The evening of Saturday 22nd May, festival and music enthusiasts alike tuned in to partake in a little pandemic escapism and have the closest thing we could get to the Glastonbury experience- although without the inevitable wading in mud and instead embracing the comfort of your own home. ‘Live at Worthy Farm’ would be filmed at the ground of the world-renowned festival and available to watch all around the world.
But just like with happenings this past year, things didn’t go quite to plan…
Instead of being able to watch a smoothly run special film shot at Worthy Farm, featuring artists such as Haim, Coldplay and George Ezra, technical glitches were afoot and tampered with the much-anticipated event.
The problems with the link that ‘Glasthomebury’ goers paid £20 to access failed to work for anyone when it came to logging on for Wolf Alice at 7pm for the first setlist of the evening. Organisers worked quickly and non-stop in order to avoid disappointing those who had been anticipately waiting for a night of fun amongst a chaotic year, and eventually managed to fix it. A free link was released in the end so that it could be accessible for all, and those who had paid were emailed with the offer for a refund.
I have to say though, it didn’t spoil my home Glasto fun.
Like with many events, it was most enjoyable with others around you, and dressing up to look the part is half the fun.
Donning Hawaiian shirts and sporting glitter laden faces put me in festival mode, with all that was missing was a fashionable pair of wellies. Just being able to get together with others and have a laugh, a drink or two and have a nigh of distraction and fun was enough in itself.
The fact that Eurovision was able to entertain in the meantime whilst Worthy Farm experienced difficulties was a huge bonus. There’s nothing that gets you in the party mood quite like some cheesy European anthems paired with eye-catching outfits. So, after some glitzy Eurovision fun, getting on to the Glastonbury livestream was still a joy.
It may not have been quite as upbeat and energetic as what was being streamed live from Rotterdam, but the film itself was beautiful. It was a very laid-back sort of affair, with Haim playing their chilliest, dreamiest songs and Damion Alburn taking a seat at a piano rather than riling up the virtual crowds.
Coldplay arguably brought the most concert-like performance of the evening, with their statement colourful bright lights and upbeat anthems being belted out in front of the structure of the famous Pyramid Stage. Chris Martin’s love for Glastonbury isn’t exactly a secret, so perhaps his passion and enthusiasm for the Somerset festival helped carry the performance across into viewers living rooms.
There were many who were disappointed with what happened, but I chose to embrace the Glasto spirit and look at the positives. I had a good time with people, we had DIY Glastonbury decorations which cheered everyone up and we managed to watch it in the end and have a good time. It just shows that in this digital age we’re in now that even the giants encounter technicalities, and if over a year of Covid has taught us anything, it’s to have just a little more patience.