Vodkas: can’t remember
Arrests: don’t care anymore
Celebrity count :4

I got a right sweat on and had a bloody good dance in me wellies up at the Dance West tent – (although it’s really difficult to do the running man in the mud!) Freestylers shook it up with some classic tunes. I could have stayed there all night and made a complete fool of myself but Freeq Magazine duty called so I had to lose my dance swagger and mooch on up to the John Peel stage to check out Reverend and the Makers.

I hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing these guys before – but they were ace…The sound was great…Not only were they great to watch but there was so much variety in the performance. They made me sober up and pay attention, each song kept you gripped and ready for another one…and not one samey tune in there…deffo recommend any one to check these out, they were ‘proper bo I tell thee’– It was even worth leaving my sweat off in the dance tent.

After Reverend and the Makers we trudged across the site to the Jazz tent to see The Man, The Legend….Mr Jimmy Cliff….this was packed out of course and I am gonna have to say has been the highlight so far. Jimmy Cliff featured quite heavily in the sound track of my youth as my mum loves all things reggae and I often used to rifle through her 45’s as a kid so it was weird to see a guy on my mum’s old records so close in the flesh..
I tell ya this guy can teach us a thing or two about energy, I mean he must have collected his bus pass but his age is most definitely not stopping him from leaping around all over the place brimming with energy and a beaming smile…This man really loves his music – and it was all over his face – you couldn’t help but smile along with him as he blasted out some old favourites in vocal perfection. His voice isn’t the only thing that is still young at heart. Ah what a perfect end to my Friday at Glastonbury…Sorry guys I can’t stay up any longer – I am not Jimmy Cliff!

It’s that time of year when Somerset gets wet. They should build a big waterpark here and be done with it.

Ok, so the Glastonbury weather on Thursday was lovely, hot and with real sunshine – not too many people; the mood was good. Then it rained. All night. And every man and his dog rolled up to join the (ahem) fun. More people, wet fields = mud by the bucket load.

Ok so maybe not quite as bad as recent years but it’s still early. Any more of the wet stuff and we’ll be losing wellies left right and centre.

In terms of the organisation of the event – it’s close to abysmal. No-one knows what’s going on. Even the press tent don’t know what’s happening half the time. There’s not enough free stuff in the hospitality, not enough desks and chairs in the press tent (I’ve ended up going wireless through my PDA – slow but sure!) and far too many pretentious and dumb people for my liking. Glastonbury’s turning into a funny farm by the looks of things.

It’s expensive (well, the tickets were free!) but food and drinks? Forget it, stock up at Tesco in Shepton Mallet before you get here. Oh, and buy a waterproof jacket.

Glastonbury is way too big. Three days is just not enough time to see everything. There are parts of the festival you’ll never get to and bands you’ll just not get to see. The mud makes walking back and forth across the fields many times worse but when you look at the Glastonbury lineup and think ‘I’m going to see them, her, those guys and that band’ it just doesn’t transpire like that when you get here. They’ll all be playing at the same time at opposite ends of the farm.

Less is more Michael, less is more.

Talking of music though, if you avoid the obvious and head for the smaller tents and lesser-known acts, you’ll be in for a treat. We couldn’t believe how many paparazzi were waiting to go in to snap KT Tunstall yet we were pretty much on our own photographing Lightspeed Champion and Lupe Fiasco. Pretty much sums it up really. We even had to go through extra security later in the day at the John Peel tent because Kate Moss had shown up and the paparazzi couldn’t keep their lenses shut.

You have to try and block out the cheese and the sell outs – block it out or get leathered.

I know its hard to believe I have got to this age without hitting the G-spot...I am talking about Glastonbury of course. I am not sure that I will get as much out of it as would have a few years ago, but I feel it's my duty as a music lover and retired party go-er to attend before I have lost the ability to stay up past 10.30!

Thursday 26th June
Well after four hours sleep followed by four hours driving, we arrive...and it is all fairly easy and stress free- great! And the sun is out! Mint! After a heated 30 mins arguing about how to put the tent up my partner and I don our flip flops (because it IS going to be sunny and we are not going to need our wellies! Yeah RIGHT!) - and pop out to the hospitality tent (which in my opinion needs it's name changing to (tent for every man and his dog that isn't particularly hospitable] but that's too long so we will stick with the former) where we were robbed of £3.80 for a pint...so feeling like a diva who had not got the white flowers and six packets of haribo she had requested in her dressing room we slumped back to our tent for a sulk and a nap of course cos us old folk have to take regular naps or we start wearing beige and talking about what you used to be able to get for a pound back in the day.

