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Glastonbury 50: The Official Story of Glastonbury Festival
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A BOOK OF THE YEAR PICK IN THE TIMES: 'Captivating'
A ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR: 'In-depth and inspiring'
'Beautifully compiled ... the perfect festival experience' THE SUNDAY TIMES
Glastonbury 50 is the authorised, behind-the-scenes, inside story of the music festival that has become a true global phenomenon.
The story begins in 1970. The day after Jimi Hendrix's death... dairy farmer Michael Eavis invites revellers to his field in Somerset to attend a 'Pop, Folk & Blues' festival. Tickets are £1 each, enticing more than a thousand customers with the promise of music, dance, poetry, theatre, lights and spontaneous entertainment - as well as free milk from his own Worthy Farm cows.
Fast forward through five tumultuous decades and the Eavis's vision now encompasses a gigantic 'city in the fields', with a total annual population nearing a quarter of a million. Tickets sell out within minutes, the show is beamed live to more than 40 countries around the globe, and over 3 million people are registered to attend. Meanwhile, the bill has expanded to include big name performers, artists and designers from every branch of the creative arts. Glastonbury Festival is now the largest outdoor green fields event in the world.
In their own words, Michael and Emily Eavis reveal the stories behind the headlines, and celebrate 50 years of history in the Vale of Avalon. They're joined by a host of big-name contributors from the world of music - among them Adele, JAY-Z, Dolly Parton, Chris Martin, Noel Gallagher, Lars Ulrich and Guy Garvey. They're joined by artists - Stanley Donwood, Kurt Jackson and many more. Writers - Caitlin Moran, Lauren Laverne, Billy Bragg - and by a host of photographers, from Seventies icon Brian Walker to rock and roll legends Jill Furmanovsky and Greg Williams.
Together they bring you the magic that makes Glastonbury, Glastonbury.
A BOOK OF THE YEAR PICK IN THE TIMES: 'Captivating'
A ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR: 'In-depth and inspiring'
'Beautifully compiled ... the perfect festival experience' THE SUNDAY TIMES
Glastonbury 50 is the authorised, behind-the-scenes, inside story of the music festival that has become a true global phenomenon.
The story begins in 1970. The day after Jimi Hendrix's death... dairy farmer Michael Eavis invites revellers to his field in Somerset to attend a 'Pop, Folk & Blues' festival. Tickets are £1 each, enticing more than a thousand customers with the promise of music, dance, poetry, theatre, lights and spontaneous entertainment - as well as free milk from his own Worthy Farm cows.
Fast forward through five tumultuous decades and the Eavis's vision now encompasses a gigantic 'city in the fields', with a total annual population nearing a quarter of a million. Tickets sell out within minutes, the show is beamed live to more than 40 countries around the globe, and over 3 million people are registered to attend. Meanwhile, the bill has expanded to include big name performers, artists and designers from every branch of the creative arts. Glastonbury Festival is now the largest outdoor green fields event in the world.
In their own words, Michael and Emily Eavis reveal the stories behind the headlines, and celebrate 50 years of history in the Vale of Avalon. They're joined by a host of big-name contributors from the world of music - among them Adele, JAY-Z, Dolly Parton, Chris Martin, Noel Gallagher, Lars Ulrich and Guy Garvey. They're joined by artists - Stanley Donwood, Kurt Jackson and many more. Writers - Caitlin Moran, Lauren Laverne, Billy Bragg - and by a host of photographers, from Seventies icon Brian Walker to rock and roll legends Jill Furmanovsky and Greg Williams.
Together they bring you the magic that makes Glastonbury, Glastonbury.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2019
31 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 1, 2022
I can’t wait for June!
July 1, 2025
Interesting history of Glastonbury festival. A bit self indulgent in places.
July 3, 2022
To celebrate 50 years of the festival Michael and Emily Eavis reminisce about how the festival grew into the massive musical beast it is today. The potted history of each decade from Michael, followed by contributions from Emily as she got more involved, combined with memories from headliners and some stunning photography.
January 8, 2023
Loved this insight into Glastonbury and made me really want to go even though my attempts to get tickets have been unsuccessful so far. After reading this I will definitely apply every year from now on
May 19, 2020
Much more writing than expected. Would have been a fiver if it wasn’t so biased towards the Eavis family with a lot of brown nosing.
January 27, 2021
A fantastic glossy book covering Glastonbury Festival from it's inception to the present day. Great pics and plenty from Michael and Emily along with artists who have performed and those involved in putting it all together. As a Glastonbury regular since the late 90's I loved it and it brought back many happy memories.
December 31, 2024
Soulful and short overview of the history of Glastonbury, it's conception, artists, trials and tribulations.
June 30, 2022
8/10
A fitting and wonderful history of not just Glastonbury Festival and the journey from its inception through to its present popularity as the biggest music festival in the world, but also a good amount of personal biography of the Eavis family which is integral to what the festival has come to be. I read this a few weeks before attending the 50th festival so it was very apt and made me really proud to be a part of it all and even more excited to return (after 3 years away due to the Pandemic).
There were lots of interesting and fun facts plus the festival’s evolution itself is really remarkable. It’s notable how many times the Eavis’ came close to calling the whole thing off, or the license wasn’t going to be granted for the festival.
There were also various interesting snippets from well-known musicians about their experiences of performing at the festival plus other journalists and music industry people.
Michael Eavis comes across as a great guy even if deluded at times – that surely was what enabled him to go against the odds and create such an incredible festival!
The writing was very basic and quite low level but I suppose the aim of the book wasn’t award-winning writing. The setting was the main theme of the book – which was what I was here for! There was also an overall theme of the deeper meaning and importance of music festivals in society which I can 100% relate to.
