Brit-pop legends Blur will play at this years Glastonbury Festival. Michael Easton, founder of the festival, has said that fans could look forward to seeing Blur on stage this summer, but that it had not been officially confirmed as yet. The rumours about Blur playing Glastonbury have been going around since it was announced they were getting back together nine years after their last concert. The comments were made by Michael Easton after Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon performed at the NME awards.
What other artists can the 2009 Glastonbury crowd look forward to seeing on stage? Canadian musician Neil Young was recently announced to co-headline the festival along with already announced American rock and roller Bruce Springsteen in what is shaping up to be a very interesting line-up for this years festival. Festival goers can look forward to an exiting performance from the legends, that Michael Easton described as being ‘better than ever and with a show that tops all former performances’.
Michael Easton also promised that British singer Lily Allen would show up, joking that she was born there, hinting at the fact that Lily Allen’s parents used to go to the festival themselves for many years!
With Blur, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Lilly Allen the line-up is already looking impressive, and the man himself Michael Easton, seems very happy to make this years festival the best one yet, which is no small feat in the history of festival.
”With Neil on the bill we are close to completing our best ever line-up,” Emily Eavis said. She attributes this years success to American rappers Jay Z’s performance last year, which although criticized by some, has made other bands want to play at Glastonbury again.
Among other band that will make their appearance at Glastonbury 2009 is psychedelic rock band Gong, along with Franz Ferdinand and Madness.
Other bands and celebrities from the music world still rumoured to play are: Fat Boy Slim, Beyonce, Jarvis Cocker, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Fleetwood Mac, Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys, Neon Asylum, Squeeze, Scouting for Girls and more.
With Glastonbury’s 2009 already remarkable line-up it will be very interesting to see if any more big names like Madonna, Kanya West or Artic Monkeys will also make it to this years festival.
Fans of the 80’s will be pleased to hear that persistent rumours insist that Depeche Mode are still in consideration, although the band itself issued a denial publicly: “That is a rumour and it’s not true.” Keyboardist Andy Fletcher said. “Unless our management is going behind our backs, as far as we’re concerned that is definitely not on.”
This years Glastonbury festival is shaping up to be one of the best in history, not just in its own history but of all music festivals. It will be very interesting to see which of the rumoured bands eventually finds a spot on the festival flyer! Then all that is left is to once again pray to the Gods for plenty of fine weather!
Glastonbury Festival has been and gone for this year but there are other music festivals being held around the country. If you have been lucky enough to attend Glastonbury you will have noticed that just about anything goes with regard to style and fashion.
Deciding what to wear is not always easy but following the tips below will go along way to ensuring your comfort whatever the weather.
I) Pack Light: It is usually quite a walk from either your car or then nearest public transport stop and you will have to carry your tent.
II) Fabric: The washing facilities will be minimal so take clothes that have “staying power” and do not show the dirt, you may be wearing them all weekend. You also don’t want to take clothes that need specialist cleaning when you get home; mud could feature heavily and certainly the Somerset “red” mud is hard to shift. Reading Festival may not be quite so muddy but you may regret wearing pale colours.
III) Wellies: There are lots of different brightly coloured wellies for sale, so pick a pair that are in a colour that suits you, they may be covered in mud by the end of the weekend but at least you know they suit you!
IV) Layers: Light layers mean you can get exactly the right coverage to be comfortable and believe me, you need as much comfort as you can muster.
V) Raincoat: Whatever the weather forecast might be, take wet weather gear. The weather can be very changeable. A waterproof in your best colour will flatter you even if it rains.
Why not be a bit experimental? There will be a vast number of people dressed in an array of different fashions. Now is your chance to try a new style.
Joanna Steele-Perkins is a senior image consultant with Colour Me Beautiful image consultants.
Based in Taunton, Somerset, she is a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers. She offers advice on all aspects of personal image and her services include colour analysis, style consultations, make-up lessons and bridal advice.
To use the allocated fields for campervans and caravans, you will need a special ticket. These are available for an additional fee (it was £75 in 2009), and they can be purchased at the same time as your Glastonbury Festival ticket. Although only one is required for each vehicle, every person staying in the campervan does need a weekend Glastonbury Festival ticket, you will not be allowed in if you haven’t.
Campervans must have ’suitable fitted facilities’, this means the campervan must have purpose-built fitted sleeping facilities and either fitted cooking or washing facilities. Any converted vehicles must clearly be live-in vehicles. This does not mean simply a van with a piece of foam cut to size for a bed, and a bucket for washing! A team of campsite staff and security staff will check that campervans and caravans coming into these fields have bona fide living accommodation. No other vehicles will be let onto these fields under any circumstances – not even late replacement vehicles in the case of a breakdown. If your vehicle is considered unsuitable for the campervan fields which includes unconverted vans, will not be allowed entry and will be sent to one of the festival car parks – and security patrols will not permit sleeping in any vehicles in these car parks.
Facilities provided in the campervan and caravan fields are water, waste-water containers, toilets, and a food trader open 24 hours a day. The fields are surrounded by steel shield fencing and patrolled by security staff. No electricity is provided for field users.
