall tales 'round these 'ere parts...

Metronomy, Dance East

Hitting the Dance East tent like an explosion of techno slash pop slash Irish jig-a-long music this sun-filled Saturday afternoon was Metronomy; and it was suddenly as if the rain had never happened.

The Wombats, Other Stage

The clouds dispersed. The crowds gathered. And The Wombats emerged onto the Other Stage bathed in blazing sun, accompanied by a huge inflatable wombat quite appropriately wearing big red sunglasses.

Neil Cowley Trio, Jazz World Stage

Making the move from a jazz club stage to fields of revellers with broader tastes is never an easy transition, but the Neil Cowley Trio stepped up to the plate beautifully. If you haven't got a wild front man or a seductive diva then it's not always easy to hold the crowd's attention...

The Rascals Turn the Tables

After they'd been interviewed by everyone possible Victoria Trow managed to catch up with The Rascals after their performance on the Other Stage on Friday. The scouse trio decided not to chat about the normal, instead talking tipples, cheese and fancy dress.

MGMT, John Peel Stage

This year’s must-have pop accessory: MGMT. But this is no ordinary Hoosiers-style, join-the-dots fashion item, but rather a huge crazy 70’s/80’s pop psychedelia type-thing, straight out of New York. And this, to be sure, was no ordinary gig.

Glastonbury Poems, Thursday

Glastonbury Festival Official Website's Poet in Residence, AF Harrold, got into his first day at the Festival in style, producing a ream of poems.

Shakin' Stevens, Pyramid Stage

Appropriately, the pre- Shakin’ Stevens field is bouncing along to various kitsch eighties hits from ABC and Blondie, to try and get that proper retro feel. Is it an ironic statement, programming genius, or just plain bad judgement that brought Shakey to Glastonbury?

Name That Tune

It’s nice to be called on to help from time to time. Even better when you’re actually able to help. Last night I fell into the first category but not the second but it wasn’t for want of trying, I can tell you.

Hercules and Love Affair, Dance East

Wave your flags at this musical project from New York, Hercules and Love Affair, because they are bringing sexy back to Glastonbury for shizzle my wizzle. They were minus Anthony Hegarty, lead vocalist of Anthony and The Johnsons.

Heat, Sweat and Hygiene

In the far most corner of the Green Fields, and fittingly close to Shangri-La, is a very special place, Sam’s Magic Hat Sauna. If there’s one thing I bet you thought you couldn’t, or maybe wouldn’t do at Glastonbury, it’s have a sauna.

Nik Turner, Shangri La

If there was such a thing as a ‘Lifetime Glastonbury Legend’ award - I’m imagining a mud-coloured Oscar or something - then this guy’s got it in the bag (or, more likely, the rucksack).

Opening the Stable Doors

Oxford-based quintet Foals were soaking up the mud and atmosphere back stage at the Festival prior to their much anticipated performance. Victoria Trow managed to steal a few moments to chat about the band's hectic schedule with Jimmy and Yannis.

Friday at a Wine Bar Somewhere

The Killers played Glastonbury last night, or so it seemed. At a wine bar somewhere between Trash City and the Pyramid Stage (I can’t reveal the exact location due to having been lost at the time) a dozen or so girls danced and cheered along karaoke style.

Glastonbury Poems, Friday

Poet in residence AF Harrold has been braving the rain in his dapper suit and wandering the site in search of inspiration; from mud, inevitable mud to 4x4 vehicles being used as they were supposed to be and the sense of power that megaphones bring.

Saturday at 9am

Compared to the activity at 3am this morning, nine o’clock Glastonbury was a sparse muddied plain inhabited only by the disorientated and still inebriated. Survivors of last night’s mass of untamed activity could be seen stumbling towards coffee stalls.

The Kills, John Peel Stage

Every year the John Peel Stage builds on its growing momentum of having the heart of raw guitar music and today's line-up only added to this.  As I heaved my way to the front past all the Kate Moss wannabes I heard a young girl ask "So who’s John Peel?"