After a re-charge we realised the severity of the mistake we had made. We hadn't brough any beer or grub with us! Important note: Ignore all those people that tell you can't take booze or food in! Yes you bloody well can! - Crates and Crates of it! - A trip to the supermarket was now becoming essential!
And then it rained... And it rained and it rained and it rained.

Friday 27th June
After stocking up on essentials (beer mainly) we swung by the John peel tent to catch some crazy guy wearing a purple cape. Light speed champion to you guys! Gotta Say they were pretty darn good and the cape and furry hat that Devonte Hynes donned for the performance just added that little extra something!
Celebs count: 2
Vodka:3
Arrests:54

After a few more vodkas I was more than ready to tackle the evergrowing crowds and mud wrestle my way over to the jazz stage for lupe fiasco...this is when I really started to appreciate my press pass...ah lovely lupe! He came on looking extremely dapper, dressed head to toe in black pleasing all who witnessed him...and I got to witness it at short range. I don't know about you but I have often been left feeling disappointed when seeing acts live. Not today. I think performers are actually getting better! I feel like I am really at Glastonbury now.
Celebrity count:3
Arrests:still 54
Vodkas:6
Am feeling frisky. Off for a dance and some hardcore sweating in the dance tent - Freestylers! Get In!

It’s that time of year when Somerset gets wet. They should build a big waterpark here and be done with it.

Ok, so the Glastonbury weather on Thursday was lovely, hot and with real sunshine – not too many people; the mood was good. Then it rained. All night. And every man and his dog rolled up to join the (ahem) fun. More people, wet fields = mud by the bucket load.

Ok so maybe not quite as bad as recent years but it’s still early. Any more of the wet stuff and we’ll be losing wellies left right and centre.

In terms of the organisation of the event – it’s close to abysmal. No-one knows what’s going on. Even the press tent don’t know what’s happening half the time. There’s not enough free stuff in the hospitality, not enough desks and chairs in the press tent (I’ve ended up going wireless through my PDA – slow but sure!) and far too many pretentious and dumb people for my liking. Glastonbury’s turning into a funny farm by the looks of things.

It’s expensive (well, the tickets were free!) but food and drinks? Forget it, stock up at Tesco in Shepton Mallet before you get here. Oh, and buy a waterproof jacket.

Glastonbury is way too big. Three days is just not enough time to see everything. There are parts of the festival you’ll never get to and bands you’ll just not get to see. The mud makes walking back and forth across the fields many times worse but when you look at the Glastonbury lineup and think ‘I’m going to see them, her, those guys and that band’ it just doesn’t transpire like that when you get here. They’ll all be playing at the same time at opposite ends of the farm.

Less is more Michael, less is more.

Talking of music though, if you avoid the obvious and head for the smaller tents and lesser-known acts, you’ll be in for a treat. We couldn’t believe how many paparazzi were waiting to go in to snap KT Tunstall yet we were pretty much on our own photographing Lightspeed Champion and Lupe Fiasco. Pretty much sums it up really. We even had to go through extra security later in the day at the John Peel tent because Kate Moss had shown up and the paparazzi couldn’t keep their lenses shut.

You have to try and block out the cheese and the sell outs – block it out or get leathered.

This year's most anticipated festival has got everyone talking, yes it's Glastonbury!
Freeq Magazine has been given exclusive backstage passes to bring you all the latest news, gossip and interviews from the fantastic line up of bands and artists who are all set to perform in June.
Send an email via the contact form on this website to let us know who you want to most read about and we'll bring you exclusive interviews.


LATEST LINEUP (acts in alphabetical order)
Pyramid Stage: Very Special Guests
Crowded House • The Editors • The Feeling
• The Fratellis • Get Cape Wear Cape Fly •
Gilbert O’Sullivan • Goldfrapp • The Gossip •
James Blunt • Jay-Z • John Mayer • Kate Nash •
Kings of Leon • KT Tunstall • Leonard Cohen • Manu Chao
• The Raconteurs • Seasick Steve • Shakin’ Stevens •
The Subways • The Verve

Other Stage: Ben Folds • Black Kids • Black Mountain • Duffy • Elbow •
Emmy The Great • The Enemy • Foals • The Golden Silvers • Groove Armada
• Hilltop Hoods • The Hoodoo Gurus • The Hoosiers • Hot Chip • Jack Penate •
Joe Ling & the Jing Jang Jong • Mark Ronson • Massive Attack • Neon Neon •
Newton Faulkner • Panic at the Disco • Pigeon Detectives • Scouting For Girls •
The Travelling Band • Vampire Weekend • We Are Scientists • The Wombats • The Zutons

