Glastonbury 50 cover art

Glastonbury 50

The Official Story of Glastonbury Festival

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Glastonbury 50

By: Emily Eavis, Michael Eavis
Narrated by: Gemma Whelan, Jamael Westman, Lauren Laverne, Louise Brealey, Oliver Ford Davies
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About this listen

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' 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Emily Eavis and Michael Eavis (P)2019 Orion Publishing Group Entertainment & Performing Arts History & Criticism Music Celebrity Hip-Hop Entertainment Theatre
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Most relevant
As a frequent Glastonbury frequenter, I was surprised how well this book transitioned to audiobook. I enjoyed the individual stories - especially regarding the set up of the festival and also the accounts of how the festival expanded. Lauren Laverne is a great compère but I wish we could have been treated to actual accounts from each of the contributors. The actors do a fine job but having personal accounts from Mchael and Emily Eavis would had added a little gravitas to the story. Also hearing first hand from the performers would have been great. Still, a good listen.

Surprised how this book translated

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Loved every minute of this book. A fascinating history of the festival told through Michel and Emily’s perspectives, supported with love letters from a host of famous artists. Will be back on the farm in 2 weeks for my 16/17th trip and cannot wait.

Best place on earth - summed up nicely here

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I only recently came anywhere near the festival (which had been sold out even before the pandemic and the waiting list was probably as long as the number of actual attendees) and was interested in hearing more about the festival. The closest I got to it, geographically, was visiting Frome hoping to get a ticket to Paul McCartney's secret gig at the Cheese & Grain. I found the book to be fascinating and inspiring. The festival still has the "hippie vibe" that is long gone in our current society, I love the willingness to take risks and have an open mind, and the defiance to succumb to the sponsorship/corporate pressure. The only disappointment was the lack of memories/stories about Paul McCartney's participation. He has now (2022) played there twice and he can - or should - be considered the #1 rockstar of ALL the mentioned artists in this book for his impact on rock'n'roll history and much else, yet he's only mentioned by name in passing. No memories, no anecdotes, no nothing. So many others have been given the chance to share their memories in this book and I found them all to be interesting, even if I don't listen to their music, but to cut him out so entirely seems very strange to me. Unless, of course, that was his own specific wish.
If it wasn't for that, I'd give this book 5 stars.

Interesting, informative and inspiring

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I suspect the print book makes a bit more linear sense. The audiobook is a little odd and it’s a real shame that Michael and Emily weren’t recorded for it.

Lauren Laverne is great though. The other narrators try to cover all the other contributors which gets a bit confusing at times.

The 50 year story of Glastonbury is extraordinary and that alone makes this worth experiencing.

Slightly odd as an audiobook but Glastonbury is amazing

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The story is read by many different people, not only Michael and Emily Eavis. What an event. Most interesting to learn how the event has changed, adapted and stayed relevant. Much credit due to the Eavis hand on the rudder. 50 Years! What an achievement. Pity about the very sudden ending.

Very interesting - loved segments from many artist

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