My first Glastonbury, by Rudimental, Years & Years, Blur and more

28 June 2015

Rudimental, Blur, The Horrors, Metronomy, Charli XCX, the Maccabees and Years & Years have been talking to Newsbeat about the first time they went to Glastonbury.

From power cuts to the "eating everything in sight" and stage invasions, this is what they told us.

Rudimental

Rudimental are headlining The Other stage on Friday night, something they say is "a dream".

In 2014 they played on the Pyramid stage but were forced to cut their show short because of a power cut during a thunderstorm.

"Unfortunately we didn't get to finish our set because lightning hit the stage.

"We had to come off early, we were all really upset but we're back this year."

Speaking at Wild Life festival, which they organised with Disclosure, the band joked that they were "coming for Michael [Eavis]" after finding out what it's like to put on an event for themselves.

And they explained how their first Glastonbury experience involved an unexpected run-in with the organiser.

"The first time we played, with a DJ set, he actually came and watched us with his daughter Emily [Eavis]," said Piers.

Amir added: "It was the first time we'd ever been and we turn round and there's Michael Eavis and we're playing Shy FX records.

"He's the daddy of festivals!"

Blur

One of the greatest moments in Glastonbury history, and one Blur won't forget for a while, was their reunion headline slot in 2009.

It was the second time they had taken the top spot on the Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm, having played in 1998.

They told us they were even up for replacing Foo Fighters this year, who pulled out when Dave Grohl broke his leg.

"Yeah I was like 'come on!' but you know I think someone [else] was there," guitarist Graham Coxon told Newsbeat.

"Didn't Florence already get in there? I don't know whether practically we could have done it but that would have been fun."

So there's a lot of love for Glastonbury from Blur but when it comes to remembering their first time, it is a little more difficult.

"No, no I can't remember anything, that would have been in the '90s," Coxon laughs.

"I remember we were always very excited like children, just eating and drinking everything in sight but not remembering much about it."

Years & Years

Years and years — Image caption,
The band's set at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Norwich was one of their first festival performances

Despite having more than 20 festivals booked in for the summer, singer Olly says their first performance at Glastonbury "is the big one".

"We've always wanted to play. None of us have ever been before so we're super excited.

"I had a ticket a couple years ago but then I couldn't go and I was really sad because they're expensive.

"I think it'll be good that the first time we all go is when we play."

Image caption,
Years & Years topped the BBC Sound of 2015 poll

Emre added: "We booked the whole three days off so once we're done we're going to get fully experienced.

"Most of the time we just hop on and off a tour bus but for Glastonbury we made sure that we had a full weekend free.

"The best advice I got was not to try and see everything and just go with the flow because it's so big."

The Horrors

The Horrors love playing Glastonbury but reckon they've played more times than they deserve.

"The person who often books us is not listening and forgets that we played the last year," jokes keyboardist Tomethy Furse.

"They either really like us or they forget."

"I do remember the first time we played," he said, although they can't quite remember exactly where it was.

"It was on a really small stage and then we watched The Stooges," added guitarist Josh Hayward.

"We walked straight off the stage into the mud to go watch Iggy and The Stooges and then there was a stage invasion."

They admit being asked to play Glastonbury was a "really big deal."

"I had been going since I was little so you feel like it [has] come full circle," explained Josh.

Metronomy

"It was a big landmark but I just can't remember it exactly," laughed frontman Joe Mount when asked to recall the band's first time playing at Worthy Farm.

Loss of memory appears to be a running theme.

"I think it was an afternoon in the dance tent and it was like 'ok, wow we are finally doing it'."

"Then last year we headlined the Park Stage and I remember being particularly nervous about that but it went really well.

"We were playing at the same time as Arcade Fire and you are acutely aware of what it going on and where you are but to do that and have a really huge crowd was really great."

Charli XCX

This is Charli's second Glastonbury - her first one was pretty chaotic.

"I was really ill and I forgot to wear a bra on stage, which was good!" Charli joked, adding that she was wearing a gold mini dress.

"Huw Stephens came on during the last song and told me I was singing live on the radio. I lost my voice and it was all a bit crazy but it was fun, I had a really, really good time.

"We did a great show and it was really cool. I loved it."

She didn't get to see much of Glastonbury as a punter though.

"I literally went in and out because I was so sick I had to leave pretty much straight afterwards. But I saw Lana del Rey and that was really beautiful. I think she's wonderful."

The Maccabees

"The first time we were here was the first time we played," recalled guitarist Felix White.

"We were on second top in the John Peel tent, which was an unfortunate slot because we clashed with Arcade Fire in their absolute prime. So my memory of it was it wasn't full."

Lead singer Orlando Weeks added, "I remember telling people that they were missing Arcade Fire!"

To which Felix chipped in, "I remember being unhappy about you telling people they were missing Arcade Fire!

"I remember doing the gig covered in mud. They were really exciting times. It was probably 10 or eight years ago - feel like different people.

"But still looks the same, Glastonbury."

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