Latest news with #musicfestival
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Glastonbury Organiser Says Those Who Don't Agree With Festival's Politics 'Can Go Elsewhere'
Michael Eavis has insisted that politics still play an important part of Glastonbury's identity. The 89-year-old festival founder was recently interviewed by the Glastonbury Free Press about whether he thinks that the huge-scale music event still stands for something (as reported by The Guardian). 'Oh heaven's above, yes, of course it does,' he said. 'And I think the people that come here are into all those things.' Michael added: 'People that don't agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else.' As well as musical performances, this year's Glastonbury will include a number of political events. These will include a talk about 'what['s] next for the Left' by commentators like Ash Sarkar and Gary Younge, as well as a debate about the rise of the 'far-right' in our contemporary society with Labour's Zarah Sultana. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas will also make an appearance for a discussion titled Saving The Planet But Not Leaving Workers Behind, while Gary Lineker will take part in a panel called Standing Up For 'Getting Along' In A World That's Being Pushed Apart. One of the most talked-about acts at this year's Glastonbury will be Kneecap, who are due to appear after one of its members was charged with a terror offence. Kneecap have long maintained that they've been the victims of a 'witchhunt' and 'smear campaign' ever since their set at the Coachella music festival in April, where they expressed solidarity with Palestine amid the current conflict in the Middle East, leading the crowd in a chant of 'free Palestine' and projecting the message 'fuck Israel' onto the screens behind them. Days later, it was reported that counter-terrorism officers were assessing a resurfaced video filmed at one of the group's gigs that took place five months earlier, during which they reportedly declared 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. It was subsequently confirmed that musician Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh – better known to Kneecap fans by stage name Mo Chara – had been charged with a terror offence, for allegedly brandishing the flag of the proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah, after being handed it by a member of the crowd at Kneecap's London show in November 2024. Kneecap responded: 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.' Prime minister Keir Starmer has voiced the opinion it is 'inappropriate' for Kneecap's Saturday afternoon slot to go ahead, to which the group wrote on Instagram: 'You know what's 'not appropriate' Keir?! Arming a fucking genocide…' Michael Eavis' daughter Emily is now one of the event's organisers, and shared her take on the Kneecap controversy during an interview on Wednesday morning. 11 Must-See Performances If You're Watching Glastonbury From Home This Year The BBC Sets The Record Straight About Why They Won't Be Airing Neil Young's Glastonbury Set Glastonbury Organiser Breaks Silence On Controversy Over Kneecap's Spot On This Year's Line-Up
BBC News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blenheim Palace unveils plans for new summer music festival
Plans for a new five-day music and arts festival at Blenheim Palace have been the event, organisers said it would feature an "eclectic line-up of global superstars, award-winning artists, and emerging talent".The palace's chief executive, Dominic Hare, said the festival, which will first be held in summer 2026, "marks a new chapter" for the Unesco World Heritage this week, Nocturne Live Oxfordshire revealed that, after ten years, it would no longer be staging its outdoor music festival at the stately home. "Our historic landscape will offer a spectacular backdrop for a new kind of festival – one that's rooted in tradition but designed for the future," Mr Hare said."Blenheim has been synonymous with hosting live music events for over 20 years and we hope that the new collaboration will continue that tradition." Mr Hare also thanked those involved with "successfully" organising Nocturne Live over the past begun in 2015, Nocturne Live saw artists including Kylie Minogue, Lionel Richie and Elton John play to crowds of thousands in the palace's event marked its final edition at the palace last weekend with performances from Nile Rogers and Chic, The Corrs, Richard Ashcroft and Gary its plans, Blenheim Palace Festival said the new festival would "showcase immersive cultural programming and innovative culinary experiences" alongside the musical is a collaboration between leading live music promoters Cuffe & Taylor, a Live Nation company, and event producers IMG Arts & Entertainment."This is an extraordinary moment for live events in the UK," Peter Taylor, from Cuffe & Taylor, said."Blenheim Palace is one of the most extraordinary locations in the country - to launch a major new festival here is incredibly exciting," he added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Welcome to the Ministry of Happiness! Glastonbury kicks off for 2025
