Glastonbury rocks after three years, crowds await Billie Eilish

GLASTONBURY, England, June 24 (Reuters) – Music boomed throughout the fields of Worthy Farm in southwest England on Friday because the world’s largest greenfield competition returned for the primary time since 2019 with 20-year-old singer-songwriter Billie Eilish the principle draw on its first day.

The American singer-songwriter lately informed Apple Music 1’s Matt Wilkinson that enjoying the Pyramid stage was a “as soon as in a lifetime alternative”, including that she was “stoked” to be the youngest ever headliner.

Pageant goer Gabby Sergeant, a 24-year-old gross sales government from London, mentioned the seven-times Grammy winner was a must-see.

“I positively need to see her,” she mentioned. “I believe she’s obtained some large songs like ‘No Time to Die’ and ‘Dangerous Man’.”

Organiser Emily Eavis, the daughter of competition founder Michael Eavis, mentioned in saying Eilish in October: “This seems like the right approach for us to return and I can’t wait!”

Glastonbury is known for its eclectic line-up. Rock group Foals and digital musician 4 Tet are simply two of scores of alternate options late on Friday.

Rachel Austin, a 43-year-old engagement officer from Lincoln in japanese England, mentioned nobody might put together you for all of the experiences on provide.

“It is simply wonderful, the images do not do it justice in any respect,” she mentioned.

‘CONCENTRATION OF FREEDOM’

Friday was kicked off by rock band the Libertines on the Different stage, one degree down from the Pyramid.

Earlier than that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed through videolink to the crowds, urging them to unfold the reality about Russia’s invasion. learn extra

“Glastonbury is the best focus of freedom nowadays and I ask you to share this sense with everybody whose freedom is underneath assault,” he mentioned in a recorded message that drew cheers.

Different acts enjoying on Friday embody Moist Leg, Arlo Parks and Primal Scream.

Glastonbury returned for its fiftieth anniversary two years later than deliberate after the pandemic scuppered the 2020 and 2021 occasions.

Greater than 138,000 tickets had been bought for the competition, held since 1970 on Eavis’s dairy farm.

Paul McCartney headlines on Saturday, every week after his eightieth birthday, whereas Diana Ross and Kendrick Lemar prime the invoice on Sunday.

Writing by Paul Sandle
Enhancing by Gareth Jones

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