Glastonbury Festival does not rent caravans to ticket holders, or have any arrangements with contractors to rent caravans. You can of course hire a campervan and bring it to the Festival, provided you have purchased a weekend Glastonbury Festival ticket and a campervan ticket.
The only access to the campervan and caravan fields is via the Blue Route, along from the A37. A windscreen sticker will be sent to you with your campervan ticket, which will permit access to the Pylle Road via the Blue Route, and allow you to park in the fields. You will be allowed access from 8am on the Wednesday before the festival. To enable traffic to exit the site, Blue Route becomes one-way outbound from 2pm on Sunday afternoon until 6pm on Monday evening. As a result, no vehicles can access the campervan and caravan fields during this time. Do not leave the campervan and caravan fields in your vehicle and expect to get back to the fields during these times, or arrange for others to pick up during this period, as access will be refused.
For hired campervans there is a system with the contractors delivering the campervans/caravans so that they can use the hire document/delivery note to bring the vehicle on to the Festival site. Your campervan hire company will have more details of this.
The Fire Officer will not allow ticket-holders to camp beside campervans or cars due to the risk of contiguous fire, but it is permitted to camp behind them. You can bring a Winnebago or extra large RV however, for all vehicles longer than 7 meters it will be necessary to purchase two caravan/campervan tickets, to cover the extra space required.
You can use an awning, but only manufacturers awnings are acceptable. The Fire Service does not permit people to sleep under these awnings because of the risk of contiguous fire between vehicles.
Stewards will be on hand in the campervan fields to advise on siting vehicles. It is not possible to reserve a specific area as space is allocated on a first come first served basis.
There are some things that you cannot bring: Absolutely no generators are allowed on site. Also, glass is not permitted anywhere on festival land. The security staff will also check for any other items not permitted on site, as specified in the terms and conditions on weekend tickets. Security staff will confiscate any such items and may refuse entry to the site. The decision of the security team will be final.
Motorhome and Glastonbury campervan hire specialists, Motorholme, have been providing a hire service for many years. Many companies do not wish their campervans to go to Glastonbury, but this is fine with Motorholme. Each year there is a system in which you can reserve your campervan with a small deposit and if you don’t get a ticket, then automatically get your deposit back. Artist promoters may also consider using a Glastonbury motorhome hire service to provide corporate accommodation during the festival. For more details call 0800 612 8719 to find out more or visit http://www.glastonburycampervanhire.com.
There are many comfortable guest houses to stay at around the magical little town of Glastonbury, Somerset. Everything from cosy farm houses to magical havens you will find something to suit your pocket. Close to the centre of Glastonbury is the traditional Hotel, the backpackers at the crown hotel – on the High Street, serving fine ales and has a restaurant, with dormitory accommodation for the backpacker, hence the name, and normal rooms for the family.
Glastonbury itself is worth a look with lots of new age shops and the Glastonbury Abbey is definitely a must see and is the venue for a few concerts in its grounds. Founded in the 7th century, the abbey ruins are open to the public, and supposedly house the graves of King Arthur and his queen Guinevere.
The chalice gardens and well is famous for it’s water which emanates from the Tor nearby. There are 2 springs, the red spring and the white spring. The chalice gardens are a refuge through which the waters flow. The spring water can be obtained for yourself in your own bottles in close by well house lane and people come from miles around to collect the water.
Don’t forget the famous Tor but you have to be fit as it is quite a climb up the footpath and on the top is the remains of a 14th century church tower. The hill is worth climbing however for the great vista from the top of the Somerset countryside.
On the outskirts is Wearyall Hill House, just a short walk Glastonbury itself. Most B&B’s in Glasto now cater for vegetarians, and some have rooms named after healing crystals and make for a restful haven away from the bustle of the town centre.
If you want a true country retreat why not go for a B&B in the countryside Sticklinch Farm Cottage? is situated in the surrounding countryside of Somerset. Some of the countryside B&B’s have picturesque walled gardens and have a rustic charm all their own and will certainly add to your holiday experience You will find the countryside B&B’s are nestled in villages like Shepton Mallet in typical Somerset countryside which run along the Sheppey River valley. Offering home comforts and offer comfy B&B accommodation in unique surroundings. Some are only 20 mins from the center of Glastonbury and mostly have plenty of car parking.
If a relaxing home from home is what you want then visit Willow Bridge Country Guest House and Retreat – only 4 miles from town, in peaceful countryside next to the river Sheppey, and offering a full range of natural therapies and interesting talks on “spiritual” topics, therapy centre and cycling opportunities with bike hire. Come and see their animal sanctuary project. All rooms are a good size, with en suite facilities and all the usual things like TV and coffee facilities. The large comfortable conservatory provides the spectaclar views of Glastonbury Tor and Avalon.
The Author has vacationed in Glastonbury Somerset many times and has enjoyed visiting Somerset especially the Glastonbury countryside. She now helps to run the Guest house at the farm and B&B at willow bridge farm. For more details click the link for B&B Glastonbury
