Glastonbury Festival To Broadcast Classic Sets For 50th Anniversary

To commemorate what should've been the festival's semicentennial celebration, many classic sets will either be broadcast or able to stream in their entirety on the BBC.

Posted: 26 May 2020 Words: Tom Curtis-Horsfall

When Glastonbury Festival, the cultural touchstone of Britain's music festival scene kicked the bucket in what should've been their 50th anniversary celebration, it was pretty evident that 2020's festival season was null and void.

Luckily, Michael and Emily Eavis still know how to through a party; in lieu of the festival's absence this year, they've announced that some of the festival's most lauded, classic sets from over the years will be broadcast on the BBC across what would've been the festival's dates, with plenty more available to stream via the iPlayer.

Some of the festival's most notable, historic performances will be available to watch including Adele (2016), Beyoncé (2011), Coldplay (2016), Jay Z (2008), and David Bowie (2000), the latter of which will be the first time his landmark performance will be broadcast in full on television.

Emily Eavis says: “There are so many memorable sets being played across the BBC over what would have been our 50th anniversary weekend. Personally, I’m looking forward to a weekend of reflecting on the history of our festival and going back to some classic performances from David Bowie, Adele, REM, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Billie Eilish, and lots more. Me and my dad will definitely be watching!”

So will we Emily. So will we.