Glastonbury Festival

Get together for International Women's Day

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:58:38 +0000

Oxfam, one of our charity partners, is encouraging women to get together with their friends on International Women's Day, Thursday 8th March, and make a positive difference to women around the world. Register as a get-together host with Oxfam, get fundraising and help women get the food, education, healthcare and security they need and get themselves out of poverty. To get started, head to oxfam.org.uk/womensday.

Merry Christmas

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:15:17 +0000

A very merry Christmas from all of us on Worthy Farm. Thank you for helping to make 2011 such a memorable year for the Festival. Have a great 2012, and we look forward to welcoming you back here in 2013.

(Photo: Jason Bryant)

Glastonbury on TV over Christmas

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:42:44 +0000

You can catch Glastonbury highlights on TV a couple of times over the coming festive break. First up, on 25 December, there will be a short package of highlights from the 2011 Festival on the Christmas Day Top Of The Pops on BBC1 at 2pm.

Then, late on New Year's Eve, after Jools Holland's annual Hootenanny will be followed by a two hour Best Of Glastonbury 2011 show, at 1.35am. Sounds like a good way to start the year...

Barnardo's given temporary use of Glastonbury office

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:11:05 +0000

As there will be no Glastonbury Festival in 2012, Michael Eavis has agreed to let Barnardo's South West have temporary use of the Festival's office in Glastonbury during the fallow year.

Michael Eavis says: "We are very pleased to be able to offer the Glastonbury Festival Office premises to Barnardos for the wonderful work they do in this country."

Heather Colbeck, South West Director (Children’s Services) Barnardo's says: “Barnardo’s is extremely grateful to Michael and his team, for helping us with a base here in the town of Glastonbury, from which we can effectively co-ordinate our work to support families across Somerset. By working together in this way, we can all achieve more and make a real difference to the lives of many children and young people.

"With the help of Glastonbury Festival Staff and other willing volunteers from the community, who were keen to help Barnardo’s, the ground floor of the Glastonbury Festival office has been transformed into a fresh new office for Barnardo’s Somerset Family Outreach Team. The team of paid staff and volunteers offer help, advice and support for families experiencing a wide variety of challenges and difficulties."

Here are some photos from Friday's ceremony to make the handing over of the keys.

Christmas shopping? Try Oxfam Unwrapped

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:18:34 +0000

Oxfam Unwrapped is a fantastic way of being good to yourself and others this Christmas. Unwrapped is the largest range of charity gifts on the market, and this year marks its eighth anniversary. Safe water is just one example of the amazing life-changing gifts on offer at Oxfam Unwrapped. Other gifts range from goats and farmyards to teachers and health workers and make a huge difference to supporting Oxfam’s programme work in communities living in poverty around the world. For more details, visit www.oxfamunwrapped.com.

The case study below, is one of our bestsellers and a reasonable price (£9).

SAFE WATER

Even before the 2010 earthquake, Haiti was a difficult place to live because of natural disasters through to political upheaval.

During one political emergency, residents of Conasa, a poor area of Cap Haitian had their municipal water supply cut off. It hit people hard. They had to walk further and pay much more for often contaminated, unsafe water.

Oxfam worked with community committees to identify the neighbourhoods where the needs were greatest. These households received a card entitling them to three buckets of water – 15 gallons – per day.

Servidieu Merilus says: "We use the water for cooking, washing and drinking. There are seven of us at home. Now we can afford to buy other things like oil, that we couldn't buy before. Water is our first priority. We buy water and then with what's left over we buy food. Having this water means we have more money left over to buy food. The family feels the difference that saving those 4 gourdes means. Now we can have breakfast, lunch and maybe even supper. This is part of the benefit of this water we are getting now. Until four weeks ago, before we started getting this water we would only eat once a day."

Video: Narasirato at Glastonbury

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:28:03 +0000

Check out this great film of Narasirato – a group of traditional Are’are musicians from the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific - at this year's Glastonbury...

Michael warns Festival-goers of risks of pre-booking off-site accommodation

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:47:55 +0000

Off-site camping facilities at Glastonbury have generally caused me problems, but even more so this year, 2011. One operator failed to deliver his site, having taken the money from unsuspecting purchasers, and left me with a £60,000 bill, as I couldn’t bear the thought of 3,000 people turning up here and being let down at the last minute. This wasn’t the first time people have been let down, and as a consequence of this we simply cannot allow the same problems to happen again in 2013, so we will no longer be giving out any information about these off-site accommodation providers and would encourage Festival-goers to use only the accommodation we provide.

The vast majority of Festival-goers happily spend their weekend under canvas, taking advantage of the camping fields which are included in the ticket price, and those who want a few more comforts can bring a campervan/caravan or stay in one of the Festival's legendary Tipis. Information about official accommodation for 2013 will be available on our website when tickets go on sale next year, or by contacting our office by email office@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk or phone 01749 890 470.

Glastonbury Festival is not responsible for the provision of off-site accommodation or any arrangements made with third parties such as accommodation providers, so we would urge people to think before parting with their money.

Michael Eavis
28 November 2011

Join the WaterAid Water Works campaign

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:54:53 +0000

There is a global water and sanitation crisis. It is responsible for more child deaths in Sub Saharan Africa than anything else. To put it in perspective, lack of safe water and sanitation kills more children than Aids/HIV, malaria and measles combined.

WaterAid has launched the Water Works campaign to urge governments across the world to do more. Water and sanitation are the most basic services that we need to survive, yet billions of people are living without. They are also one of the best investments we can make to help people out of poverty, as for every $1 invested, there is a return of $8 in increased productivity. Without safe water or somewhere to go to the toilet, health, education and livelihoods are massively undermined.

Help us get these messages to world leaders and show them that Water Works. We are certain that if we get enough public support, then we can get the people who make the plans, do the work and sign the cheques all in the same room, and really start to make progress. This would be a huge step forward. So do your bit - please watch the film, then go to www.waterworks.me, sign up and pass it on!

Thank you.

Wateraid

Tell us about your Glastonbury 2011

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:12:14 +0000

If you went to Glastonbury 2011, then we'd really like to hear your thoughts and experiences, to help us see what we should be working on during the Festival's year off. So, we've put together a survey, which you can complete by clicking here (it only takes a few minutes).

Thanks very much - we look forward to hearing your views.

2011 T-shirts now half price

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:37:40 +0000

All remaining Glastobury 2011 T-shirts in our Online Shop are now available at 50% - ie just £7.50 each. You can also get The Park hoody at half price, for £12.50. We're down to the last few of several sizes and styles (and quite a few have already completely sold out).

If you're buying as Christmas presents, the last posting dates are below:

Glastonbury wins Best Major Festival award

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:46:38 +0000

It was great to hear the news that Glastonbury has won Best Major Festival at the 2011 UK Festival Awards. Can we say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us and all who come and make it so special.

Thanks for the support.

Michael and Emily

Rainbow Warrior photos

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:12:16 +0000

Here are some of Jason Bryant's photos from yesterday's trip on Greenpeace's new Rainbow Warrior ship, which was partly paid for with donations from Glastonbury Festival. The ship is now docked on the Thames at West India Docks for a few days. For more information on the new ship, head over to her page on the Greenpeace site.

And if you missed it yesterday, here's our film from the trip...

A trip on the Rainbow Warrior

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:30:07 +0000

This morning in London, Michael and Emily Eavis took a trip on Greenpeace's new Rainbow Warrior ship, which was partly paid for with donations from Glastonbury Festival. The ship's mess has been dedicated to Michael Eavis (he didn't know about that until today).

The ship is currently docked on the Thames at Butler's Wharf in London - so if you're in the area you're welcome to go and have a look. She's there until Friday morning, when she'll be moving across to West India Docks for a few days. For more information on the new ship, head over to her page on the Greenpeace site.

Thanks to The Good, The Bad & The Queen for letting us use their Herculean track for the video.

Thanks from the Lost Property team

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:19:14 +0000

A massive thank you to all the very lovely people who handed in property at this year’s Festival. Every year an amazing amount of things are handed in and this year we were able to return at least:

51 bags and 23 rucksacks/suitcases and contents (including keys, cash, ID, cameras, phones, wallets etc);

as well as…

25 cameras
8 pairs of glasses
22 sets of keys
18 passports
55 phones / smartphones
330 wallets and contents (including amongst other things, cash, driving licences, bank cards)

and…

61 driving licences
43 ID/Rail cards of various types
20 miscellaneous items, including: 1 trumpet, 2 laptops, ear defenders and cuddly toys.

Over £3,800 was returned to Festival-goers (including £3333.47 in cheques written by Michael Eavis to cover amounts too large to post).

It’s great that so many folk are prepared to go out of their way to hand things in to ensure people’s valuables are returned to them. It makes a lot of people very happy indeed!

THANK YOU XXX

The Lost Property Team

Make some noise for the Gulper

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:44:13 +0000

The poo tankers are a familiar site at the Festival. A team of workers literally suck it out of the thousands of toilets on site, to keep everything as pleasant and hygienic as possible. In Africa, WaterAid (one of our charity partners) is using a similar idea to help keep the toilets clean in the growing city slums.

In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania’s biggest city, only 10% is connected to the central sewage system, so latrines need to be emptied a different way…please make some noise for the Gulper…

U2's set on BBC1 on Sunday

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:53:50 +0000

On Sunday night at 10.25pm, BBC1 is showing U2: From The Sky Down, a feature-length documentary about the making of the band's Achtung Baby album.

Immediately afterwards, at 11.55pm, you'll be able to watch an hour of highlights from the band's 2011 headline set from Glastonbury.

Glastonbury app wins Digital Music Award

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:30:34 +0000

We're pleased to announce that the official Glastonbury 2011 mobile app, which was built by Orange, was the winner of the Best Music App at last night's Digital Music Awards in London. Congratulations to all involved. And thanks to the tens of thousands of you who downloaded and made good use of the app.

Pilton Party film

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:21:31 +0000

Earlier this month, the 2011 Pilton Party took place in the village. The event is held each year by the Glastonbury organisers to thank local residents for their help with the Festival. Funds raised from the Party are ploughed into local community projects.

This year's Pilton Party featured performances from Magnus Puto (who impressed Michael Eavis at a recent family wedding), ETC winners Treetop Flyers, Hot Rats and Plan B. Jason Bryant, was there to take these great pictures. The lights used were new "eco lights", using only a third of the diesel used to power the usual Festival lights.

Thanks to Mandy Briggs for making the film.

Park items added to Shop sale

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:26:26 +0000

We've just added some great 2011 merchandise from The Park area to our 1/3 off sale in the Glastonbury Shop - as with all the other items, T-shirts are down from £15 to £10 and hoodies are down from £25 to £16.50 (there are also kids' T-shirts available for £7.50, see bottom of page). Click the pics below to check them out or to purchase.

There are also some of the 2010 Park designs:

And here are the 2011 kids' official Glastonbury T-shirts, which are down from £11 to £7.50, and the kids' hoody, which is reduced from £16 to £10.60.

Emily: "We'll miss REM"

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:39:06 +0000

We'll miss REM. They've been such an important band to us and played some very special sets - particularly 1999.

Emily

1/3 off all items in our Shop

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:34:51 +0000

There's now 1/3 off all items in our online shop - with Official Glastonbury 2011 T-shirts down from £15 to £10 and hoodies reduced from £25 to £16.50. All T-shirts feature a line-up backprint. Click here to head to ths shop now. Or click on the items below.

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT MENS BLACK T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT WOMENS BLACK TANK TOP ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT WOMENS BLACK V-NECK T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 WHITE PRINT WOMENS BLACK T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT WOMENS BLUE T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT MENS CHESTNUT T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT WOMENS CHESTNUT T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT MENS INDIGO T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT WOMENS BLUE T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT MENS CHESTNUT T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT WOMENS CHESTNUT T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT MENS INDIGO T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT YOUTH INDIGO T-SHIRT ~~£ 11.00~~, £ 7.50

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT WOMENS PINK T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 OFFICIAL PRINT WOMENS PINK TANK TOP ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 VOODOO KIDS RED T-SHIRT
~~£ 11.00~~, £ 7.50

2011 VOODOO MENS RED T-SHIRT
~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 VOODOO WOMENS RED T-SHIRT
~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 VOODOO WOMENS RED TANK TOP
~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 VOODOO WOMENS RED V-NECK T-SHIRT
~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 VOODOO MENS WHITE T-SHIRT
~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 VOODOO WOMENS WHITE T-SHIRT
~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 VOODOO WOMENS WHITE V-NECK T-SHIRT
~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 MENS CHARCOAL PULLOVER HOODY ~~£ 25.00~~, £ 16.50

2011 MENS CHARCOAL ZIP-UP HOODY ~~£ 25.00~~, £ 16.50

2011 WOMENS CHARCOAL PULLOVER HOODY ~~£ 25.00~~, £ 16.50

2011 WOMENS CHARCOAL ZIP-UP HOODY ~~£ 25.00~~, £ 16.50

2011 KIDS MAROON PULLOVER HOODY ~~£ 16.00~~, £ 10.60

2011 MENS MAROON PULLOVER HOODY ~~£ 25.00~~, £ 16.50

2011 MENS MAROON ZIP-UP HOODY ~~£ 25.00~~, £ 16.50

2011 WOMENS MAROON PULLOVER HOODY ~~£ 25.00~~, £ 16.50

2011 WOMENS MAROON ZIP-UP HOODY ~~£ 25.00~~, £ 16.50

2011 CROWN MENS WHITE T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN WOMENS WHITE T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN WOMENS WHITE TANK TOP ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN KIDS RED T-SHIRT ~~£ 11.00~~, £ 7.50

2011 CROWN MENS CHERRY RED T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN WOMENS RED TANK TOP ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN LADIES RED V-NECK T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN WOMENS RED T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN MENS CHESTNUT T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN WOMENS CHESTNUT T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN WOMENS PINK T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN WOMENS PINK V-NECK T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

2011 CROWN WOMENS LIGHT BLUE T-SHIRT ~~£ 15.00~~, £ 10.00

Pilton Party 2011 pictures

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 14:28:56 +0000

On Friday night, the 2011 Pilton Party took place in the village. The event is held each year by the Glastonbury organisers to thank local residents for their help with the Festival. Funds raised from the Party are ploughed into local community projects - including the running costs of the Pilton Parish Hall, the Pilton Working Men's Club and Pilton Playing Fields Association.

This year's Pilton Party featured performances from Magnus Puto (who impressed Michael Eavis at a recent family wedding), ETC winners Treetop Flyers, Hot Rats and Plan B. Jason Bryant, was there to take these great pictures...

How Oxfam is spending its East Africa donations

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:55:36 +0000

Some 12 million people across northern Kenya, southern Ethiopia and south central Somalia are in the grip of a major food crisis. They are in desperate need of food, water and health care.

Thanks to the generous support of the public, tax payers and organisations, Oxfam is helping 1.5 million people and plans to double this effort.

This report from the BBC's Mike Wooldridge shows how some of the money Oxfam has received is being spent

All this work would not be possible without the support of the public.

The more money Oxfam can raise the more people it will be able to reach. This crisis is the largest appeal it has ever launched in Africa. It needs £60m ($99m) to help 3 million people and so far it is facing a shortfall of £14m ($23m).

Click here if you'd like to donate to the East Africa appeal. And a huge thank you to all of you who already have.

Bridgwater Oxfam reopening film

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:43:12 +0000

Check out this great film from the recent reopening of the Bridgwater Oxfam shop.

Fim by Richard Ridout. Music 'Strange Things Are Happening' by House of Commoners (who made the 2011 Emerging Talent Competition Longlist).

Photos from the Bridgwater Oxfam reopening

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:10:59 +0000

The Oxfam shop on Eastover in Bridgwater, Somerset was on the brink of closure but, with Michael Eavis's help, it has been given a new lease of life and an extensive refit.

On Saturday Michael cut the ribbon on the new store with the help of the Bootleg Beatles, who played a set alongside local bands Snakes and Sods Law and Bridgwater funny-man Callum Cook, before the afternoon closed with a set by DJ Krausey.

The sun came out and so did the Beatles' fur jackets; smiles everywhere with the help of a mountain of bunting and a 25kw sound-system. The shop also took a record amount, despite a half-price offer on all items of clothing.'

Here are some photos from the day, courtesy of Jeff Searle and Laurie's Furniture shop.

Abbey Extravaganze: Day two photos

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:08:58 +0000

Here are Jason Bryant's photos from day two of the 2011 Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza. The weather wasn't great, but the crowd were troopers and the performances from Katherine Jenkins and the National Symphony Orchestra were terrific.

Abbey Extravaganze: Day one photos

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 10:15:03 +0000

Check out Jason Bryant's pictures from a terrific first day of the 2011 Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza, which featured Status Quo and the Bootleg Beatles. Don't forget that you can turn up and pay on the gate for today's classical show, featuring Katherine Jenkins and the National Symphony Orchestra. Head to glastonburyextravaganza.com for more info.

Glastonbury highlights playlist

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:00:20 +0000

Check out the player below to watch one song each by 39 of the best acts at this year's Glastonbury Festival, as filmed by the BBC. Click the black bar at the bottom of the player to scroll through the songs on offer, or just press play and watch the lot.

Also, if you're in the UK you can watch an hour of highlights of U2's set on BBC4 tonight (Friday) at 21.00 and 00.30. Plus, you can see Elbow's set at 22.00 and 01.30.

The cows are back outside...

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:49:43 +0000

We're pleased to report that the Worthy Farm herd is back in the fields. We'd like to say a HUGE thanks to the litter pickers who did such an amazing job of tudying up the farm this year.

Jason Bryant was kind enough to take some photos of the cows as they headed back outside, from their giant shed (aka the mootel)...

Jason also sent us a series of three pictures taken in the same spot during the Festival, immediately afterwards and once the place had been tidied up. Check out an animation of that below...

Carl Cox vs Fatboy Slim video

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:51:00 +0000

Fatboy Slim and Carl Cox played back-to-back on East Dance on Friday night at Glastonbury 2011, billed as Fatboy Slim vs Carl Cox. But this great video, shot in the Dance Village, shows the real battle between the two superstar DJs at the Festival....

BBC4 show Coldplay and Mumfords highlights on Friday

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:16:46 +0000

If you tune into BBC4 tomorrow night (Friday 29th), you'll be able to watch an hour of highlights from the Glastonbury 2011 sets by both Coldplay and Mumford & Sons. Timings are as follows:

21:50 - Coldplay
22:50 - Mumford & Sons

Both should be available on the iPlayer for seven days afterwards too.

Order Extravaganza tickets this week to get delivery

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:02:30 +0000

A reminder that if you order your tickets for this year's Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza after this Friday (29th July) you must either collect your tickets from the Glastonbury Festival Office or Glastonbury Abbey Shop (up until and before 5pm on the day of your concert) or collect them at the gate on the night.

So order your tickets this week to have them delivered to your door. Call 01458 834596 or visit www.glastonburyextravaganza.coâ€‹.uk.

The 2011 Green Traders Awards winners are...

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:58:22 +0000

This year was the sixth year of the Festival’s Green Traders Awards, given by Glastonbury, Greenpeace, The Soil Association, The Fairtrade Foundation and Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS) to the traders who did the most to help make the Festival greener, fairer and more sustainable.

Once again this year a team of Greenpeace volunteers trekked across the festival site interviewing traders, quizzing them about everything from: how they arrived on site, what their stall was made of; how much of their stock was Fairtrade, organic or recycled, and any other ethical criteria they proactively used to reduce their impact on the environment.

2011 winners and runners-up

The winner of this year’s Gold Award for food went to last year’s runner-up No Bones Jones, who do vegetarian and vegan food. They commented, “It’s a pleasure to be here, just to be part of this fantastic event. We’ve worked on this for twelve months and it’s really inspired us to make changes even at home.”

The Silver Award for food went to The Chai Shop who commented “Thanks, we’ve done it! It’s very nice to be acknowledged for what we’re doing, we’ve been doing it for ages. It’s also great that Glastonbury recognizes people who put in the effort to be green.”

Withintent were the lucky winners of the Gold Award for non-food, for having an incredible concept for reusing old tents. They said, " It’s just been brilliant. It’s been a wonderful experience. I came up with the idea at Glastonbury two years ago to do something with the mess. We love being here – more and more people are buying our stuff – that’s what Glastonbury is all about – style with a conscience.”

Silver Award for non-food went to Global Lanterns, who offer ethical lanterns “Speechless. Nicely shocked. We’re delighted and surprised. We do our best to do things ethically and support reducing our carbon footprint. Thank you very much for choosing us.”

Manic Organic picked up the Soil Association Award for their efforts using organic produce “It’s great obviously to be recognized. It’s many years we’ve been doing this. We’re passionate about our food, consistency and people keep coming back time and time again.”

The Fairtrade Award went to Love Zimbabwe. “To me fair trade is life. It’s the whole life of my people. It’s helping the people of Zimbabwe. I’m really excited, I just can’t believe it.”

The NCASS Award went to Not The Hot Dog Stall for their efforts to reduce their energy consumption. “We’re really really pleased, excited and proud to have won it. Very happy, we’ve been focusing on low energy for a while now, 3 or 4 years, so it’s nice to receive the award this year. We look forward to winning it again next time.”

And the final award was given to Veggies Catering Co who received the Greenpeace Award. “For many years we’ve been trying to encourage all Glastonbury traders to be as green as we aim to be.”