Roisin Murphy, Dance East

Undeniably the coolest woman in dance music and in my opinion the most beautiful, Roisin Murphy graced the stage at Dance East on a cold Glastonbury night. Not that it was cold in the packed tent, as everyone boogied with as much energy and excitement as the star herself.

Bands: it can be worth the effort

There was no doubting the fact that Alabama 3 went down a storm when they played the Jazz World stage on Friday: I witnessed the aftermath, and it was most heart-warming.

Alabama 3, JazzWorld Stage

If ever there was a band designed specifically for festivals, that band is Alabama 3. Surely no other band has so assiduously hit the festivals trail over the years? And not, of course, that you could design a band like Alabama 3.

The Hoosiers, Other Stage

Well, if the videos are anything to go by this lot should at least be a good laugh, I thought. And this proves to be true as The Hoosiers emerge from a giant on-stage wardrobe, as if they were expecting Narnia rather than Glastonbury Festival.

Poetry&Words on Friday Afternoon

Dzifa Benson kicks off the afternoon, and displays her talent and diversity with dark material about the effects of absinthe on a painter and the results of Dzifa spending the night in the National Gallery, and then she flips to toe-curling tales of vibrator-purchasing with her mum.

Poetry&Words on Friday Morning

Helen Gregory introduces this year’s Glastonbury Poetry and Words in the Enchanted Tent.  One minute of noise erupts in memory of Pat VT West, who ran Poetry and Words for fifteen years and who unfortunately died last week. Pat will be greatly missed.

Panic at the Disco, Other Stage

My first encounter with Panic at the Disco tonight wasn’t with the band but with the lairy crowd that had gathered to watch them. After stepping carefully away from an over-friendly man who was trying to obtain my hat, I was elbowed in the face by a group of equally drunk girls.

Xavier Rudd, Avalon Stage

As the sun descended from the Glastonbury site the lights turned on for Xavier Rudd. Even before he was on stage I was impressed. Purely by the piece of equipment he had awaiting him on stage. This thing was the Tardis of the one man band world.

We Are Scientists, Other Stage

Perfect power-pop from the US group We Are Scientists perform for the first time at Glastonbury – but not to win over a UK crowd - they’ve already done that. Their latest album Brain Thrust Mastery recently reached #11 in the UK album chart...

The Seal Cub Clubbing Club, Leftfield

The five-piece aren’t quite sure whether they want to be Radiohead or the Rapture so it’s a good thing their lead singer has the vocal range and lung capacity to do both.

The Freestylers, Dance West

The Freestylers could be heard from the entrance to the Dance Fields as they shouted “Hello Glastonbury!� - hello to you too Freestylers and welcome. I could have sworn he said “We’re at Glastorave!� but that could have been the hardcore raver in me taking over.

Santogold, Park Stage

For anyone who hasn’t yet seen or heard Ms Santi White (AKA Santogold), try imagining what you’d get if Missy Elliott had her wicked way with Beyonce in a (clean) backstage toilet, with an echoey mic recording every breath. It’s pretty cool.

The Rascals, Leftfield

There is no better way to begin the Glastonbury experience than by watching The Rascals. For thirty glorified minutes, I forgot about not having any battery on my phone, and that I had lost all my friends, because I was happy in the knowledge that this band would keep me smiling for hours.

20:20 Soundsystem, Dance East

Let's face it, when you imagine your average sleepy Somerset village you think of old biddies, bugger’s grips, bowling greens and yes, ruddy ridiculous amounts of cider, but not dance music.

The Fratellis, Pyramid Stage

With a whole debut album full of potential festive sing-along songs, it’s hard to imagine how the Fratellis could possibly have failed to set the Pyramid Stage on fire during their Friday night set.

You're Not Coming In

Poor Kate Moss. In an effort to escape the gathering paparazzi in the Glastonbury press area, she and pal Kelly Osborne with their men in tow headed for the security-guarded BBC compound. More photographers swarmed.