Jazz World Stage: Alabama 3 • Almasäla • Asere & Billy Cobham • Balkan Beat Box •
Bedouin Jerry Can Band • The Blessing • Buddy Guy • Candi Staton • Dub Colossus • Eddy Grant • Eric Bibb
• Estelle • Ethiopiques • Fun Lovin’ Criminals • Imagined Village • Jimmy Cliff • Joan Armatrading •
King Solomon Burke • Mankala • Massukos • Phantom Limb • Portico Quartet • Sense Of Sound

Acoustic Stage: Amsterdam • Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders • Arno Carstens • Camille O’Sullivan • The Coal Porters
• Devon Sproule • Eddie Reader • Eleanor McAvoy • Emily Maguire • Foy Vance • Gilbert O’Sullivan • Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers
• Grainne Duffy • Joan Baez • Lazenby • London Community Gospel Choir • Seasick Steve • Seth Lakeman • Sinéad O’Connor •
Stackridge • Suzanne Vega • The Swell Season ft. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova • Thea Gilmore • Tift Merritt • Tom Baxter

John Peel Stage: Band of Horses • Biffy Clyro • The Black Lips • Brian Jones Town Massacre • British Sea Power • The Courteneers • The Cribs
• Crystal Castles • Dogtanion • Emmy and the Great • Friendly Fires • The Futureheads • Glasvegas • Hilltop Hoods • Holy Fuck • The Kills •
Lightspeed Champion • Make Model • MGMT • The National • Patrick Watson • Reverend and the Makers • Rocket Summer • The Stars • Spiritualized
• The Teenagers • The Ting Tings • The Whip • The Young Knives • Vampire Weekend • Yeasayer •

The Park: Alberta Cross • Alphabeat • Battles • Caribou • CSS • Dizzee Rascal • The Duke Spirit • Edwyn Collins • Greco Roman • Hip Hop Karaoke •
John Cale • Kathryn Williams and Neill MacColl • Kool Keith • Laura Marling • MGMT • My Morning Jacket • Operator Please • Pete Doherty • Santogold
• Shlomo's Human Beatbox Orchestra • Sons & Daughters • St Vincent • Tunng • Vetiver

Avalon Stage: Alabama 3 unplugged • Bacalao • The Baghdaddies Big Band • Blazin' Fiddles • The Family Mahone • Frank Turner • The Handsome Family
• Hazel O’Connor • Hobo Jones & the Junkyard Dogs • John Tams & Barry Coope • Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara • Katie Melua • Kissmet • Malarchy
• The Men They Couldn't Hang • Nuala & the Alchemy Quartet • One String Loose • Prison Love • The Proclaimers • Rachel Unthank & the Winterset
• Räfven • Ron Sexsmith • Sharon Shannon & Big Band • The Wurzels • Will Young • Xavier Rudd

Theatre & Circus: The 2 Ladies • 3cubed • 4 Poofs and a Piano • Airealism • Andi Neate • Andrew Maxwell • Andy Parsons • Angie Mackman •
Attila the Stockbroker • Black Eagles • Blackskywhite • Brendan Burns • Bruce Airhead • Cascade • The Cholmondeleys & The Featherstonehaughs •
Coreo Hazzard • Dare • Dino Lampa • Ed Tudor-Pole • Fidget Feeet • Flameoz • Fraser Hooper • Glen Wool • Guy Pratt • Half Human Video • Hard Shoulder
• Ian Cognito • Jeff Green • Jonathan Kay • Joolz & the New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack • Josey Long • Keth • Kevin Eldon • Mike Raffone • Missfitz
• Mitch Benn • Nick Wilty • Nina Conti • Norbi • The Others • Ole • Robin Ince • Rod Laver • Rory Motion • Russell Howard • Shep Huntley • Sierra Maestra
• Siyaya • Starfiz • Stargazing • The Stephen Frost Improv Allstars • Steve Gribbin • Twisted Cabaret • Yvette Du Sol

