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Metro
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Glastonbury branded a ‘ticking time bomb' in warning from former executive
Fears around overcrowding at Glastonbury Festival 2025 have re-emerged after a former executive slammed the crowd control. With less than a month to go before Worthy Farm opens its gates, an unnamed insider said it was a 'disaster waiting to happen'. On June 26, Glastonbury will kick off with headliners The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo all taking to the Pyramid Stage across the weekend. Huge crowds are part of the festival experience, with officials often having to close down sections to alleviate the numbers. Last year saw Sugababes shut down West Holts while secret set Kasabian caused chaos at Woodsies – then there was Avril Lavigne whose fans flooded the Other Stage area. 'Worst-case scenario, people are going to die, I think we are going to have some massive issues this year,' said the insider to the Mail on Sunday. Concern was raised after the announcement that Charli XCX, who saw huge success last year with her Brat album, would headline the Other Stage. He claims her DJ set on Levels last year prompted an emergency meeting for bosses as it was anticipated that thousands would rush there after Dua Lipa's headlining slot ended. In the end, while the small stage was packed, no emergency intervention was needed. The source also claimed that there is prolific drug-taking among both festival goers and staff, even those who drive vehicles around the festival. Calls for emergency medical assistance for overdosed or collapsed gig-goers were reportedly being made every 15 to 20 minutes each night. He continued: 'How has it [Glastonbury] survived this long without a major disaster? 'It's got to be a mixture of luck and a mixture of good will, the jewel in the UK's crown is actually something of a ticking time bomb.' A spokesperson for Glastonbury denied these claims and said it tested staff drivers for alcohol and drugs. They also stated that the festival uses a 'system of robust and dynamic crowd-management planning', which includes a 500-strong team who ensure 'that at all times…crowd safety is at the forefront of everyone's minds' Glastonbury released an updated Worthy Farm map last month which did indicate larger areas were being created around the popular stages. Dedicated Glastonbury X account The Glasto Thingy shared a gif comparing last year and 2025's maps, pointing out the changes in areas. 'Big change to Shangri-La,' they wrote. 'Opened up, new area called Dragon's Tail. Oxlyers reduced to give more space in Other Field. More Trending 'Silver Hayes and The Glade both have more space.' These adjustments will likely ease the crowding, especially around the Other Stage which is the festival's second stage. Across the festival, there are plenty of brilliant artists set to perform from newcomers like English Teacher and Lola Young to established acts like The Libertines, Scissor Sisters and even Busta Rhymes. Metro has reached out to Glastonbury for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Glastonbury headliner Sir Rod Stewart cancels gig last minute due to illness MORE: Sir Rod Stewart confirms rock legend will join him on stage at Glastonbury MORE: 'Gutted' Glastonbury glampers who paid £16,500 left ticketless after Yurtel goes bust
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
8 of the best UK summer festivals for families
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Music festivals are doing more than ever to cater to all interests and ages. Younger audiences are often won over purely by the fact that attendance typically involves camping, glamping or pitching up in a caravan — an opportunity to sleep out in the wild. But the UK's best festivals also provide an endless roster of activities, workshops and experiences to help families bond and create lasting memories. From chilled countryside escapes to adrenaline-sparking coastal adventures. Here are the golden tickets for summer 2025. Best for: big music actsSet in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset's award-winning festival always has a solid line-up, from Tom Jones to the Sugababes and Mr Tumble. Away from the main stages, there's the world's biggest bouncy castle, mud kitchens and activities such as kids' talent shows, bucket-hat sewing camps and sensory gardens. At the Orchestra of Objects, children can even invent their own musical instruments from junk. 31 July to 3 August. From £733 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Dressing down for the world's largest pyjama party on the Saturday evening. Best for: connecting with natureBackdropped by Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons National Park), the campsite at Green Man opens three days before the action starts, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a week-long break in rural Wales. After evenings spent dancing to the likes of Brit Award winners Wet Leg and dance legends Underworld, welcome each new day with a family sunrise yoga session before wandering over to Einstein's Garden for scientific installations, art and wildlife walks. Older kids can try their hand at film-making, crafting and mastering circus skills in the 'Somewhere' zone. 14 to 17 August. From £650 for a family of four camping. Highlight: The closing fireworks display and ritual burning of the Green Man sculpture to symbolise rebirth in the natural world. Best for: sparking creativitySet within the 5,000-acre Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, Wilderness Festival has a suitably retro music line-up for parents this year, including Basement Jaxx, Supergrass and Orbital. There's also a dedicated Family Field packed with activities to spark the imagination and inspire creativity. Younger ravers can attend the regular storytelling sessions or 'Treemendously Wild' craft workshop to build masterpieces out of natural materials; for older kids, there are slime-making and circus workshops, comic-drawing sessions and poetry classes, plus woodland theatre. And when parents want to attend a gig solo or visit the Lakeside Spa & Sauna, there's a popular nanny service for the little ones. 31 July-3 August; From £610 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Hands-on radio and podcasting tutorials with experienced producers for budding broadcasters. Best for: bonding adventuresExclusively for families, this Kent favourite prides itself on being more like a summer camp than a festival. Over 100 adventurous activities are on offer throughout the ancient woodland setting. For a quieter moment away from the zorbing, raft-building and beekeeping, grown-ups can take advantage of on-site childcare and nip to the adults-only wellness sanctuary. 15 to 18 August. From £520 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Join a patrol — the Kindling version of a house at school — and work with new friends to compete for the Kindling Cup. Best for: inspiring young mindsSheep are a regular sight on the landscaped fields of Deer Shed — set on part of a working farm close to Ripon in North Yorkshire. There's no designated kids' area — the whole event, dedicated to discovery and expanding younger children's minds, is accessible. Children can see where imagination leads through storytelling workshops and learn about creepy-crawlies through song in The Bug Hotel. Kae Tempest is headlining on Saturday this year; for the smallest ravers, there's the blackout tent hosting a toddler 'nightclub'. 25 to 28 July. From £534 for a family of four camping. Highlight: DJing classes, to help aspiring kids on their journey towards festival headlining. Best for: brave Celtic warriors'Celebrating Scotland' is the theme of this three-day event in the grounds of Perthshire's Tullibole Castle. Aimed primarily at children aged 12 and under, Wildhood plays on local folklore and Scottish traditions with tartan workshops, a woodland haggis hunt, even searching for Nessie in the castle moat. Local bands are complemented by pipers, and street food stalls serve up Caledonian classics. 6 to 8 June. From £509 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Competing in a junior version of the Highland Games. Best for: water babiesMaking the most of its Cornish coastal location, just a rock's throw from Padstow, Rock Oyster offers an armada of water-based activities, from surfing lessons to a pirate school. This year's impressive musical line-up includes Rag'n'Bone Man and UB40. Food plays a major role here, too, with celebrity chef masterclasses and a cookery school for kids. 24-27 July. From £418 for a family of four camping. Highlight: A model-making workshop with Aardman, the creative brains behind Wallace and Gromit Best for: funfair fansTaking its title from the Roman name for nearby Chester, this festival is set in fields overlooked by Cholmondeley Castle. It gives older children a glimpse of life 2,000 years ago with archery, axe-throwing and bushcraft sessions. Younger revellers will enjoy the games and shows led by a team from Chester Zoo, covering topics such as the science behind animal poo. Deva Fest is friendly on the wallet, too, with free fairground rides hoovering up the daylight hours, before Happy Mondays and Gloria Gaynor take to the main stage. 8 to 10 August. From £431 for a family of four camping. Highlight: The Grand Cavalcade troupe of performers leading explosive science experiments, madcap storytelling and interactive workshops. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
8 of the best UK summer festivals for families
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Music festivals are doing more than ever to cater to all interests and ages. Younger audiences are often won over purely by the fact that attendance typically involves camping, glamping or pitching up in a caravan — an opportunity to sleep out in the wild. But the UK's best festivals also provide an endless roster of activities, workshops and experiences to help families bond and create lasting memories. From chilled countryside escapes to adrenaline-sparking coastal adventures. Here are the golden tickets for summer 2025. 1. Camp Bestival Best for: big music acts Set in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset's award-winning festival always has a solid line-up, from Tom Jones to the Sugababes and Mr Tumble. Away from the main stages, there's the world's biggest bouncy castle, mud kitchens and activities such as kids' talent shows, bucket-hat sewing camps and sensory gardens. At the Orchestra of Objects, children can even invent their own musical instruments from junk. 31 July to 3 August. From £733 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Dressing down for the world's largest pyjama party on the Saturday evening. 