Thursday 23 June 2022 11:35 AM Glastonbury through the ages: Fascinating pictures of Britain's foremost music ... trends now

Thursday 23 June 2022 11:35 AM Glastonbury through the ages: Fascinating pictures of Britain's foremost music ... trends now
Thursday 23 June 2022 11:35 AM Glastonbury through the ages: Fascinating pictures of Britain's foremost music ... trends now

Thursday 23 June 2022 11:35 AM Glastonbury through the ages: Fascinating pictures of Britain's foremost music ... trends now

Since its debut in 1970 Glastonbury has attracted thousands of eager music fans to support their favourite artists come rain or shine. 

But how much has the festival changed over the past 50 years? From tickets sold at just £1 for only 1,500 campers at the Somerset festival's first year to the dizzying heights it has reached today, Glastonbury has grown to something bigger than its creator Michael Eavis could have expected. 

In 1970 the headline acts were Marc Bolan and Keith Christmas with 1,500 guests getting in for £1, a ticket which included free milk from the farm. 

By 1981 a new Pyramid stage had been built - a permanent structure which doubled as a cowshed and animal food store during winter months. That year's festival was held to raise money for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. 

Ticket prices only went up to £8 but Michael Eavis was able to hand over £20,000 to CND. Headliners that year included New Order and Gordon Giltrap who performed for 18,000 festival-goers. 

In 1990 the festival took the name of Glastonbury Festival for Contemporary Performing Arts to reflect the diverse attractions at the event. The festival ended with 235 arrests of travellers who looted the emptying campsite.  Ticket prices were hiked to £38 and headliners including The Cure and the Happy Mondays played for a crowd of 70,000.  

By 2000 more camping space had been added, including a family campsite. An outdoor dance venue was created and although a large influx of gatecrashers attended the campsites held up.  Headliners including the Chemical Brothers and David Bowie played for 100,000 festival-goers who purchased tickets for £87.  

In 2010 some 135,000 people attended, purchasing tickets for £185. Prices were raised even further this year with a Glastonbury ticket setting music fans back a whopping £285 to camp for the weekend alongside 203,000 others. 

A group of festival goers lie together under blankets and sleeping bags at the first Glastonbury Festival, United Kingdom, September 1970. This year the headline acts were Marc Bolan and Keith Christmas with 1,500 guests getting in for £1, a ticket which included free milk from the farm.

A group of festival goers lie together under blankets and sleeping bags at the first Glastonbury Festival, United Kingdom, September 1970. This year the headline acts were Marc Bolan and Keith Christmas with 1,500 guests getting in for £1, a ticket which included free milk from the farm.

Hippies at the Glastonbury Fair music festival in 1971. The Festival moved to the time of the Summer Solstice and was known as the 'Glastonbury Fair'. It was in this year that the first 'pyramid' stage was constructed

Hippies at the Glastonbury Fair music festival in 1971. The Festival moved to the time of the Summer Solstice and was known as the 'Glastonbury Fair'. It was in this year that the first 'pyramid' stage was constructed

Three festival-goers walk around the campsite in 1971. Acts this year included Hawkwind, Traffic, Melanie, David Bowie, Fairport Convention and Quintessence. Attendance: estimated at 12,000. Price: free

Three festival-goers walk around the campsite in 1971. Acts this year included Hawkwind, Traffic, Melanie, David Bowie, Fairport Convention and

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