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Festivals

Glastonbury's Humble Beginnings: A 40-Year Journey from Hippie Festival to Global Phenomenon

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the gates to Glastonbury's 2023 festival open to 200,000 music lovers, it's easy to forget the festival's humble origins, where tickets cost just £1 in the early days. The 1980s were a pivotal time for Glastonbury, marked by growing crowds and performances by iconic acts like The Cure and The Boomtown Rats. Photographer Beezer was an integral part of capturing the festival's magic during this era, and his photographs from 1982 to 1986 are featured in his book "Until Now: Volume I - A Life in Photos."

Key Takeaways:

  • The first Glastonbury festival was a small, hippie-inspired event with tickets costing £1.
  • The 1980s saw a significant increase in crowd numbers and the introduction of iconic bands like The Cure and The Boomtown Rats.
  • Photographer Beezer captured the essence of Glastonbury's early years in his book "Until Now: Volume I - A Life in Photos," featuring photographs from 1982 to 1986.
  • The festival's growth and popularity can be attributed to a combination of its unique atmosphere, eclectic music lineup, and the era's cultural landscape.
  • Notable attendees and performers during this period included a baby Lily Allen, who attended the festival with her father Keith in 1986.
  • The festival's terrain and unpredictable weather conditions have remained a challenge for attendees, with the infamous muddy fields a constant feature of the event.
  • The Cure's bassist Simon Gallup and filmmaker Roger Pomphrey were also part of the Glastonbury experience in the 1980s.
  • The Boomtown Rats' performance in 1985, just weeks before Live Aid, highlighted the band's impact on the music and charity landscape of the era.

Statistics:

  • The first Glastonbury festival had 1,500 attendees.
  • By the 1980s, the festival had grown to accommodate 50,000 attendees.
  • The Cure's 1986 set featured 18 songs, with Simon Gallup on bass and Robert Smith on vocals.
  • The Boomtown Rats played 15 songs during their 1985 set, including their hit single "Rat Trap."
  • Lily Allen attended the festival with her family at just 13 months old.

Sources:

  • "Until Now: Volume I - A Life in Photos" by Beezer (PC Press, out July 7)
  • Matt Roper's Twitter (@mattroperbr)
  • Matt Roper's email address (matt.roper@mirror.co.uk)
  • The Mirror's website (mirror.co.uk)

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