Glastonbury 2020: When it’s happening, how to watch, full line-up and everything else you need to know
You might not be able to visit Worthy Farm this year but that does not mean you will have to miss out, as Cathy Owen reports
WE MIGHT not be packing the tent, or choosing our favourite festival outfits this year, but plans are in place to be able to get a taste of the Glastonbury experience from home.
This year’s golden anniversary celebrations of the world-renowned musical festival might have been postponed to 2021, but we will still be able to enjoy some of the highlights of the past 50 years from the comfort of our front rooms.
The BBC has announced its broadcast plans for the weekend when this year’s Glastonbury Festival would have taken place – from today to Monday – with a host of classic sets being made available across TV, radio and online.
Festival organisers have also said they are working with their areas and stages to make sure people can enjoy a slice of the Green Fields, the SouthEast Corner, Theatre & Circus, Kidzfield, Silver Hayes and Left Field.
The BBC will be bringing the spirit of Glastonbury to viewers at home with The Glastonbury Experience across BBC Television, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio and BBC Sounds.
BBC Two, BBC Four and BBC iPlayer will show classic Glastonbury performances in full from some of the biggest artists in the history of the festival. This will include:
Adele (2016) Beyoncé (2011) David Bowie (2000) Coldplay (2016) Jay-Z (2008)
It is the first time that David Bowie’s 2000 performance will have been shown in full on television.
The Glastonbury Experience will include three 90-minute live programmes on BBC Two – one for each night of the main Glastonbury weekend.
Jo Whiley and Mark Radcliffe will present tonight’s programme and Clara Amfo and Lauren Laverne will present tomorrow and Sunday.
The programmes will celebrate some of the festival’s greatest performances since BBC coverage began in the ’90s, with unique acoustic performances alongside rarely seen and triumphant archive moments.
Other artists included will be:
Amy Winehouse (2007) Arctic Monkeys (2013) Baaba Maal (2005)
Blur (2009)
Dizzee Rascal (2010)
Lady Gaga (2009)
PJ Harvey (2004)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1998)
R.E.M. (2003)
The Rolling Stones (2013) Toots and the Maytals (2011)
BBC Two will also dedicate a special programme, introduced by Jo Whiley and Mark Radcliffe, to Glastonbury’s famous Sunday afternoon “Legends” slot.
The programme on Sunday will feature lots of gems from many of the legendary artists to have played in that slot at the festival.
BBC Four will also broadcast three additional programmes, featuring footage from some of the best acoustic performances that have been filmed in the BBC compound throughout the history of the BBC’s coverage of the festival including from Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Kano, Leon Bridges, Patti Smith, Richie Havens and Youssou N’Dour.
BBC iPlayer will have a new pop-up BBC Glastonbury channel, bringing viewers back-to-back iconic sets and highlights of more than 60 historic sets from over the years available to watch on-demand.
BBC Radio highlights will include a series of special shows from Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2. Plus, today Lauren Laverne will be joined in her BBC Radio 6 Music morning programme (8.30am-noon) by Emily Eavis.
BBC Sounds will be the place for top audio highlights, bringing together the biggest moments from
across BBC Radio, over 20 archive performances and “All Day Glastonbury” back-to-back sets.
Lorna Clarke, controller BBC Pop, says: “Glastonbury Festival has for decades been a huge moment in the BBC’s music calendar, thanks to Michael and Emily Eavis’ magical creation. Even though Worthy Farm can’t be full of thousands of music lovers this year, the BBC will celebrate with four days of memories and archive footage to give our audience a taste of the festival in
their own homes.”
Emily Eavis says: “There are so many memorable sets being played across the BBC over what would have been our 50th anniversary weekend.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to a weekend of reflecting on the history of our festival and going back to some classic performances from David Bowie, Adele, REM, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Billie Eilish and lots more. Me and my dad will definitely be watching!”