Glastonbury Daze short film

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:06:44 +0000

Check out this terrific short film, made by David Pardoe, a Southampton Solent University student who was part of Solent's team working at Glastonbury 2011.

Another record! Thank you for supporting Oxfam at the Festival

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:09:12 +0000

Great news from our third major charity partner, Oxfam, who declared 2011 their best Glastonbury Festival ever. Says Sarah Farquhar, Oxfam's Head of Retail: "The three Oxfam shops on the Worthy Farm site took nearly £60,000 over the weekend. An absolute record and due I'm sure to the extra publicity you generated for us after the terrible Wastesaver clothing warehouse fire.

"This will be added to this year's much-needed Glastonbury Festival charitable donation which has now been received. Oxfam is currently looking for support for the East African Drought Appeal. This is the biggest humanitarian crisis in Africa for a generation and Oxfam is working with other charities and agencies to make sure support reaches the areas that need it most."

For more information on the East African Drought appeal, head to oxfam.org.uk.

Meanwhile Oxfam's UK fundraising continues. Michael Eavis will be in Bridgwater, Somerset on Saturday August 6 for a very special free concert in the town centre - starring the Bootleg Beatles - to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Bridgwater Oxfam shop after an extensive refit. See the Bootlegs, plus a host of local bands and entertainers, on a fun day out starting at midday. Michael Eavis led the local campaign to keep the Oxfam shop open.

We are also pleased to report that some 2011 Glastonbury Festival goers have made donations towards the new Bridgwater Oxfam Shop. Thank you! Your support is very much appreciated.

Oxfam's East Africa appeal

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:08:53 +0000

Oxfam are appealing for aid after a severe drought has left more than 10 million people across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya desperate for food.

"This is the worst food crisis of the 21st Century and we are seriously concerned that large numbers of lives could soon be lost. People have already lost virtually everything and the crisis is only going to get worse over the coming months - we need funds to help us reach people with life-saving food and water," said Jane Cocking, Oxfam's Humanitarian Director.

If you would like to make a donation towards Oxfam's relief work, please click here.

Greenpeace: 40 Years of Making Waves

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:04:30 +0000

Well that was the year that was. Like most of you who came this year we're cleaning up and the T-shirts have been printed for our heroic crew bearing the slogan 'Mud, Sweat and Tears.'

We hope you visted the Greenpeace Field this year, we think it rocked. Our straw bale Cowshed recording studios got down some superb tracks including visits from Stornaway, Billy Bragg, the Noisettes. Even Michael popped in to sing Happy Birthday for us.

We also recorded a new song 'You Can't Kill A Rainbow' featuring Jah Wobble ready for the launch of our new Rainbow Warrior flagship coming to London in November.

If you took a hot shower in our field you would have seen what makes her the most environmental vessel afloat. The farmers market, a first for Glastonbury, encouraged us to expand it next time around as it was local, tasty and different.A record number of new supporters joine Greenpeace so thank you Michael for having us and thanks to all of you who visited. We hope it was a memorable experience.

Here's to 2013.

Greenpeace

Countdown to the 2011 Glastonbury Extravaganza begins

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:33:39 +0000

We're now only a few weeks away from this year's Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza. The weekend kicks off on Saturday August 6th with a show featuring Status Quo and the Bootleg Beatles. The following day, Sunday August 7th, Katherine Jenkins, Wynne Evans and the National Symphony Orchestra will perform.

Tickets for each day are priced at £32.50 for Adults and £17.50 for Children (6-16). You can buy them online at glastonburyextravaganza.co.uk; by telephone on 01458 834596 during office hours; or in person by calling at the Glastonbury Festival Office in Northload Street, Glastonbury (during the working week) or The Glastonbury Abbey Shop in Magdalene Street, (open seven days a week).

For further information head to glastonburyextravaganza.co.uk.

WaterAidâ€™s thanks to Glastonbury goers

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:31:25 +0000

Almost 20,000 of you signed our LooQueue petition to encourage the UK Government to reach even more of the world’s poorest people to safe water and sanitation. All these signatures have now been handed directly to the International Development Secretary. Power to the people!

“Glastonbury is one of the best places for campaigning,” said Rhian Lewis, WaterAid UK campaigns manager, “People are engaged, interested and they know that by adding support to campaigns like ours, they are helping to change things for the better.”

The Lauren Laverne, Eliza Doolittle and Emmy the Great-designed temporary tattoos went down an absolute storm at the Festival. Around 10,000 Festival goers inked themselves up to show support for WaterAid and raise awareness of global water issues. We also had the great pleasure of a WaterAid blog written by Emmy the Great, a John Peel stage shout out by Raghu Dixit and meeting up with Paul Sartin from Bellowhead. Thank you Glastonbury!

For more information on why and how WaterAid works please visit: www.wateraid.org.

Roll on Glastonbury 2013!

WaterAid

Amazing aerial photos of Glastonbury 2011

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:03:33 +0000

Between 5pm and 5.30pm on the Sunday at this year's Festival (June 26th), Blom UK took some incredible, ultra-high resolution aerial images of the Festival. Check out some examples below - and head to Bluesky International's website to see more and to download the full-size image (BlomUK and Bluesky International Ltd. will support WaterAid by donating 5% from the sale of this download.)

Other Stage

Camp site

Astrolabe

All images copyright MetroHD BlomASA2011 - Supplied by Bluesky International Limited

Arcadia Spectacular video

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:37:36 +0000

If you made it along to this year's Arcadia Spectacular, then see if you can spot yourself in the video above (we're particularly impressed by the policeman). And if you didn't, then check out what you missed.

We'd love to see your pictures

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:20:27 +0000

We'd love to see your best pictures from Glastonbury 2011. You can upload them by clicking here - and please make sure you tag them with all the relevant tags.

We'd particularly love to see your "Secret Glastonbury" pics - of things that most other Festival-goers won't have seen.

Thanks folks.

T-shirts on sale in our online shop

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:36:14 +0000

If you missed out on buying a Glastonbury 2011 T-shirt, then you may be pleased to hear that you can still purchase them from our online shop.

The designs include Stanley Donwood's latest design, which is shown above left. You can also buy a limited edition print of Stanley's design.

Also available is the blue crown design (shown above right) which was selected by Michael Eavis as the winner of our 2011 T-shirt Contest. The design is by Eleanor Allen, whose prize included tickets to this year's Festival.

Click here to visit the online shop now (NB: T-shirts will start shipping on July 8th).

Record audience for BBC coverage - watch it again online now

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:30:47 +0000

We're pleased to report that the BBC's excellent Glastonbury coverage enjoyed a record audience reach in 2011, with 18.6 million viewers. BBC Two alone reached 15.7m viewers, a rise of 3.6m viewers compared to last year. All headline performers enjoyed an average audience of more than 1.5 million viewers, with the biggest peak of 2.6 million viewers for Beyonce on Sunday, a peak of 2.2 million for Coldplay and a peak of 2.1 million for U2.

There is also still plenty of coverage to come, with on-demand highlights available for 50 of the Festival's biggest acts - including all the headliners - at bbc.co.uk/glastonbury. These are available for 30 days (up from 7 days last year), with individual songs available to users outside the UK. BBC Radio has also been regularly dropping Glastonbury recordings into its shows on Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music.

And, later tonight, there will be a two hour Best of Glastonbury 2011 programme on BBC2, featuring highlights from across the Festival. The show is on just after midnight, at 00.10am.

We'll leave you with a selection of tracks which have been made embeddable...

Buy the Q Review or official programme

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:26:30 +0000

If you didn't manage to get a copy of the Q Glastonbury Review at this year's Festival, you can buy one directly from Q or from the Glastonbury Festival Office. The office is also selling the official programme.

From the Glastonbury Office
Programmes are for sale at £10 including post and packaging and Glastonbury Reviews at £5 including post and packaging. They are available either by cash at the office, or by cheque made payable to Glastonbury Festival 2011 Ltd. The address of the office is 28 Northload Street, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9JJ.

From Q
You can buy the Glastonbury Review online from greatmagazines.co.uk/glastonbury for £4.99 (inc P&P) in the UK, or £5.99 for the rest of the world.

Thousands get Heart Mum tattoos

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:49:38 +0000

The White Ribbon Alliance's Tattoo Parlour in The Park was a big hit again this year, with thousands lining up to get their ‘heart mum’ stick-on tattoo - and to send a postcard to their own mum from the Festival.

The Master Musicians of Joujouka, in the tipi next door, provided a vibrant soundtrack - when Radiohead and Pulp weren’t raising the rafters from the Park Stage.

You can get your own ‘heart mum' tattoo and find out more about White Ribbon Alliance's work raising international awareness about the nearly 600,000 women worldwide who die each year from pregnancy-related complications, at www.whiteribbonalliance.org

(Picture by Jenny Rose)

Thank you Green Travellers

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:12:00 +0000

A big thanks to the thousands of you who came by public transport or bike to this year's Festival. You really have helped to reduce the environment impact of Glastonbury.

Thanks for coming

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:10:46 +0000

Hope you enjoyed Glastonbury 2011 as much as we did. We'll see you in 2013 (registration is already open).

Don't forget, the BBC has extensive performance highlights available on its website.

We'll leave you with this ace poem from our 2011 website poet in residence, Tony Walsh. (Warning: it might make you feel a bit weepy.)

Picture at top: Andrew & Joey Allcock

Sunday pictures

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:07:12 +0000

Here's a bumper final day's crop of photos from Charles Gervais, who was based in Theatre & Circus fields throughout the Festival. (And beyond that, check out more photos from Jason Bryant and Andrew & Joey Allcock.)

Here are Jason Bryant's superb photos from a cracking final day at the farm.

These are Andrew and Joey Allcock's final shots of the Festival:

2011 website Poet in Residence

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:34:34 +0000

This year's website Poet in Residence is Longfella, aka Tony Walsh. Tony will be writing poems for the website throughout the Festival weekend, just as Jo Bell did last year.

Tony will be tweeting from the Festival - you can follow him at @LongfellaPoet. Tony's also hoping to crowd-source a poem which will be posted here on the website and performed at the Festival. To get involved, simply tweet him a Glastonbury memory, completing the sentence "The moment when..." in 8 words or less, using the hashtag #glastopoet.

Wednesday, June 29

Sunday, June 26

POETIC TRIBUTE TO JOHN PEEL

Tony appeared on BBC 6Music last night live from at Glastonbury and performed a poem that he had written on the day in tribute to the late, great Glastonbury stalwart and legendary DJ John Peel. The poem adds the voice of performance poetry to the many scenes which owe the great man a debt of thanks and records how John was a srong supporter of the likes of John Cooper Clarke and Linton Kwesi Johnson. Listen again on the BBC iPlayer.

KEEPING IT PEEL: TEENAGE KICKER CONSPIRACY

Back in the era when vinyl was vital

Each platter that mattered a vital recital

When the Festive Fifty and every Peel session

Was essential listening, a real obsession

When Peel Acres and Maida Vale

Were secretly famous, a complete Holy Grail

An avancular uncle with a grizzly grey beard

A funky punk uncle still keeping it weird

You were dry and ironic on Top of the Pops

You were wry and sardonic as they bopped til they dropped

You would stand there bemused, just extracting the urine

Then, completely amused as you slipped something pure in

And you played the essentials, a playlist of passion

Not the inconsequential with the vagueness of fashion

And we, the outsiders, with music inside us

And Peel the provider, just there to provide us

With weirdness and beardness, the craziest combos

Yes, sometimes you'd fail but you'd fail with aplomb though

And who cared that you played them at all the wrong speeds

Cos you were daring to play them and that's all it needs

And there was Hegley and Joolz there was Linton KJ

Johnny Clarke and Attila were blazing the way

Ivor Cutler and Swells, and all different wordsmiths

But you'd time for them all and you really deserve this...

You see, music is grateful and they've had chance to show it

But I'd like to say thanks on behalf of the poets

And you told us of Walters, The Kop and your wife

While every night this dj was saving my life

And you're missed on the wireless and Glastonbury telly

And it's just not the same without Peel in his wellies

So I just wanna tell you, wanna tell you tonight

And say thanks for the kicks, John, mate, right through the night

Well alright!

Saturday, June 25

Ten Things That I Learned Today At Glastonbury: Friday

1. My waterproofs aren't.

2. Unhappiness is a wet dongle.

3. Columbo died. We all wore dirty raincoats as a tribute.

4. Rooney's chopper is trending. Again.

5. Friday Muddy Friday. Where the streets make you lame.

6. God is an astronaut not a dj. But he will sing backing vocals for those that he worships.

7. It was good to see that U2 have updated some of their songs. I particularly enjoyed "I Will FF."

8. David Cameron is officially a "silly twit." Morrissey says so. And he knows so much about these things.

9. Me: "T'is murder."

10. But this place is amazing!

MASHEDONBURY

Don't bring any glass-tonbury

Can I see your pass-tonbury

Don't drive on the grass-tonbury

(There isn't any grass-tonbury?!)

Like a holy mass-tonbury

Bold and unabashed-onbury

Strummer and the Clash-tonbury

Fire spitting flashed-onbury

Massages for cash-tonbury

Painted on moustached-onbury

Let's go on the lash-tonbury

End up getting mashed-onbury

In a hammock crashed-onbury

Slipped and now I'm gashed-onbury

Came out in a rash-tonbury

Right pain in the ass-tonbury

Isn't it a blast-onbury

Doesn't it go fast-onbury

Love it with a passion-bury

Wish that it could last-onbury

The one and only Glastonbury!

(PS Good luck with the grass-tonbury)

Friday June 24

Ten Things That I Learned Today At Glastonbury: Thursday

1. If you camp next to people who have sprayed their massive tent with the legend "HCB: Hardcore Cider Bastards" then they probably are.

2. We need more than one word for mud.

3. The setting sun makes a noise. It appears to be "Psssssshhhh."

4. The only type of hat that suits my face would seem to be a ski mask. Plus maybe a Mexican wrestling mask for Sundays.

5. TV cameras emit secret rays which turn passers-by into idiots.

6. If your burgers are made from "rare breeds" mate, you know...maybe there's something to think about there.

7. The poets here are outstanding in their field. So go to their field!

8. Some people leave a massive trace.

9. Didgeridont!

10. This place is amazing.

IT NEVER RAINS AT GLASTO

Elvis lives! In Wythenshawe

The Pope has launched a condom store

The weather's not shit anymore!

And it never rains at Glasto

Father Christmas, he's retired

Michael Gove is well admired

Alan Sugar, he's been fired

And it never rains at Glasto

Eurovision and the UK won

Katie Price is now a nun

I read it last week in The Sun

And it never rains at Glasto

Osborne got his numbers right

Simon Cowell isn't shite

Cameron spoke and he was right

And it never rains at Glasto

I liked it once when Jedward sang

My phone went, Angelina rang

They've called their baby Cillit Bang

And it never rains at Glasto

A World Cup game went just as planned

Dale Winton isn't orange tanned

Girls Aloud want me in the band

And it never rains at Glasto

There's never ever any mud

It never ever ever floods

It's never any f***ing good

And it never rains at Glasto

WE LOVE GLASTO!

Have you got mud on your face, you big disgrace?

Yesterday in the Fluffy Rock Cafe the crowd joined me in an historic mass rendition of "We Love Glasto" to the tune of Queen's "We Will Rock You."

For added fun (!) we replaced the clapping noises of the original with half the crowd saying "Bang, Bang" like the toilet doors and the others making the "Psssssh" noise of the dreaded gas cannister (Don't do it, kids!) Surely the twin soundtracks to the Glastonbury experience.

Bang, Bang, Psssh
Bang, Bang, Psssh
We love, we love Glasto!

Pass it on! With claps or with the noises - whatever works for you. Let's see if we can get it on the telly from the Pyramid stage.

You heard it here first! Unless you were in the Fluffy Rock, of course.

NO WORRIES

Sex
and drugs
and rock n roll
Some people live like this all the time

Party!
Party!
Party!
Some people live like this all the time

Huddled under canvas
Queuing for a tap
Flooding and diarrhoea
Some people live like this all the time

Thursday June 23

Ten Things That I Learned Today at Glastonbury: Wednesday.

1. The weather is ALWAYS gorgeous.

2. Putting pole A into slot B then pole C into slots D and E can be helped by the using swear word F.

3. If your tent cost less than £12 then iiiiit's probably going to leak, dude.

4. Yes, we CAN hear you having sex. And we're marking you out of ten. You scored two, mate. As you appeared to be on your own.

5. I want to go to Poonarnia.

6. Ladies! Short shorts and flowery wellies is a very good look. Gentlemen! Not so much.

7. It's not that interesting behind the Pyramid stage. But there is a big zebra. And a giraffe. And a rhino. (I'm not sure if they're plastic or very highly trained.)

8. If you fall full length in the mud then it's very wet. And it hurts. And people laugh. A lot.

9. (M&S voice) This isn't just any old mud. This is prime Somerset organic dairy farm mud. With cow shit in.

10. This place is amazing.

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT

We're grateful to the people who keep safety in the queues

We're grateful to the first aid folk who'll help you with a bruise

We're grateful to the guys who sell the psychedelic booze

But let's hear it for the guys who lose our poos!

We're grateful to the guys who keep fresh water in the taps

(Do you see where we're going here?)

We're grateful to those famous painted naked dancing chaps

We're grateful to the bloke who puts an ostrich on our baps (Are you sure?)

But let's hear it for the chaps who zap our craps!

We're grateful to the squads of bods who pick up all the litter

We're grateful to the people who put feta on our pitta

We're grateful to the lady wearing only silver glitter

But let's hear it for the guys who shine the shitters!

We're grateful to the comics for their humour and their wit (You're ahead of me now!)

We're love the pyromaniacs who keep the night times lit

I love my camping neighbour too, the noisy, selfish git

But let's hear it for the shamen of the shit!

We're grateful to the dairy team who've moved all Michael's herds

We're grateful for the 4am dawn chorus of the birds

We're grateful to the poets for the beauty of their words (Like these!)

But let's hear it for the A-team of the turds

We're grateful to the artisans for sharing crafts and hobbies

We're grateful to the gang of lads all dressed as Mr Blobby's

We're grateful to the stewards and the good old British bobbies

But let's hear it for the top job with the jobbies!

We're grateful to the people who do all the pretty lights

We're grateful to the artists for their carnival delights

We're grateful to the crazies for so many stunning sites

But let's hear it for the plight of those

The basic human rights of those

The musn't be quite right of those, the guys who shift our shite!

Saturday June 18

To kick things off, Tony (who's a Festival regular) has written a terrific poem, entitled 'Why Glastonbury?'. Check it out below (photos and video by Rohan van Twest).

As well as his daily poems, Tony will be tweeting from the Festival - you can follow him at @LongfellaPoet. Tony's also hoping to crowd-source a poem which will be posted here on the website and performed at the Festival. To get involved, simply tweet him a Glastonbury memory, completing the sentence "The moment when..." in 8 words or less, using the hashtag #glastopoet.

Tony will be performing on the Poetry&Words stage at 6.30pm on Friday and 12.50pm on Sunday. You can check out more of his work on his website, at longfella.co.uk.

Here is the text for the poem above...

WHY GLASTONBURY

G is for the green fields, and for grining in the queues.

L is for that long walk with your luggage and your booze.

A is for the atmosphere, it's awesome, always fun and

S is for the sun rise. And the sunsets. And the sun.

T is for the toilets and the traffic and the tents.

O is for outrageous and for Oh! My! God! events and

N is for the night time filled with naughtiness, insane and

B is beer and burgers, bongos banging in your brain and

U is uuurgh! 'Ungover but you're up until you drop and

R is righteous rock n roll and raving round the clock and

Y could be for youth, it could be yoga in a yurt but

Y is why they do this. Why we come back every year.

Why? Because it's built on love. We find it in ourselves.

And while we're feeling loved up we love everybody else.

And Oxfam, Greenpeace, Wateraid and all the other causes

teach that people loving people is the strongest of resources.

So why don't we share lessons from this special time together?

And why don't we ask why more? And why can't things change forever?

And so why don't we resolve here now that Glastonbury's flames

will light a thousand beacons and ignite the sparks of change!

And so why don't we grow wings here as a mighty flock of doves

With a single word to change the world and that simple word is love!

I said why don't we take strength here as a mighty flock of doves

With a single word to change the world and that simple word is love!

I said why don't we take flight here as a mighty flock of doves

With a single word to change the world and that simple word is love!

And we'll burn and soar like lanterns with a smile on every face

We'll take heart but leave a piece here. It's so hard to leave no trace.

And that's why there is a part of us that stays here when we're gone.

And that's why it's always special in these Fields of Avalon.

(Spread the love, Glastonbury. Spread the love.)

(Peace!)

Live Glastonbury 2011 updates!

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Our team of reporters is roaming the site, using Twitter to post news, updates and photos. You can read their updates below:

Download U2, Beyonce and Coldplay performances on iTunes, raising funds for Glastonbury's charities

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:26:17 +0000

Beyoncé has become the third of Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage headliners to donate a song from her performance to raise money for Glastonbury's three charities, Oxfam, WaterAid and Greenpeace Environmental Trust. The proceeds from the sale of Irreplaceable (Live at Glastonbury) on iTunes - including 100% of iTunes' share - will go to the three charities.

