Bristol record shop Longwell Records has made its debut appearance at Glastonbury Festival, two years after first securing a place.
A little slice of Bristol currently sits between West Holts and Left Field with shop owner Iain Aitchison delighting passers-by with his extensive mix of records - there is of course a Glastonbury specials box - merchandise and Bristol-themed artwork.
Southmead born Iain hasn’t been to Worthy Farm in 25 years, and this year is slightly different to the 1997 “Year of Mud”, with festival goers enjoying glorious sunshine so far. He was also a punter back then when acts included The Prodigy, Radiohead, Massive Attack, Ray Davies and Sting.
READ MORE: First Glastonbury festival-goers arrive at Worthy Farm - updates
It’s safe to say he’ll be a bit busier this year manning his pop-up shop, and despite being almost an hour from Keynsham that hasn’t stopped his regular customers also at the festival from stopping in to say ‘hi’.
“It’s amazing how many people have come to see me already and it’s only day one,” said Iain.
“You don’t fully realise that this little old record shop in Keynsham is on people’s radar. I’m always so grateful for people to that, for our loyal customers who keep coming back.”
And it’s not just his record connections that are getting him recognised.
“I’ve had quite a few people who said they recognised me from The Outlaws, it’s funny that 10 seconds of me talking rubbish had such an impact,” Iain told Bristol Live.
Iain made a cameo appearance in Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws , alongside Hollywood star Christopher Walken, which was filmed in Bristol.
Iain is also taking the opportunity to support Bristol music fan and legend Big Jeff’ Johns after he was seriously injured in a house fire at his Totterdown flat.
Jeff, who is usually a regular at Glastonbury, is still in hospital but treatment has begun and his family has thanked well-wishers for their support so far.
In a statement earlier this week from Jeff’s family and his art manager, Lee Dodds, the update on his condition says Jeff is likely to remain in hospital for ‘many months’.
“It’s awful really what’s happened,” said Iain. “I just wanted to do something to try and support him in some way. I know he is more connected with Friendly Records and Rough Trade but as we’re here we thought why not find a way to help him out if we can.”
Iain has set up a cardboard cutout of Big Jeff in the pop-up and is encouraging people to have their photo taken with it and to sign up to his mailing list.
“Hopefully this might help him in some way once he’s better and out of hospital,” he added.
