A sprawling tent city has arisen from the UK's Somerset countryside for the Glastonbury Festival. More than 175,000 partiers have crammed into the 900-acre Worthy Farm for the five-day event, which will see more than 2,000 acts across dozens of stages. The first bands hit the stage today.
In the city —
A sprawling tent city has arisen from the UK's Somerset countryside for the Glastonbury Festival. More than 175,000 partiers have crammed into the 900-acre Worthy Farm for the five-day event, which will see more than 2,000 acts across dozens of stages. The first bands hit the stage today.
Alastair Johnstone / SWNS.com
An army of 40,000 security guards, litter pickers, stewards, volunteers and retailers will also spill onto the site over the next few days.
My life would suck without you —
An army of 40,000 security guards, litter pickers, stewards, volunteers and retailers will also spill onto the site over the next few days.
Alastair Johnstone / SWNS.com
The festival opened under sunny skies, but those who love it when it rains are expected to get their wish.
Good day sunshine —
The festival opened under sunny skies, but those who love it when it rains are expected to get their wish.
Alastair Johnstone / SWNS.com
Neat lines like these likely won't last the weekend. Conditions at the densely packed Worthy Farm campground are the stuff of legend, particularly when rain showers (forecast again this year) leave revelers slithering through neck-deep mud.
Colourfield —
Neat lines like these likely won't last the weekend. Conditions at the densely packed Worthy Farm campground are the stuff of legend, particularly when rain showers (forecast again this year) leave revelers slithering through neck-deep mud.
Alastair Johnstone / SWNS.com
From down home hippie origins in the 1970s -- when fans paid £1 to see bands like the Kinks -- Glastonbury has grown into a musical behemoth.
Happy together —
From down home hippie origins in the 1970s -- when fans paid £1 to see bands like the Kinks -- Glastonbury has grown into a musical behemoth.
David Hedges SWNS.com
The UK's Telegraph included sets by Radiohead, Beyoncé, Leonard Cohen, Baaba Maal, The Only Ones, Oasis, Amy Winehouse, White Stripes, Bastille, Dolly Parton and the Rolling Stones in a recent ranking of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fculture%2Fglastonbury%2F10912208%2FThe-100-best-Glastonbury-performances-ever.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">100 best Glastonbury performances ever</a>.
Electric avenue —
The UK's Telegraph included sets by Radiohead, Beyoncé, Leonard Cohen, Baaba Maal, The Only Ones, Oasis, Amy Winehouse, White Stripes, Bastille, Dolly Parton and the Rolling Stones in a recent ranking of the 100 best Glastonbury performances ever.
Alastair Johnstone / SWNS.com
Curtis Mayfield performed at Glastonbury in 1983. This year's lineup includes Kanye West, The Who and Lionel Richie.
People get ready —
Curtis Mayfield performed at Glastonbury in 1983. This year's lineup includes Kanye West, The Who and Lionel Richie.
SWNS.com
All's clear now, but attendees know that will change as the event grinds on.
Trudging slowly over wet sand? —
All's clear now, but attendees know that will change as the event grinds on.
Alastair Johnstone / SWNS.com
Fast friendships come easy at Glastonbury.
Please allow me to introduce myself —
Fast friendships come easy at Glastonbury.
David Hedges SWNS.com
While celebs and those with cash to burn can pay to crash in yurts, RVs or luxury tents, most will sleep, if they sleep at all, within the huddled mass of canvas.
Let's go to bed ... or not —
While celebs and those with cash to burn can pay to crash in yurts, RVs or luxury tents, most will sleep, if they sleep at all, within the huddled mass of canvas.
David Hedges SWNS.com
The party doesn't last, of course. It'll die before it gets old after Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend take the final bow on the main Pyramid Stage on Sunday evening.
The kids are still alright —
The party doesn't last, of course. It'll die before it gets old after Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend take the final bow on the main Pyramid Stage on Sunday evening.
David Hedges SWNS.com