- Download Beyoncé's Irreplaceable (Live at Glastonbury) from the UK iTunes Store now

- Download Coldplay's In My Place (Live at Glastonbury) from the UK iTunes Store now

- Download U2's I Will Follow (Live at Glastonbury)
from the UK iTunes Store now

The tracks will be on sale for 30 days. They are also available on the Irish iTunes Store and the US iTunes Store.

Green blog 2011

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:24:38 +0000

We have a new addition to our website team for this year's Festival. Rachel Wallace who writes about green issues (including a chapter in the excellent Fair Trade Revolution book) will be reporting on green, ethical, local, organic and Fairtrade initiatives at the Festival.

Sunday, June 26

As I gaze across the camping grounds on this beautiful sunny final evening, I hope that tomorrow we all go with the Festival’s Love the Farm, Leave No Trace campaign and that the cows are soon back to grazing here. Despite Glastonbury now having an onsite recycling centre and decorative recycle bins all over the place, it still frightens me just how much we are consuming. If I think there seems a lot of waste from 175,000 people here, what must 60 million of us in the UK be consuming and chucking into our wheelie bins each week? It’s terrifying.

The inequality and wrongness of it all is emphasised by chatting to the Oxfam campaigners who are raising awareness for their new campaign GROW. As well as providing 2,000 cheerful volunteer stewards for Glastonbury, Oxfam also has 55 campaigners, out and about in the crowds this year with buckets of green paint and giant hands.

Festival-goers are splattering the Oxfam hands, stalls and themselves green, as campaigners talk to them and encourage them to ‘Get your hands dirty. Fix the System’. This is the global food system, where 1 in 7 people is hungry because the global food economy 'system is bust' due to soaring food prices, lack of access to land, and inequality. Do check out their website for more info and details of how to get involved (www.oxfam.org.uk/hands).

It's quite a message in a long weekend where our options for enjoying ourselves far outweigh the time available. If we genuinely care about creating a better world when we're in a field listening to our favourite bands, we've got to carry it on with action as activists and better consumers when we leave.

Which leads me on to my visit to one of this year's Green Trader award winners. I popped in to see WITHiNTENT (www.withintent.co.uk) and had such a fun hour chatting to founder Kate and sharing her pear cider. She’s refreshingly down-to-earth and low key about her fabulous work.

Leaving Glastonbury in 2009 and seeing so many abandoned tents, she decided to turn part of the problem into an up-cycled solution by gathering up the tents and making them into funky bags, raincoats and ponchos. She works from her home in Hackney and dries out the mass of tents on her washing line, which intrigued her neighbours until she got to know them. Kate pays a fair wage to an empowered and outspoken Muslim women's needle association on Brick Lane to sow them up.

I bought a beautiful bag from her and love that it champions guerrillagardening.org - an organisation organising community groups to take over disused land in cities for community veg and gardening projects. Kate stresses that abandoned camping gear at festivals is still a huge problem and her company by no means can make use of them all.

There are eight Green Trader awards given out each year at Glastonbury (details of all this year's winners will soon be on the website). The judges are looking amongst the 400-odd stalls for the ones that most champion organic, Fairtrade and local ingredients, have a low carbon footprint, are minimising their energy usage, and recycle and reuse wherever possible. Here’s one of last year’s scrumptious winners.

There are so many more 'green' things to tell you about at Glastonbury. I never did get around to the solar shower, I stuck with my bucket, there were just so many things to do. I didn't make it for a self-help massage in the Healing Fields although I did appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the area wandering through.

I didn't listen to the activist debates in the Leftfield, or browse the Free University of Glastonbury in the Park. We'll just have to come back for more in 2013! Thanks so much for joining me this time.

Saturday, June 25

Day dreaming whilst winding flowers and ribbon onto a willow head garland for Winnie this morning at Ring A Ring O' Roses, I realised that the Green Craft Field was just what I needed for a bit of fun and therapeutic time out.

The possibilities here are endless and exciting. You can have a go at basket weaving, stone carving, making your own enormous wooden spatula or watch a Shamanic drum under construction. It's definitely worth a visit and I noted that the adults were having at least as much fun as the kids. There's a happy hour every morning from 10 til 11 when lots of activities are free, although it'll feel like a small amount of money well spent at any time of the day to support the lovely craftspeople in the village.

My favourite lyric of the day came from Cargo Fleet, 'Simon Cowell is a towel and he's drying me out'.

The band were performing in a new bands competition run by Cowshed (www.cowshedstudio.com) to record in their studio made from strawbales in the Greenpeace Field. Cowshed are running the stage this year, encouraging a new wave of protest songs, and working with artists to record an album to raise money for Greenpeace's new Rainbow Warrior III campaign ship.

I was thrilled to find British heritage seeds to grow in our organic veg patch at the Garden Organic (www.gardenorganic.co.uk) stall in the Greenpeace field. We'll soon be having a go at growing purple flowered Russian peas, Mrs Cannell's Black runner beans and Portuguese Cabbages.

We picked up a form to join the Heritage Seed Library which is striving to save Northern Europe's traditional vegetable varieties as they're fast disappearing, giving out seeds for you to grow each season and getting you in on a national seed swap. How exciting!

We went on to chat to the lovely ladies at the Soil Association stand about Community Supported Agriculture (lots of info available under community section of their website www.soilassociation.org) and the schools programme (www.foodforlife.org.uk), both of which we want to be a part of as we expand our veg patch in this direction in the coming years.

The stand included an eye-catching washing line of paper pigs, written on by Festival goers, responding to the question, 'What is your idea of piggy heaven?' Not, presumably, the latest mass production pig farm to apply for planning permission in Derbyshire, coincidentally a few miles down the road from my parent's farm. The Soil Association is petitioning to stop it going ahead. I believe in petitioning but I also feel strongly that in the UK we increasingly vote with our shopping baskets. If we keep buying cheap meat, smaller family farms in the UK go out of business and we end up with factory-style production units and imports. How depressing and avoidable.

Right, I'm off to listen to some bands! I can't believe it's the last day tomorrow and there's still so many great things to blog about.

Friday, June 24

Since spending time living in rural Nicaragua with no running water, but where everyone starts the day immaculately clean with a bucket and bowl wash, I've upped my festival standards on the cleanliness front. After a brilliant but sweaty late night out dancing, I woke up feeling in need of an immediate refresh so opted for the bucket and bikini outside the tent. I'll be trying out the solar showers in the Greenpeace Field over the weekend. We did, however, pop in to check out the animated film in the solar-powered Groovy Movie Picture House at the entrance to the Green Fields.

It's a great place for a bit of downtime watching independent animations and political films.

I love hearing the great variety of music drifting across from so many different stages, tents and the odd wooden bandstand as we meander around the site. It's pretty unique to be able to dip into somewhere to listen to a couple of songs, like this band in the solar-powered Croissant Neuf tent, and then twenty paces later, be in a totally different experience.

After listening to Jenny and Johnny on the Park stage and admiring the fence décor of the local primary schools eco-artwork, we spent a relaxing late afternoon chilling out in the Green Kids toddler tipi tent with friends.

Wandering back through the Greenpeace Field, I bumped into an old friend Veronica on the Fairtrade Foundation (www.fairtrade.org.uk) stand, where my daughter Winnie enjoyed chomping her way through yummy Fairtrade dried apricots from Tropical Wholefoods (www.tropicalwholefoods.com) and I got stuck in to the chocolatey deliciousness of Divine’s special Glastonbury festival bar (www.divinechocolate.com). Along with Cafedirect (www.cafedirect.co.uk) and nut company Liberation (www.chooseliberation.com), Divine takes empowerment through Fairtrade a significant step further as the farmers who supply the cocoa from Kuapa Kokoo in Ghana are part-owners of the company and sit on the board.

I rounded off the samplings from some of my favourite Fairtrade companies with a smooth, full-bodied organic double espresso supplied by worker's cooperative Equal Exchange (www.equalexchange.co.uk) served up skilfully by the team at the lovely Cafe Tango.

Winnie's yet to try an olive, and there is no better place for an induction than with the infectiously enthusiastic, head-over-heels in love with each other, their olives and vegetable growing, Cina and Christian, on the Olive 'n' Learn stand in the farmers market.

They seem to be taking their name seriously, experimenting with all different varieties of home-grown garlic, chillies and herbs to complement the juicy, plump olives, grown by their friends in Catalonia. Winnie pulled a few hilarious faces as she tentatively licked it before nibbling one all the way back to our tent to get ready for an evening of Caribou and salsa dancing.

Tomorrow I'll be checking out the free happy hour in the Green Craft village and seeing who's won this year's Green Trader awards.

Thursday, June 23

Ambling across the vast field in front of the Pyramid Stage this morning, which tomorrow will be full of happy revellers, we came across a giant poo. Or rather, the very cheerful (considering his situation) Nick Ashby of WaterAid dressed as a poo. He is showing an admirable commitment to a very important cause - WaterAid's LooQueue campaign (www.wateraid.org/other/looqueue) at Glastonbury, which aims to sign up at least 30,000 festival-goers to petition the UK government to commit to help the two thirds of the World's population out of the sanitation crisis in which they live. An unimaginable 2.6 billion people live without access to clean toilets, a major cause of ill health and death.

What makes a good clean toilet? Our way, flushing gallons of water down the loo every day, seems neither very sustainable or logistically possible for most people who are lacking a loo. My friend Emma Sinclair, has become something of a poo expert since joining children's charity Plan International (www.plan-uk.org) and living and working in West Africa.

Having attended many a poo workshop, I learn from her that a crucial aspect in building adequate sanitation in communities is ensuring everyone takes ownership and responsibility for it. If people have always pooed wherever they want in the nearby trees, then they are unlikely to use a latrine if it just suddenly arrives because they won't realise the need for it.

Education, then, plays a big part, e.g. showing how a fly lands on a poo, then moves on to land on their food. Communities are encouraged to construct their own latrines using local materials, the most important thing is that they have a washable slab and that they're covered. The approach is called Community Led Total Sanitation (www.communityledtotalsanitation.org).

How much poo we all produce becomes much more apparent and distressing to me when there are 175,000 of us using portaloos and drop toilets. I don't normally consider what happens to poo, I just flush a load of water down with it, feel bad about that but relieved that it's gone and move on. I want to look for a more interesting eco solution here at Glastonbury so I head up to the Green Traveller Cyclist camping field. I want to find a waterless, odourless toilet and I hear that composting toilets are just the thing.

Indeed, as I approach, there are no mal-odours, just beautifully painted, impeccably clean drop toilets. Their proud owner, Squeak, of the cheekily named PooNarnia (it has a more staid web address eventloo.co.uk), tells me that through creating such a pleasant toilet experience, people always leave them clean, treat them with respect and that 'everyone comes out smiling'.

They are required to use a cup of sawdust after they've been to the loo and that's all there is to it. The toilets don't have to be sucked out and transported off, instead, they are filtered to drain the liquid from the sawdust concoction before it's taken to a composting treatment facility. They're definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Right, enough on poo. People seemed very happy with their lot all round in this camping ground and rightly so, with its solar powered showers and sunny aspect.

Nathan and Luke had just arrived from London and were looking very perky. "Don't most people arrive here by public transport?" they ask me. "It was so easy, we left London at 9am and were here by midday. Our journey was seamless." They made the right choice then. One came by festival bus and the other by festival train. I hope even more of us should do the same in 2013.

Before we go back down the hill for more exploring, we enjoy a zingy, refreshing carrot and ginger smoothie at the Rejuicynator, the camp's pedal-powered smoothie bar.

The solar-powered bike powers the blender and works up your thirst - it's green and it's drink satisfaction served up as a delicious refreshment in a biodegradable cup. If that weren't enough, once you've finished your smoothie, you fill your cup with soil on their stand and plant a seed to take home and pot straight in the soil. They're a friendly and inspiring set-up, eager to spread the word on recycling, growing your own food, using alternative technologies and lots more. You can visit the Rejuicynator even if you're not camping in the Cyclist Field, they also visit schools to spread the eco word (www.therejuicynator.org).

I'll be on to checking out the solar showers tomorrow, it's time I had a good, sun-warmed eco-product wash ahead of some dancing at the solar-powered stages.

Wednesday, June 22

It’s great wandering about the site before the music starts. With no bands to dash and see, it’s the perfect chance to mooch around the Green Fields: admiring the beautiful recycled sculptures, chatting to inspired and fired up campaigners and meeting up with old friends.

I was reminded just how impressive the scale, imagination and diversity of the festival is and how full of hope, positive messages and intentions its participants are.

It's overwhelming the number of stalls I want to visit in the Green Futures area. I'll be there each day to discover more. I chat about Agro-Forestry in Africa and Latin America with the lovely enthusiast lady of Busy Trees. They are working with farmers to plant native trees as well as income generators, such as fruit trees and nut trees. The roots shore up the soil preventing erosion and they provide valuable shade to crops, as well as promoting biodiversity.

My 11-month old daughter starts getting a little impatient so we wander on briefly before she is captivated by the sight of a living roof on a big, exciting looking den.

I love the simplicity of the Permaculture House, made from recycled materials, with a living roof and costing just £300, it blends into the wood and suddenly makes owning a lovely aspirational home seem very accessible if you are willing to work modestly with your surroundings. I love the ideas on the Permaculture poster - 'Revolution Dressed up as Gardening'. How wonderful. I'm definitely in on this movement.

Onwards then to traverse the festival by means of the railway track and we're met by a suit-clad skeleton proclaming 'Enough' from an ecclectic display of consumerist junk that most of us usually pointlessly own.

I love that I'm experiencing all of this with my wide-eyed daughter, it feels a lot better than pushing her around a shopping centre.

We pass a swarm of Greenpeace tuna feeling full of festival fun whilst drawing attention to the plight of fish in the North Sea, before heading over to chat to affable dairy farmer Lloyd Green on his cheese stall Green's of Glastonbury in the Greenpeace Farmer's Market.

I learn that around Glastonbury they had a better spring than the rest of the country and the grass grew well to store silage for the cows for winter, but the mainly damp, cold summer is causing them problems now and they're having to dip in to winter feed for their dairy herd. My parents were dairy farmers and we discuss the difficulties of years of low prices driven by supermarkets. He is successfully adding value to his milk with his local cheese business and just had his first grandchild a week ago. Well done on both counts to Lloyd and his family. I enjoy a delicious juicy apple from the organic and Fairtrade fruit and veg stand Kinder's Organics as we amble in the evening sunshine to our tent. It's been a lovely first day.

Sunday, June 19

Arriving at Glastonbury Festival feels to me like entering into an alternative society for a few days full of fun, adventure, tolerance and solidarity. Losing myself in music, day dreaming staring at the passing clouds and fluttering flags, tromping around in my wellies, I stop thinking about work, houses, heating, cooking, baths and whatever else and enjoy a simplistic existence with my fellow festival lovers. It’s an equaliser but it also heightens my awareness of our heavy footprint on the Earth.

I feel uncomfortable about the amount of water and petrol I get through and the rubbish we generate. Glastonbury seems to highlight how we don’t really need most of the stuff we think we do. Friends, family, companionship, food, warmth and spirituality – be it through music, religion, whatever – is about what it boils down to for me, I realise, and maybe a hot pear cider as I’m lying in a field.

Surveying it all from a vantage point up above The Park, it’s striking when there are 175,000 of us in a few fields just how much we consume and produce, even in our rustic state. We look like an insatiable, spoilt and very happy refugee camp. If this is a microcosm for my idealistic society, I want to be able to be as green, ethical, local, organic and Fairtrade as possible in it for a few days, learn some new stuff about it all and go away inspired and with renewed resolve to make some changes. I want it to seep under my skin as I live and love the Festival.

Glastonbury has some brilliant initiatives, including all the tea, coffee, hot chocolate and sugar being Fairtrade; championing local veg, meat and milk producers; recycling 50% of all the rubbish; only using recyclable and compostable crockery; solar-powering showers and stages; getting the water from its own purpose-built reservoirs; and rewarding you for arriving on your bike, a train or bus.

I’m going to be finding out more about all this over the Festival and blogging back with photos, snapshots, insights and interviews. Please join me!

Saturday pictures

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 08:59:13 +0000

We begin our round-up of Saturday pics with Andrew and Joey Allcock's shots from around the site on the penultimate day of Glastonbury 2011..

These are Jason Bryant's photos from a sun-soaked Saturday on Worthy Farm

Here are Charles Gervais' shots from around the Theatre & Circus fields...

The Glastonbury Firelighter

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 13:05:53 +0000

This year, the Festival produced its own daily newspaper - the Glastonbury Firelighter - which was available from Information points around the site. So that those of you following the Festival at home don't miss out, we've uploaded PDF versions of them for you to download. Click on the links below and they'll download directly to your computer's desktop or downloads folder.

- SUNDAY FIRELIGHTER

- SATURDAY FIRELIGHTER

- FRIDAY FIRELIGHTER

- THURSDAY FIRELIGHTER

(Picture: top Matt Cardy, bottom Brigid McConville)

Friday pictures

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:39:44 +0000

We begin our Friday photo round-up with Andrew and Joey Allcock's terrific shots from around the site...

This year, we've got Charles Gervais focusing on the Theatre & Circus fields for us. Here are his pictures from Friday...

Here are Jason Bryant's photos from the day when the big music stages sprung into life, and Radiohead made a special guest appearance in The Park.

Trader Tales 2011

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 19:17:47 +0000

At this year's Festival, writer/cook Maite Cicognini is serving up food at the Italian Kitchen stall in the Park. Following last year's excellent blog, she's kindly agreed to write about her experiences for us again.

Sunday 26 June

This was the Festival that gave us everything; from the highs and lows to the unnoticed quiet times in between.

Drenching rain then scorching sun. The curse of being outside and then the pleasure of it.

Old friends and new friends and best of all, fixing ones that were broken, thanks to a chance meeting in a field.

Stifled tears under a fire-sparked sky and laughter that bounced off every pot and pan in the kitchen.

The delight at being reunited with the spaces and places you love and then finding others.

Above all, music that brought back memories and music that created new ones.

And then suddenly it’s nearly over.

I think one of the exceptional things about Glastonbury Festival is the sharing of everything, good and bad, with other people around you, irrespective of whether you know them or not. You aren’t the only person who’s just found their tent in a puddle, who’s woken up with a hangover, who thinks they’ve properly fallen in love, or who’s just heard the best band in their whole life, ever.

It’s the same for the traders, the site crew and the delivery guys. We’re all in it together. And I reckon that’s a pretty special feeling in our digital and disconnected age.

So thank you, everyone.

And thank you Glastonbury Festival, for making it all happen. Enjoy the year off and see you in 2013.

Saturday, 25 June

Amongst our crew are three professional chefs who have all worked together at one time or another. Their banter while they zip around the kitchen is lovely to observe: teasing and affectionate yet efficient too. It gets them the pasta cooked off or some more prepped sauce brought in from the fridge trailer while at the same time making each other laugh – I never once hear the kind of language you associate with busy chefs in a kitchen. Or is that just certain chefs on TV?

No matter how hectic it gets or how many unique obstacles crop up from cooking in a kitchen in a field, these guys are having a ball while being invaluable support to us, and their pleasure shows.

But however entertaining they are I am still relieved to manage to escape in the late afternoon to The Glasshouse, one of my favourite spots in The Park, with its candelabras, birdcages and luscious greenery.

A friend and I have lunch, people-watch and I try to memorise all the parts that make up The Glasshouse with the intention of building my own. Perhaps I could have a Helter Skelter too while I’m at it, complete with ribbons in the wind.

There’s mud out there, but there’s a lot of love too. Smiles are easily shared and no one shows a flicker of impatience whether they are waiting for food or walking past to The Park stage.

We have a megaphone to help save our voices when shouting out order numbers and whoever is covering front of house soon slips into funny voices, random chatter or mini comedy sketches. (Although by the end of the night I’m never quite sure if we are doing it on purpose or out of tiredness.)

It doesn’t seem to matter to anyone around us though. I can tell from the faces in the queue that it isn’t just me who enjoys watching people whistle while they work.

Friday, 24 June

The final four members of our crew arrive. And not a minute too soon, because we are soon visited by a pop star who half of us don't recognise but the under-25s go completely dolally over - one becomes a Facebook hero in seconds after posting his famous sighting while the other manages to pour an unneeded extra jug of coffee into the machine thus sending rivers of coffee all over the front counter. "I just went all funny when he was talking to me," she said later, "it was really strange."

So here's me hoping for no more celebrity visits because it gets awfully messy...

I did a survey for the Green Traders Awards yesterday and thought I would do some awards of my own. So here are the winners for my Good and Mad awards from the Festival so far.

The Good:
First prize goes to Phil (pictured) who hands out the previously mentioned recycling bags. He had absolutely no idea as to why I wanted his photo but was very sweet to go along with it.

The Mad:
Winners are the delivery guys for Masqueraders Carnival Club. They deliver our milk and eggs and won after for their singing and general hilarity at seven am this morning.

Thursday, 23 June

The long-awaited deliveries arrive just before lunch and we are open and busy until the early hours of the morning. By the end of the night we are all in a befuddled haze running like a well-oiled machine.

On the other side of the counter, people are genuinely happy and excited to be here and paying little notice to the somtimes less-than ideal weather conditions.

