"Lauren Laverne's Comprehensive Glastonbury Festival Guide: Delving Beyond the Main Attractions"
Born and bred festival enthusiast, Lauren Laverne, gushes over Glastonbury's offbeat charm and the hardworking Eavis family, mates-for-life, in a candid chat with Music Week. With the BBC broadcasting six weeks of unmatched Glastonbury madness from June 3 to July 14, this year's event—a five-day bash from June 26-30—headlined by Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA, promises to be a wild, rip-roaring adventure for viewers at home.
Coverage spans across TV, iPlayer, radio, and BBC Sounds, with 10 streams gracing five weeks of HD, UHD, and British Sign Language-speckled broadcasts. Over 90 hours of live performances on the five main stages will leave no stone unturned for the festival lover.
According to Laverne, the Glastonbury Channel II on iPlayer shall be the star of the show, followed by 30-minute specials featuring Dua Lipa and Coldplay on BBC Two and a series of Sidetracked podcasts by Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw, an unwitting cast of characters including Emily Eavis, Shania Twain, and more.
While Emily Eavis has garnered acclaim for her tireless efforts, her husband, Nick Dewey, equally phenomenal, stand side by side. Never ones to chase the limelight, the Eavis family shuns the glare, reveling instead in the spectacle that is Glastonbury. Indeed, they embody the quintessential British spirit, spearheading unique cultural expressions that define our nation.
Laverne confesses her long-standing camaraderie with Emily, forged in the competitive world of music television, which transcends industry politics and remains strong to this day. The triumvirate Laverne, Dermot O'Leary, and Emily Eavis—an eclectic band of friends—share an unbreakable bond, formed in the crucible of youth and moulded by the ever-changing music scene.
Critics have argued the lack of veteran acts among the headliners, but Laverne sees the latest lineup as a diverse and varied spectacle tailored to cater to all tastes. Whether you're a die-hard music aficionado or a free-spirited festivalgoer treading the fields of Worthy Farm for the first time, there's something for everyone, she averred.
Nestled between Little Simz, PJ Harvey, Burna Boy, and Shania Twain on the Pyramid Stage, the Other Stage features an electrifying lineup headlined by Idles, Disclosure, and The National, accompanied by D-Block Europe, The Streets, Two Door Cinema Club, Anne-Marie, Camila Cabello, and more. In a world increasingly skewed by commercialism, the Eavises have resisted the corporate mentality, allocating substantial sums to charitable causes.
From the wonder that was Stevie Wonder in 2010 to Beyoncé's iconic 2011 performance, Glastonbury has witnessed countless unforgettable moments. Yet, with 2,000 acts on offer, Laverne encourages even the pickiest of festivalgoers to immerse themselves in the madness, for there's a bit of Glastonbury for everyone.
To read the full Music Week Interview with Laverne, check it out here. Keep the Glastonbury spirit alive!
The upcoming Glastonbury Festival, with its diverse lineup, promises to offer both live performances and specials featuring Dua Lipa and Coldplay on TV and radio.
Lauren Laverne, a festival enthusiast, praises the Eavis family for their hard work and the unique cultural expressions they embody, which define the quintessential British spirit.