Each year there are tweaks and adjustments to the tried and tested Glastonbury formula, and this year the eccentric Shangri-La area has had a makeover. On Thursday afternoon David Levene took a stroll around the revamped area – see more pictures here in our gallery. The thoroughfare through the revamped Shangri-La. Photograph: David Levene Late on Thursday night we happened upon a secret set at Floating Points' new Sunflower Sound System in the Silver Hayes dance area – a special back-to-back performance by Four Tet (Kieran Hebden) and Floating Points (Samuel Shepherd) himself. They played a set on a painstakingly built sound system which had been assembled in a special tent with mycelium-based sound-baffling discs and tweeters hung from the top of the tent. The system has six stacks arranged around the dancefloor in a circle, enabling the selectors to pan sound around the tent. Kieran Hebden, AKA Four Tet, plays with Samuel Shepherd AKA Floating Points, perform together at Sunflower Sound System. Photos by David Levene Thursday evening, with no open performance stages in action, has evolved into a bit of a party night as festivalgoers ease into the proceedings. Over in Silver Hayes, crowds packed out the Lonely Hearts Club, for Nooriyah's set around midnight. Festivalgoers at Lonely Hearts Club for Nooriyah's set on Thursday evening. On Friday, the first day proper, we kicked things off with a Guardian Live talk between features writer Zoe Williams and drag queen Bimini at Astrolabe. Drag queen Bimini during an interview with Zoe Williams at Astrolabe fora Guardian Live event. Photograph: Jonny Weeks. Love was in the air as the festival kicked off for Guardian photographer David Levene: he snapped newlyweds Charlie and Charles in the south east corner by the Rum Shack. Charlie and Charles Shires, from Harrogate, held their wedding ceremony at the festival. In the words of our reviewer Safi Bugel: 'In many ways Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso's music is perfect for the chronically online: they rap knowingly about hashtags and OnlyFans; their hook-heavy tracks rarely push beyond the three-minute mark. But despite the in-jokes and commitment to the bit, the music is strong; they deliver a tight, confident performance for the full hour, which frequently climaxes in their frenetic percussive breakdowns. And when the music drops and the audience join in for a full-blown a capella, you know they're bona fide popstars.' Fans watching Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso at West Holts stage. Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso at West Holts stage. Photographs: Jonny Weeks Lola Young played Woodsies, and Jonny Weeks was there to capture the young British artist's assured performance – who shot to fame with her viral track Messy, and who has had a rocky year thanks to a sometimes scabrous public. Lola Young at Woodsies. Photograph: Jonny Weeks Later into the evening on the big stages we saw Busta Rhymes on the Other stage, Self Esteem up at the Park stage and the 1975 closed the first day's programme on the Pyramid stage. Self Esteem plays the Park stage at Glastonbury. The Guardian's Elle Hunt was at Self Esteem: 'Many in the crowd know every word – and these are very wordy songs – and really seem to get something out of shouting them to the sky. It's stirring, serious-minded yet still upbeat.' Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star on Other stage. Reviewer Jason Okundaye called Busta Rhymes's show 'absolutely hilarious, and the interaction with the crowd is gold standard'. Anohni and the Johnsons plays the Park stage. And closing the Pyramid was the 1975: 'A bold, experimental, occasionally confounding, but ultimately hugely impressive performance,' said the Guardian's Alexis Petridis. Matty Healy of the 1975 on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury on Friday evening. Matty Healy with a pint of Guinness. Photographs: Jonny Weeks
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Welcome to the Ministry of Happiness! Glastonbury kicks off for 2025
Each year there are tweaks and adjustments to the tried and tested Glastonbury formula, and this year the eccentric Shangri-La area has had a makeover. On Thursday afternoon David Levene took a stroll around the revamped area – see more pictures here in our gallery. The thoroughfare through the revamped Shangri-La. Photograph: David Levene Late on Thursday night we happened upon a secret set at Floating Points' new Sunflower Sound System in the Silver Hayes dance area – a special back-to-back performance by Four Tet (Kieran Hebden) and Floating Points (Samuel Shepherd) himself. They played a set on a painstakingly built sound system which had been assembled in a special tent with mycelium-based sound-baffling discs and tweeters hung from the top of the tent. The system has six stacks arranged around the dancefloor in a circle, enabling the selectors to pan sound around the tent. Kieran Hebden, AKA Four Tet, plays with Samuel Shepherd AKA Floating Points, perform together at Sunflower Sound System. Photos by David Levene Thursday evening, with no open performance stages in action, has evolved into a bit of a party night as festivalgoers ease into the proceedings. Over in Silver Hayes, crowds packed out the Lonely Hearts Club, for Nooriyah's set around midnight. Festivalgoers at Lonely Hearts Club for Nooriyah's set on Thursday evening. On Friday, the first day proper, we kicked things off with a Guardian Live talk between features writer Zoe Williams and drag queen Bimini at Astrolabe. Drag queen Bimini during an interview with Zoe Williams at Astrolabe fora Guardian Live