Glastonbury Festival founder Sir Michael Eavis has revealed that he initially thought he would decline the knighthood offered to him. Speaking to the Glastonbury Free Press as this year’s festival commenced, the 88-year-old shared, “I actually always thought I’d turn it down if I was offered it, because I already liked being me.” Despite his initial reservations, Sir Michael was knighted in April, a recognition of his significant contributions to music and culture through the iconic festival.
Reflecting on the festival’s enduring success, Sir Michael remarked, “It’s all going from strength to strength. It’s so important that this festival stands for something. That’s the guts of the event, really. It’s why we’ve backed the CND (Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament) since 1981.” His commitment to social and political causes has been a defining feature of Glastonbury, making it more than just a music festival but a platform for advocacy and change.
This year, Glastonbury introduced a new venue called Terminal 1, described as a “re-purposed airport celebrating migration.” Sir Michael explained that the venue addresses the issue of immigration, stating, “They’re taking the approach that we can solve it. We can be friendly to these unfortunate people in the boats. It’s demonstrating, the whole festival is, really, that you can get on with your neighbour. And they’re putting all of that into a show. Isn’t that amazing?”
The festival kicked off with a spectacular drone show and fireworks over the Pyramid Stage, designed by Celestial, a company from the nearby Somerset village of Norton Saint Philip. The show, featuring 576 drones, was inspired by themes of peace and togetherness, setting a hopeful tone for the event.
Weather forecasts for the festival weekend predicted mostly dry conditions with cooling temperatures. A Met Office spokesman mentioned that fans arriving on Thursday could expect “a little cloudy” weather with “odd spots of rain” before it turns drier with sunny spells in the afternoon and some isolated showers. The temperatures were expected to be around 21°C, with the weekend forecast remaining mostly dry with plenty of sunny spells and temperatures ranging from 18°C to 21°C.
The festival’s timing coincided with planned industrial action by junior doctors, prompting NHS Somerset to offer tips on how to “stay well” during periods of hot weather to help “ease pressure on health and care.” Dr. Bernie Marden, chief medical officer for NHS Somerset, emphasized the importance of taking simple steps to stay healthy and well during the festival.
The main stages at Worthy Farm were set to open on Friday, with pop singer Dua Lipa headlining the Pyramid Stage that evening. The lineup also included rock band Coldplay and soul singer SZA, who were scheduled to perform on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Canadian country star Shania Twain was slated to play the coveted Legends slot on Sunday afternoon.
Thursday saw hundreds of acts performing across various smaller stages, including singer and DJ Shygirl and electronic musician Joy Orbison on the dance stage Levels. Fellow DJ MJ Cole performed a set at Stonebridge Bar, while London-based artist Shy One appeared on the Glade stage. Due to the expected size of the crowds, British electronic music duo Groove Armada’s performance was moved to other DJ slots. The festival’s official account announced on X, “Instead, we encourage you to take in their sets at the larger capacity Glade on Sunday at 8.30pm and B2B with Eats Everything at Levels on Saturday at 6pm. Thank you for your understanding.”
Sir Michael Eavis was also expected to give his traditional musical performance, covering a series of classics with his band. Last year, hundreds of fans chanted “Michael” as the veteran organizer was wheeled onto The Park Stage in an office chair, recovering from an operation on his leg.
The second day of Glastonbury saw a variety of activities, including workouts, parades, and even a wedding ceremony. Joe Wicks led a workout session from the stage, while performers participated in a parade celebrating the Stag Beetle. Sian Barklem, 25, and Johnjo Smith, 24, who got engaged at Glastonbury last year, held a hand-tying ceremony at this year’s festival, which they described as their “favourite place on Earth.”
Sir Michael Eavis’s reflections on his knighthood and the festival’s ongoing success highlight the enduring spirit and cultural significance of Glastonbury. His commitment to social causes and the festival’s ability to adapt and innovate continue to make it a unique and influential event in the world of music and beyond.
Source: Glastonbury Free Press, PA News Agency
