Glastonbury 2023 – live: Trump flags spotted in the crowd as festival gets fully underway

Glastonbury Festival has officially kicked off. As part of the early festivities on Wednesday night (21 June), thousands of music fans were welcomed to Worthy Farm by a large fireworks display and burning of the Phoenix ceremony.

Over the next three days, revellers will see headliners Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses, and Elton John, along with hundreds of other artists.

Arctic Monkeys’ set is currently in doubt after frontman Alex Turner was diagnosed with acute laryngitis. However, co-organiser Emily Eavis, who opened the gates solo on Wednesday at 8am, sounds confident the performance will go ahead. Meanwhile, fellow headliner Elton John is planning on bringing out four surprise guests, according to his husband David Furnish.

The weather for this year’s festival is predicted to be a mixture of sun and rain, after a month’s worth of rain fell in the UK last weekend. You can find a day-by-day guide to the forecast in Somerset here. Today’s weather so far has been sunny skies, after a small downpour on the first day of the festival.

Meanwhile, the BBC is broadcasting the festival across all of its main channels, including BBC Radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

Glastonbury 2023 talking points

• Couple get engaged on top of Glastonbury landmark

• Elton John drops hints about surprise guests in ‘brand new’ Glastonbury headline set

• 30,000 steps a day and ‘Glasto Lip’: What it’s like to work at Glastonbury Festival

• Full lineup and stage times for Glastonbury 2023

• See the latest weather forecast for Worthy Farm

Emily Eavis confirmes Arctic Monkeys will play on Pyramid Stage tonight: ‘They’re on'

10:53 , Nicole Vassell

Emily Eavis, Glastonbury’s co-organiser, has confirmed that the Arctic Monkeys headline set on the Pyramid Stage will go ahead as planned tonight.

Broadcasting from the grounds of the festival at Worthy Farm, Zoe Ball asked during her BBC Radio 2 show if the band were still set to play, and Eavis replied “they’re on”, which was welcomed with applause.

Check out the full story below:

Emily Eavis confirms Arctic Monkeys will play at Pyramid Stage tonight

Festival freshness

13:05 , Nicole Vassell

When at Glastonbury, you have to be innovative with ways to stay cool and fresh.

Festival-goers often don’t have the luxury of popping for a full shower session when things get sweaty... so sometimes, a handheld one will have to do.

Ben Howard on the Other Stage: ‘Musically tight but rather lifeless'

12:52 , Nicole Vassell

Ben Howard played the late morning slot on the Other Stage today, in what’s considered the start of the festival’s musical performances.

Yet spirits weren’t exactly high, with the excitement of fans in the crowd apparently “waning” as the set went on.

Jacob Stolworthy says: “For Glasto, the 11.30am slot on the Other Stage is an opportunity to set the tone for what’s to come – if Ben Howard’s performance is anything to go by, this year’s Glasto will be musically tight but rather lifeless. The Hives or Lightning Seeds, who are following on the same stage, would have been a much better choice.”

12:37 , Nicole Vassell

We’re on flag watch over at Ben Howard’s set at The Other Stage – 10 points to whoever’s holding this “Kendall in the Wind” one, in honour of the Succession fan favourite.

How to watch Glastonbury on TV: Channel, start time and everything you need to know

12:20 , Nicole Vassell

Though Glastonbury is the UK’s biggest festival, boasting a capacity of 210,000 attendees this year, there are many more people who were unsuccessful in their bids to get tickets.

But even if you can’t be there in person, BBC have your back with the next best thing with back-to-back live coverage.

Megan Graye has the full scoop on how to watch Glastonbury on TV:

How to watch Glastonbury on TV: Channel, start time and everything you need to know

WATCH: A drone view that shows at how big Glastonbury really is

12:00 , Nicole Vassell

When people tell you just how mammoth the Glastonbury Festival site is... believe them.

The Pyramid Stage, pre-Friday performances

11:50 , Nicole Vassell

Here’s the view of the Pyramid Stage from not so long ago – we have a feeling that when Arctic Monkeys hit the stage at 10.15pm, the crowd will be a little more filled out...

Hozier to play secret set on the Woodsies stage

11:36 , Nicole Vassell

Surprise, surprise – Hozier has announced that he’ll perform a not-previously-announced set on Friday evening.

Earlier this morning, the Irish singer-songwriter, full name Andrew Hozier-Byrne, said that he will be the surprise act at 7.30pm on the Woodsies stage, previously named the John Peel stage.

The “Take Me to Church” vocalist said he is “thrilled” to be performing at the festival again in a “not-so-secret set”.

Queuing in an orderly fashion

11:10 , Nicole Vassell

As festival-goers get the day started, there are lines already for food and toilet facilities.

Check out these pictures from our guy on the ground, Adam White...

Listen: Arctic Monkeys soundcheck ahead of headline performance at Glastonbury

11:00 , Nicole Vassell

Arctic Monkeys fans got a small taste of the show to come later tonight, as the band were heard doing a sound check ahead of their headline Pyramid Stage slot.

Our very own Jacob Stolworthy caught them checking “Snap Out of It” and “There’d Better Be a Mirrorball”

Listen below:

WATCH: Glastonbury veteran showcases his quirky bike after arriving at festival

10:16 , Nicole Vassell

Glastonbury is definitely the place to find fun novelties – including a bike adorned with sunflowers that shoots bubbles.

Steve Apelt, 60, first attended the festival 40 years ago. As a Glasto veteran, he’s seen the festival undergo many changes in four decades – but still calls it “the most beautiful thing on the planet”.

Arctic Monkeys fans rejoice over clues the band will play at Glastonbury after all

09:45 , Nicole Vassell

The clues that Arctic Monkeys will indeed make their third headline appearance on the Pyramid Stage tonight are mounting up – and fans are thrilled.

Maanya Sachdeva has the full story:

Arctic Monkeys fans rejoice over clues band will play at Glastonbury after all

Glastonbury’s Friday line up in full

09:30 , Peony Hirwani

Glastonbury 2023 is officially open for business, with huge acts including Arctic Monkeys, Lizzo and Queens of the Stone Age hitting the stages at Worthy Farm, Somerset, this weekend.

Below is a list of artists performing on Friday 23 June.

Glastonbury 2023: Full line up and stage times

There’d better be a mirrorball...

09:00 , Nicole Vassell

An Arctic Monkeys appearance is looking promising – here’s a view of a mirrorball, a staple element of the band’s current tour, making its way across the site...

Expert tips on how to survive festival sleep deprivation as Glastonbury kicks off

08:50 , Peony Hirwani

Hundreds of thousands of music lovers will descend on Glastonbury this week.

A noisy night-time environment and increased alcohol consumption are set to wreak havoc on revellers’ sleep, with the average festivalgoer getting just three and a half hours of sleep a night.

That’s why it’s important to flex your sleep plan if you want to secure much-needed rest amid the madness.

The following are some tips from sleep expert Hannah Shore to get through five days of madness.

Pack sleep essentials

Camping at a festival is inevitably going to be less comfortable than a normal night’s sleep – swapping out a comfy mattress for the hard floor or, at best, an airbed for those willing to lug it across the 1,100 acre site.

To help create a comfortable sleep space and therefore get a better night’s sleep, festivalgoers should pack a thick pillow to relieve pressure on the shoulders when lying on the ground.

Handy sleep aids like eyemasks and earplugs can also help mitigate the negative effect of a busy and noisy environment and an additional home comfort, like a sleep spray, can help too.

Hydration

The increased alcohol consumption of many partying revellers has a big effect on sleep, with the accompanying late nights meaning less opportunity for shut-eye and the alcohol itself creating fractured sleep once you do call it a night.

Be sure to go to bed with a big bottle of water to stay hydrated and help mitigate some of the negative effects of drinking on sleep.

Plan your journey home

Driving tired is just as bad, if not worse, than driving drunk. Tiredness can effect your concentration, reaction time and the ability to judge risks, which are all things we we need in tip top condition if you’re going to get behind the wheel.

Several consecutive nights of disrupted sleep will naturally effect your energy and concentration levels, so, if you’re planning on driving home then you might want to rethink.

There are a number of different transport options to get you to and from Glastonbury, so why not opt for a train or bus? Not only will this mean to can enjoy your final night without worrying too much about your energy levels, it’s also a boost to the environment!

Recovery day

Even if doing all of the above, revellers will no doubt still be worn out by the time they return home, following the long days – and nights – of adrenaline and reduced sleep.

It’s important to ensure you have an extra day at home to rest and recover after the event. One extra day’s holiday and no plans will help get you back to normal energy levels before taking on your usual routine again.

The Arcadia spider lives!

08:43 , Nicole Vassell

Arcadia is up and nearly ready to go!

Last night, the iconic insect-like structure made its debut on the farm, with testing taking place to make sure it can shoot fire and wow the crowds.

Made from recycled materials and old military equipment, it’s been a staple at Glastonbury since its 2007 debut, and has even travelled to other festivals and events all across the world.

The earthy magic and lawless energy of being a child at Glastonbury festival

08:30 , Peony Hirwani

Adam White recalls the years he was more interested in seeing The Corrs than Courtney Love, and when the colours, noise and fire-breathing spiders gripped his imagination.

The earthy magic and lawless energy of being a child at Glastonbury

Gatecrashers have been digging tunnels to enter Glastonbury festival illegally

07:50 , Peony Hirwani

Gatecrashers have been finding unique ways to enter the Glastonbury Festival illegally.

While some people have been digging “Great Escape-style” tunnels, others have been using grappling hooks to enter the festival without paying.

Read more:

Gatecrashers have been digging tunnels to enter Glastonbury Festival illegally

How to watch Glastonbury Festival from home

07:40 , Peony Hirwani

It might not be quite the same as being amongst the fields of festival flags, but if you missed out on tickets, there are still plenty of ways to tune into Glastonbury festival from home.

Read more:

How to watch the BBC’s live Glastonbury coverage

How to navigate summer festivals with your teenager

07:30 , Peony Hirwani

If you’re taking your teen to Glastonbury or any festivals this summer, you are probably thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong. There could be a big fall out, maybe they get lost, or it may just turn out to not really be their thing.

Either way, it’s best to be positive, as they are at that age where they probably want more independence, embracing more responsibility, and figuring out their likes and dislikes.

Here are a few things to consider before the big event.

How to navigate summer festivals with your teenager

Watch: Timelapse captures sun setting over Glastonbury’s Worthy Farm on festival’s first day

07:10 , Peony Hirwani

Timelapse captures sun setting over Glastonbury on festival’s first day

Glastonbury 2023 in pictures: The best shots from Worthy Farm as the UK’s biggest festival begins

06:50 , Peony Hirwani

It’s that time of the year again – Worthy Farm’s gates have swung open and Glastonbury Festival 2023 is officially underway.

Here’s a look at some of the best pictures from the site so far...

Glastonbury 2023 in pictures: The best festival shots from Worthy Farm

Glastonbury weather: A day-by-day guide to Worthy Farm forecast

06:30 , Peony Hirwani

A day-by-day guide to the weather forecast for Glastonbury Festival

Elton John will bring on ‘four collaborators’ at his Glastonbury headline show

06:10 , Peony Hirwani

With just three days to go until Elton John’s headline set at Glastonbury, the musician’s husband, filmmaker David Furnish, has revealed that the star will bring on “four collaborators” during his show on the famed Pyramid Stage.

Read more:

Elton John’s husband lets on how many guests there will be at star’s Glastonbury show

How to watch the BBC’s live coverage of Glastonbury

05:49 , Tom Murray

How to watch the BBC’s live Glastonbury coverage

Glastonbury 2023 banned items list

04:50 , Tom Murray

Just a reminder, the following is a list of items that are banned from the Glastonbury festival.

• Knives

• Portable laser equipment or pens

• Animals (except registered guide dogs)

• Sound systems or drums

• Generators

• Sky lanterns or kites, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

• Anything made of glass (e.g. perfume bottles, mirrors etc...)

People who use fireworks on the site will be evicted and any remaining material will be confiscated from them.

Additionally, the festival asks that revellers avoid bringing items such as disposable vapes as they can be hazardous at waste centres, and gazebos as they take up valuable tent space at campsites.

Glastonbury Festival shares photos from day two

03:53 , Tom Murray

Did anyone else know there was a skate park at Glastonbury? I didn’t!

Glastonbury festival fashion isn’t just about ripping off Kate Moss… it might not even exist anymore

02:51 , Tom Murray

Glastonbury festival fashion might not even exist anymore

Watch: What happened on day one at Worthy Farm?

01:56 , Tom Murray

Did someone say recap?

All the best fashion at Glastonbury this year

Friday 23 June 2023 00:54 , Tom Murray

The Independent’s lifestyle team has been busy pouring through the thousands of photos to come out of Glastonbury for the best outfits.

Here are our favourite looks at the festival so far:

Glastonbury 2023: All the best fashion at the biggest UK festival of the year

Free milk, £1 camping and political protests: Glastonbury through the years, in pictures

Thursday 22 June 2023 23:34 , Tom Murray

Take a look at some defining images of Glastonbury from over the years.

Watch: Downpour drenches Glastonbury revellers on opening day of festival

Thursday 22 June 2023 22:27 , Tom Murray

Bimini Bon-Boulash holds up placard saying ‘bin the Tory’s anti-trans ban’

Thursday 22 June 2023 21:19 , Tom Murray

I’m hearing from another colleague on the ground that the drag star Bimini Bon-Boulash has delivered an anti-Conservative message

“It’s pride month and right now there is an attack on the LGBTQ community. The trans community are being scapegoated… We need to stand up for our trans family,” the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star apparently said.

She then held up a placard saying “bin the Tory’s anti-trans ban” in trans flag colours and similar have been handed out to the front row, leading to “huuuuuuge” cheers in the Greenpeace Field.

Trump flags spotted at Glastonbury

Thursday 22 June 2023 20:08 , Tom Murray

Our man on the ground, Adam White, has spotted some unlikely flags flying in the Glastonbury crowd.

Two Donald Trump flags were seen waving in the wind. One was promoting his 2024 presidential campaign alongside his slogan, “Make America Great Again”, and the other had a photo of the former president.

Could this be the definition of “wrong crowd”?

Michael Eavis on the mic!

Thursday 22 June 2023 18:32 , Tom Murray

Michael Eavis can do it all! The legendary Glastonbury Festival founder treated the Park Stage to a rendition of “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.

Is Glastonbury creating a ‘hostile environment’?

Thursday 22 June 2023 18:15 , Tom Murray

Samuel Fishwick shares his take on the immigration enforcement officers being spotted at Castle Cary station near Glastonbury.

“It is striking – if not surprising – that their presence provoked uproar. There are few populations as privileged as the wellie-wearing, cider-swilling, tent-dancing middle-classes of Somerset’s temporary residents, but if their relationship with you is broken, what of the rest of Britain? It should send a message: your work is not welcome: take off your uniforms, stand down and join the party, or go away and rethink.”

Read more:

Opinion: Is Glastonbury creating a ‘hostile environment’?

Alex Turner update

Thursday 22 June 2023 17:50 , Tom Murray

I’m hearing that Alex Turner is well and will be able to perform the Arctic Monkeys’ headline set on Friday (23 June).

Fans were worried after the band cancelled their 20 June Dublin show due to frontman Alex Turner coming down with an acute case of laryngitis.

However, the ever-reliable Arctic Monkeys superfan Jacob Stolworthy assures me everything will be well. Phew!

Glastonbury 2023 in pictures: The best shots from Worthy Farm as the UK’s biggest festival begins

Thursday 22 June 2023 17:43 , Tom Murray

My lovely colleague has put together this beautiful reel of photos from Glastonbury 2023. So many amazing pics and we’re only one day in!

Glastonbury 2023 in pictures: The best festival shots from Worthy Farm

A couple just got engaged at the top of the Ribbon Tower!

