What is the history of Glastonbury Festival?
Glastonbury Festival, or Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival as it was originally known, started in 1970 when organiser Michael Eavis decided to throw his own festival at Worthy Farm after being inspired by an open-air festival he recently attended.
Which country is Glastonbury?
Glastonbury, town (parish), Mendip district, administrative and historic county of Somerset, southwestern England.
What is Glastonbury Festival known for?
The festival is best known for its contemporary music, but also features dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and many other arts. In 2005, the enclosed area of the festival was over 900 acres (3.6 km²), had over 385 live performances and was attended by around 150,000 people.
When did Glastonbury first start?
September 19, 1970Glastonbury Festival / First event date
Festival origins The first festival at Worthy Farm was called the Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival and took place in late Summer 1970, opening the day after Jimi Hendrix died. It was attended by 1,500 people. Admission was £1, which included free camping and free milk.
Who started Glastonbury?
Michael Eavis
But when Michael Eavis began his now-iconic festival in 1970, it was called the Worthy Farm Pop Festival, not Glastonbury. As you can see from the above flyer, it cost a quid to get in (about £15 in today’s money) and featured eight performers – at least!
Why is Glastonbury so magical?
Archaeologists study prehistoric monuments in their ancient ‘sacred landscapes’ – Avebury, Stonehenge and the like – but Glastonbury is a living sacred landscape. “The town has a strong Wiccan population, and you have the Christians and the Avalonians and they all interact,” she continues.
Who is the owner of Glastonbury?
Born Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis, Michael is the owner of Worthy Farm who co-founded Glastonbury Festival. It all began when Michael and his wife Jean visited the Bath Festival of Blues in 1969 and saw Led Zeppelin perform.
How does Glastonbury make money?
[So] Glastonbury relies completely on goodwill.” Many artists are happy to take a cut in salary for a chance at playing the iconic festival. In an interview with Somerset Live, Bestival organiser and DJ Rob Da Bank explained: “It’s the one show that artists will play for free or for a reduced price.
Is Glastonbury an island?
What is now known as Glastonbury was, in ancient times, called the Isle of Avalon. It is virtually an island, for it is completely surrounded by marshlands. In Welsh it is called Ynys Afallach, which means the Island of Apples and this fruit once grew in great abundance.
Who was the first band to play at Glastonbury?
This was Mick Ringham, who revealed to the Daily Mail in 2010 that the very first piece of music played at Glastonbury was a cover of the classic It’s All Over Now by a band called The Valentinos.
Where do artists stay at Glastonbury?
The vast majority of Festival-goers spend their weekend under canvas, taking advantage of the camping fields which are included in your ticket price (from Wednesday night until Monday morning). But others choose to bring their campervan/caravan or to stay in one of the Festival’s legendary Tipis.
The first Glastonbury Festivals, most notable for being the forerunners of Glastonbury Festival, were a series of cultural events founded by communist activist and composer Rutland Boughton, which were held in summer from 1914 to 1925 in Glastonbury, Somerset, England.
What is the Rutland Boughton Music Trust?
The Rutland Boughton Music Trust was established in 1978, the year of the composer’s Centenary, to encourage performances and sponsor recordings of his works. Many of these, including some world premieres, now appear on disc with the Hyperion Records label.
When did Boughton move to Glastonbury?
By 1911, Boughton had resigned from Birmingham and moved to Glastonbury where, together with Walshe and Buckley, he began to focus on establishing the country’s first national annual summer school of music.