A series of special radio shows marking what would have been the 50th anniversary of Glastonbury Festival will hear from founder Michael Eavis and the first band to play the festival.
BBC Radio Wiltshire will broadcast live from some of the iconic locations associated with the festival over three evenings this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
‘The Glastonbury Experience’ will feature a mix of live and archive interviews with bands who were meant to play the festival, people who run the stages and workers from Worthy Farm.
They will be joined by serial festival-goers and the band that opens the festival each year, along with Mark Radcliffe and Jo Whiley, who will talk about their experiences presenting from the site over the years.
It will also feature the first ever band to play the festival, plus an extended interview with festival founder Michael Eavis (broken into three parts and broadcast over the three shows).
The first festival at Worthy Farm took place in 1970 – with tickets costing £1. This year’s 50th anniversary festival was cancelled because of the coronavirus.
BBC presenter Andy Bennett, who each year dons his wellies to become a Glasto Correspondent, is hosting the Glastonbury Experience.
He said: “Over the past 50 years Glastonbury has become a global phenomenon, bringing millions of people from around the world to Somerset.
“For many the 50th anniversary festival was going to be a really special event. Hopefully our huge range of interviews with the people who make the festival so special will keep people’s spirits up ready for its return next year.”
The Glastonbury Experience will air on BBC Radio Wiltshire from 6pm to 10pm this Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. It will be available afterwards on the BBC Sounds app.
