Thousands of people are descending on Glastonbury as the famous music festival in Somerset opened its gates at 8am on Wednesday.
Founder Michael Eavis and his daughter, festival co-organiser Emily Eavis, greeted the early arrivals who formed a long snaking queue before being admitted onto the site for the five-day extravaganza.
Campers arriving at Worthy Farm in Pilton can expect a mixed bag of sunshine and rain throughout the week with “with sunny spells and scattered showers expected throughout the day” on Wednesday, according to forecasters.
Glastonbury 2025 is open 🎪
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There was a surprise appearance from founder Michael Eavis with his daughter Emily to commence the start of the festival. pic.twitter.com/nRjZYwbskv
This year’s event will see headline performances from British rock/pop band The 1975, veteran singer Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop star Olivia Rodrigo.
One of the more controversial acts performing is Irish rap trio Kneecap who have been in the headlines recently after one of their members was charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London in November last year.
Last week the 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in “Free Mo Chara” T-shirts.
He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the group’s performance at the festival, taking place on the West Holts Stage at 4pm on Saturday, is not “appropriate” and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC “should not be showing” Kneecap’s performance.
Performing in the coveted Sunday tea-time legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as some other guests.
His performance is to come after the Maggie May singer postponed a string of concerts in the US, due to take place this month, while he recovered from flu.
Organiser Emily Eavis has said the festival, which has capacity for 210,000 people, has sold “a few thousand less tickets” this year in a bid to avoid overcrowding.
In an appearance on the Sidetracked podcast, Eavis outlined the changes that have been made to this year’s festival and said music area Shangri-La is “going full trees and green space” which is “completely the opposite to anything they’ve done in the past”.
Among the acts expected to draw large crowds this year is alternative pop star Charli XCX, who will perform songs from her genre-defining sixth studio album Brat.
She is performing on Saturday night on the Other Stage, 15 minutes before the West Holts stage is graced by US rapper Doechii, another artist who has exploded in popularity in the last year.
Other performers include Irish singer CMAT, Prada singer Raye, US musician Brandi Carlile, Nile Rodgers and Chic, hip-hop star Loyle Carner, US pop star Gracie Abrams, indie outfit Wet Leg, Mercury Prize-winning jazz quintet Ezra Collective, US rapper Denzel Curry, and rising star Lola Young.
The line-up also features a number of acts listed as TBA, as well as a mysterious act called Patchwork, who will take to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday.
This year the BBC will provide live streams of the five main stages – Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.
On Wednesday at 10pm the festival will open with a theatre and circus act set in the Pyramid Arena which will showcase acrobatic and circus performances, culminating in a fireworks display.