2. Green Man Best for: connecting with nature Backdropped by Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons National Park), the campsite at Green Man opens three days before the action starts, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a week-long break in rural Wales. After evenings spent dancing to the likes of Brit Award winners Wet Leg and dance legends Underworld, welcome each new day with a family sunrise yoga session before wandering over to Einstein's Garden for scientific installations, art and wildlife walks. Older kids can try their hand at film-making, crafting and mastering circus skills in the 'Somewhere' zone. 14 to 17 August. From £650 for a family of four camping. Highlight: The closing fireworks display and ritual burning of the Green Man sculpture to symbolise rebirth in the natural world. At the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire, the Family Field is full of games, theatre and workshops for all ages. Photograph by Sarah Louise Bennett 3. Wilderness Festival Best for: sparking creativity Set within the 5,000-acre Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, Wilderness Festival has a suitably retro music line-up for parents this year, including Basement Jaxx, Supergrass and Orbital. There's also a dedicated Family Field packed with activities to spark the imagination and inspire creativity. Younger ravers can attend the regular storytelling sessions or 'Treemendously Wild' craft workshop to build masterpieces out of natural materials; for older kids, there are slime-making and circus workshops, comic-drawing sessions and poetry classes, plus woodland theatre. And when parents want to attend a gig solo or visit the Lakeside Spa & Sauna, there's a popular nanny service for the little ones. 31 July-3 August; From £610 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Hands-on radio and podcasting tutorials with experienced producers for budding broadcasters. 4. Camp Kindling Best for: bonding adventures Exclusively for families, this Kent favourite prides itself on being more like a summer camp than a festival. Over 100 adventurous activities are on offer throughout the ancient woodland setting. For a quieter moment away from the zorbing, raft-building and beekeeping, grown-ups can take advantage of on-site childcare and nip to the adults-only wellness sanctuary. 15 to 18 August. From £520 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Join a patrol — the Kindling version of a house at school — and work with new friends to compete for the Kindling Cup. At Deer Shed music festival, there's no designated kids' area — the whole event, dedicated to discovery and expanding younger children's minds, is accessible. Photograph by James Drury 5. Deer Shed Best for: inspiring young minds Sheep are a regular sight on the landscaped fields of Deer Shed — set on part of a working farm close to Ripon in North Yorkshire. There's no designated kids' area — the whole event, dedicated to discovery and expanding younger children's minds, is accessible. Children can see where imagination leads through storytelling workshops and learn about creepy-crawlies through song in The Bug Hotel. Kae Tempest is headlining on Saturday this year; for the smallest ravers, there's the blackout tent hosting a toddler 'nightclub'. 25 to 28 July. From £534 for a family of four camping. Highlight: DJing classes, to help aspiring kids on their journey towards festival headlining. 6. Wildhood Festival Best for: brave Celtic warriors 'Celebrating Scotland' is the theme of this three-day event in the grounds of Perthshire's Tullibole Castle. Aimed primarily at children aged 12 and under, Wildhood plays on local folklore and Scottish traditions with tartan workshops, a woodland haggis hunt, even searching for Nessie in the castle moat. Local bands are complemented by pipers, and street food stalls serve up Caledonian classics. 6 to 8 June. From £509 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Competing in a junior version of the Highland Games. Food is the main attraction at Cornwall's Rock Oyster Festival. Photograph by the Rock Oyster Festival, Caitlin Mogridge 7. Rock Oyster Festival Best for: water babies Making the most of its Cornish coastal location, just a rock's throw from Padstow, Rock Oyster offers an armada of water-based activities, from surfing lessons to a pirate school. This year's impressive musical line-up includes Rag'n'Bone Man and UB40. Food plays a major role here, too, with celebrity chef masterclasses and a cookery school for kids. 24-27 July. From £418 for a family of four camping. Highlight: A model-making workshop with Aardman, the creative brains behind Wallace and Gromit 8. Deva Fest Best for: funfair fans Taking its title from the Roman name for nearby Chester, this festival is set in fields overlooked by Cholmondeley Castle. It gives older children a glimpse of life 2,000 years ago with archery, axe-throwing and bushcraft sessions. Younger revellers will enjoy the games and shows led by a team from Chester Zoo, covering topics such as the science behind animal poo. Deva Fest is friendly on the wallet, too, with free fairground rides hoovering up the daylight hours, before Happy Mondays and Gloria Gaynor take to the main stage. 8 to 10 August. From £431 for a family of four camping. Highlight: The Grand Cavalcade troupe of performers leading explosive science experiments, madcap storytelling and interactive workshops. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