I do have one, rare confrontation with someone because he won’t take no for an answer and because I am stubborn and tired. His sharpest insult in our back-and-forth is a comment made about my "lack of Glastonbury spirit" that was like being pinched hard and with intent.

He won, after that.

It takes four trips to the rubbish bins to deal with the lump in my throat and the embarrassing threat of tears. Then it occurs to me that using the Glastonbury spirit in an argument is a bit like saying God is on your side when you go to war, and for some reason that makes me feel better. Then I hear a snap and crackle and look up - fireworks, and a huge cheer from all around the Festival.

Now that’s a bit more like it.

Wednesday, 22 June

The deliveries are rolling in. Milk arrives in a truck painted in black and white patches like the bulk of a dairy cow, the vegetables come from a local supplier and... well, we are still waiting for the last one.

Here's evidence of Glastonbury Festival walking the walk on environmental issues: all food traders are obliged to buy eggs from non-caged birds and Fairtrade coffee and tea. We are given bags to recycle everything from food waste to tins to cardboard. And, we're encouraged to use local suppliers to reduce food miles and support the community; all of this making your festival grub good for you and everyone else.

In the afternoon we take a break and wander down to the Green Fields. The sun is warm, the breeze makes the trees sound like ocean waves and the children are running around barefoot. There are flowers everywhere.

Something is happening at the entrance to the Stone Circle. The area has been cordoned off. There are people watching quietly while a forklift truck gently lowers a crown of butterflies onto the head of the angel looking down from the gate. I can hear an airy monotone sound and, for a minute, it sounds like flutes or pipes; I'm confused - have we stumbled on some kind of Green Fields ceremony? Is this for real?

Then I realise that it is simply the hydraulic arms of the truck.

Either I am tired and over-imaginative, or Glastonbury Festival can turn mechanics into magic.

Later that day I am drowning in testosterone and techno and escape to one of the bus shelters at the bottom of the hill near The Park Stage. I think this exact same feeling hit me last year on the Tuesday night. I watch the coloured ribbons on the Helter Skelter flutter in the breeze and the sunlight streaming through them, and gradually my anxiety dissipates.

Wednesday morning sees us on the hill taking a last look over The Park while you can still see the grass. It won't be long now; the gates have opened. We can tell because of the excitement and laughing bubbling over the fences, audible over the pitter patter on the marquee roof. They aren't bothered about the rain and neither are we; the forecast is good for tonight and the next few days.

All in all there's plenty of mechanics, meteorology and magic on site...but what I really want to know is: where's the mozzarella?

Tuesday, 21 June

We are adamant that, this year, we will have enough time to set up in a relaxed and efficient manner.

To help make this happen we spend the night in a campground ten minutes away from Worthy Farm, surrounded by bleating lambs, newborn calves and crops of waving daisies. The only traffic jam we encounter on our way to the site on Sunday morning is made up of a herd of cows, both timid and curious, and just like that we are in the queue of traders by 7am.

There is a little mud, and I am suspicious of it, but there are also modern-day knights sitting atop JCBs ready to rescue people like us should we need it and, happily, the sun is winning its battle with the billowing clouds above our heads.

It isn't long before we find ourselves back in The Park on site S2/06.

So much is familiar. The birds are singing a riot, refusing to be outdone by the drilling; the giant washing line is being hung up and the finishing touches are being added to the gates that stand at the field's entrance. The toilets and their hostile odour. Our neighbours.

We are ahead of schedule and are feeling pleased with ourselves until we have a chat with one of our suppliers where they confess to being ignorant about the whereabouts of one of our most essential ingredients. I get a nasty chill.

So much for being organised. It just goes to show that it's not so much about planning for the Festival, as waiting to see what the Festival has planned for you...

Thursday pictures

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:28:21 +0000

We begin with Andrew and Joey Allcock's shots from the second day of the Festival:

Here are Jason Bryant's photos from a sun-soaked, sticky-grounded second day of Glastonbury 2011.

Ke$ha

And here are Charles Gervais' latest shots - including some crackers from yesterday's world record Twister attempt. The little boy sitting on the mat is Ruben, whose mother gave birth to him during the Festival last year (she went into labour, was taken to hospital, had him, and then came back to the Festival!).

Coldplay song from last night on iTunes, raising funds for Glastonbury's charities

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 09:54:06 +0000

Following last night's wonderful Pyramid Stage show, Coldplay have donated their performance of In My Place to raise money for Glastonbury's three charities, Oxfam, WaterAid and Greenpeace Environmental Trust. The proceeds from the sale of the song on iTunes - including 100% of iTunes' share - will go to the three charities.

Click here to download In My Place (Live at Glastonbury) from the UK iTunes Store now.

The track will be on sale for 30 days. It is also available on the Irish and US iTunes Stores.

U2's I Will Follow performance from Friday night is also available on iTunes, click here to download it now.

Song from last night's U2 set on iTunes - proceeds to Glastonbury's charities

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:11:16 +0000

We're pleased to report that U2 have donated the track I Will Follow from their storming Friday night Pyramid performance to raise money for Glastonbury's three charities, Oxfam, WaterAid and Greenpeace Environmental Trust. The proceeds from the sale of the song on iTunes - including 100% of iTunes' share - will go to the three charities.

Click here to download I Will Follow (Live at Glastonbury) from the UK iTunes Store now.

The track will be on sale for 30 days. It is also available on the Irish and US iTunes Stores.

Dance Village pictures/video

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:58:01 +0000

Here's some pictures and videos from the Dance Village this weekend.

Glasto TV 2011

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:22:24 +0000

The broadcast students from Southampton Solent University are, once again, down on site making films about the Festival. Watch them all on the player below:

In A Field Of Their Own: The Pyramid/Other Stage

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:03:30 +0000

For our final In A Field Of Their Own Q&A with the folks from Glastonbury's various venues and stages, we hear from Dick Tee, the Production Manager for the Pyramid and Other Stages.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
The Pyramid, Other Stage and Interstage is the 'physical centre' of the Festival but not the 'heart' of the Festival. It is the highest profile area of the Festival, but does not have the same atmosphere and 'Festival feel' that the other areas enjoy. It is more 'mainstream' - less 'pure Glastonbury'. The 2 largest stages - Pyramid and Other Stage are where the highest profile acts will give their greatest performances.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
There are no significant changes to the layout or facilities in these areas this year

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
So much to choose from - U2 is obviously going to be a amazing show and will bring back so many memories from my past and more 'youthful days'. But Coldplay are a huge Act and Beyonce is sure to give a truly 'exciting' performance. Then one cannot forget Paul Simon - a true 'legend', The Chemical Brothers and their fantastic music and stage shows, up coming Jessie J, Mumford and Sons, Plan B and even Fisherman's Friends - there really is something for everyone covering all musical tastes and genres

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
Not really.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
I first become involved with Michael Eavis when I was asked to handle the Production Management of the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra back in 1996. The following year I took over the Pyramid and Other Stage at the main festival. Now I am responsible for the Production of The Pyramid and The Other Stage and I supervise West Holts and the John Peel Stage as well. I still manage the Abbey Extravaganza in August and now look after the Pilton Party in September as well - so Glastonbury Festivals Ltd keeps me and my team pretty busy...

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
The huge thrill and high that you get from seeing a sea of smiling faces and waving hands when you look out from the stage into the crowd.

7. And what's the worst?
It is a huge pressure and massive responsibility that takes over your life - in my case for 3 or 4 months of each year. In that time I am pretty much an 'insomniac' and it can be very demanding on the patience and understanding of my dear wife, family & friends.

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
I think the Spirit of '71 Stage will be amazing and some of the big features like Cubehenge are 'must see's'.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
David Bowie at the Pyramid - I was a massive fan in my younger years and it was something very special to see him perform on one of my stages.

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Spend some time looking at the website before you arrive and study the various guides etc., so you can plan your time to make sure you don't miss out on the acts and attractions that you want to see. The Festival is so huge that whilst it is good to be spontaneous, and indeed there are some amazing performances that you will just 'happen upon', it is a good idea to have a 'game plan' to make sure you get the best out of it and are not disappointed by missing something truly 'special'.

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Wednesday pictures

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:39:35 +0000

Here are some shots from the opening day of Glastonbury 2011, from our team of photographers roaming the site.

Here are Andrew and Joey Allcock's shots from the first day:

These ones are by Charles Gervais - who will be covering the Theatre & Circus fields for us this year.

The following are all by Jason Bryant:

BBC Glastonbury Coverage

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:23:24 +0000

If you didn't manage to get along to Worthy Farm this year (or did, but hope to relive it afterwards), you'll be pleased to hear that the BBC is promising its most comprehensive coverage of Glastonbury to date.

Offering a complete multi-platform experience with coverage from six stages, between Thursday 23 June and Friday 1 July, there will be a host of programming, including live headline sets, festival highlights and interviews, taking viewers and listeners directly into the heart of the action.

The award-winning TV and radio coverage will be hosted by presenters working across both platforms, bringing viewers live music and highlights on BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four, as well as on four Red Button streams,

If you're outside the UK, you'll be able to hear live coverage on the following stations, by clicking the links to listen online: BBC 6 Music BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 2

There will also be a wealth of online content at bbc.co.uk/glastonbury which will feature highlights from dozens of the acts - which, for the first time, will be available to watch outside the UK.

For more information, including broadcast schedules, head over to bbc.co.uk/glastonbury.

Accessing the SE venues at this year's Festival

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:55:14 +0000

A reminder that if you'd like to get into the South East corner of the site to visit Shangri-la, Arcadia, The Common, Block9 and/or The Unfairground during peak hours at this year's Festival (Thur 1800-0400, Fri-Sun 2300-0400), then you won't be able to access it via the old railway line. Instead, you'll need to enter via Glebeland – the theatre field.

Site Snaps: Ready, steady...

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:47:54 +0000

With less than 12 hours to go until Glastonbury 2011 gates open, here's another great batch of photos taken on the site by Jason Bryant.

Might we recommend the Flying Karamazov Brothers?

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:40:36 +0000

If you're coming to Glastonbury, then we *really* advise that you spend some time in the Theatre & Circus field. You really will see some of the world's best performers there. (We're still reeling from the time we saw a chap swallow a full length strip bulb - and then turn it on while it was in his stomach.)

If you could do with a suggestion for what to see, then we'd certainly recommend the internationally renowned Flying Karamazov Brothers, who will be transporting their anarchic and unbelievable talents from the West End stage to Glastonbury, for a performance at 7pm on Sunday 26 June on the Astrolabe Stage.

Kilt wearing, flame throwing, line dancing, ballet dancing, tongue twisting, piano playing anarchists, these boys put the Y in wild, the K in chaotic and the OMG in live comedy (or WTF in live comedy). Grabbing the torch from Monty Python and the League of Gentlemen, FKB catapult live comedy to dizzying new heights with their raucous blend of linguistic and physical stunts.

The show, we're told, is suitable for all audiences: adults, students, television personalities, hoodies, disgraced politicians, politicians who have yet to be disgraced, bank managers, children (but only the smartest, most serious ones), landed gentry, crash landed gentry, nerds, birds, pseudo-intellectuals, Martians, musicians and other animals.

Sounds like you won't regret popping along...

New bars for 2011

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:16:37 +0000

How the Meeting Point Bar looked at 12.33pm today

There are two new bars at the Festival this year which we still haven't had a chance to tell you about, but which we think you might like:

The Meeting Point Bar
A laidback venue with a Carribean vibe and plenty of places to sit down, up neat the Meeting Point. There will be DJs playing tunes from midday until late. Should be a great place to chill. Click here for the line-up.

West Holts Bar
Situated in the West Holts field, this is rootsy, soulful venue with live music bookings to match, running from early afternoon until late. Click here for the line-up.

How the site is looking

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:51:33 +0000

It seems some folks on Twitter have been posting pictures from past Festivals, passing them off as 2011 photos and saying that the site is currently a mudbath. It really isn't - although it is wet underfoot and we do advise you bring wellies and waterproofs. To see how the site is actually looking right now, check out the BBC's live webcam.

Pre-order the Q Review

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:33:33 +0000

We're pleased to report that, as in previous years, Q Magazine will be producing the Q Glastonbury Review at this year's Festival.

The Q Glastonbury Review 2011 will be on sale from 7am on Monday morning (June 27) at Gate A and from around 8am at all other places.

It will be available at and around Pedestrian gates A, B, C and D, and from Main Info at the Meeting Point (all day) and Green Info by the Old Railway Track (AM only). It will be available until 4 or 5pm, costing £4.

You can also pre-order the Glastonbury Review from greatmagazines.co.uk/glastonbury for £4.99 (inc P&P) in the UK, or £5.99 for the rest of the world.

In A Field Of Their Own: The Unfairground

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:20:44 +0000

We continue our Q&As with the Festival's venue/area organisers, with answers from The Unfairground's Joe Rush.

â€¨1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
A nightmare party at the end of the world.

â€¨2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
We’ve got a flying Smart car, a Volkswagen Beetle mutated into a frog, a huge rusty Easter Island head with flames shooting out of it and we’ve re-built Car Henge as a nod to the past. Plus a crash-landed spaceship vodka bar run by the ‘House of Dolls’ hostesses.

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
My line-up at Sharky’s and The Orb at Bez’s Acid House.

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
No I don’t eat at Glastonbury. â€¨ â€¨

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
I turned up with a burned out skull bus in 1985 and had a huge argument with Michael Eavis. â€¨

â€¨6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
You get to create exactly the party you want, with all your friends.

7. And what's the worst?
Clearing up afterwards with a hangover.

â€¨8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you’re particularly looking forward to?
B.B. King

â€¨9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
The Desert Orchids belly dancing troupe.

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Get to the late night areas before 11pm and the one-way system comes into action.

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

WaterAid's temporary tattoos at this year's Festival

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:42:07 +0000

Lauren Laverne, Emmy the Great and Eliza Doolittle have teamed up with WaterAid to design their temporary tattoos for this year's Festival. The tattoos are a light-hearted way to draw attention to global water issues and highlight the social conscience of the festival. They will be available from the WaterAid stand near the Pyramid Stage.

TV presenter and radio DJ Lauren Laverne has designed a heart with headphones:

"For me Glastonbury is all about love and music," she said. "It is such a special festival, not only is the music and diversity phenomenal, but it helps some very important causes.

"I designed this tattoo to help raise awareness of the 884 million people around the world who don't have safe water - and to remind people that just by being at Glastonbury they are helping to change this."

Singer Eliza Doolittle said: "I actually had a lot of fun doodle-ing my tattoo design and hope lots of people enjoy wearing it!

"I drew lots of water droplets in and around my tattoo design... where would we be without water?

"I hope lots of people wear my tattoo at Glastonbury this year."

Songstress Emmy the Great has taken the theme of space as her inspiration: "This is a fun tattoo that represents the adventure of Glastonbury, and the rocket shows the ongoing mission to help some of the world's poorest people to clean water and sanitation."

As well as performing at the Festival, Emmy will also be using Storify to blog for WaterAid at Glastonbury. You can follow her live blog now at www.wateraid.org/emmy.

WaterAid is one of three official charities to benefit from the Glastonbury Festival which, over the years, has helped thousands of people in the developing world out of poverty by giving them access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

At the Festival itself, the charity provides around 150 volunteers who help to man the latrines in the King's Meadow, the famous she-pees (female urinals) and the main WaterAid stand by the Pyramid Stage. Festival goers can pick up their tattoos from any of these sites.

You can follow WaterAid's festival activities at Glastonbury at www.wateraid.org/glasto, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wateraid or follow @wateraid on Twitter.

West Holts CD signings

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:31:17 +0000

There will, once again, be artist signings at the Songlines stand adjacent to the West Holts Stage - featuring many of the artists who are performing on the stage. Here's the info...

Our Glastonbury 2011 online coverage

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:42:36 +0000

With two days until gates open, we wanted to let you know about our online coverage for this year's Festival.

Here on the official site
As in previous years, we'll be posting pictures from our team of photographers, videos from the Solent crew and constant updates (via Twitter) right here on the official site. Plus, we'll have our new green blog and the return of Trader Tales, in which cook/writer Maite Cicognini tells about life as a trader in the The Park. And we'll have poems from our 2011 website poet-in-residence, Tony Walsh (aka Longfella). Plus we'll have a widget from the BBC, containing lots of their coverage of the Festival.

On Twitter
As with last year, we'll be using two Twitter accounts during the Festival.

twitter.com/glastofest (aka @glastofest)
We'll be using our main Twitter page to post official news updates from the site - be it travel information, weather reports or line-up changes/announcements. If you're coming to the Festival, this will be well worth checking on your mobile phone's web browser once in a while.

twitter.com/glastolive (aka @glastolive)
We'll be using this feed to post constant pictures and comments from our team of reporters roving the site, throughout the Festival. This feed will be embedded onto the official website. Its purpose will be to give a real flavour of what's going on, throughout the site. (We're giving it its own feed so that we can keep big news announcements separate, and to prevent us spamming up the Twitter feeds of people who follow @glastofest with our constant updates.)

On the mobile app
For the first time, we'll also have access to post news stories to Orange's official Glastonbury mobile app - which we'll be using to post major announcements. You can still download the free app by clicking the buttons below.

Bring. It. On.

In A Field Of Their Own: The Rabbit Hole

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 21:04:35 +0000

For our latest Q&A with the organiser of a field/venue, we hear from Hamish Guerrini, from The Park's wonderfully odd Rabbit Hole.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
In the past we have been described as "the highest venue at Glastonbury Festival". The Rabbit Hole is a psychedelic chateau peddling surreal forms of musical endeavour and stupidity. Lewis Carroll's Wonderland has never been more feverishly imagined. In the Main tent the White Rabbit presents new and wonderful live musical delights that push the boundaries of taste and decency, featuring breaking new bands and a hot selection of special secret djs. If you want to go further, then brave the nebulous labyrinth of tunnels that take the intrepid and adventurous explorer into the fetid mind of the White Rabbit's warren of interest. Doors within doors, tunnels within tunnels, you might as easily find yourself at a Mad tea party as you might find yourself swirling round and round on a Hubbly-bubbly inspired dancefloor, you might be transported into a 1920's clandestine cinema or have your future told by the great and legendary Wizard of Odd. But the question remains: Who stole the tarts? Follow the Rabbit, find the queen, query the cat......give a carrot to the Mad man with the hat……….BUT ....don't lose you head....... Welcome down The Rabbit Hole.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
Yes. We have a new tunnel system and some great new decor surprises. We are also firming up our relationship with the "Twitchers", our ornithologically inclined neighbours. Last year we linked up to provide a matchmaking service that involved members of the public spying on potential mates in the Park from the 'Twitchers Club Hide'. A staff facilitator then ran over to the chosen target and presented them with an invitation to a blind date at the Peoples Cinema within the warren system of the The Rabbit Hole. Using close-up magic, rum hot chocolate and 1920's erotic film, the Cinema staff then set about facilitating an amorous bond between the couple and ultimately left them to their own devices. We are compiling results and stories to present this year in a "Gallery of Love".

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
Nick Warren headlining the opening night front of house on the Thursday. Oh Land (10.30 Friday) is a brilliant pop goddess who I think we will see a lot more of in the future. We have a very special secret guest DJ after the Mad Cows on Friday. Goldray (10.30 Sat); Ex members of Reef- massive tunes and great sound. And The Fanclub (10.45 Sun) are extraordinarily talented new-comers who are set to go big.

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
Cream tea and carrot cake at the Rabbit Hole.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
I was Neals Yard support crew once and did reflexology in the Healing Field. Cal asked me to transport the Rainbow Circle's entire garden from Glastonbury to The Big Green Gathering in my truck one year. Then, through playing in The Mad Cows, I was asked to run an open mic venue in the Park which became The Rabbit Hole.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
The Music. The theatre. The Show. There seems to be so much great music at the moment and it's such a pleasure to be able to present it to others. Also, I think people need to let go and lose themselves sometimes and I love seeing the regression at the Rabbit hole as adults indulge in the whole fantasy of it all and have a thorough adventure.

7. And what's the worst?
Clearing up.

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
I hear that Arcadia are up to more fine tricks which is always a pleasure to witness and the new bullring thing looks like it's going to be a right hoot. I'd love to see Kool And The Gang and of course Dr Jimmy Cliff. (Are we to presume Dr of civil engineering? ....So many rivers to cross?) However, as usual, I don't expect to get outside the Park from Tuesday onwards.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
The blowing up of 'Dub Henge' with a Sherman tank driven by Barbarians and vertically challenged cyber-freaks. Only possibly surpassed the next year by the Skeleton Galleon that sailed out of the Theatre field, into Jazz world and stalled the Orbital gig mid-flow. Now that's Showbiz!

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Upon arrival, clearly mark the position of the WELFARE tent on your map in luminous pen, write your name on your arm and seek out a 5-day disco nappy (see Tarka Sands at The Rabbit Hole for details).

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Please Take It Home Again!

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:25:02 +0000

If you're coming to this year's Festival, please take your stuff home with you.

Thank you.

Site Snaps: Almost ready

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 14:02:09 +0000

Here's more of Jason Bryant's wonderful photos from the site, as Festival preparations near completion.

In A Field Of Their Own: The Common

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 21:00:26 +0000

Our latest Q&A with the Festival's area/venue organisers features The Common's Bridey Watson (pictured below in the King's Meadow in 1987, wearing the blue and white jumper).

