Glasto - 40 Years And Still Going Strong

Forget the pretenders, there are no challengers; Glastonbury is the biggest and best festival that the summer has to offer. This year the festival turns 40 and to celebrate offers the most inclusive line up of artists you’re ever likely to see, from Ray Davis to the Flaming Lips.

However, it’s rarely just the musicians that make Glastonbury such a special festival and a right of passage for thousands, it’s the collective experience of 200 thousand sharing in once in a lifetime moments. Whether that is a midnight mass gathering at the stone circle or a pilgrimage to Shangri-la, Glastonbury transcends the normality of the mass of festivals into an almost religious experience.

That’s not to put of the casual festivalgoer, if you want to go see Rolf Harris or Lady Gaga no ones going to think any less of you. This is a festival of two hundred thousand individuals and from Pyramid Stage to the Queen’s Head Stage you’ll finds friends and like-minded peers.

Highlights this year are likely to include Mos Def, headlining the West Holts stage on Friday night with a full orchestra and Stevie Wonder, Sunday’s main headliner. However the surprise hit of the festival may well be Rodrigo y Gabriela, who will Sunday’s last act on the West Holts stage. Prepare to be amazed as the Mexican duo shows you what a riot two people can cause with just a couple of acoustic guitar.

The real tip for getting the most out of your time at Glastonbury is try to experience as much as possible, turn up early (the festival really begins on Thursday), go to bed late, explore everywhere and see bands and acts you’ve never seen before.  Oh, and bring wellies.

Don't miss out on seeing the festivals live on BBC. Tickets are sadly sold out. 

DwR