Flute Fashioning

Wandering around the Craft Field on the first morning of the Festival, I am nagged by the distant memory of my dismal failiures in CDT lessons at school. There are a range of craft demonstrations, workshops and items for sale in the field – and plenty of hot chai available too.

Lightspeed Champion, John Peel Stage

I was unsure as to whether people were actually crowding in the John Peel tent for shelter from the rain or for Lightspeed Champion. However, it did seem that there were more people packed in the tent than rain drops this afternoon for Dev and his crew.

Young Knives, John Peel Stage

Dressed like stockbrokers in suits and red braces, Young Knives stand out from their peers performing on the John Peel Stage.

Phantom Limb, Jazz World Stage

For a fledgling band, opening a stage on Friday at Glastonbury Festival must be a pretty intimidating prospect. Sauntering into the Jazz World arena this morning – which was yesterday soaked in sunshine and cider – I’m surrounded by a mangled mess of mud.

Charles Hazlewood All Stars, Glade

It’s rare to catch a whole set, but fortuitously the Glade was running late and I was immersed into a smokey, riveting set orchestrated by Charles Hazlewood (BBC Radio 2, Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra).

Donuts and Bitches

I only went out for a donut. The Glastonbury webteam is busy at work in a converted school-trip style bus between the Other Stage and the Pyramid Stage, and to score a rapid refuel I just tackled the mud and headed out into the site proper to find a donut stall.

Holloways, Queen’s Head

Catching the Holloways’ warm-up set in the Queen’s Head was to be my little Friday afternoon treat – the bit where I indulge my residual teenage loutish desire to jump around with a pack of real teenagers, while getting soaked by flying beer instead of falling rain.

A Walk with Kate

It’s got to be said. Seeing Kate Nash’s eyes light up behind those enormous black lashes and getting a flash of that beautifully imperfect smile on hearing the words “We’re from the Glastonbury Website� is quite a boost for the ego.

The Subways, Pyramid Stage

The angsty and anxious Subways stand nervously backstage, pacing and banging their bodies to the movement of their prospective instruments. Yet like a pressure cooker ready to blow, its full on raw energy as soon as they skip out on stage to rapturous applause.

Glasvegas, John Peel Stage

Well I must say this is all very exciting. After all, it’s not every day the “Best New Band In Britain� (™) rolls into town. Or into a field, even. So what exactly’s going on here then? What is it that makes these Elvis-fixated, Jesus & Mary Chain-influenced, Clash-inspired Scots so special?

Glastonbury Mud, but not that kind of mud…

Glastonbury Mud, but not that kind of mud… Shirley Jones has been coming to Glastonbury since 1979  she’s ‘old school’. The hugely missed late and great Arabella Churchill gave Shirley the go ahead in 2001 to start the Festival version.

Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, Other Stage

An instrumental intro and some Austin Powers style dancing certainly helped the Jing Jang Jong to burst onto the Other Stage with a bit of power and panache on Friday afternoon. So when lead singer Joe Lean emerged a few minutes later he got a fine reception.

Kidding Around

It's 10.50am on Friday morning at Glastonbury. Kate Nash might be opening the Pyramid Stage at this exact moment, but there's somethingway more remarkable happening in the Kidz Field.

Chai Wallah: Aroma-DJs supreme

Chai Wallah is a down-to-earth, sensory haven of independent musical creativity, complimented visually with Buddhas, twinkling lights and 45 happy staff, where they release suitable smells to suit the musical mood.

Free Love

Free Love was the most memorable mantra from the Sixties along with ‘make love not war’, so it was fitting to see the Free Hug spreading The Love today in Shangri-La. Bring it on!

Festival Families

Parents that braved Glastonbury 2008 after the atrocious, freak weather of the past two Festivals deserve massive respect for their fortitude.

Friday Morning Mud

It seems a bit clichéd to be writing about mud, but it has been the focus of my morning. Having staggered out of my tent at seven o’ clock to visit the mud-smeared portaloos, my wellies were far too caked in lumps of the field to justify allowing them back in my tent.

The Wishing Tree

There’s someone at Glastonbury today whose wish is â