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
Think vibrant carnival, debauched bordellos, the Day of the Dead and twisted voodoo parlours. The field has had a complete re-vamp since last year, so even those who have been before will be in for a surprise. It’s an all-new late night Latino playground - our take on Latin American culture but with a Glastonbury twist.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
It’s all change – new venues, new theme plus we’ve swapped fields with Arcadia. We’re really excited about our new home. It’s our favourite field on the whole site!

Timelapse film of 2011 preparations for The Common - see more here

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
I can’t wait for Friday night at Zona Bassline with Gentleman’s Dub Club, Example, Toddla T and Shlomo all performing in support of Médecins Sans Frontières. Then there’s Fairtunes’ Latin American programming on Sunday, the giant tomato fight and Mexican wrestling at Campo Pequeno and the return of Ken Fox’s Wall of Death. My other hot tips are Copperdollar’s ‘Back of Beyond’ and Invisible circus’ ‘Photo Booth’.

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
The El Penol Cantina is the perfect place to chill out after a long day (or night) - Authentic Latin American cuisine, comfortable seating with traditional board games and performances from Latin American artists whilst you eat! We also have roasted corn sellers, fruit stalls, Brazillian doughnuts, and Latin ice shavings.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
Glastonbury Festival is one of my earliest memories. I first went to the Festival in 1987 – just in time for my 6th birthday. The queue to get onsite was huge and it was a hot night, so we ended up sleeping in the road in front of our vehicle. Then the brakes went on the van in front and we had to dive out of the way! We stayed in Kings Meadow, which was then home to lots of bow-top trailers and horses. One of the horses called One-Eyed Jack was crazy, wild and always galloping off on a rampage. I remember seeing the Mutoid Waste Co.’s Car Henge (pictured, below) and little did I know that I would be working with them later in my life. I also sat on someone’s shoulders watching the Bundu Boy’s. I’ve been to almost every Glastonbury since and spent most of my birthdays working on the site – this place is in my blood.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
I love working with such an inspiring team of people. The field is Co-produced by Steve Stavrinides, Kerry Veitch and myself, plus we have an extended team of people working very hard behind the scenes to bring it all together. I think we’re all driven by a love of transforming our wacky dreams into reality. It’s also brilliant to be able to support and give a platform to artists and creative groups, to give them the space and resources they need to create new work.

7. And what's the worst?
Waking up at 5am with a head full of things that need adding to lists before you forget them.

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you’re particularly looking forward to?
The Unfairground for sure. The Mutoids are Glastonbury legends and their sculptures are completely awe-inspiring. Plus I’ve had a sneaky peek at their line-up and it’s incredible.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
Without a doubt the Arcadia show in 2010, I managed to see it on the Sunday night, truly spectacular. Arcadia, Block9, The Unfairground and The Common all grew out of the team we had in Trash City back in 2008. Then when more space became available there was a creative explosion. It’s been inspirational to be a part of this and I can’t wait to see where it all goes in the future.

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Our corner is a wee bit popular, so if you want to get into the late night areas without queuing come nice and early before the one way system kicks in at 11pm!

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Our packing tips

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 15:58:53 +0000

If you're spending this weekend packing your stuff for Glastonbury, then you might find the following links on this website quite helpful:

Packing list
A handy checklist of the things we'd advise you to bring.

The Facilities section
Worth a look to get an idea of what Glastonbury has to offer - from cash machines to water supply to toilets to the free property lock-ups.

The Advice section
Lots of tips on how to best enjoy the festival - from avoiding excess noise, to not overdoing it.

Tips for people bringing young children
The mother of a four-year old and a one-year-old offers tips based on her experience of the last four Festivals.

And, in case you need something to listen to while you do all that, we asked our followers on Twitter to suggest the best Glastonbury Spotify playlists. Here are two of the best ones:

- Festivalinfo.nl's Playlist with one track each by 119 different acts playing Glastonbury this year
- Ashley Coates' 778 track playlist, with several tracks each by dozens of our 2011 acts (it lasts more than 2 days).

Plus, of course, if you haven't downloaded the Fine Guide PDF yet - that's definitely worth reading through.

We look forward to seeing you down here!

Newsletter ticket contest winners

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 13:52:03 +0000

As those of you who are signed up to the Glastonbury Email Newsetter may know, our latest edition had a contest to win the final pair of tickets to this year's Festival. The contest closed yesterday, and we're pleased to report that the randomly-chosen winner is Tara Kingsley from London, who wins a pair of tickets.

We were overwhelmed by the response to the contest - which had thousands and thousands of entries - so much so, in fact, that the office kindly managed to find one further pair of tickets for us to give away. The randomly-chosen winner of those was Jon Adams from Cardiff.

Big thanks to everyone who entered. Tara and Jon, check your inboxes - and we hope you have a great Festival.

In A Field Of Their Own: Arcadia

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:24:11 +0000

Picture by Paul Holmes

In our latest Q&A with an organiser of one of Glastonbury's fields/venues, we catch up with Pip Rush from Arcadia.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
It’s a late night area, which hosts a huge 360-degree stage in the centre. The stage is sculpted from scrap and combines, lights, flames, lasers, circus performance, and bolts of lightning!

It has a fine line-up of music from 6pm onward, and the stage and all its effects will come to life during the spectacular at midnight.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
There are lots of new ridiculous plans unfolding at the moment, you’ll have to come and see which we pull off!

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
It will be great to see the midnight spectacular finally come together; hundreds of artists, performers and technicians have been working on different elements of it - plus it is a one-off exclusive to Glastonbury this year, so they will be three unique moments for those that get there.

A couple of musical highlights will be a phat DJ set by Orbital on Saturday night, and I’m really looking forward to Sundays Rootsy lineup including Soom-T & mungo’s Hifi!

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
We’ve got great burgers from our local organic farm, which will be in the fire corner of our field.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
My first memory of Glastonbury was sitting in my pram watching my brother dive off the top of a truck in to the mud as an opening to Mutoid Waste show.

I went on to work with them until a few years ago when I started collaboration a friend Bertie Cole, an amazing engineer who had been working for Kayam building concert structures.

The two of us have been making bigger and bigger things and Michael has been giving us more and more space.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
That’s a hard one, perhaps all the creative people who turn up in our field every year wanting to give everything they can to help push the boundaries to see what’s possible. Or the moment when we see the audience first arrive and climb and dance on it like it belongs to them…

But then the feeling of mass unity on the Sunday night is probably tops it all.

7. And what's the worst?
Not being able to leave all my responsibilities at the gate like everyone else!

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
Mostly i really enjoy wandering around and stumbling on all the little personal things, they make the Festival for me.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
A MASSIVE spontaneous mud fight.

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Turn your phone off, lose your tent… enjoy the ride!

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Bhopal Medical Appeal in the Leftfield

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:20:27 +0000

The Bhopal Medical Appeal (BMA), one of Michael Eavis’ ‘other worthwhile causes’, have 80 litterpickers on site this year and a small crew in the Leftfield where they’ll be running daily recycled art workshops. They’re inviting Festival-goers to join their crew of charity volunteers in creating a Bhopali Sculpture Garden made out of plastic bottles, bags and fabric scraps.

Many people haven’t heard of Bhopal, especially those that were children in the 1980s and later, yet it remains the biggest industrial disaster ever. The aim at Glastonbury 2011 is to raise awareness of the very current daily disaster in Bhopal, and the survivors’ quest for medical justice and clean water, 27 years after the 1984 Union Carbide gas leak. Union Carbide, now the Dow Chemical Company, continue to deny responsibility, leaving their dumped chemicals to poison the next generation.

The BMA's message is simple: Dow Chemical, Clean-up Bhopal.

Join the Leftfield Bhopal crew as they transform rubbish into true works of art or just relax with a free cuppa chai in their beautiful Indian marquee in the Leftfield. Enter their simple quiz to win signed t-shirts, a Bhopali sculpture, a private harp recital and more – prize donations welcome.

For more about the free, award-winning healthcare in Bhopal that the charity supports, visit www.bhopal.org.

Download the 2011 Clashfinder PDF

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:45:51 +0000

You might remember that, in 2010, we began supplying official line-up details to Clashfinder, a Glastonbury fansite which offers Festival-goers the chance to download a handy PDF showing one day's Festival set times on one sheet, giving you an easy way to work out what you'd like to see (and, as the name implies, spot any clashes).

The PDFs they did for us last proved to be very popular, and they've been good enough to do some more for 2011.

- Download the PDF of the 30 of the Festival's biggest stages by clicking here
- Download the PDF of all the stages (more than 60) by clicking here

Or, head over to Clashfinder's website where you can make your own personalised Clashfinder, highlighting the bands you'd like to see, from any of the stages we've announced.

Ghostpoet added to West Holts line-up

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:49:23 +0000

Rising British rapper Ghostpoet has been added to the West Holts Stage line-up, after Gonjasufi was forced to pull out. Ghostpoet will take the same slot - at 3.15pm on Friday afternoon. Click here to check out the full West Holts line-up.

New for 2011: The Beat Hotel

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:50:30 +0000

A new venue for Glastonbury 2011, The Beat Hotel sets up shop in the markets between the Pyramid and John Peel serving up fine cocktails, smoked BBQ by The Meateasy and special guests DJs all day and into the night. By day, check-in and kick back whilst watching the world go by to a soundtrack of reggae, yacht rock and dub. By night, the hotel heats up with guest selectors spinning everything from cosmic disco to jackin house in the venue’s intimate setting.

Open 11am – 3am daily. Find them on Twitter - twitter.com/BeatHotelGlasto

Smoked BBQ Grill by The Meateasy 12-3pm and 6-9pm

2011 line-up

Tayo	01:30	- 03:00	Thursday
Filthy Dukes	00:00	- 01:30	Thursday
Clancy	22:30	- 00:00	Thursday
Zero 7 (DJ set)	20:30	- 22:30	Thursday
Faze Action (DJ set)	18:30	- 20:30	Thursday
Special guest	17:00	- 18:30	Thursday
Duff Disco	15:00	- 17:00	Thursday
Lonely Hertz Club DJs	13:00	- 15:00	Thursday
Room Service	11:00	- 13:00	Thursday

Erol Alkan	01:30	- 03:00	Friday
Hannah Holland & Dan Beaumont	00:00	- 01:30	Friday
Rory Phillips	22:30	- 00:00	Friday
Romy XX (DJ Set)	21:30	- 22:30	Friday
Fenech-Soler DJs	20:00	- 21:30	Friday
Olugbenga (Metronomy DJ Set)	18:30	- 20:00	Friday
Slugrave	17:00	- 18:30	Friday
Heavenly Jukebox	15:00	- 18:00	Friday
Pathaan	13:00	- 15:00	Friday
Room Service	11:00	- 13:00	Friday

The 2 Bears	01:00	- 03:00	Saturday
Living in a Disco	23:45	- 01:00	Saturday
Man Like Me (live)	23:00	- 23:45	Saturday
Ross Allen	21:00	- 23:00	Saturday
Justin Robertson	19:30	- 21:00	Saturday
Kraak & Smaak	18:00	- 19:30	Saturday
Crystal Fighters (Spanish Summer vibes set)	16:30	- 18:00	Saturday
Cassette Boy & DJ Rubbish (Informal Set)	15:00	- 16:30	Saturday
DJ Shepdog	13:00	- 15:00	Saturday
Room Service	11:00	- 13:00	Saturday

Very special guests	01:30	- 03:00	Sunday
Skream (Disco set)	00:00	- 01:30	Sunday
Crazy P (DJ set)	22:45	- 00:00	Sunday
Space Dimension Controller	21:30	- 22:45	Sunday
Ghostpoet (DJ Set)	20:30	- 21:30	Sunday
D/R/U/G/S (live)	19:30	- 20:30	Sunday
Toby Tobias	18:00	- 19:30	Sunday
Soft Rocks	16:30	- 18:00	Sunday
Foolish Felix	15:00	- 16:30	Sunday
Johnno (Bugged Out Yacht Rock set)	13:00	- 15:00	Sunday
Room Service	11:00	- 13:00	Sunday

In A Field Of Their Own: Cubana Salsa Tent

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:07:14 +0000

Our series of interviews with the people behind Glastonbury's fields and venues continues with Glastonbury stalwart Alister Sieghart, who tells us about the Cubana Salsa Tent.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
The Cubana Salsa Tent is the genuine Latin experience at Glastonbury - the Festival is all about having a good time, and in Latin countries they know a thing or two about that. So on top of the fantastic festival experience, you get the even more fantastic Latin party experience, with the best music late into the night, hot salsa dancing and an atmosphere that knows no limits. In the daytime we have bands and DJs interspersed with free fun salsa classes. At night we run late - our top bands come on right after the main stages finish.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
Yes, following last year's terrific success, we're bigger and better, with more space, an extended line-up, and in a more central location. We're now in Holts, just along from Leftfield and Chill 'n' Charge.

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
It's a close call, but Sur Caribe are going the extra mile for us this year. They're a the top band from Santiago, Cuba's musical capital, a 15-piece, with maestro Ricardo Leyva leading some of the island's hottest young musicians. They're coming over specially for the Festival, and will be our house band over the weekend. So as well as performing at night (Thursday and Friday) with the full ensemble, smaller groupings of band members will be providing offerings from the Cuban repertoire throughout the weekend.

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
Well, since last year we've been sponsored by Cubana bar/restaurant, so there's great food and drink right on the spot. Cubana are a good fit not just because they're Cuban, but also because they take a lot of trouble making sure their stuff (Latin street food) is really top quality. And they do mojitos...

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
I'm one of the few people still working for the Festival who were involved in the 1979 event - I ran the information stall, which consisted of just 2 people: myself and a girl called Lucy, under an old tipi canvas. Since then I've worked as a pyramid builder (1981), scaffolder, main stage crew, tractor driver, site safety patrol... I've performed... ummm, quite a few things. For more than twenty years I've been the Festival's designer - tickets, adverts, all those vehicle passes, laminates... there's so much that I'm actually working on the Festival the whole year round. On top of that, the salsa tent has been running since 2007 when I first floated the idea to Michael, and it's gone from strength to strength every year.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
You get to showcase the stuff you're passionate about to one of the best audiences in the world.

7. And what's the worst?
It's a lot of work! And during the event, you don't get enough time to go and visit all the other amazing things that are going on.

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
Every year I'm blown away by something extraordinary, that I had no idea about beforehand. I'm eagerly anticipating whatever it turns out to be this time!

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
I've seen some extraordinary performances over the years. Some that stand out: Fela Kuti, Roy Ayers, Gil Scott-Heron, Herbie Hancock. But I'm going to give the crown to Stevie Wonder - the Festival had been trying to get him to play for a long time, and it was really worth it when it finally happened last year. (Though they let some farmer with a beard join in with one of the songs - Pyramid security isn't what it used to be!)

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Don't try to do everything, accept the fact that there's way too much going on for that. Instead, set off every day with no particular direction in mind, and see where it takes you.

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

A video Fine Guide

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:56:36 +0000

In the run-up to this year's Festival, a team of students from Southampton Solent University came down to Worthy Farm to make some video interpretations of our Fine Guide. They made videos about recycling, travelling by bicycle, where the cows go each summer, and lots more. Check them out in the player above. And look out for more films from the Solent team during the Festival.

Chai Wallahs' 2011 plans

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:37:02 +0000

The Greenpeace award winning venue Chai Wallahs returns to Glastonbury this year in full form.

Following the introduction of their live stage in 2007 Chai Wallahs has established a glowing reputation for showcasing the finest emerging artists, providing one of the sickest sound systems on the festival circuit, creating legendary party vibes and for providing a truly mind opening and joyful experience. Chai Wallahs has become known as a hub of creativity and a place to relax, recover, rejuvenate, celebrate... and fill your soul with ‘All Good Things’.

You'll find them in the Arcadia field. Head to their page of the website for more info, including line-up details.

Site Snaps: Tipis and tattoos

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:56:40 +0000

Here's another great batch of photos from Worthy Farm by Jason Bryant.

Ash the security guard

Dane and Lisa, honeymooning at Glasto

Goose Hall, feeding the crews

Top chef Audrey

In A Field Of Their Own: Dance Village

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:46:02 +0000

We continue our series of Q&As with the people behind Glastonbury fields and venues, with Dance Village area organiser Malcolm Haynes.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
For all lovers of dance music the Dance Village offers something for everyone, with a diversity of live bands, DJs and visual art.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
Yes, we have renamed the West Tent to Oxlyers in West, and have installed a bar and garden next to it. Oxlyers in West will feature a host of well known Indie bands that previously would have played the Queen's Head, which is no more. From 6ish, Oxlyers in West moves things up a notch to some impressive artists…check the line-up! We have also put a more full programme of live acts in the Bubbles this year. The Dance Village will offer two headphone parties (Heds Party) this year, in both East Dance and the Cubehenge. The same headphones can be used for either/both areas. Headphones can be collected with a deposit from the cabin which will be positioned near the trackway that runs through the Dance Village. The deposit will be £20 pounds and we ask that you return the headsets before leaving the area. This is going to be particularly fantastic in Cubehenge as we can make full use of the lighting effects until the early hours.

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
Very excited about all the acts that play the Dance Village. Wow Stage is very strong this year with; Ms Dynamite, Mary Jane Cole, Julio Bashmore, Neneh Cherry, Nero and Netksy to name a few - plus a very special guest on the Thursday. We have a showcase of fantastic acts from Australia and New Zealand mainly playing the Pussy Parlure (but can also be found in Wow! and Bubbles and East Stages), which I am particularly excited about. Plus in East I’m personally looking forward to Carl Cox and Fatboy Back2back, Midnight Beast, Katy B and all of the line-up for Saturday East. Oh yes, and a first for Pete Tong in the Dance Village celebrating 20 years in the business on Sunday. Don’t miss an explosive set from D&B maestros; from New Zealand NZ Shapeshifter.

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
There are a host of food outlets on the west of the Dance Village. Most of them have had that position for many years, so that's a good recommendation.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
I first got involved in 1990 when I started working and programming the Jazz-World Stage. In 1995 I went over to the newly created Dance Tent and ran/programmed this. I programmed both these areas for ten years. The Dance tent grew in size for the first 5 years then dance music culture changed, and the area responded to this by evolving into the Dance Village as it is now known.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
Having a great team around me and knowing that I am part of a bigger creative group. Glastonbury is the best, biggest and most famous festival in the world…and that would make anyone feel good. It’s a great occasion for catching up with family of/and friends.

7. And what's the worst?
No bad points just challenges!

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
I love walking around the Festival earlier on in the week, the Tuesday and Wednesday before things really kick off. This is when I can get a feel of what's going on across the site and is the only time I can. I would like to try and get up to the Campo Pequeno, as it sounds so impressive. And seeing Beyoncé.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
Steven and Damian Marley at the Jazz-World in the year that was the anniversary of Bob Marley’s Exodus album about 4/5 years ago I think. It was amazing. The field was so packed with everyone singing along to the songs - the memory will live with me forever!

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Pace yourself, as it’s a long five days. Arrange meeting points if you are meeting friends and have a great time.

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Full 2011 line-up times announced

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:28:19 +0000

We've just added the full line-up times for this year's Festival. Click here to check them out.

The official Glastonbury mobile app has also now updated with the times and an interactive schedule (you can even set reminders for shows you want to see) - click the buttons below to download the app.

Free recycled loo roll at this year's Festival

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:59:19 +0000

We're pleased to report that, at this year's Glastonbury, Nouvelle will distribute free 100% recycled loo roll to festival goers. The company will give away 100,000 rolls of Nouvelle Soft from Festival Information Points and Property Lock Ups - enough to wrap around the Pyramid Stage 17,500 times.

Said Michael Eavis: “We’re encouraging people to be as green as possible at this year’s Festival. We have put many new measures in to help us achieve this, not least by inviting Nouvelle on board as Recycling Partner to the Festival, to give away free Nouvelle Soft recycled toilet tissue."

Glastonbury Festival is more committed than ever to the recycling of festival materials and ensuring that the remaining waste going to landfill is not harmful to the environment. Working in close partnership with traders, the festival ensures all serving materials at catering stalls are made out of wood or fully compostable materials, including plates, cutlery, cups and bags.

Glastonbury also encourages festival-goers to be more proactive with waste segregation by providing 15,000 colour-coded bins placed around the site for wet or dry recyclable materials or non-recyclable rubbish. Recyclable materials will make their way to the 1100m² foot recycling barn, where it will be manually sorted by 80 volunteers from the first day of the Festival to the end of the following week.

In A Field Of Their Own: The Park

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:15:17 +0000

For our latest Q&A with the organisers of Glastonbury's various fields, areas and venues, we caught up with Nick Dewey and Emily Eavis, the husband and wife team who run The Park.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
A hillside haven of fun!

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
It seems to grow a little bit every year and we strive to make it better so there will be all sorts of interesting new things to look out for. Check out the Crow's Nest up the top of the hill which is kind of like the last outpost, right in the far south-westerly tip of the Festival site, where you'll find all sorts of spontaneous music and camp-fire action.

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
Mmm tricky to single out any individual acts as we're very excited about the whole lot of them, but special mention must go to the Master Musicians of Joujouka who are coming all the way over from Morocco to live and play their ancient trance music and perform rituals all weekend in their tipi up near the Rabbit Hole. Now there is a meeting of minds...