It was a perfect ending with the 50th festival around the corner – both in the book and for me!
I would definitely recco this to all Glasto-goers, and even broader; to any fan of music festivals! Definitely a light and enjoyable read.
A fitting and wonderful history of not just Glastonbury Festival and the journey from its inception through to its present popularity as the biggest music festival in the world, but also a good amount of personal biography of the Eavis family which is integral to what the festival has come to be. I read this a few weeks before attending the 50th festival so it was very apt and made me really proud to be a part of it all and even more excited to return (after 3 years away due to the Pandemic).
There were lots of interesting and fun facts plus the festival’s evolution itself is really remarkable. It’s notable how many times the Eavis’ came close to calling the whole thing off, or the license wasn’t going to be granted for the festival.
There were also various interesting snippets from well-known musicians about their experiences of performing at the festival plus other journalists and music industry people.
Michael Eavis comes across as a great guy even if deluded at times – that surely was what enabled him to go against the odds and create such an incredible festival!
The writing was very basic and quite low level but I suppose the aim of the book wasn’t award-winning writing. The setting was the main theme of the book – which was what I was here for! There was also an overall theme of the deeper meaning and importance of music festivals in society which I can 100% relate to.
It was a perfect ending with the 50th festival around the corner – both in the book and for me!
I would definitely recco this to all Glasto-goers, and even broader; to any fan of music festivals! Definitely a light and enjoyable read.
February 20, 2020
I don’t have a bucket list but if I did I think there would only be one thing on it: to go to the Glastonbury festival one year. I’ve watched the TV coverage avidly since the late 90s and I realise that the reality of going probably won’t live up to the fantasy, but blimey it’s just about the only genuinely good thing this country still produces.
2020 will be the 50th anniversary of the first festival and this is a gorgeous coffee table book to mark the occasion. It’s filled with loads of photographs and reproductions of the posters from every year and is peppered with reminiscences from Michael & Emily Eavis, as well as celebrity fans and people with a long association with the festival like Chris Martin, Billy Bragg and Lauren Laverne amongst a host of others.
If I don’t end up going it would be a shame but this is probably the next best thing.
February 22, 2020
A thoroughly entertaining read, this book not only tells you loads about the history of the festival that you might not already know, but manages to really evoke the spirit of being there, especially through the pictures.
If you’ve been it will have you reminiscing about some of the best times of your life, and if you haven’t it’ll make you want to go.
Here’s to fifty more years (for the festival and for me too!)
If you’ve been it will have you reminiscing about some of the best times of your life, and if you haven’t it’ll make you want to go.
Here’s to fifty more years (for the festival and for me too!)
December 29, 2019
What's not to love?! A book about one of the world's most famous festivals told by its creators. Its an eye opener to the struggles behind how the festival came to be the institution it is today, adorned by stunning and captivating photographs.
Perfect winter reading to let your mind escape to a world of music, freedom and the English summertime (rain and mud included)
Perfect winter reading to let your mind escape to a world of music, freedom and the English summertime (rain and mud included)
April 5, 2020
An epic photographic journey through 50 years of the most incredible music festival on Earth! As a seasoned Glasto-attendee I pored over the pages and devoured the narratives from Michael and Emily Eavis with a huge grin on my face. My favourite Christmas present, an eternal coffee table book, a wonderful treat 😍
January 20, 2021
Such a great insight into the origin of Glastonbury Festival, from how the idea came to life, to how the festival survived many issues throughout the years. A true love story told by the Eavis family and friends. I loved the snippets from various artists and special guests too and their take on the festival.
June 12, 2021
This is an incredible book. A book that is part music history part festival history but above all about the human spirit how people from so many backgrounds genders and opinions can come together over 5 days and form this collective force that can change the world. This book totally captures that spirit brilliant!
July 31, 2024
Erg mooi boek naar aanleiding van het 50-jarig jubileum van de moeder der festivals: Glastonbury. Toch wel verplicht voer voor iedere festivalliefhebber, met mooie stukken van Radiohead, Coldplay, Jay-Z, Elbow, Pulp, The Chemical Brothers en Primal Scream. Volgend jaar toch maar weer eens een kaart proberen te regelen…
July 7, 2020
I listened to the audiobook version of this. Found it repetitive. But looking at other comments, I think that's potentially due to the layout of the book and pictures. Doesn't align well with a start to finish 'listen'. Will look through the physical book when I get a chance.
January 30, 2024
people talk about separating the art from the artist? well can you separate the book from the GOAT place. no you can't.
can't remember anything about this book but would give it 6* if Goodreads allowed it. GOAT book (bible get out the way)
can't remember anything about this book but would give it 6* if Goodreads allowed it. GOAT book (bible get out the way)
January 19, 2020
A thing of bizarre beauty, rather like the festival itself.
January 19, 2020
Incredible
August 2, 2020
just brilliant
December 10, 2020
An inspiring overview of Glastonbury's 50 years, mostly in relation to the Eavis's maintained ethics. Being there at the beginning would have been special.
December 22, 2020
A brilliant history of the festival. Insightful and full of honesty and charm
July 15, 2021
I guess you have to have been there to appreciate
September 30, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book, especially the pages for 1984 and 1985 since I was there then. The blue and orange tent in the middle of the muddy field in 1985 was mine.
June 18, 2023
Reading this has made me love Glasto even more than I already did!! Perfect thing to finish reading three days before I get to be in this magical place again 🥺 p.s all the photos are incredible ✨✨
January 14, 2020
Beautifully humble and told throw the lense of those who know Glastonbury best. You will fall into further love with the festival - who knew it could be possible.
March 2, 2020
So. Many. Tears.
May 16, 2023
Brilliant book. The first of any kind of media that I've read/seen that really captures the spirit of the festival. Great read, highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews