With the gates of Worthy Farm officially thrown open and over 200,000 music lovers pouring in, Glastonbury 2025 kicked off in true festival fashion—chaotic, rainy, and unforgettable.
From long shower queues to a controversial silent opening ceremony, this year’s event is already making headlines for more than just the music.
Early Morning Drizzles and Nitrous Oxide Litter on Site
Festival-goers woke up to light rain, soggy fields, and queues for showers stretching far and wide.
While many wandered around in ponchos and umbrellas, others picked up litter—particularly the hundreds of small silver canisters left behind by people inhaling “hippy crack”, the nickname for nitrous oxide.
That gas, once popular at festivals, is now illegal to possess for recreational use in the UK. Since November 2023, anyone caught using it to get high can face up to two years in jail, and dealers face up to 14 years.
Despite this, the unmistakable sight of balloons and canisters was still spotted throughout the site on day one.
Glastonbury’s Opening Ceremony Falls Flat Without Sound
Excitement was high for last night’s Pyramid Stage opening ceremony, but not everything went as planned.
Many attendees were left confused—and frustrated—by the lack of amplified sound.
Performers, acrobats, and choirs gave it their all, but those in the crowd complained they could barely hear a thing.
“The fireworks were stunning,” said one festivalgoer, “but the whole thing felt like a 30-minute silent film.”
As it turns out, the muted experience was intentional.
Due to licensing laws, no amplified sound is allowed on Glastonbury’s main stages until Friday.
The show, called The Dreamweaver’s Journey, was designed to be audience-driven, encouraging people to sing and hum along, guided by visual cues from a digital cyclist on the big screen.
Still, that didn’t stop people on social media from venting.
“Who forgot to turn the speakers on?” one person tweeted.
Others called the ceremony “embarrassing” and a missed opportunity.
Warm Weather on the Way After a Wet Start
Despite a damp beginning, the weather looks set to improve.
The Met Office says temperatures could rise steadily as the weekend approaches.
After hovering around 27°C on Thursday and Friday, the mercury is expected to hit 30°C or even 31°C by Monday, potentially marking an official heatwave in the southeast.
While Scotland and northern England may still see some rain, festivalgoers in Somerset should enjoy plenty of sunshine and warm evenings as the music heats up.
Star-Packed Line-Up With a Bit of Political Drama
This year’s headline acts include a solid mix of old-school legends and modern icons.
Expect major performances from The 1975, Neil Young and Chrome Hearts, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sir Rod Stewart, who’s set to bring out Ronnie Wood from his Faces days as a surprise guest during the Sunday legends slot.
But not every name on the bill is without controversy.
Irish rap trio Kneecap is still scheduled to perform on Saturday at the West Holts Stage, despite one member, Liam Og O hAnnaidh (aka Mo Chara), facing terror-related charges for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a past gig.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the group’s Glastonbury slot is “not appropriate,” and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch added that the BBC should not broadcast their set.
Charli XCX, Doechii, Raye and More to Light Up the Stages
Beyond the headlines, the music scene is thriving at Glastonbury this year.
Festival favourites like Charli XCX, Loyle Carner, Raye, Gracie Abrams, and Nile Rodgers & Chic are all performing.
Rising stars such as Lola Young, Doechii, and Wet Leg are also expected to draw big crowds.
There’s even a mysterious act listed as Patchwork, taking the stage on Saturday—adding a bit of intrigue to the weekend’s line-up.
BBC Brings Glasto to the Living Room Once Again
Can’t make it to the fields of Pilton? Not to worry—BBC is offering live streams of all five major stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies, and The Park.
That means fans across the UK can tune in and soak up the magic from their sofa—without the mud or queues.
A Hot Weekend Ahead, Both On Stage and in the Skies
While the festival’s first day might have been dampened by drizzle and audio confusion, the rest of the weekend is shaping up to be a scorcher—both in weather and talent.
With temperatures expected to climb, and legendary acts ready to deliver, Glastonbury 2025 could yet go down as one for the history books—just maybe leave the balloons at home.