1. First and foremost, The Rolling Stones. Not only will it be an historic moment for the festival itself, but it will also be an important mark on The Rolling Stones extensive music career, and if anyone knows how to put an outstanding show on, it's Mick Jagger and co. The nostalgia of what some call 'the holy grail' of all festivals, will collide with the nostalgia of a national music treasure, who have contributed to British music and culture for half a century. Yes they're all pushing 70, and yes there were perhaps voids in the latter part of their career, with only a few dodgy singles to keep most vaguely interested but their new single 'Doom and Gloom' proves the partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards is still capable of producing something nothing less than iconic. I don't think the Pyramid Stage will witness a bigger crowd, than of what will be facing it on Saturday night. Rolling Stones fan or not, I don't think you'll ever be part of an atmosphere quite like it. It's THE ROLLING STONES, you shouldn't need my justification or clarification, they're essentially the founding fathers of great music and are responsible for influencing many great bands today, go and see them and prepare to be overwhelmed.
2. The bizarre, Shangri-la - Shangri-la is what separates Glastonbury from every other festival in the UK, it's wonderfully weird, extravagant and embraces the eccentric. I attended the festival in 2011 when the theme was the End of The World/Apocalypse, and this year it's The Afterlife where 'hell' collides with 'heaven'. Once the headliners finish they're sets on the other stages, this is the place to go. It's a difficult place for me to summarise, just as it's difficult to summarise 'Donnie Darko' (yeah it's that weird) but if you're a fanatic of the weird yet wonderful, you'll fit in just fine.
3. The reckoning of Arctic Monkey's return..
When the four young and somewhat inexperienced Arctic Monkeys headlined back in 2007, just a year after 2006 when they're debut album 'Whatever People Say I am That's What I'm Not' was released it would be safe to say they did a great job with the material they had, but it wasn't quite phenomenal. Six years later, and they've released three more albums, toured all over the world, crafted their art with Josh Homme, teased us fans with singles such as 'R U Mine' to say they are now ready would be an understatement. They have the extensive material, they have the developed sound, they have the huge festival anthems. I think they're headlining slot has been somewhat overshadowed by The Rolling Stones announcement, but i'm certain their performance will illuminate and overcome that shadow. Unfortunately you may have to put up with the Dizzee Rascal set before, but i'm sure you know, Glastonbury likes to keep it diverse. I had to endure Paramore's set to see The Cure at reading, i'll make the same musical integrity sacrifice for one of the most talented band Britain has produced.
4. Tame Impala.
This. This is all you need.
5. The Atmosphere, The Nostalgia, The Festival itself. As Justin Young from The Vaccines stated in an NME interview 'it's the holy grail of festivals' Now the only other festival i've been too apart from Glastonbury, is Reading and don't get me wrong it is also one of the great festivals in the UK, but to even attempt to compare it to Glastonbury would be a step too far. Now, Justin Young has been to a fair few festivals, so disregard my opinion but maybe consider his. No matter what band is on, there is always something for you and there is always something going on, whether you're into the Theatre & Circus, Comedy, great live music or even Stephen Fry and the Qi panel. The atmosphere is on a different level to anything i've experienced before. One thing that sticks in my mind was, whilst waiting for a band to come on at the pyramid stage, 'Hey Jude' was played by The Beatles, possibly the most anthemic song of all time, so try to imagine around 100,000 people singing along whilst the sun is setting, there's nothing more majestic. Glastonbury has history, it still has integrity which most corporate festivals have lost, and it also has the best cider on offer (seriously, go to one of the cider tents, they have every obscure and more original flavours you can think of) but with all of that to say, if you're going for the first time, rain or sun, dry or knee-deep in mud, you'll love every second of it.