Dance Village: 2A Skillz • A Trak • Annie Mac • Appleblim • Audio Bullies • Balkan Beat Box • Basscleff • Beardyman • Booka Shade • Charanga Habanera
• The Count & Sinden • Derek May • DJ Format • Does It Offend You, Yeah? • Fatboy Slim • Freestylers • Hercules & Love Affair • The Infidels •
Japanese Popstars • Kosheen • Kraak & Smaak • Loungeclash • Magnetic Man (Benga & Skream) • Martina Topley Bird • Manteca • Natty • Ozomatli
• Pendulum DJ Set • Róisin Murphy • Roland The Bastard • Roni Size & Reprazent • Rumba Caliente • Soul Of Man • Stanton Warriors • System 7 •
Trojan Sound System • Unkle • Utah Saints • X-Press 2 • Yard Dogs Road Show • Zion Train

The Glade: Aliji • Cassette Boy & DJ Rubbish • The Charles Hazlewood All Stars • Clive Craske • Danny Howells • DJ Donna Summer • Dr Meaker •
Dreadzone • Eatstatic • Flip Flop • Freefall Collective • Lucas • Mark Broom • Massonix • Matt & Ans • Nick Warren Sunset Set • Pathaan • Radioactive
Man • Regan • Rob Hall • Robert Logan • Sian Evans & Simon Kingman • Simon Atkinson & The Ben Marcato Trio • Six By Seven • Squarepusher • Steve
Hillage's Mirror System • Symmetrik • Tayo • Tristan • Vexkiddy • ZubZub

Leftfield Stage: Billy Bragg • Dirty Pretty Things • The Levellers • The Beat • Phil Jupitus • Tony Benn • New York Fund • Neville Staple • John Byrne •
The Holloways • The Thirst • Pama International • The Krak • Lazy Habits • The Slackers • Get Up Stand Up • Beans On Toast • David Ford •
Seal Cub Clubbing Club • King Blues • Pie Tasters • The Mentalists • Up The Poles • Mungos Hi Fi • Don Letts • Dub Cartel • Elle S'appelle • Carnival Collective
• Married to the Sea • Daisy Riots
Shangri La: 12 Stone Toddler • 40 Thieves Orckestra • Amigos • Babyhead • Bearlesque • Bison • Black Twang • Blackblock • Brothers Bab • The Chump DJs
• Crystal Distortion • Cuttashine • Dead Silence • Deekline & Wizard • Digs & Whoosh DIY • Don Bradmans • Double Edge • Dubfex • Dynamo Rhythm Aces
• Gaz Mayall • Gypsy Delica • Hayseed Dixie • The Holloways • Iiyak • J-Star & McHoney Brown • Jaipur Kawa • Kartel Records • Kid Harpoon •
Last Man Standing • Last Man Standing Saloon • Latin Dub Sound System • Lazy Habits • Marner Brown Beans on Toast • Mr Psik & G-Cut • Mudsun
• Nathan Flute Box • Natty 4D • Natty Florence And The Machine • Neville Staples (Two Tone) • No 1 Station • Orb Benga and Skream Vagabond Boogaloo
• Pronghorn • Ratfinks • Rob & Steve Smokescreen • Robyn Hitchcock • Routes2roots • Shantel and the Bucovina Club • Sick Note • Smerins •
Stranger Than Paradise Club • Tofu Love Frogs • Vjamm All Stars • Warlords Of Pez • Wax & Inferno

Croissant Neuf: 3 Daft Monkeys • Avalonian Free State Choir • Bad Science • Banco De Gaia • Biggles Wartime Band • Billy – Undercover Hippy •
Boat Band & Rory McCleod • Dubblehead • East of Ealing • Elephant Talk • F.O.S. Brothers • Global Village Trucking Company • Jerry Cahill •
Johnny Action Finger • Little Gaia • Mark Levin • Martha Tilston • Mik Artistik • Nizlopi • Samsara • Sheelanagig • Soul Immigrants • Sufira •
These United States • Tumbleweed Jim • The Weavils • The Weirdstrings • Vandeveer • Yoav • Your Dad

Kidz Field: Bell and Bullock • Black Cat Theatre • Bodger & Badger • Carolin Emerson • Chris Woz and Picklelily • Christine Willison and Mitzi •
Coreo Hazzard • DNA • Eventuality • The Foolhardy Folk Circus Clowns • Goffee • Goronwy Thom • Jasmine • John Row • Keep Fruity, Acting Up •
Mainbrace Theatre • Mike Hares • Monkey Shine Theatre • Mr Mike and Mr Maynard • Nicada Puppets • No Strings Puppet Theatre • Noisy Oyster •
Norbi • Parasole Productions • Pekkos Puppets • Prof. Panic • Seikou Susso • Sidney Sloane • Sirkus on Foot • Steve Tasane • Strawberry The Clown •
Tallulah Swirls • Tippety Twig and the Pond Monster • Zu Ariel Dance