Thursday 22 June 2023 15:03 , Roisin O'Connor

Glastonbury festival fashion isn’t just about ripping off Kate Moss… it might not even exist anymore

Thursday 22 June 2023 14:50 , Peony Hirwani

The standard-bearers for Glastonbury aesthetics remain the queens of Noughties boho glam, writes Olivia Petter – but has the decline of fast fashion killed it off? And is that a good thing?

Glastonbury festival fashion might not even exist anymore

Free milk, £1 camping and political protests: Glastonbury through the years, in pictures

Thursday 22 June 2023 14:30 , Peony Hirwani

As music fans return to Worthy Farm, it’s worth a look back on how much the world’s biggest festival has changed over the years.

Free milk, £1 camping and political protests: Glastonbury through the years

Glastonbury’s poet in residence Katie Ailes performs her poem ‘Building’

Thursday 22 June 2023 14:10 , Peony Hirwani

Thursday 22 June 2023 13:50 , Peony Hirwani

Wondering what happened at the Glastonbury opening ceremony on Wednesday night?

Watch here:

Glastonbury 2023 banned items list

Thursday 22 June 2023 13:30 , Peony Hirwani

The following is a list of items that are banned from the Glastonbury festival.

• Knives

• Portable laser equipment or pens

• Animals (except registered guide dogs)

• Sound systems or drums

• Generators

• Sky lanterns or kites, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

• Anything made of glass (e.g. perfume bottles, mirrors etc...)

People who use fireworks on the site will be evicted and any remaining material will be confiscated from them.

Additionally, the festival asks that revellers avoid bringing items such as disposable vapes as they can be hazardous at waste centres, and gazebos as they take up valuable tent space at campsites.

Glastonbury Festival in pictures

Thursday 22 June 2023 13:10 , Peony Hirwani

Emily Eavis has ‘backup plans’ in case Arctic Monkeys are forced to drop out of Glastonbury

Thursday 22 June 2023 12:50 , Peony Hirwani

Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis says she has “backup plans” in case Sheffield rock band Arctic Monkeys are forced to drop out of this year’s lineup.

Read more:

Emily Eavis has ‘backup plans’ in case Arctic Monkeys drop out of Glastonbury

How to watch the BBC’s live coverage of Glastonbury

Thursday 22 June 2023 12:30 , Peony Hirwani

How to watch the BBC’s live Glastonbury coverage

Michael Eavis reveals the performances he’s personally looking forward to watching at Glastonbury 2023

Thursday 22 June 2023 12:10 , Peony Hirwani

Michael Eavis says he’s looking forward to watching Elton John and Cat Stevens perform live at Glastonbury.

Speaking to Glastonbury Free Press’s Chris Salmon, the festival co-creator said he’s definitely looking forward to watching John perform live.

“Well, Elton John is obviously going to be incredible,” he said. “I’m so pleased he’s finally playing. And I can’t wait for Cat Stevens. I absolutely love his music.”

Eavis also shared that he went to visit Stevens “in London 20 years ago because his agent said if I did, then he’d play.

“So I went up on the train, and then caught a bus to his house. He knew I was coming, so he’d put out all the tablecloths and he gave me a piece of cake. We had a really nice afternoon. And after that, I thought it would happen, you see. But it didn’t! Well, not until now. I’m so glad we got there eventually!”

Watch: Stunning timelapse footage of sun setting over festival's first day

Thursday 22 June 2023 11:50 , Peony Hirwani

Everything you need to know about Guns N’ Roses at Glastonbury 2023

Thursday 22 June 2023 11:30 , Peony Hirwani

Guns N’ Roses are among the headliners at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Below is everything you need to know about their performance.

Everything you need to know about Guns N’ Roses at Glastonbury 2023

Glastonbury festival fashion isn’t just about ripping off Kate Moss… it might not even exist anymore

Thursday 22 June 2023 11:10 , Peony Hirwani

The standard-bearers for Glastonbury aesthetics remain the queens of Noughties boho glam, writes Olivia Petter – but has the decline of fast fashion killed it off? And is that a good thing?

Glastonbury festival fashion might not even exist anymore

Emily Eavis has a plan if Arctic Monkeys are forced to drop out

Thursday 22 June 2023 11:04 , Roisin O'Connor

Fans of Sheffield’s finest Arctic Monkeys are still fretting over whether frontman Alex Turner will recover from a nasty bout of acute laryngitis in time for their headline set on the Pyramid Stage this Friday.

