Saturday
Saturday was my first full day with no volunteering and I had several things on the docket. I started my morning in the Oxfam marquee with a delicious full English breakfast. Did I mention that you get three free catered meals at the Oxfam campsite and each meal after that is only £7?
Reason number three why volunteering at festivals is so great: I don’t know about other festivals, but Oxfam knows how to take care of their volunteers. We had access to delicious food nearly 24/7, either through the catering at the marquee or through the little food truck just outside of it, as well as a hot water stand with instant coffee, tea, and creamer; Both of which are only available for Oxfam volunteers.
After my breakie and morning cup of tea, I headed into the festival and found the Croissant Neuf tent which is nestled in the Green Fields. Due to its vastness, Glastonbury holds several different “neighborhoods” if you will. Some of the festival’s most famous ones being Shangri-la and Block 9, both known for their late-night scenes and Burning-Man-esque art displays. I fell in love with the Green Fields, given its name because it houses Greenpeace’s stage, as it was usually a little more quiet, full of greenery and lots of hippie-type people that made me feel right at home. The Green Fields also encompasses the Healing Field, a place where people can relax in “one of several mystical and creative gardens; participate in ceremonies that celebrate healing and togetherness; join in a variety of free workshops from yoga and tai chi, dance and voice through to meditation and massage” (Glastonbury Program, 2019). I mean, what could be better than that?
Saturday was set to be another hot day, so I spent most of the morning in the Croissant Neuf tent listening to a trio play some good ‘ol fashioned bluegrass. When I’d heard enough of the yodely-twangy music, I meandered towards the Other Stage (yes, that’s its actual name), found myself some lunch, and sat in another patch of shade to fuel myself before watching Maggie Rogers’ performance.
I saw Maggie when she opened for Mumford & Sons in London in 2018, and was thrilled when I found out she was coming to Glastonbury. The authenticity and genuine joy she brings on stage blows me away. I was close to tears and dancing my butt off throughout her set. During the show she told the audience, “All of this only matters if you let it in. Let us help you let go,” and oh boy, did that get us all wound up! The crowd never stopped dancing after that, and I still get goosebumps when I think about that performance.
After Maggie finished, I met up with my friend Lucy to catch Lizzo’s set at the West Holts stage. I didn’t grow up going to church, but if church was anything like going to a Lizzo concert, I would be there every Sunday morning. Lizzo’s unapologetic self-love and positive attitude is infectious. Not only did she put on an incredible show with bodacious back-up dancers and booty shaking beats, she raised the crowd’s mood with her powerful words. Lizzo preached to us about the magic of loving yourself, knowing your self-worth, and feeling yourself all day long. During her performance, she told the audience to say a mantra of self-love to ourselves, “I love you! You are beautiful! And you can do anything!”, then turn to our neighbor and repeat it to them and then say it to Lizzo. This woman knows how to work a crowd and I left feeling lifted and inspired.
Lucy and I were joined by Hele after the set, and the three of us wandered through the booths in order to find some dinner. This took probably close to half-hour due to the sheer amount of food options Glastonbury offers, everything from steak and ale pies to Buddha bowls. I ended up going with a New Mexico inspired burrito which cured me of my hunger, but left me yearning for really good Mexican food. I decided to head back to my tent to rest up before the evening began and heard Liam Gallagher singing Wonderwall from the Pyramid Stage while changing in my tent.
The Killers were Saturday night’s headliner, and I managed to find a spot on the road above the Pyramid Stage where there were slightly fewer people. I haven’t listened to The Killers since middle school, so watching them live was a blast from the past. Those guys still got it! While I was enjoying the show in front of me I was also loving the show behind. A group of very drunk Killers fans who were dancing in a circle and singing at the top of their lungs.
The Killers opened with their classic tune Somebody Told Me. I got such a kick out of people watching as many were singing and dancing as they walked by. Part way through the set the band was joined by The Pet Shop Boys who played their song You Were Always on My Mind and The Killers’ Human. Later on The Killers brought out Johnny Marr from The Smiths and covered a Smiths classic, This Charming Man. With Marr in the mix, the group ended the show with Mr. Brightside at which point the crowd lost any ounce of control they had held onto before. If you’ve seen the film The Holiday with Jude Law and Cameron Diaz, I was channeling the scene when Diaz’s character is blasting Mr. Brightside in her house.
Sunday
On Sunday, I meandered through the lush permaculture garden, located in the Green Fields, and people watched by the stone circle. I had a lot of fun exploring the festival grounds by myself and chatted with different festival goers throughout the day. I made my way up to the Hollywood style Glastonbury sign and talked to a lovely couple who were marveling at the expansive view. From where the sign is located you can see the entire festival, and it is unreal.
It’s important to give yourself a lot of time for exploring and moving between stages at this festival, as it can take up to a half hour depending on the crowds and who’s playing. I slowly made my way across the festival to the John Peele Stage where Dermot Kennedy was scheduled that afternoon. This Irish sweetheart is full of talent and possesses a deeply expressive soul. The mixture of hip-hop beats and acoustic guitar with a heartbreaking voice is something new to me. His supporting band were clearly having the time of their lives, and a big shout out to his drummer who was keeping it tight; I was thoroughly impressed.
After Dermot, I slowly made my way back to my tent, slow owing to the giant crowd Kylie Minogue had collected at the Pyramid Stage. I rested at the Oxfam sight with a few friends, a cup of tea and a bowl of ramen before heading back out for the evening. Matt Corby was the next on my list which sadly meant I would be missing Vampire Weekend, but you have to make compromises at Glastonbury and enjoy what you do get to see rather than bemoan what you missed. Honestly, I didn’t think that I would ever get the chance to see Corby live. He was one of those artists that felt so far away that going to his shows would always be a fantasy. His new album, Rainbow Valley, has been in my heavy rotation since it was released last year. The combination of jazz, soul and folk is heavenly and refreshing, and his voice makes my knees go weak. I was a little saddened by the lack of older songs on his set-list, but overall it was a great show. I was mostly in joyous gratitude that I was in the same place as Matt Corby.
My last evening at Glastonbury was spent with my Oxfam friends, Hele and Zoe, and our new mate, Tom, whom we’d met at the Matt Corby set. The four of us strolled up to the Hollywood style Glastonbury sign for the obligatory selfie and then to the Brighton style pier that gave us a magical twilight view of the festival. Eventually, we made our way to the Other Stage for Christine and The Queens. I had never heard of this group beforehand and was disappointed only because I was a few drinks in and ready to dance, but their form of pop music is more subdued and not the best for shaking booties.
Monday
I said goodbye to Hele the next day who was leaving on the early bus, before slowly packing my things and preparing for my departure in the later afternoon. I was feeling ready to be back in the real world, but sad to be leaving this magical place. Lucy and I had a sweet goodbye before I hopped on the bus which took me back to Bristol. I arrived at my friend’s house exhausted, exhilarated, and in desperate need of a shower. It was hard to put into words what the festival was like as I discussed who I saw and what I did, and that feeling has not changed. It’s surreal to think that I crossed Glastonbury off my list with almost a carefree flick. Sometimes I have to remind myself, “Oh yeah, I really did that!” I am thrilled to share this experience with everyone who is curious and there is also a feeling of casualness about it because I know that this is not a “once in a lifetime opportunity”, this is what my future looks like. Going to Glastonbury as well as the other festivals and gigs in the UK this year cemented in my brain that this is what I am here to do. I want to experience the community that music creates with people from all walks of life and help musicians share their stories with the world. So here’s to more Glastonburys, more tiny gigs in pubs and coffee shops, and more connections you never thought were possible.
Autumn Micketti 