Glastonbury gates open as festivalgoers descend for politically charged event

The Guardian

3 days ago

The gates to Glastonbury festival have opened for 2025 with more than 200,000 ticket-holders set to descend for a long weekend of performing arts and music.
In what promises to be a politically charged gathering at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, campers can expect a mixed bag of sunshine and rain throughout the week.
The world-renowned festival will see headline performances on its Pyramid stage from the British pop band the 1975, the veteran US singer Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and the American pop star Olivia Rodrigo.
The festival's organiser, Emily Eavis, and her father, co-founder Sir Michael Eavis, who turns 90 later this year, were counting down and cheering as the festival officially opened its gates on Wednesday with a brass band accompaniment.
Troy and Eva Madourie-Clavany drove down from Leeds on Tuesday night and camped in the queue to be among the first to enter the site.
'We wanted to make the most of it so we came straight after work,' said Eva.
Troy added: 'To be fair, it only took about four and a half hours. There was a really good atmosphere in the queue, people were playing music.'
This is their second Glastonbury – last year they came on their honeymoon – and they have a short list of acts they want to see, including Jorja Smith and AJ Tracey.
'Raye is the big one,' said Troy. 'Her style is incredible.'
Liv Jones from Liverpool, wearing her hair in rollers, was excited to see Lewis Capaldi – though he is not listed as playing the festival this year, after struggling with his mental health during his Glastonbury performance in 2023.
'He's playing a surprise set tomorrow,' she said. 'On the Pyramid stage.'
Paul McMenamy from St Helens arrived on Monday and will not be going home until the following Tuesday, as part of the crew setting up and taking down one of the site's three hospitals.
'The lineup this year is not as good for us,' he said. He had been able to bring his wife, Melanie, along with him.
Melanie said: 'But it gives us the opportunity to see more. We're not going from stage to stage, stuck in crowds. We'll have a good chance to explore.'
McMenamy added: 'We just love it. It's the best place on earth.'
Against a backdrop of geopolitical unrest, the left-leaning festival will host a number of artists and speakers with strong positions on a wide range of social issues. Alongside the rock and pop stars, Glastonbury will feature talks on violence against women and girls, collective action, the Israel-Gaza conflict, racial equality and climate, featuring figures including the MP Zarah Sultana, the broadcaster Gary Lineker, writer the Reni Eddo-Lodge, the former Green MP Caroline Lucas and the Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham.
The spotlight is set to be firmly fixed on the Irish rap trio Kneecap, who have been subject to ongoing scrutiny over their position on the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
One of the members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, has been charged under terror laws for allegedly displaying a flag in support of the banned terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London in November last year.
Last week, the 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with his bandmates, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, at Westminster magistrates court in 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts.
He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on 20 August.
Keir Starmer has said the group's performance at the festival, taking place on the West Holts stage at 4pm on Saturday, is not 'appropriate' and the Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, said she thought the BBC 'should not be showing' Kneecap's performance.
Performing in the coveted Sunday tea-time legends slot this year is Rod Stewart, who previously said he would be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as some other guests.
Eavis has said the festival, which has capacity for 210,000 people, has sold 'a few thousand less tickets' this year in an attempt to avoid overcrowding.
Among the acts expected to draw large crowds this year is the alternative pop star Charli xcx, who will perform songs from her genre-defining sixth studio album Brat.
The lineup also features a number of acts listed as TBA, as well as a mysterious act called Patchwork, who will take to the Pyramid stage on Saturday.