Fortunately (did we ever doubt her?), co-organiser Emily Eavis has plans (plural) in place should this happen. We’re guessing there are at least one or two bands ready to step up should Arctics pull out. But she also says she’s feeling confident they’ll be just fine.

And an interesting titbit from my colleague Jacob who’s on site right now: A poster at Worthy Farm says “Arctic Monkeys will go by in a Blur...”

Are we about to see Turner singing on stage with Damon Albarn?

Full story:

Emily Eavis has ‘backup plans’ in case Arctic Monkeys drop out of Glastonbury

Watch: Domino’s delivers pizza to Glastonbury festival-goers by jet suit

Thursday 22 June 2023 10:50 , Peony Hirwani

Watch: Domino’s delivers pizza to Glastonbury festival-goers by jet suit

Hardwicke Circus’s Glastonbury performance cancelled due to ‘problem with tickets’

Thursday 22 June 2023 10:30 , Peony Hirwani

Carlisle band Hardwicke Circus has announced it won’t be able to do its three sets at Glastonbury this year because of a problem with tickets.

Below is the full statement.

Glastonbury fireworks in pictures

Thursday 22 June 2023 10:14 , Peony Hirwani

Glastonbury 2023 lineup: Who is headlining this year's music festival?

Thursday 22 June 2023 09:54 , Peony Hirwani

Thursday 22 June 2023 09:30 , Peony Hirwani

Sources tell us that Chris Martin has been spotted on Glastonbury grounds! Could Coldplay be one of Elton John’s collaborators on Sunday 25 June?

Elton John will bring on ‘four collaborators’ at his Glastonbury headline show

Thursday 22 June 2023 09:26 , Peony Hirwani

With just three days to go until Elton John’s headline set at Glastonbury, the musician’s husband, filmmaker David Furnish, has revealed that the star will bring on “four collaborators” during his show on the famed Pyramid Stage.

Read more:

Elton John’s husband lets on how many guests there will be at star’s Glastonbury show

Glastonbury 2023 banned items list

Thursday 22 June 2023 08:30 , Peony Hirwani

The following is a list of items that are banned from the Glastonbury festival.

• Knives

• Portable laser equipment or pens

• Animals (except registered guide dogs)

• Sound systems or drums

• Generators

• Sky lanterns or kites, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

• Anything made of glass (e.g. perfume bottles, mirrors etc...)

People who use fireworks on the site will be evicted and any remaining material will be confiscated from them.

Additionally, the festival asks that revellers avoid bringing items such as disposable vapes as they can be hazardous at waste centres, and gazebos as they take up valuable tent space at campsites.

Watch: Downpour drenches Glastonbury revellers on opening day of festival

Thursday 22 June 2023 08:10 , Peony Hirwani

In pictures: Glastonbury festival day one

Thursday 22 June 2023 07:50 , Peony Hirwani

In pictures: Burning of the Phoenix ceremony at Glastonbury on Wednesday night

Thursday 22 June 2023 07:30 , Peony Hirwani

Fireworks lit up the Glastonbury sky on Wednesday night

Thursday 22 June 2023 07:12 , Peony Hirwani

Footage of Glastonbury captured from a hot air balloon 3000ft above ground

Thursday 22 June 2023 06:50 , Peony Hirwani

The Pretenders announce secret show at Glastonbury

Thursday 22 June 2023 06:30 , Peony Hirwani

The Pretenders have been announced as one of Glastonbury’s secret set holders.

Each year, the legendary Somerset-based festival keeps a number of its line-up slots blank to add a little extra excitement for ticketholders.

On Tuesday (20 June) evening, The Pretenders revealed they would be performing on Saturday, 19:45 BST, at The Park Stage. The band also teased some special guests though their identities were not disclosed.

Read more:

Glastonbury announces major rock band as secret set act

Wizkid will be the first Afrobeats artist to headline Glastonbury Festival this Friday (23 June).

Thursday 22 June 2023 06:15 , Peony Hirwani