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
There's good food from all round the world in The Park so we'd recommend trying a bit of everything and seeing where you end up. Like a culinary Mr Benn.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
I have been here for a while, but Nick and I started The Park together in 2007, which was in at the deep end with a solid five days of rain and a lot of hard work but also some great memories. Africa Express took over the park stage for 7 hours on the Saturday with one of the greatest sets we have seen. Unforgettable. We all get involved in music bookings all year, but Nick's the main booker for the Pyramid Stage and oversees the Other Stage, John Peel and West Holts too. He has been known to pursue things that me and my dad tell him are impossible aims.. like Neil Young for example, who we had been trying to get for a long time, as well as Bruce Springsteen.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
The year long creative imaginings, working on ideas and looking for special elements, stuff you've never seen before. And then building the whole thing with a brilliant crew of artists and craftsmen, it's wonderful to be a part of it

7. And what's the worst?
"I need extra passes..." There's never enough!

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
As always just taking some time out to explore and wander through the far-flung corners of the Festival. This year we may be spending more time in the midwives tent in the Green Fields.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
Again, impossible to single one out but Stevie Wonder last year was about as good as it gets. Pure magic all the way

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Don't plan too much. There's so much going on across the whole Festival that if you're spending too much time looking in the programme you might miss it!

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Music, debates and poetry at the Tripod Stage

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:15:52 +0000

Bored of meetings, talks, and marches? Bored of being ignored? Then let’s do something!

Come down to the Great Direct Action Space this year and be part of the movement that’s taking back the power from the super-rich and those destroying our planet and society.

Check out the low-power, hight-impact Tripod Stage for revolutionary music, debates, poetry and a low-power cinema screenings.

2011 line-up

The Drop
Atilla the Stockbroker (TBC)
Spliff Richard
Vid Warren
Grace Petrie
Great White Shark
Pete the Temp
The Danny Chivers, Claire Fauset and Merrick triple-headed poetry tag team
Chubbywordsmith
Jealous of Girls
Aisha
Beans on Toast

Join daily workshops on creative resistance to climate change and the cuts, direct action training and festival-wide antics!

Where We Are:
Find us in the Dragon Field - near the Stone Circle | Green Futures | Croissant Neuf – on the border of the Craft Field | next to Shangri La & The Piano Bar

About The Space:
The Great Direct Action Space 2011 will be a playground for direct action possibilities and a runway for social change.

Emerging out of The Camp For Climate Action, a network of active groups – from Climate Rush to UK Uncut and Grow Heathrow will bring you ‘The Web Of Resistance’ – an installation of radical history and a funhouse for revolutionary change.

Links:
www.tripodstage.com
Follow the fun and the frolics on Twitter: @tripodstage

Get In Touch:
contact@tripodstage.com

Last chance to buy car park tickets from See

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:14:02 +0000

If you have a Glastonbury 2011 ticket and you'd like to buy a car park ticket, you only have until 5pm today to get one from See Tickets' website at http://www2.seetickets.com/g2011/?

They cost £20 (plus £1.50 booking fee) and allow you access to the car parks from 9pm on Tuesday, June 21st until Monday, June 27th. NB: Although you can access the car park from Tuesday night, the Festival gates don't open until 8am on Wednesday, June 22nd, and people will be expected to remain in their cars.

Update from Shangri-La

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:49:43 +0000

Hi everyone, excitement is mounting about Glasto weekend, which is getting very near now. For us, it's all happening right now. As we speak a city is being built, fuelled only by dedication and cheese rolls.

It must be hard to imagine the activity on site, but, for your delectation and delight, heres a short funny little film about it, showing the process from build to rave.

Massive thanks to Charlie Miller and Simon Mitchell for producing the film. Big up.

And for the rave-monkeys among you.. YOYOYO CHECK THIS OUT! This is what's in store for you on the Hub... should gee you up nicely for an afternoon of dancing in the sun followed by some serious batty-wine.
C'mon.

See y'all on site real soon now...

Debsx
Shangri-La

Site Snaps: The cows still need milking

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:07:07 +0000

Here's another terrific load of pictures from Jason Bryant, showing what's been going on at Worthy Farm in the last few days...

Worthy Farm milker John Taylor

Michael in his office

Bertie from Arcadia

A Merlin helicopter, overhead

If you like Site Snaps, click here for more.

Green Traveller FAQs

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:47:02 +0000

As previously announced, this year, for the first time, we have put together a Glastonbury Festival Green Traveller package which we hope will provide some extra incentive for people to arrive at the Festival by public transport. We've put together a list of frequently asked questions for those interested in the initiative.

I'm coming by coach, when will I get the lanyard?
You will get the lanyard when you arrive at the Festival coach park.

I'm arriving by train, when will I get the lanyard?
Again, you will get the lanyard when you arrive at the Festival coach park, on the shuttle bus from the station.

Does the Green Traveller initiative include electric cars and electric bikes?
Green Traveller includes all people who take public transport and cycle to the Festival, unfortunately it doesn’t include electric cars, but it does include electric bikes!

We're coming by car share, are we included?
No, sorry, you are not included if you coming by car share because it isn’t quite public transport.

If I come by local bus services, will I get the lanyard?
No, you need to arrive at the Festival coach station, because that is the only way we can monitor people arriving by public transport.

If I arrive at the Festival on foot, will I get the lanyard?
No, because there is no way of us being able to monitor it.

Do you have to arrive at a certain gate if coming by bike?
Yes, please head to Yellow Gate for the cycle lockup.

Will the lanyards be handed out all weekend?
No, they will stop being handed out at 10pm on Friday

Will I get the lanyard if I come on the shuttle buses from Glastonbury town?
Yes, you will get a lanyard if you come on the Glastonbury shuttle bus, up until 10pm on Friday.

Where will the solar showers be? How many are there?
The 12 solar showers are near Pedestrian Gate A next to the cyclist camping field, which is where the compost toilets for Green Travellers will also be. Green Travellers will also have a Happy Hour in the Greenpeace Field showers between 4-5pm each day.

What sort of discount on food is on offer, and how does it work?
A book of 6 perforated vouchers will be given to each Green Traveller, there are 4 x 50p vouchers off a main meal over £6 (you can use one per meal). There are 90 stalls that are participating across the Festival site. We have tried to arrange it so that Festival goers are never too far away from one. The participating food stalls will listed in the programme, and the stalls will display a green flag above the stall.

How does the merchandise discount work?
One of the perforated vouchers will give £1.00 off a Festival T-shirt.

------

Glastonbury Spring Water are also very kindly giving all Green Travellers a free bottle of water when they leave from the coach park on Monday.

We appreciate that these are reasonably small gestures, but we do genuinely hope that the Green Travellers will enjoy taking advantage of the extra facilities and discounts - and we look forward to giving our warmest welcome to all those who take public transport to the Festival.

Rabbit Hole line-up revealed

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:23:40 +0000

The Rabbit Hole is in The Park. It is wonderful and surreal and strange. In other words, it's a real Glastonbury highlight. We asked them to give us some blurb for the website. And this is what they came back with:

Recently, legendary DJ Nick Warren asked the web community "What is the Rabbit Hole?.....I'm playing there this summer!"

All sorts of answers came back, but we liked this one;

"We stumbled on this secret club......... A giant White Rabbit was in charge and The Mad Hatter was the doorman handing out carrots... The entrance to the tunnel was … (SECRET DETAILS DELETED).This was the ACTUAL Rabbit Hole! To enter Wonderland you had to answer a Lewis Carrol riddle, get given a carrot, then get on your hands and knees and crawl through a winding tunnel lit with fairy lights. You eventually emerge into a club, with a raised underlit dancefloor, DJ booth, toadstools. Once inside we were greeted by Alice and the Queen of Hearts who presided over an entourage of lunatics in a psychedelic Funkingham Palace. We stayed there far, far too long...... aiming to head there again this year!!”

2011 Line-up (in descending order)

THURSDAY (until 2am)
Nick Warren
Flying Rhino’s dj’s follow with James Monroe, Grantly and Slinky Wizard
The Vodka Jellies Karaoke band.
Dark Moon
Joker And The Thief

FRIDAY (until 4am)
0 Junkyard Scientists
Oui Ja Yes
Mad Cows
Oh Land
Beth Rowley
Age Of Glass
Will And The People
Skinny Lister
Rabbit Hole Grand Procession
Naseby Crossing

SATURDAY (until 4.30am)
Tribazik
The Egg
Craig Charles
GoldRay
Julie Daske
Grovesnor
Transpersonals
Stringer Bessant (ex Reef)
Movin’ Melvin Brown
Beans On Toast

SUNDAY (until 4.30am)
The Drop
Secret Guests
Yniwl
The Fanclub
Dan Steer
Perhaps Contraption
Mik Artistic
Boxcar Aldous Huxley
Emilie’s Eldest
White Rabbit's Records

In A Field Of Their Own: The Bandstand

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:49:15 +0000

Our latest Q&A with one of the Festival's area/stage organiers features Bandstand organiser Steve Henwood.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
We’re in the middle of the Markets area. It’s very busy and what we Festival old-timers used to call ‘Babylon’. But it’s kinda fun and there are always new people coming by who want to have a good time. Our function is to put stuff on the bandstand and around that’s going to make you forget what you thought you were going to do and hang out for a while instead.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
Wednesday. It’ll be different, but very groovy. If you’re onsite, come check us out.

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
I am in some trepidation about what one of my street theatre crews are plotting. Sounds scary. Will be memorable.

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
The Cider Bus. What do you mean it’s not food?

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
I worked on the Green Fields back in, umm, the mid ‘80s, then was on the Theatre fields for a while. The Bandstand used to be run by the legendary Don Pilliner, but I helped him with sorting bands – we worked together in Bath – and it was the obvious thing for me to take on the management when he left. That was about 10 years ago.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
The crew. They’re fantastic. My bandstand crew, of course, are in first rank; but the whole markets and site and Festival crew are monster friendly and major ‘can-do’ people. It’s like an army of lurve that gets together once a year to do good vibes. No, I mean it!

7. And what's the worst?
Not being able to fit in all the really good things people suggest to me. Or even all the entertainingly weird ones. Having to disappoint people who have had the love to suggest brilliant ideas for low or no money..

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
The Spirit of ’71 stage.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
Neil Young the other year. And The Kingdom of Mush on an illegal post-curfew stage in the middle of the night back in the ‘80s sometime.

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Forget what you thought you were going to see. File the timetable in your bag to look at on the way home. Get lost. Check out small stages, roadside attractions, walkabouts, interactive stuff. Waaay better than standing 100 yards away from a stadium show and watching the screens.

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Site Snaps: The build continues

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:24:12 +0000

Here's another batch of great photographs from the last few days on Worthy Farm, as the site is readied for the Festival.

The top of the Pyramid

The Unfairground's Joe Rush

In A Field Of Their Own: John Peel Stage

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:46:30 +0000

Picture of the John Peel Stage after Mumford & Sons in 2010, by Steve Whittenbury

In our latest Q&A with one of the Festival's area organisers, we hear from Jim Fox about the John Peel Stage.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
The John Peel Stage is Glastonbury's tribute to the legendary DJ and broadcaster, John Peel. Just like the man himself, we aim to present a mix of brand new acts, those who are just breaking through and those who have been long established. The atmosphere is something special at John Peel - the intimacy of the venue makes the audience actually feel part of the show rather than just observers, and of course the fact that we are undercover gives a shade from the scorching sun and (on those rare occasions in the past when it has rained) a shelter from the wet.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
Not really, it ain't broke - don't fix it.

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
That's a hard one with so many good acts on the line-up. I think the set by DJ Shadow, who is headlining on Friday night, is going to be an amazing visual experience to go along with the sounds. He is bringing the whole Shadowsphere show to the John Peel Stage. I'm also looking forward to Noah and the Whale and the Streets.

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
There is a wide range of food available in the area but to be honest our catering is so good I don't actually venture out to the outside world to eat.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
My first involvement working with the Festival was back in 1985 as a performer in the Green Fields, I played a few times during the 80s, then after performing in the Field of Avalon I stayed on as a compere there for a few years until the New Bands Stage (renamed the John Peel Stage after John's death in 2004) was established, where I was compere and stage-manager. I took on the role as area organiser before last year's Festival.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
I guess it has to be working with such a fantastic team who all help to make the John Peel Stage the great place that it is.

7. And what's the worst?
Packing everything up at the end and having to go home.

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
I don't usually get the chance to leave the compound once the Festival is up and running, but I would like to take a look at the Spirit of 71 area, especially to see Melanie, but it probably ain't gonna happen.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
Too many to choose one on its own. Mumford & Sons last year was an outstanding performance, Magic Numbers a couple of years ago. In 2009 Bruce Springsteen played on the John Peel stage as a guest with Gaslight Anthem - that was pretty special. As for away from JPS, Leonard Cohen on the Pyramid was unforgettable.

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Forget all your preconceived ideas - Glastonbury isn't like any other festival. Go and explore all the smaller venues and the weird and wonderful areas and don't over do it on the first day. Take some time to chill out - talk to people you've never met before and be open to whatever comes along. Above all, just go with it and enjoy.

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Arcadia's 2011 line-up announced

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 13:56:16 +0000

After last year’s triumph, Arcadia have relocated to a bigger field where a new, fully animated, 360 degree stage will be setting the festival ablaze. Find it on the far side of Theatre and The Green Fields.

Arcadia are a young, experimental company who take military scrap and turn it on its head to create positive environments for the purpose of celebrating life by incorporating circus acts, special effects and cutting edge technologies to create a huge, unforgettable 360 degree show.

As midnight strikes across Glastonbury, the Arcadia show moves to the next level. ‘The Spider Awakes’ bursts into life, with every last weapon in the Arcadia arsenal distilled into one frenetic flood of technology, music, white-hot visuals and scorching performance.

From 6pm until 3am daily, the Arcadia stage will host an array of DJs and live acts creating the finest in genre busting musical mayhem. Check out their 2011 line-up below (in descending order):

THURSDAY
JAMES WONKA
MILLION WAY

FRIDAY
DIRTYPHONICS
STANTON WARRIORS
"SPIDER"
DEEKLINE & ED SOLO
DR MEAKER
GYPSY UNIT
ORKESTRA DE SOL
DJ SMERINOFF
BOXETTES
DUB FX

SATURDAY
ORBITAL DJ SET
ATOMIC DROP
"SPIDER"
TOM REAL
BONZE
MONK3Y LOGIC
WOBBLY SQUADRON
KORMAC (DJ SET)
DUB MAFIA
DEPARTURE LOUNGE DJS
HIDDEN ORCHESTRA

SUNDAY
CALYX & TEEBEE / MC CARASEL
SL2 & MC RIBBZ
"SPIDER"
GENTLEMANS DUB CLUB
DUB BOY
NEVILLE STAPLE OF THE SPECIALS
MUNGO'S HIFI & SOOM T
MACKA B
STEVE BEDLAM
RESONATORS
JINX IN DUB

Head over to the Arcadia pages for more info. Or check out the film below for a flavour of what went on in 2010.

2011 Pilton Palais programme revealed

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:50:20 +0000

We're very pleased to announce the programme for this year's Pilton Palais Cinema Tent (which you'll find in the Acoustic Field). It's a top notch line-up of films, which includes no fewer than three advance preview screenings of films which don’t get officially released until after the Festival.

A first for this year is that all films are DCP’s (Digital Cinema Packages’s) which is rapidly becoming the standard format for commercial cinemas, with more than four times the resolution of DVDs. This also enables the tent to show 3D and they have six of the most popular 3D titles from the last 12 months, plus a hugely anticipated surprise 3D film on Sunday. The sound system is also set up for Dolby 7.1 channel sound.

See below for the programme - and click here for synopses of all the films. All films are listed in first to last running order.

Thursday (3pm-3.30am)

Despicable Me U 96mins
Thor 12A 114mins
Source Code 12A 93mins
Killing Bono 15 114mins
APS Count Down To Zero 15 91mins
APS Hobo With A Shotgun 90mins

Friday (11am-3.30am)

Rio U 95mins
Rango PG 107mins
Made in Dagenham 15 113mins
The King's Speech 12A 118mins
APS The Honey Killer Unrated (Advisory 15) 90mins
The Social Network 12A 120mins
APS Life in a day 12 95mins

Saturday (11am-3.30am)

Megamind PG 95mins
Tangled U 100mins
Submarine 15 97mins
Sucker Punch 12A 110mins
Pirates 4 12A 141mins
127 Hours 15 94mins
Adjustment Bureau 12A 106mins
APS Upside Down: The Creation Records Story 15 101mins

Sunday (11am-3am)

Surprise 3D Film U
Tron Legacy PG 125mins
Rio Breaks 12A 85mins
Monsters 12A 94mins
Paul 15 104mins
Inception 12A 148mins
The Fighter 15 116mins

Late-night at Glastonbury, and the new South East corner system

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:32:47 +0000

The entertainment fields in the South East corner of the Festival site - Shangri-La, Arcadia, The Common, The Unfairground and Block9 – have been a wonderful success in recent years, attracting large and enthusiastic crowds. The down side is that congestion has built year on year to the extent that in 2010 it was uncomfortable for the audience and concerning for organisers.

The question of how to make this eclectic part of the Festival a better experience for festival-goers taxed Glastonbury organisers over the winter. After much debate it has been decided that the only effective way to keep it safe and make sure everyone enjoys the spectacle is to limit the numbers in that area at any one time.

So, this year, between the hours of 11.00pm and 4.00am on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it will not be possible to access the South East corner by walking along the railway track. If you'd like to go to these fields during these hours the access will be through Glebeland – the theatre field. From there will be a walkway behind Circus and Cabaret fields into Arcadia and then into Shangri-la. Once in that area festival-goers will be able to go from one field to another enjoying the different performances.

There will be three exits from the area – along the railway track; into the Field of Avalon; and into the Cabaret Field. Once you have left these fields, to re-enter you will have to return to Glebeland. The railway track is exit-only between these hours.

If numbers build in this area in the early hours, festival-goers will wait in Glebeland and only be allowed in the walkway if there is sufficient space in the fields in the south east corner.

In the past there have been no constraints at Worthy Farm on where festival-goers can go at any time – and the decision to make these restrictions was not lightly taken. But it is a positive move to ensure that festival goers can enjoy this wonderful area safely.

If people do not wish to wait in the queue, they can easily leave the Theatre field and look to enjoy some of the other great entertainment at the Festival which runs into the early hours. Below is a list of some of the other late-night options dotted across the Festival site (click the venue names to visit their pages).

- Astrolabe runs until 3am (2.30am Sunday night/Monday morning)
- Avalon Café runs until 2.30am
- Bimble Inn until 6am (3am Wed & Thur, 5am Sun)
- Bourbon Street runs until 2.45am (2.30 Sunday night/ Monday morning)
- Cabaret Tent runs until 2am
- Cinema runs until 2-3am depending on the film
- Circus Big Top runs until 1am (midnight Sunday night/Monday morning)
- Croissant Neuf runs until 2am (1.30am Sunday night/Monday morning)
- Cubana Salsa Tent runs until 3am (2.30am Sunday night/Monday morning)
- Heds Party (headphone disco) runs until 7am (4am Thursday/Friday)
- Glade Lounge runs until 3am
- HMS Sweet Charity runs until 5am (3am Thur)
- Magic Bubbles runs until 3am (2.30am Sunday night/Monday morning)
- Pussy Parlure runs until 3am (2.30am Sunday night/Monday morning)
- Silent Disco in The Park until 4am
- Spirit of 71 Café runs until 3.30am
- The Rabbit Hole runs until 5am (3am Thur)
- Stonebridge Bar runs until 4am (3am Wed & Thur)
- Wow! runs until 3am (2.30am Sunday night/Monday morning)

Plus, of course, you will be free to visit the South East corner before 11pm without needing to go via the new system.

The Free University of Glastonbury returns

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:12:31 +0000

The Free University of Glastonbury, the Festival's very own literary tent, returns for a third year after making its debut in 2009. Based in HMS Sweet Charity in The Park, it throws open its doors again for a mind expanding series of lunchtime talks (11.30am-2.30pm) featuring some of our leading writers, wits and general good eggs. Check out the talent (in order of appearance).

FRIDAY
Jonny Trunk
The owner of Trunk Records, Jonny writes a column for Mojo magazine about esoteric music.
Tony White
Tony White is the author of four novels. He is a former writer in residence at the Science Museum and is literary editor of The Idler.
Jon Ronson
An award-winning writer and documentary maker. He is the author of two bestsellers: Them: Adventures with Extremists and The Men Who Stare At Goats.
Mark Thomas
His activist, campaigning brand of comedy has been a thorn in the side of many politicians and corporations. He will be discussing his latest book Extreme Rambling; Walking Israel’s Separation Barrier.

SATURDAY
Dorian Lynskey
A music writer for the Guardian. He is the author of 33 Revolutions Per Minute a history of protest music, told through 33 songs.
Suggs
Front man of Madness, a band that epitomises the sound and soul of England. He is a singer, actor, DJ, television presenter and chat show host.
Emma Kennedy
The author of the bestselling camping memoir The Tent, The Bucket And Me.
Ben Goldacre
The author of the bestselling book Bad Science. He writes a weekly column for the Guardian.

SUNDAY
Gavin Knight
The first book from journalist Gavin Knight, Hood Rat, is a shocking exposé of Britain’s underworld that ranks with Roberto Saviano’s bestselling Gomorrah.
Richard King
Richard works for Domino Records, is the co-editor of Loops magazine and the author of a forthcoming history of independent record labels.
Matthew De Abaitua
Could there be another way of life? Can I survive with less stuff? Should I run for the hills? These are all questions that are addressed in Matthew's new book The Art Of Camping published this July.
Edwyn Collins and Grace Maxwell
Since 1984 Grace Edwyn’s been his manager and partner. She is the author of The Restoration Of Edwyn Collins.

Green Trader Awards return for 2011

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:59:07 +0000

Every year, thousands of traders bring their wares to Glastonbury and 2011 will be no different. From a yummy breakfast to a late night snack you can be sure to find something, somewhere that will satisfy your culinary desires. Plus, of course, food is not the only thing traded here, from tents and wellies to the ethical bongos helping school kids in Africa to the hand-crafted jewellery from down the road, the shopping options are endless.

This year will also be the sixth year of the Festival’s Green Traders Awards, given by Glastonbury, Greenpeace, The Soil Association, The Fairtrade Foundation and Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS) to the traders who do the most to help make the Festival greener, fairer and more sustainable.

Over the last few years a team of Greenpeace volunteers (you might have seen them) has trekked across the festival site interviewing traders, quizzing them about everything from: how they arrived on site, what their stall was made of; how much of their stock was Fairtrade, organic or recycled, and any other ethical criteria they proactively used to reduce their impact on the environment.

The Awards have revealed some really good ideas over the years and have become the benchmark of the green trading sector at major festivals throughout the UK.

All the winners from previous years have been awarded banners, which should be proudly displayed at this year’s Festival. Why not do your bit to help reward all these traders by looking out for them and giving them your vote by shopping with them?

Any Glastonbury traders who would like to enter this year's awards can do so by clicking here and completing the online entry form (before June 13th).

Official Glastonbury 2011 mobile app launches

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:45:20 +0000

UPDATE: The Nokia app is now available to download.

We're pleased to announce that the official Glastonbury 2011 mobile app is now available to download.

The app, which has been built by Orange, is the only official mobile app for this year's Festival. Download it for free (whatever network you're on) and you’ll be able to see who’s playing where, with full stage listings from the Guardian Guide. Once the full line-ups timings are announced, you'll even be able to make your own schedule and set reminders. Plus, you'll get all the important Festival news from us in real time and an interactive map of the whole site.

Until Friday 3rd June, The app also gives you the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Festival.

Click the buttons below to download the app.

For more information on the app, including full T&Cs, head to www.orange.co.uk/glastonbury.

You can also check out this video which gives more information about the app.

NB: Apologies to those of you who have been asking, but Orange have not made the app available for Blackberry this year.

Site Snaps: Signs and bins

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:04:51 +0000

With gates opening in three weeks (three weeks!), here's another wonderful batch of photographs by Jason Bryant.

Arcadia

Dan the sign man

Jewels the bin painter

Hank the bin painter

West Holts stage

Pip Rush of Arcadia

Extra places available on recycling team

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:53:23 +0000

Photograph by Jules

UPDATE: The recycling team has been inundated with responses - and we're now over-subscribed, so we're closing applications. Thanks to everyone who's shown an interest. The team will be in touch.

Around 40 extra places have become available in our recycling team for this year's Festival. We're looking for around committed and hard-working recyclers to work 4 x 6 hour shifts between 23rd and 27th June.

You will need to pay a cash deposit ahead of the Festival, but this will be refunded on completion of your duties. You will also have access to crew camping, hot showers and two meals a day.

If you are over 18 and would like to be a Glastonbury recycler, please email your name and a contact telephone number to [email address removed, see above] asap, explaining why you'd like to join the team.

In A Field Of Their Own: Poetry&Words

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:35:50 +0000

We continue our series of Q&As with the people behind Glastonbury's venues and stages with Poetry&Words organiser Helen Gregory. Once you've finished reading, do click here to check out the tent's terrific 2011 line-up (you'll find them in Theatre & Circus).

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
Poetry&Words is part of what makes Glastonbury special - more than just another music festival. We have poets to make you laugh, cry and ponder the meaning of life. Most importantly though, we show that poetry can be entertaining, consistently pulling in audiences from the bigger, more well known stages. Many's the time we've heard festival goers around the tent saying 'Wow. I didn't think I liked poetry, but that was *fantastic!*'

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
Our basic format will be the same (if it ain't broke ...), but we change the line-up round each year. This year we have the marvellous Matt Harvey, Spliff Richard, Anna Freeman and Alfred Lord Telecom (amongst others) all performing for us for the first time. Oh, and we've introduced a pre-show with the very talented musician Benita Johnson, to warm up the audience for our poetry spectacular.

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
Ooh, that's not fair! I couldn't possibly choose! All of the artists above are fantastic, plus we have John Hegley, Sound of Rum, Poeticat, John Osborne ...

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
The Goan Fish Curry stall is fantastic. This year I may even manage to take time out to sample their kedgeree for breakfast.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
I first worked with Poetry&Words in 2004, when it was under the stewardship of Pat VT West. I've been involved in it ever since, and took over running the stage after her sad death in 2008.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
It really is just being able to work together with - and enjoy the company of - a team of very lovely people.

7. And what's the worst?
The sheer volume of work! I start working on the stage in January and continue until September every year - herding poets for all that time is no mean feat.

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
Wandering around the festival and seeing all the weird and wonderful installations and street acts on offer. It's the unexpected pieces of spontaneous art that really make the festival for me.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
It's a toss up between Leonard Cohen singing Hallelujah and Richard and Teddy Thompson singing Persuasion.

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Bring biodegradable wet wipes, sun tan lotion and ear plugs; and don't forget there's a lot more to Glastonbury than music!

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

Full Bourbon St line-up revealed

Mon, 30 May 2011 20:00:30 +0000

We're pleased to reveal the full 2011 line-up for the Bourbon Street Jazz 'n' Blues bar, which you'll find if you head from the Pyramid Stage towards West Holts, pass the Bandstand on your right and keep a look out on your left. Expect to hear Latin grooves, cool jazz, dirty blues, jump jive, swing and much, much more; this is roots music in its purest form.

Plus, the bar will be well stocked with at least twenty of the world’s best bourbons, pitchers of Pimms, fresh ground coffee, a great selection of beers and, if you’re feeling really adventurous, some of the best cocktails available on the festival site.

Here's the line-up (in descending order):

Wednesday (acoustic session, 5pm-11pm)

Alpha Manoeuvre
Matt Andersen
Claude Bourbon
Havana Swing
Paddy Milner

Thursday (12noon-2.45am)

Will Scott
Connie Lush
Ben Poole
Sandi Thom
Sean Taylor
Ledfoot
Marcus Bonfanti
Matt Andersen
Nicki Allan
Top Shelf Jazz
Leon O'Doherty & Nick Davis

Friday (12noon-2.45am)

Rabbit Foot Spasm Band
Orbitsuns
Simon McBride
Ben Poole
Will Scott
Benoit Viellefon & His Orchestra (featuring Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton on trumpet...)
Chrissi Poland (Scissor Sisters)
Alpha Manouvre
Nova Scotia Jazz band
Havana Swing
Grey Dogs Jazz Band

Saturday (12noon-2.45am)

Paddy Milner
Marcus Bonfanti
Connie Lush
Ledfoot
Claude Bourbon
Clara Sanabras
Clare Teal
Nicki Allan
Carmen Ghia & The Hotrods
Trudy Kerr
Brooks Williams

Sunday (12noon-2.30am)

Top Shelf Jazz
Rabbit Foot Spasm Band
Sean Taylor
Simon McBride
Chrissi Poland (Scissor Sisters)
Benoit Viellefon & His Orchestra (featuring Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton on trumpet...)
Jon Allen
Maggie Bell & Dave Kelly
Clara Sanabras
Tom Attah
Bourbon Street Jam

In A Field Of Their Own: Acoustic Tent

Sun, 29 May 2011 13:24:02 +0000

For the second in our new series of Q&As with the organisers of Glastonbury's fields, stages and venues, we hear from the Acoustic Stage's Area Organiser, Stuart Witcombe.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
The Acoustic field is dominated by our fantastic Kayam tent. It's a stunning affair with six huge spires reaching over 50 feet into the air. The field has a sort of village green atmosphere, with lots of beautiful flags, and plenty of places to sit down. Quality food can be enjoyed at, probably, the most impressive cafe on site, a two story timber built construction, brought down to Glastonbury every year, called Common Ground. It's very impressive, and wouldn't look at all out of place in the Swiss Alps. We even have a cinema tent, it's a proper cinema too, with an amazing sound system, showing bang up to date movies, some of which are even in 3D. Last, but by no means least, you're never more that a few steps from a decent pint.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
We've really pushed the boat out on the decor in the main venue this year. It's always a bit of a challenge because it's so big, but thanks to the enthusiasm of my decor and lighting people, I think it's going to look amazing.

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
I've always been a big Floyd fan, so top of my list has to be Brit Floyd on Friday night, they’re a really tight band. If anybody wants a glimpse of how good they are, check out this video of their gig in Liverpool on YouTube.

I never listen to gospel music at home, but I wouldn't miss The London Community Gospel Choir on Sunday. Their musical vibrancy and power is enough to uplift anybody. If you've not listened to gospel music live before, they are the best introduction you could possibly get.

Also, Acoustic has always been a launch platform for new bands. It's worth coming down earlier in the day to get a glimpse of future big names. For example, Newton Faulkner, who is playing on Friday, played at Acoustic before he made it really big. Now he has a huge following.

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
As I mentioned before. You can't miss Common Ground. It's a proper building selling good quality wholesome food.

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
A friend of mine's father used to run The Acoustic Stage. Back in 1989 I came down on a guest ticket. The day after I arrived I volunteered to help as a gate steward for the stage, and I've never missed a year since.

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
The crew! They are brilliant. There are a lot of them, and they're such a mixed bunch, with a massive and diverse skill set. It's kinda like a random bunch of people, from merchant bankers to farmers, have all run away to the circus. But only for a week or two.

Glastonbury is such a unique event to be involved in. A one off, forged together by years of dedication from everybody who has worked there. And it doesn't matter what you do there, you can still feel proud that you're part of what makes it work.

7. And what's the worst?
There is an incredible amount of red tape to deal with in the months leading up to the Festival. It's all very necessary to make sure things run smoothly, and everybody is safe. But it really doesn't feel like 'Rock n Roll'

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
You're joking aren't you? I barley leave the compound! Having said that, I do sneak next door, to Kidz Field, on the odd occasion. I enjoy a few snatched moments regressing, whist watching some of the wonderful shows for younger festival goers. Don't tell my crew though, or they'll know where to find me!

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
Back in 1995 Portishead played at Acoustic. They'd just hit the big time and it was, and still is, the biggest crowd ever seen at The Acoustic Stage. In fact the audience spread out of our 8,000 capacity tent, across the Festival, and out of sight. There were tens of thousands, you couldn't move for people. It was actually quite scary for a while, and then they started to play Glory Box. 20,000+ people, and you could have heard a pin drop, every single person frozen mesmerised, listening to the music. Nothing else mattered apart from the music. That's really what The Acoustic Stage is all about, The Music..

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Leave your preconceptions at home. There is no way to describe the Glastonbury Festival experience. When I arrived in '89 it changed my whole philosophy. People are different, they leave the trappings of modern existence at the gate, and come alive.

It may also be worth doing some sit ups, and facial exercises before you arrive. Hours of belly laughing can really take its toll on otherwise under used muscles.

Click here to read more In A Field Of Their Own Q&As

In A Field Of Their Own: Shangri-La

Thu, 26 May 2011 15:37:28 +0000

For the first in our new series of Q&As with the organisers of Glastonbury's fields, stages and venues, we caught up with Shangri-La's Creative Director, Debs Armstrong.

1. How would you describe your area of the Festival to someone who hasn't visited it before?
Glastonbury's after-hours pleasure citadel, a warren of Blade-runner style twisting alleys and digital futuristic mayhem hosting over 30 venues. You will get lost and you may not remember much but you will have a good time.

2. Have you made any changes/additions for this year?
The narrative, artists and set evolves every year, we always aim to keep it fresh but last year we ran out of space so we had to go up - welcome to The Skywalk…

3. Which of your acts are you most excited about in 2011?
Can't tell you. It's bad enough having 150,000 people headed your way without telling them who to expect when!

4. Do you have any good food recommendations in and around your area?
We call it Picnic Alley, serving those most crucial and oft hard-to-find aspects of night-time festivaling… quality food and a place to sit!

5. How/when did you first get involved with the Festival?
2002 Lost Vagueness, no wait, it was before that, in a surreal little no-name venue in backstage Jazz…

6. What's the best thing about running an area at Glastonbury?
Coming up with crazy ideas with fun people, then watching all the different parts materialise and become inhabited. Then, bizarrely, hiding from it in order to spend good time with the endlessly fascinating people that create it.

7. And what's the worst?
That’s the sort of question that makes me sigh. Erm, can I say not being allowed to stay home and watch it on telly? (Ooh, the horror, the delight!)

8. Is there anything outside your area at this year's Festival that you're particularly looking forward to?
I'm particularly blinkered I'm afraid and rarely make it outside of the naughty corner, so much to see, so many lovely peeps, too much action for my own good quite frankly.

9. What's the best performance you've ever seen at Glastonbury?
Florence and the Machine, 2006, in the morning in the Guardian Lounge the year before she made it big. So intimate, made me cry.

10. Finally, what's your top Glastonbury tip for people coming to the Festival for the first time?
Lose your friends, lose your phone, be sensitive to and follow your gut instinct.

Click here to head over to Shangr-La's area of the website

New for 2011: Glastonbury Fair

Wed, 25 May 2011 20:42:44 +0000

We're pleased to report that Glastonbury 2011 will be acknowledging the importance of the 1971 Glastonbury Fair Free Festival, with a brand new area - Glastonbury Fair.

The Spirit of 71 stage will be sited in the area, alongside the G Stage (formerly Glade Stage), the Glade Lounge and the Spirit of 71 cafe, and will give focus and celebration to this seminal event of 40 years ago.

The original Glastonbury Fair event was orchestrated by Andrew Kerr. Andrew had been inspired by the mystic, John Michell who wrote of the importance of ley lines, the energy channels of the planet, which in ancient times was understood in a golden age where people lived in harmony with the natural order. Andrew’s vision was for a return to this state of enlightenment.

The 1971 Festival gave focus to the communal feeling of the time that like minded people, whatever their background, could unite in the aim of a spiritual awakening. Glastonbury Fair 2011 will feature performances from some of the original musicians of that time playing music which is as relevant today as it was then, together with current music and performers of the same aspiration.

Andrew has also just published his memoirs, Intolerably Hip, looking back over the years and reminding us of the importance of great gatherings and shared experience. Click here for more info and to buy a copy of the book.

Site Snaps: The sun is out

Wed, 25 May 2011 17:10:24 +0000

With exactly four weeks until gates open, here's our latest batch of photographs from Jason Bryant, showing the site beginning to take shape...

DeafZone returns for 2011

Wed, 25 May 2011 11:06:14 +0000

DeafZone 2011 presents a veritable mix of visual wonder; there are sign language classes for keen hearing punters, plus a team of interpreters for deaf festival-goers to access the full range of acts that are offered in the Glastonbury experience.

Sign language for hearing punters
If you want to come and learn the basics in British Sign Language then sign up for a class in the sunshine at the DeafZone tent, we are situated near the meeting point in the market area.

How to book a BSL//English Interpreter – before the Festival
If you want to make sure you get an interpreter for what you want then it is best to tell us before the Festival starts.

Most headline acts and some programmes in the Poetry & Words, Astrolabe and Leftfield are allocated interpreters.

Other than that interpreters are allocated on a first-come first-served basis so get your requests in now for any bands, comedy, theatre or other events that you will want an interpreter for. For advance bookings please email: deafzoneglastonbury@gmail.com

We will send you confirmation of your request and let you know when an interpreter has been allocated. We will also include details of where to meet the interpreter and at what time.

Facebook
Why not become a member of the Facebook group specifically set-up for deaf people going to Glastonbury. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=179369882114240

How to book a BSL/English Interpreter – during the Festival
For information about BSL interpreted events and to make bookings during the Festival please make your way to the DeafZone tent, we are situated near the meeting point in the market area.

Please note: All out interpreters have met the criteria to register as full members to NRCDP/ASLI/VLP and have a clear enhanced disclosure CRB.

Coming to Glastonbury? Perform on the Greenpeace stage

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:11:21 +0000

Greenpeace have teamed up with Cowshed Studio London and Mi7 Records to create an unprecedented opportunity for all musicians who are coming to Glastonbury this year - a world-class recording studio complete with two performance stages, operating under the theme Raising Voices.

The stages will be made available to unsigned acts coming to the Festival, both to play and participate in song writing and other workshops. From these performances, eight acts a day will be chosen by audience vote to record in our purpose built studio overseen by professional producers, using vintage instruments and state of the art equipment.

Greenpeace are encouraging all writers, musicians and vocalists to participate under the theme Raising Voices, using their skills to promote positive change and in the process, create a body of work intended to stimulate interest in the protest song.

After five days of making music Greenpeace are also hoping that a new song will be composed and recorded during the festival which can be used around the world to celebrate the launch of the new Rainbow Warrior flagship when she joins the Greenpeace fleet later this year.

Aspiring performers who are attending Glastonbury can find out more by visiting http://cowshedglasto.tumblr.com.

Shangri-La venues and line-ups unveiled

Sun, 22 May 2011 16:56:14 +0000

Shangri-La is the after-hours pleasure city of the Festival – a futuristic and dystopian wonderland created by over 1,500 crew and artists. The entire field is designed as a Blade Runner inspired urban film-set, and has its own unique rolling narrative that has evolved over the last three years, creating a brilliant and bizarre alternative world for you to get lost in.

The 2011 storyline is pre-apocalyptic - the population of Shangri–La is preparing to flee to before the end of the world in 2012. They’ve given up on trying to save the planet, and a virulent disease is spreading rapidly through the squalid slums. Instead they’ve colonised a new planet and the first transport there ships out on Monday. This is the last party before they go, a rave to end all raves…

Click here to check out details of all Shangri-La's plans for 2011 - it really is well worth reading it all.

You can see the line-ups of Shangri-La's two biggest venues below (all line-ups listed with final act at the top):

The Hub

Thursday

Global Local Takeover
Le KKC Orchestra – French Electro Swingers
Wara – Afro Cuban Funk
The Worm – African remix
Latin Dub Soundsystem – the best Latin Remix band in the UK ever
Tako Lako – Hardcore Danish Balkan Punk
Sam and the Womp – Dubstep Gypsy jump
Positive Focus All Stars

Friday

Dead Silence Syndicate - Drum and Bass, Punk band with Traveller Heritage
Rob Da Bank - A man who knows how to make any festival crowd twist.
10Sui - Electro-Breakbeat's 1st lady… one for the connoisseurs!
Surprise Guest
Rack N Ruin & P Money - UK's rising producer/dj star with UK grime
Nenneh Cherry - The original Buffalo Stance Queen!
2 Bears - Joe Hotchip and Raf Daddy's southern fried DJ
The Boxettes - All girl Beatbox band
Mark Nunnery – Ancient Electronica legend
Dead Silence Syndicate: Kicking live Drum and Bass
Bogus – Deja Vu on the lose
Molotov JukeBox - Russian vodka drenched beat makers
Solution Sound - Hackney's greatest reggae giants
MC Base6

Saturday

11.30pm-5am The Hub in association with London Pleasure Gardens
True Tiger + P Money - The world's hottest Dubsteppaz right now
Shy FX and The Ragga twins - Veteran Ragga junglists from LDN baby
Breakage (Dj set) feat Jess Mills and Youngman - IRE!
Bad Press Brand - spanking live sound system culture smasher for yo earz
Astroid Boys - The Dragons of the Grime scene! Y' Get me!

