Britain’s legendary – actually, you can probably just say ‘iconic’ and be done with it – Glastonbury Festival is a fixture of the music calendar. Huge bands drop everything to play there, hundreds of thousands of devotees brave traffic jams and portaloos to join the party, and headliners vie to write themselves into musical history with showstopping performances. Occasionally, it rains and someone falls into a quagmire.
This summer Glastonbury has taken a different form: Live at Worthy Farm. It’s greatly pared down, with five hours of music and spoken-word stories, but still has a starry, ‘Glasto’ feel, with bands like Haim, Coldplay and Idles all performing for free in support of the festival.
And thanks to the magic of live streaming, everyone on the planet can tune in and soak up the good vibes and top tunes – and all for the good cause of keeping this cultural landmark afloat after two cancelled festivals. Here’s everything you need to know:
When is it happening?
Live at Worthy Farm kicks off at 7pm British Summer Time on Saturday May 22. It wraps up five hours later with a set from DJ Honey Dijon and Róisín Murphy.
Who’s playing?
With the travel restrictions in place, the line-up has a UK-based feel: Coldplay, Idles, Jorja Smith, Michael Kiwanuka, George Ezra, Kano and Wolf Alice, with Haim jetting in from the US. None of the sets is longer than 45 minutes so expect all killer, no filler.
Anyone else?
Yes! Stitching it all together with spoken word performances while amps are shifted and drumkits set up are the likes of PJ Harvey, Cocker, Kate Tempest, George the Poet, Kurupt FM, Little Amal, Caleb Femi and Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis.
How can you watch it?
It’s available to livestream across the planet with staggered start times depending on the time zone. Prices are £20 (UK), €23 (Europe), $27.50 (US) and $35 (Australia). There’s a rewind button to relive the big moments and two ‘encore’ streams the next day. If you’re in the UK, you can also pile down to your local cinema: it’s showing at a number of multiplexes around the country, including Vue, Odeon, Picturehouse and Cineworld – and lots of indie cinemas too (here’s the full list).
How can you recreate Glastonbury at home?
Totally up to you but you’re probably going to want to stock up on cider, set up a tent in your living room and make a firm plan to meet your housemate ‘near the fridge’ at some point, only for one of you not to show.
How can I recreate Glastonbury in Glastonbury?
The festival’s Somerset site is operating as a family campsite over the summer. There’s no live music but plenty of space to bring some of your own.
How do you book tickets?
Head to the official festival site.
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