Synopsis
"Glastonbury 50: The Official Celebration of the World’s Greatest Festival," authored by Emily Eavis and her father Michael Eavis, serves as a comprehensive and authorized chronicle of the Glastonbury Festival, marking its evolution over five decades into a global cultural phenomenon. The narrative begins in 1970, sparked by a poignant moment—the day after Jimi Hendrix’s death—when Michael Eavis, a dairy farmer from Somerset, opened his Worthy Farm to host what was then called the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival. With tickets priced at just £1, the event drew over a thousand attendees with promises of music, dance, poetry, theatre, lights, and spontaneous entertainment, sweetened by the offer of free milk from his own cows. This humble beginning laid the foundation for what would grow into the world’s largest outdoor greenfield festival, a testament to the Eavises’ vision and perseverance through tumultuous times.
The book traces the festival’s remarkable transformation across fifty years, detailing how it evolved from a small, countercultural gathering into a sprawling "city in the fields" that now attracts nearly a quarter of a million people annually. By the time of the book’s recounting, tickets sell out in mere minutes, the event is broadcast live to over 40 countries, and more than 3 million people are registered to attend, reflecting its massive global reach. The festival’s lineup has expanded dramatically from its folk and blues roots to encompass major performers, artists, and designers spanning every creative discipline, cementing its status as a cultural juggernaut. Michael and Emily Eavis narrate this journey in their own words, offering an intimate, behind-the-scenes perspective on the festival’s history in the Vale of Avalon. They recount the challenges—council disputes, police confrontations, and near cancellations—and the triumphs, such as its resilience through the decades and its ability to adapt and thrive.
What sets "Glastonbury 50" apart is its rich tapestry of voices beyond the Eavises themselves. The book is enriched with contributions from an array of high-profile figures from the music world, including Adele, JAY-Z, Dolly Parton, Chris Martin, Noel Gallagher, Lars Ulrich, and Guy Garvey, who share their personal experiences and reflections on performing at the festival. These are complemented by insights from artists like Stanley Donwood and Kurt Jackson, writers such as Caitlin Moran, Lauren Laverne, and Billy Bragg, and a cadre of renowned photographers—Brian Walker, Jill Furmanovsky, and Greg Williams among them—whose images vividly document the festival’s evolution. This collaborative approach creates a scrapbook-like narrative, blending personal anecdotes, stunning photography, and historical context, from the hippie ethos of the 1970s to the chaotic 1990s and the polished, expansive production of the modern era.
The book doesn’t shy away from the festival’s rough edges, such as the muddy fields and logistical nightmares, yet it presents a "blessedly mud-free" experience for readers, as noted by The Sunday Times, offering a polished yet authentic celebration of Glastonbury’s spirit. Emily Eavis, who grew up on Worthy Farm and took on a larger role after her mother’s death in 1999, brings a personal touch with childhood memories and insights into pivotal moments, like the controversial 2008 festival headlined by JAY-Z. Michael, with his roots as a Methodist and former merchant navy midshipman and miner, provides a grounding perspective on the festival’s precarious early years and its unlikely survival. Together, their narrative, bolstered by a trove of never-before-seen photographs and exclusive interviews, paints a vivid picture of Glastonbury’s 50-year legacy—a story of music, community, and an enduring magic that continues to captivate the world.