Glastonbury: the UK music event of the year. The festival that everyone’s talking about. It’s the one that everyone’s watching, whether it’s in person or on TV. Going to Glastonbury yourself can be a once in a lifetime experience that will give you the chance to see many of your favourite artists, as well as up-and-coming performers, all in one weekend. Not only this, but there’s an assortment of cultural activities, talks and events for you to participate in all festival long if your ears start to ache. This makes Glastonbury tickets highly sought after, and the official resale tickets have now all sold, leaving desperate music lovers searching for other options.
Can you still watch Glastonbury?
There are a number of ways that Glastonbury can still be on your agenda this year.
- Many people decide to volunteer at the festival, herding the crowd, sorting out tickets, and keeping the site as clean as possible over the course of the festival. Although you won’t get to see every act, especially during busy periods, you can use your downtime between shifts to check out the acts, listen to artists as you work, or simply soak up the atmosphere.
- There are also many opportunities to work at the festival through openings such as security and food and beverage stands. These are often advertised online, and sometimes even on Glastonbury’s official website, allowing you to apply and interview for roles that could allow you to get in on the action – all while making some money.
- If you’ve missed out on tickets, you can still watch at home. BBC and BBC iPlayer often play the entire festival and you can also watch past acts on demand. They might also have an assortment of historic performances for you to enjoy. While this might not provide you with the same atmosphere as being there in person, it gives you the chance to get up closer to the acts than you would otherwise, all while relaxing on your sofa or dancing around your living room.
How can you prepare for Glastonbury?
If you were lucky enough to get tickets, it’s time to start preparing for your trip.
- You should make sure you have all the camping gear you need, including a tent. However, if you’re worried about having to forgo luxury for a few days and want to enjoy the festival in style, you should consider opting for a glamping yurt instead. Glastonbury festival glamping can help you relax, unwind and get a good night’s sleep before more non-stop partying the next day. This will allow you to return home without feeling as if you need a week off to recover. The yurts are connected to electricity, have a bed, and all the facilities you need in a peaceful corner away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the festival.
- It’s important that you have the right outfits. You may think that you can just wear your usual clothes, and this is partially true. However, it’s also a good idea to prepare for every eventuality in terms of wind, rain, and burning sun. Additionally, it can be helpful to wear sturdy shoes to protect your feet and manage the terrain and have a sunhat so you don’t get heatstroke. You should also avoid taking any clothes you love, opting instead for things that you don’t mind getting dirty or going unwashed for a few wears.
- You also need a few essentials for your trip. Try not to head to the festival without a first aid kit, a factor 30 sunscreen, and a few toiletries, as well as medication. These items can keep you safe and happy throughout your trip and can prevent illness or any disasters along the way.
- You might check your car over if you’re driving a long way to make sure it’s in good shape and won’t fall apart halfway to your destination. A car maintenance and emergency repair kit would be useful to have on hand.
What other festivals are there?
Luckily, there are many festivals throughout the summer that you might be able to enjoy instead to get your festival fix. These include the Isle of Wight Festival, the Reading and Leeds Festival, Latitude Festival and the Download Festival. You might even be able to find a festival closer to home or one that features acts you love. Some of these also have cheaper price points than Glastonbury and are easier to get tickets for, meaning that you don’t have to miss out.