11am-11pm The Hub presents LOVEBULLETS Banger with Bushbash and Blackbutter In support of War Child
Warrior One - Heavyweight Soca spiked Dub heavy dancefloor killa
Doorly - The Remix master, get his autograph now coz he's hot.
2 Bears - Hot Chip family's bumping new DJ duo
RackNRuin & MC Wrec – Speaker rattling bass laced business
Yoyo Soundsystem w/ Special very Guests
Fonti & MC Bushkin Aka F.A.B - Prepare for a musical journey of Dance
Klose One - ATG, Outlook Festival and Urban Nerds resident for a reason
Warrior One w/ MC Serocee - Bashment, UK Funky and Jungle
Man Like Me - You'll always find these guys in the kitchen at parties...
Cherri V - Rocky Pop with a Cherri on top!
Mr Verde - Sound of the LDN
Southern Fried Mobile Disco FT (Kashii, Django and Nathan Detroit) - Bringing you the finest in everything dancefloor

Sunday

10pm-4am THE HUB in association with London Pleasure Gardens
DJ Switch End of Festival Mix- The big Switch off
Doorly (Exclusive Glasto Set) - Did you say Exclusive? Yes I did!
Chrome Kids - Chrome plated bumper beatz
Bobby Friction goes Prince - Party like it's 1999!
Solution Soundsystem feat Lovegrocer Roots and Sound System Culture

11am-10pm The Hub presents LOVEBULLETS Banger with Bushbash and Blackbutter In support of War Child
DJ Cameo
Wiley - The Godfather of Grime
Sway - Freestyle master waving the UK/Ghana flag
Jammer - Grime Veteran MURKLE MAN
Bushkin & Fonti - Aka F.A.B Taking entertainment to the next level
Baby Blue (Live)- Female HipHop lyricist repping LDN
Yoyo Soundsytem w/ Special Guests
The Heatwave - Bashment queen Lady Chann and Heatwave
Iration Steppas - The Vanguard of Dub, spiritual & uplifting Dub Beats
Reggae Roast w/ Kenny Knots – upcoming Reggae outfits in the UK
Machine Heaven Ranger - sounds of tropical beaches and horror movies

Club Dada

Thursday

Hoedown – Our annual welcome to Glastonbury jump around
DJ Dom Middleton – dub dance maestro
Base6 - champion mc beatboxer
Cut A Shine – Annual leaders of the jump up hoedown ceilidh from the alt folkees.
Los Albertos – Brighton’s seminal festival maestros
NaraSirato – Soloman Islands Band first visit to the UK , something completely different
Sheelanagig – Killer Bristol jumping hoedown band
Tankus the Henge – The next really massive thing from acoustic stomp land
Sonora Balkanaca – Jumping Mexican and Gypsy Music from Mexico City
DJ Chris Tofu - born bred and booming in this field

Friday

10.45pm-5am Electro Swing Speakeasy - White Mink – the biggest Electro Swing show returns to its spiritual home
DJ Nick Hollywood – Freshley Squeezed music and “don” of the genre
DJ Switch – World DMC champ goes 1920s to 1940s
Le KKc Orchestra – French Electro Swing superstars
Movin Melvin Brown- Chicago's most famous Tap dancer
The Correspondents featuring the Twilight Players – The amazing duo return with Boogaloo dancers and Chap Hop
Surprise Guest
Fat 45 – The biggest soul and swing specialists

1-8pm Local/ Movimientos presents New Tropical underground
Cal Jader
Ruby and The Vines - Congolese Roots music, Jazz, Afro-beat and Reggae
Wara - Red Hot Cuban Funk and Tropical rhythms
Latin Dub Soundsystem - Hip Hop, Reggae/ Ska meets Latin and Cumbia
Kalakuta Millionaires - Afro-Funk-Latino
Fur - funky Hip Hop Afro Funk, Ethiopian Jazz, Malian rhythms and Dub
DJ Cal Jader & Arias (Movimientos) & Bobby Gandalf (Wormfood)

Saturday

9pm-5am Vive La France – the return of the coolest dance music bands from the land of camembert. As fresh faced as Carla yet as rude as Serge Gainsbourg, prepare for a revolutionary good times, mais oui madame!
System Seven - honorary French prog house god Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy til dawn
Debruit - from the back streets of Dakar, Kingston Abidjan and Tunis via Paris.
Discodeine with special guests - Intense ,voodoo, Chicago blues, house, disco and techno
Superstar Guests...."we are not worthy (farm)"
Naive New Beaters .... " nasty funk punk pyrotechnics, estranged reggae & synth pop acrobatics"
Gringo Da Parada ... "from chanson to baile funk via cock rock and frog prog"
Pony Pony Run Run.... "unashamedly hyperactive hair brained pastis pop"

2-9pm Global Local Presents Attitude Is Everything – acoustic bards, street-folk poetics, holy joy and punk rock legends inter-spiced with beats, bleeps, signed rap!
Black Gold Buffalo - demented electronica
DJ Void and Stella OBE - Void covers the Drum n Bass spectrum while (Massive Attack Tour DJ) Stella throws in Breakbeat
Deaf Rave - music and visuals from the Deaf community worldwide!
Heavy Load - Brighton's Punk Rock stars of stage and screen!
The Band OF Holy Joy - Legendary
Captain Angelo - Sumptuous Acoustica

Sunday

9.30pm-5am Continental Drifts present The Biggest Gypsy Remix Party Ever
In the UK there has never been such a gathering of new Eastern influenced 1000 mile an hour music, with two UK premieres from Berlin’s Rotfront (the new Gogol Bordello) , Analogik from Denmark’s far North plus 17-piece Gypsy orchestras and crazy gypsy remix. DJ Max Pashm – UK founder of the Balkan Beat
Sam and the Womp – astounding new act mixing dubstep and Gypsy live in a 10 piece band
Analogik – The makers of the Gypsy Doodle , mesmerising debut in the UK
Tako Lako - Danish Balkan cruise missile of 1000 mile an hour gypsy mayhem
RotFront – Debut in the UK, for the greatest Gypsy Punks ever
Destroyers – 17 piece mad gypsy and music hall madness
Molotov Juke Box - Fine Gypsy beats
Sonora Balkanica – Mexican mavericks

2-8pm Global Local/ Magpie's nest – Magpies Nest is the hippest new folk club in the UK, a real powerhouse behind the new explosion of acoustic mavericks.
Stefano Malaka and DJ Tofu – Festival diehards from Torquay
Kidnap Alice – Incredible genius and a new take on Country Alt Folk
Goodnight Lenin
Dogan Mehmet – Turkish Celtic BBC young folk award winners
Wagon Tales - Fine fine Western Swing
Sam Lee and Friends – Amazing Lee is the doyen of the folk world
Cocos Lovers – Kentish Town Folk with an African Twist

The Unfairground reveals its 2011 plans

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:59:26 +0000

We've just posted the 2011 pages for The Unfairground, the latest disaster zone from the mad minds of Joe Rush and the some of the UK's best-loved art hooligans, who invite over to the dark side, those brave enough to buy the ticket and take the ride. Click here to see their area of the website. And check out the line-ups of their two biggest venues below (all line-ups listed with final act at the top):

The Reverend Sharky’s Church of the Holyroller

Thursday:
Mini Da Minx
Wreckage

Friday:
Evil Nine
Jamie XX
Rennie Pilgrem
Fenech Soler DJ set
Sombrero Sound System
Stereo 8 (Blowpop)
Will Streetwise
9000 Ears Soundsystem

Saturday:
Freestylers
Secret Guest
Secret Guest
Plump DJ's
Mini Da Minx
Vlad
Feel the Real Soundsystem
Sway 2
Mr. Sushi

Sunday:
Dub Pistols DJ Set
Atomic Hooligan
Tayo
Pyramid
Ben & Lex
Freerange Djs
Simon Stereo
Real Nice

Bez’s Acid House Tent

Thursday:
Arlo
Jack B
Lazio Legeezer
Mattamatik
DJ Bass
Fish

Friday:
808 State
Jagz
Arlo
Justin Robertson
Lazio Legeezar
Jack B
Vince Vega

Saturday:
Jagz
Rob (Alabama 3)
808 State
Arlo & jack
Vince Vega
Mattamatik
Fish

Sunday:
Jack B & Arlo
808 State
Alex Patterson
Jagz
Lazio Legeezer
Fish
Skillzee

Oxfam launches emergency stock appeal

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:40:20 +0000

One of our charity partners, Oxfam, has launched its first ever national emergency appeal for stock donations following the biggest loss of donations in its 69-year history in a fire at its recycling facility. The charity faces a stock crisis after a fire destroyed Wastesaver, its unique sorting and recycling facility in Huddersfield. Wastesaver has been a crucial part of the charity’s shop network since 1967.

As a result, Oxfam is calling on the British public to help it overcome the unprecedented loss by donating any unwanted clothing and accessories to their local Oxfam shop or donation bank across the UK. The fire wiped out the clothing stock held for Oxfam’s popular festivals shop, which last year raised £250,000 and is scheduled to be at seven of this year’s biggest festivals, including Glastonbury, Leeds and Bestival.

Said Emily Eavis: “Oxfam shops are such a big part of life not just on the high street but at Glastonbury too. It was so sad to hear about the damage this fire caused. I’m going to be digging through my wardrobe to see what I can donate to help – if everyone donates their unwanted things to Oxfam it will make a huge difference - and we’ll still have a shop at Glastonbury.”

Oxfam works in more than 70 countries worldwide, delivering lifesaving and life-changing work in everything from humanitarian emergencies to long-term work battling the effects of climate change. Oxfam’s shop network is a vital part of this, generating around £23 million profit every year to fight poverty.

Site Snaps: The build begins

Wed, 18 May 2011 18:32:25 +0000

We're very pleased to report that, as in previous years, ace photographer Jason Bryant will be supplying us with pictures for our popular Site Snaps feature, which captures the build up to the Festival. Here's the first batch...

Infrastructure manager Phil Miller

Hank and the bin painters

Old lock gates for the Campo Pequeno venue

Guided tour for local farmers

Final resale tickets sell out

Tue, 17 May 2011 21:31:07 +0000

Tonight's resale tickets have now sold out. Big thanks to everyone who managed to get one and apologies to those of you who missed out. We do genuinely appreciate the fact that so many of you have kept trying to buy tickets, and we're really sorry that we can't fit all of you in.

The Common's line-ups announced

Tue, 17 May 2011 14:04:04 +0000

In 2011, The Common is a sumptuous Latino playground filled with the delights of a vibrant world of decadence. Home to twisted voodoo parlours, debauched bordellos and criminal party houses. Here are the line-ups for its two main venues (in descending order):

CAMPO PEQUENO

THURSDAY
Lucha Britannia - Mexican Wrestling
Movimientos DJ's

FRIDAY
Rob Mello
2 Bears
Justin Robertson
Zero 7 DJ set
"Fiesta de la Noche" Late Night Bearded Kitten Games
"Toro Libre" The Bearded Kitten Show
Unabombers
Sugarhouse sessions
Los Interactivos Bearded Kitten

SATURDAY
Jim Stanton and James Hillard (Horse Meat Disco)
Friendly Fires DJ Set
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
DJ Yoda
"Fiesta de la Noche" Late Night Bearded Kitten Games
"Toro Libre" The Bearded Kitten Show
Special Guests
10 Sui
Tropical Taste

SUNDAY
Lationo Fiesta feat. Jose Luis
SECRET HEADLINER
"Toro Libre" The Bearded Kitten Show
Latin Dub Soundsystem PA - with live instrumental
Lucha Britannia - Mexican wrestling
DJ Camembert & Fun Times
La Tomatina - The Tomato Fight
Reggae Roast - Exel & Moodie
Los Interactivos Bearded Kitten
Tropical Taste

ZONA BASSLINE

THURSDAY
DJ Stivs & Ed Cox
"Circo Gringo" (Bassline Circus Show)
Fantazio

FRIDAY
True Tiger
Engine Earz Experiment
Special Guest DJ
Gentlemans Dub Club & P Money
Toddla T
Example
Shlomo's Glasto Circus (ft surprise guests)
Ed Sheeran
Special Guest
The Boxettes
(DJ) Cal Jader
Latin Dub Soundsystem
(DJ) Cal Jader
Kaya
"Circo Gringo"(Bassline Circus Show)
Special Guests
Fantazio for kidz workshop

SATURDAY
Bstorm
Ratty
Secret headliner
Warlock
High Rankin
Cisor
"Circo Gringo"(Bassline Circus Show)
Randall
Special guests
Fantazio Trio Powa

SUNDAY
Fairtunes DJs
Disraeli & The Small Gods
Uproot Andy
Papaya Republik
Uproot Andy
Mano de Dios
Fairtunes & Movimientos DJs
Live dance off Fairtunes from Glastonbury vs Fairtunes from
Boogaloop, Colombia feat. Systema Solar live from USA

Final resale of tickets on Tuesday evening

Mon, 16 May 2011 10:46:35 +0000

Following the refunds deadline on May 6th, we now have a very limited number of Glastonbury 2011 tickets to resell. To give everyone a fair chance of getting these last few hundred tickets to this year's Festival, we've decided to have a final official ticket resale tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 17th) at 7pm.

You will need to have already registered in order to buy tickets, which cost £195 + £5 booking fee. You can check your registration details on See Tickets' site until 7pm this evening (Monday, May 16th). New registrations are no longer being taken.

If you are registered, then head to www2.seetickets.com/g2011/ at 7pm on Tuesday evening. Bookings will also be taken on the phone line 0844 412 4635. Please note, we do expect them to go extremely quickly. You'll also be able to buy parking tickets at the same time as your ticket.

For more information about ticket sales and registration, please visit our ticket information page.

Stonebridge Bar's 2011 line-up revealed

Fri, 13 May 2011 17:28:21 +0000

In the five years since the Stonebridge Bar pulled its first pint, it's become something of a landmark for both the discerning night owl and the daytime hedonist. In its half decade lifetime, the Stonebridge has hosted day and night sets by everyone from Benga and Skream to Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve via Hot Chip, Four Tet, Jamie xx, Baggy Mondays and the legendary Hip Hop Karaoke. This year's line up is the best yet. Arrive early and don't expect to see your tent before sunrise.

2011 line-up (in descending order)

THURSDAY (2pm-3am)
Baggy Mondays
Pump Up The Volume
Ultimate Power
Yacht Rock
Optimo
Sounds Familiar The Music Quiz
Heavenly Jukebox

FRIDAY (1pm-5am)
R+S presents James Blake (DJ set), Space Dimension Controller, The Chain and Wild Geese
Stonebridge residents
Mister Sushi and Roxanne Roll
DELS (live)
Kwes
Sampha (live)
HVN JBX
Conquering Animal Sound (live)
HVN JBX

SATURDAY (1pm-5am)
Ross Allen presents The Meltdown with Toddla T, Players Ball, The Heatwave + Brian Morrison
Stonebridge residents
Riddim and Soul
Hip Hop Karaoke
Musical Bingo
The Barrett Family

SUNDAY (1pm-4am)
Jackmaster
Time and Space Machine
Pete Fowler (Seahawks / Monsterism)
The Schizodelic Sound
Stonebridge residents
Smooth Sailing
Hip Hop Karaoke
Musical Bingo
The Endeacott Family

To give you an idea of what to expect, here's a video from Baggy Mondays' set at the Stonebridge in 2010...

Block9's 2011 plans revealed

Thu, 12 May 2011 14:45:15 +0000

We've just updated the area pages for Block9, one of the late-night areas in what's affectionately known as Glastonbury's Naughty Corner (alongside Shangri-La, The Common, Arcadia etc).

For all the details of their latest apocalyptic spectacle - including the return of the much-loved NYC Downlow and London Underground venues - click here.

T-shirt contest update

Thu, 12 May 2011 10:58:42 +0000

This year's contest to design the official Glastonbury 2011 T-shirt has been a resounding success - big thanks to the record number of you who've entered.

The judging is now underway, and the winner will be chosen - and contacted - by Friday, 20th May (so, if you don't hear by then, we're afraid you didn't win).

The winning design will then be unveiled here on the official site at the beginning of this year's Festival.

Wanted: Ballerinas

Wed, 11 May 2011 10:41:19 +0000

If you happen to be walking along the old railway track on the Saturday afternoon at this year's Festival you might be drawn towards the curiously compelling sound of the harp, drums, glockenspiels, piano and even a rainstick that make up the Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble, who'll be performing on the West Holts stage.

In their surreal-but-wonderful video for 'Bop', the group show a stunning collaboration with a small company of ballerinas (the ballerinas arrive at 5m17s). And they'd like to do similar at Glastonbury this year.

So, the BBF Ensemble are offering ballerinas of the world the chance to perform their own choreographed performance at Glastonbury 2011. All they have to do is send in a video of their vision and be better than all the other contenders. The winners will get passes, backstage camping and travel expenses. For more information and details on how to apply, visit the competition webpage: brandtbrauerfrick-youmakemereal.com/ballerina/. You have until 23rd May to get you entry in.

Meanwhile, if you're not a ballerina, you can check out some BBF sonic treats at soundcloud.com/brandtbrauerfrick/sets.

The 2011 Fine Guide

Sun, 08 May 2011 09:49:40 +0000

We're pleased to announce the launch of the 2011 Glastonbury Festival Fine Guide, your indispensible companion to everything at Glastonbury Festival. Whether this year is your first Glastonbury or your fifteenth, it really is worth reading.

For the first time, to save on paper/printing, Fine Guides will not be sent out with tickets. Instead, you can download the PDF from here. You're then, of course, welcome to print it out and bring it with you to the Festival but we would encourage you to read it on your computer if you can.

The PDF is divided into two parts - the Fine Guide and the Fine Transport Guide. Click the links below to download them to your computer. NB: When you click the link, the PDFs will automatically be saved directly to your computer's downloads folder or desktop.

- Fine Guide Colour
- Fine Guide Mono

- Fine Transport Guide Colour
- Fine Transport Guide Mono

An update from Shangri-La

Sun, 08 May 2011 10:27:09 +0000

We've just posted the latest blog from the Shangri-La crew, which gives lots of very intriguing clues about their 2011 plans. Click here to read it.

Relive 6 Music's trip to Worthy Farm

Fri, 06 May 2011 19:26:24 +0000

Earlier today, Lauren Laverne broadcast her BBC 6 Music show live from Worthy Farm. It was a wonderful three hours of radio, which really whet the appetite for this year's Festival with interviews with Emily and Michael Eavis, Ed from Chemical Brothers, Guy from Elbow and Steve Lamacq, plus live music from Guillemots and our 2011 ETC winners Treetop Flyers (who really did us proud). You can listen again online for seven days by clicking here.

Afterwards, Lauren told us, "We had an amazing time! It's going to be an incredible year for Glastonbury - it's the last one until 2013, so I think we're all going to make the most of it."

Check out Jason Bryant's photos from a cracking day down on the farm.

Catch the Glastonbury Express to the Festival

Fri, 06 May 2011 11:37:49 +0000

We're very pleased to announce that, for the first time, there will be two charter trains coming direct to the Festival. Organised by Raileasy and First Group Support, the Glastonbury Express will travel from the north west and London direct to Frome Station, where free buses will be lined up and waiting to take passengers the short journey to the Festival site.

Return prices (including shuttle bus) are as follows:

Preston - £93
Bolton - £90
Manchester Picadilly - £87
Crewe - £70
Stoke-on-Trent - £60

Unfortunately the London train has had to be cancelled. Raileasy will be in touch with anyone who has bought a ticket. The Preston train is also now going to/from Frome rather than Cranmore.

NB: Single tickets are also now available at 50% of the return ticket price

Click here to book your ticket now.

We've worked hard with Raileasy and First to push these prices as low as possible - and they include a £5 early bird discount which has been extended until June 15. Unfortunately, as the service is a private charter train, Raileasy are unable to offer railcard discounts or concession fares.

If you're interested in coming to the Festival by train from other destinations, you can get the best fares via Raileasy's Glastonbury travel page.

Of course, anyone travelling to the Festival by train will also receive a Green Traveller lanyard, entitling them to discounts on food and T-shirts, and exclusive access to solar showers and compost toilets.

All aboard!

Treetop Flyers' blog #1

Wed, 04 May 2011 17:17:05 +0000

Following their victory in our 2011 Emerging Talent Competition, we've asked Treetop Flyers to write a blog for the Glastonbury website, as they build up to their Other Stage performance at the Festival. Here's the first part:

So where do we begin? It's finally sunken in now just how important winning the Emerging Talent Competition was. A lot of very good and interesting opportunities have arisen which is great, and also we now know the prize winning slot, half 1 on the Saturday on the Other Stage which is amazing but quite scary. So please come down to watch us!

We are big fans of the Coral and we were watching their set on the Other Stage a couple of years back, very big stage indeed. We are all really hyped about playing there and perhaps some other stages at Glastonbury this year.

The whole experience of the Emerging Talent final is one I'm sure we will never forget. It was glorious day weather wise and all 8 bands who made it there were very nice indeed, everyone trying to hide their nerves of course. I must say for an event with so much at stake it ran like clockwork - in fact, it was even running 10 minutes ahead of time which did relax things a little. I think we played the best we could have on the night and by the general reaction of the crowd everyone seemed to really dig it so it made us feel good. And when Michael Eavis announced us as winners we all were like, 'Really? Did he just say us Treetop Flyers?!' Ha.

I would recommend entering the ETC competition to any band for next year, Firstly it's free to enter and you have a chance at playing most probably the biggest and most well know festival in the world, so a win win situation. Lastly I'd like to thank our drummer for entering us!

Until next time.........

Reid
Treetop Flyers
http://www.treetopflyers.co.uk/

Refunds deadline is Friday, registration also closing

Wed, 04 May 2011 14:26:05 +0000

A reminder that anyone who has bought a ticket for Glastonbury Festival 2011 has until 11.59pm on Friday May 6th to request a refund for their ticket. To do so, please contact Seetickets on 0844 412 4626. A £10 administration charge will be retained from all refunded tickets.

After Friday, depending on the number of ticket refunds requested, there may be an extremely limited resale of tickets. If there is a resale, notice will be given here on the official site, at least 24 hours in advance. You would need to be registered to buy a ticket in any resale. Registration to buy tickets for 2011 will also close at 11.59pm on Friday May 6th. Click here to register now.

After May 6th, tickets are non-refundable. However, if you bought the TicketPlan Protection for your ticket and if your reason for not being able to come is covered by the policy, a claim can be made by contacting the Ticketplan helpline on 0870 950 1119.