The gates of Worthy Farm have swung wide open, welcoming around 200,000 attendees who will turn Glastonbury into the ultimate hub of counterculture celebrations. For countless others at home, however, Glastonbury will serve a different purpose in their lives. The BBC’s extensive broadcasting effort will transmit a variety of performances right into living rooms – featuring iconic headliners, classic acts, new bands, and groundbreaking rappers, among others. This is something this writer can personally relate to, having grown up navigating between sets using the iconic ‘red button’ before the service evolved into the beloved iPlayer we know today.
“Glastonbury is incredibly special,” claims Huw Stephens, a host on 6 Music, from his home in Cardiff. “This is the BBC at its finest, showcasing excellent coverage, filming, and access.”
As the host of the station’s drive-time show, Huw is well-acquainted with Glastonbury, having first attended around the turn of the 21st century. “My first Glastonbury was the year David Bowie headlined,” Huw reminisces. “I remember sitting on a car hood – someone had somehow brought a car to the campsite! – watching David Bowie perform.”
“I feel fortunate to have experienced it multiple times and witnessed the festival's transformation. Each year is distinctly unique. Yet, it all blends into one joyful, hazy memory for me.”
6 Music colleague Nick Grimshaw concurs. In a conversation with Clash just after finishing his latest Breakfast Show, he reflects on attending Glastonbury for the first time as a junior radio plugger, new to the music scene. Tasked with guiding an emerging band called The Killers around the festival site, he gleaned an understanding of the effort, care, and detail involved in organizing the event.
“They were so fresh that they didn’t even have enough backstage passes, so we had to sneak them around to do their promotion!” he chuckles. “My boss took me on a journey through the festival, exploring off the beaten path to discover hidden gems. She showed me the highest viewpoint on our first night, allowing me to see the entire grandeur of the festival.”
“There’s a sense of care,” he observes. “It’s not funded by a credit card company or a bank. There’s a certain magic and freedom, which makes it feel incredibly special.”
“Glastonbury consistently provides these culturally defining moments year after year. It’s a remarkable experience just to be there. I’ve always felt drawn to it. I mean, going to Glastonbury and hosting a radio show to share how special it is – that hardly feels like work!” he laughs.
The BBC team at Glastonbury operates like a well-oiled machine – each member knows their responsibilities and is wholly committed to their roles. “When you’re there, rightly so, you put in the effort. Everyone aims to get it right. They all work really hard. It’s a significant operation that means a great deal to people,” Huw remarks.
“They do an exceptional job, not just because I work here,” Nick adds. “They cover a vast array of content. There’s so much available on iPlayer. The team is present from the opening of the gates on Wednesday until the final performances on Sunday night.”
The excitement is already building. Nick Grimshaw welcomes Floating Points to his show today (June 26th) to talk about the producer’s unique soundsystem installation at Worthy Farm, while Huw Stephens is busy featuring some fantastic new acts. Both are eager to catch ANOHNI on Friday, with Nick also interested in participating in various esoteric activities at the Healing Fields, such as a whale song workshop.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had energetic nights at Glastonbury!” Huw admits, laughing. “I’ve woken up in my tent, still in my wellies, thinking ‘oh my God, what happened!’ But those days are behind me. Every time I set foot on Worthy Farm… it’s special. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that lingers in your memory for a long time.”
“Well, the lineup is top-notch, isn’t it?” he points out. “We even have people hosting mini-festivals in their gardens. And you can watch the performances throughout the summer on the special Glastonbury channels on iPlayer.”
The incredible lineup at Glastonbury is vast. “Rod Stewart – would I go see him perform solo?” Huw ponders. “Probably not. But will I go see him perform on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday? Absolutely! It’s going to be amazing.”
“You never want to, but you inevitably miss things – and I spend the weeks following Glastonbury catching up on iPlayer.”
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The gates of Worthy Farm have been opened wide, welcoming approximately 200,000 revelers who will come together to make Glastonbury the ultimate destination for all.