Glasto 2025 | The Review. It was Olivia’s face when we entered Glasto Latino at 03:00. It was Justin rediscovering his love for music. It was Tallie at the top of the hill in the Park area, saying I am home. It was Michal flippantly saying The next time I come. It was Ro having the time of his life dancing to Nile Rodgers.
Friends at Glastonbury
All of the above had never been to Glastonbury before. Seeing how they all took to the festival and embraced its ethos made my Glastonbury this year. In addition to recommending the festival to strangers on this website, I frequently discuss it with friends who have never attended. (No surprises there then.)
It is a big ask, though. Taking a week off from work, spending money, camping, and the long drops. I always hope my friends will enjoy it, but you never know. Sometimes, some people might just not get it. That is fine, we can’t all like the same things. When they do get it, though, it makes me happy. (I generally know from my friends who will enjoy it and only invite them to join our crew.)
The Changes at Glastonbury 2025
I think the changes at this year’s festival were excellent and much needed. Credit to the organisers for listening to feedback and implementing it. I loved the space at The Other Stage (which came in very handy when I needed some respite during The Prodigy set).
I think the Dragon’s Tail area in Shangri-la is great too. It was nice to just chill on that hill, and it was a perfect spot to meet people in the Southeast Corner. I also liked the new layout in Shangri-la. It felt more open and spacious.
This year felt less crowded and busy, and I think it helped a lot.
The Performances
Justin said it perfectly. Every act we have seen has performed amazingly. I agree. Sometimes we forget how lucky we all are to have 5 days of world-class entertainment. Glastonbury is like the Olympics of performing arts, with world-class entertainers all around the festival site.
We get caught up with the weather, camping and the long drops. Of course, we all love watching our favourite acts, but now that the festival has long passed, have a think of all the artists you saw over the 5 days and try to relive those moments. Do this again in dark, damp February to get some of that Glasto sunshine!
Talking of who you saw down at the festival, here is my list (in no particular order):
- CMAT
- Lewis Capaldi
- Alanis Morissette
- Kaiser Chiefs
- Patchwork (Pulp)
- Nile Rodgers and Chic
- Wolf Alice
- The Prodigy
- Fcukers
- Nova Twins
- Tom Odell
- Scissor Sisters
- Self Esteem
- Annie Mac
- Groove Armada
- Beans on Toast
- Supergrass
- Yessir (secret Fat Dog set)
Well worth the money!
My Glastonbury Tips Bar Crawl & Other Meetups
I started my Glastonbury bar crawl 3 years ago to help newbies connect with other Glasto Goers and get a sense of where things are around the festival site. I think around 15 people came on that first one. Last year, we had around 25 people. I was not expecting over 100 people to turn up this year!
It was an amazing Wednesday afternoon and a perfect way to start the festival. As we were all wearing Hawaiian-themed shirts, it was easy to see who was on it. It was also brilliant to see strangers from my community connect. Some of them spent the whole festival together.
I would like to thank everyone who came on it and to all the bar staff who had to serve us on the route, especially the staff in The Cockmill Bar who had just opened and saw 120 people walk in and up at Strummerville who had to make a million cocktails.
During my bar crawl, we met up with The Michael Eavis Flashmob, organised by my Glasto sister and all-around great human, SJ Smallpage. It was brilliant to honour the creator of Glastonbury Festival and wish him a happy 90th (coming up in October).
TWFTPU (Google it). As always, TWFTPU was brilliant and dangerous. I don’t think I have drunk so many different shots in a couple of hours in my life. Especially not before 15:00, that is for sure. I met some great people this year, including one of the non-organisers (his words) of the famous Underground Piano Bar.
The Volunteers, Workers and Organisers
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You can tell Glastonbury is built with love, and it shows from all of you. It makes a huge difference. I attend lots of festivals and gigs, and when the event doesn’t think about the punters, it has a massive impact on the atmosphere.
We The People
Finally, you lot. Every single one of you. None of what I wrote above would work if there were 205,00 dicks running around on the farm. I look forward to going to Glastonbury every year to reconnect with my tribe, who are scattered all around the globe.
I leave the festival with a new sense of purpose, faith in humanity and vigour. Glastonbury really shouldn’t work. It should be a chaotic shambles, but we, the people, come together and help create a mini utopia on those fields of Avalon. Long may it continue.
See you on the farm.
The 100% Unofficial Glastonbury Festival Guidebook Is Now Available
Hey there, Glasto Newbie!
So, you’ve scored tickets to Glastonbury? Congrats! Now, let’s make sure your first time is more epic than a Pyramid Stage headliner. My Glastonbury Festival Guidebook is like your cool best friend who’s been there, done that, and is ready to guide you through the festival’s wonders.
Download it below or get the print version on Amazon here: The Glastonbury Festival Guidebook
PDF Version:
