For over fifty years, Glastonbury has been one of the UK’s premier summer experiences. In that time, it has also managed to become one of the most famous and iconic music festivals in the world. From established performers to daring new acts, Glastonbury has also been the grounds on which musicians become legends.
Every year, around 200,000 revelers gather to dance, sing, and party through some of the greatest acts in the world. Even before the festival, attendees spend weeks prepping. Most of the fever is focused on camping gear and festival attire—but not all of it.
For example, some year-after-year Glastonbury visitors might have a specific routine for getting into the festival mood. From listening to their favorite songs to playing games, there are dozens of ways to get into the spirit. Even in the realm of casino slots, there are hits geared toward Glastonbury fans. These include slots that feature bands like Motörhead and Guns’n Roses.
With so much annual hype and an ever-expanding list of world-class performances, Glastonbury isn’t going anywhere. At least, not anytime soon. Here’s why the festival remains one of the most beloved in the world.
Some of the Best Shows Ever
When we say that Glastonbury has hosted some class acts, that might be an understatement. There’s David Bowie’s set from 2000, which featured a diverse range of hits from over the decades—a truly unique set. There’s the Rolling Stones’ somehow fantastic reappearance at the 2013 festival.
Throw in memorable sets from Paul McCartney, a handful of killer performances from The Cure, breakout sets from Jay Z, and even an appearance in the 90s from Johnny Cash, and you can start to see that Glastonbury is a storied, legendary musical venue.
History & Experience
Woodstock was known for its horrendous events planning disaster. The 1990s reboot was somehow even worse. But imagine if a festival like Woodstock had fifty years of experience under its belt. That’s the reality at Glastonbury. It’s been going strong since 1970 and has learned a lot along the way.
Though the number of attendees peaked at 300,000 back in the 1990s, the crew at Glastonbury has since done a great job of improving the event’s infrastructure. No, it’s not perfect—and inclement rain is an ongoing threat. But if there’s one reason why Glastonbury has stayed at the top of the festival list, it’s thanks to an ever-improving mindset that’s geared toward a great visitor experience.
The Range of Acts
As outlined above, Glastonbury has focused on rock and alternative genres but also brings in a truly dizzying range of performers. In other words, there’s something for everyone—and Glastonbury remains committed to bringing in lesser-known but highly innovative new acts.
There are post-punk bands, folk groups from Texas, experimental electronic artists, indie-rock bands, indie singer-songwriters, psychedelic rock, and much more. Glastonbury is also renowned for showcasing local orchestra groups to help highlight and celebrate classical music.
The goal is to promote the diverse range of orchestral music, from The Love Unlimited Synth Orchestra to celebrations of David Bowie from the Paraorchestra. In other words, the range of musicians helps push the boundaries for festival-goers who might otherwise stick to one genre.
A Culture All Its Own
With half a century under its belt, there’s a unique atmosphere at Glastonbury—which is one reason why so many people re-attend year after year. Along with music, they’re on the hunt for a happy vibe. The diverse lineup also helps introduce visitors to new musical trends and fan groups.
In other words, Glastonbury has a culture all its own, which has slowly formed over the course of its existence. Some of this is thanks to mindful event planning, while the rest seems to be a melting pot of cultural influences from its hundreds of thousands of attendees. It’s something that many first-time attendees note being pleasantly surprised by and a reason why some choose to return.