event. Photograph: Jonny Weeks. Love was in the air as the festival kicked off for Guardian photographer David Levene: he snapped newlyweds Charlie and Charles in the south east corner by the Rum Shack. Charlie and Charles Shires, from Harrogate, held their wedding ceremony at the festival. In the words of our reviewer Safi Bugel: 'In many ways Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso's music is perfect for the chronically online: they rap knowingly about hashtags and OnlyFans; their hook-heavy tracks rarely push beyond the three-minute mark. But despite the in-jokes and commitment to the bit, the music is strong; they deliver a tight, confident performance for the full hour, which frequently climaxes in their frenetic percussive breakdowns. And when the music drops and the audience join in for a full-blown a capella, you know they're bona fide popstars.' Fans watching Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso at West Holts stage. Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso at West Holts stage. Photographs: Jonny Weeks Lola Young played Woodsies, and Jonny Weeks was there to capture the young British artist's assured performance – who shot to fame with her viral track Messy, and who has had a rocky year thanks to a sometimes scabrous public. Lola Young at Woodsies. Photograph: Jonny Weeks Later into the evening on the big stages we saw Busta Rhymes on the Other stage, Self Esteem up at the Park stage and the 1975 closed the first day's programme on the Pyramid stage. Self Esteem plays the Park stage at Glastonbury. The Guardian's Elle Hunt was at Self Esteem: 'Many in the crowd know every word – and these are very wordy songs – and really seem to get something out of shouting them to the sky. It's stirring, serious-minded yet still upbeat.' Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star on Other stage. Reviewer Jason Okundaye called Busta Rhymes's show 'absolutely hilarious, and the interaction with the crowd is gold standard'. Anohni and the Johnsons plays the Park stage. And closing the Pyramid was the 1975: 'A bold, experimental, occasionally confounding, but ultimately hugely impressive performance,' said the Guardian's Alexis Petridis. Matty Healy of the 1975 on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury on Friday evening. Matty Healy with a pint of Guinness. Photographs: Jonny Weeks
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
TV tonight: Charli xcx is about to send the Glastonbury crowd wild
10.30pm, BBC One You're not bothered about not being there either, right? Why would we be when we can enjoy one of the world's best music festivals from our living rooms, safe in the knowledge that a nice, clean loo is next door … Anyway, the BBC has coverage all day but – despite not being the headline act (Neil Young is playing the Pyramid) – Saturday night is all about lime-green queen of brat summer, Charli xcx, who's about to send the crowd wild at the Other stage. Hollie Richardson 4.55pm, Channel 4 A cooling cucumber-based green gazpacho sounds like a heatwave hero for the tastebuds – so take note of Jamie Oliver's recipe here. Other summer ideas include barbecued sweet peppers, plum sauce and crispy duck, and a showstopping sour cherry frangipane tart. HR 8pm, Channel 5 The irrepressible wanderer heads to the Mediterranean island for the weekend, starting in the gorgeous capital Palermo – where he, naturally, has dinner with a duchess. Also on the agenda: exploring the island's Mafia ties, discovering ancient sites and watching the revival of a grand palazzo. HR 8pm, BBC Four Glastonbury still hasn't run out of old pop giants whose aura will give an evening in the Somerset sun a whole new energy. The 67-year-old king of the Numanoids makes his festival debut on the Park stage – Cars and Are Friends Electric? will get the crowd singing, but Numan's eccentric magnetism will be just as captivating. Jack Seale 11pm, ITV1 Vanessa and Scott interrogate the suspects about Leo's kidnapping ('help convince our American friends you're just a finance manager having a really bad day') but come up with handfuls of air. Meanwhile, Sean travels from Ireland to England, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Then, a startling video emerges. Ali Catterall 11.45pm, BBC One The tennis legend's account of her 27-year career reaches the 2000s, when the murder of her older sister, Yetunde Prince, precipitated a number of dark years, during which she dropped out of the tennis Top 100. Then came the 2007 Australian Open, and one of the all-time-great comebacks. Ellen E Jones Glory, 12:30am, Channel 4 Ed Zwick's recent memoir Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions has much to recommend it (not least the astonishing bridge-burning chapter about his involvement with Shakespeare in Love), but chief among its qualities is how much it will make you want to rewatch Glory. Zwick's film about an African American regiment in the civil war is a true epic. The script swings for the fences. Cinematically it spills from the screen. And, let's not forget, this is the movie that announced Denzel Washington as a major presence. He still may not have bettered this performance. Stuart Heritage Horseracing: Newcastle, 1.30, ITV1 With the Northumberland Plate, plus racing from York and the Curagh. Football: Uefa European Under-21's Championship, 7.30pm, Channel 4 The final from Slovakia.