South Wales Guardian
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Ed Sheeran plays surprise set at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend
The Thinking Out Loud singer, 34, surprised fans on Saturday with a live set on the New Music Stage in which he used his trademark loop station to build up layers of his songs rather than play to a backing track. The set opened with Castle On The Hill and included hit songs Perfect, The A Team and Shape Of You. A post shared by BBC Radio 1 (@bbcradio1) He told the audience at Sefton Park: 'I'm glad you turned up. I know this was a secret. 'I'm gonna play some songs that hopefully you know; If you don't know, it's gonna be a long hour for you. The singer added that by using his loop station, his set would be unique: 'Everything you hear today is completely live. There's no backing track whatsoever. 'It's made live on the spot – control of my feet – and at the end it's deleted and it won't be the same at the next show. 'The way that it works is you press record like this, and when you press play, it plays back and loops, and you can add layers on top of it.' During his performance of latest song Azizam, Sheeran stopped and restarted his loop recording, telling the crowd: 'I'm going to have to do this again again. This is how you know it's live. One more time.' Sheeran, who has 14 UK number one singles and eight UK number one albums and headlined the Big Weekend music festival in Coventry in 2022, finished his surprise set with Bad Habits. Also on Saturday's line-up in Sefton Park are Sam Fender, Sugababes, Tom Odell and Blossoms, with Jade, Mumford & Sons, Haim, Wet Leg and Tate McRae playing on Sunday.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Sam Fender swears on stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend before being forced to apologise to the crowd after his headline show is hit by technical issues
Sam Fender swore live on stage at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend Show on Saturday, before his long-awaited headline set was hit by technical difficulties. The Geordie singer, 31, headlined at the music event in Liverpool, closing out the Saturday with confetti and fireworks. And despite wowing with his vocals, at one point Sam became flustered, with an onlooker telling MailOnline that he apologised to the crowd after being hit by 'technical difficulties.' Sam's set contained crowd favourite hits including Seventeen Going Under and Hypersonic Missiles which had fans chanting into the night. A source told MailOnline: 'The crowd was buzzing as Sam came on to headline following the likes of Ed Sheeran and the Sugababes earlier in the day. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'But during the first few songs he had a number of technical difficulties. Sam continued to mess around with his mic stand through a number of songs and was spotted looking to the side of stage awkwardly. 'Sam was apologetic to fans for the problems and admitted he was s***ing himself performing the huge gig. 'However he powered through and put on an incredible performance.' Other stars at the event included Ed Sheeran, who made a surprise appearance where he performed a new song inspired by his $100 million copyright trial. The singer wrote the track after revisiting an old phone during the lawsuit over his hit Thinking Out Loud. He had been accused of copying Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On but was cleared in court in 2023. Now, taking to the stage at the Liverpool-based festival, Ed opened up about the inspiration behind his new song Old Phone before performing it for the first time in front of a crowd. Referring to his copyright trail, told the crowd: 'The judge ordered me to give up my old devices to the other lawyers for them to go through all my text messages and emails and photos and stuff like that. 'And in that process I switched on a phone that I had not looked at in 10 years and it was like looking into the past and it was conversations with people who had passed away. He continued: 'There was arguments with an ex-girlfriend, there was, you know, text messages and pictures from people that I haven't seen or spoken to in, in 10 years, and I wrote this song about it called Old phone.' Ed's performance was announced just moments before he surprised the crowd with his unexpected appearance. He told fans he chose to perform on the New Music Stage because it was the only one he hadn't sung on yet. A source at Big Weekend told MailOnline: 'Ed came on as a surprise guest kicking off the opening act on Saturday lunchtime, I've never seen festival goers swarm a stage so quickly. 'He played a number of his hits and also included some of his new songs which the crowd the loved. 'Ed explained the meaning behind his one new song where he opened up about his court case and how finding old phone was the inspiration. 'As he started Azizam he did mess up his famous loop but he started again and told the crowd 'that's how you know I'm playing live'.
