A visit to a nearby festival sparks the imagination of Michael Eavis, inspiring him to create his own event in a field behind his farmhouse — the humble beginnings of a legacy spanning five decades.
Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival
After attending the Bath Festival of Blues & Progressive Music in late June of 1970, a 34-year-old dairy farmer has an epiphany. Michael Eavis decides that his farm is the ideal location for a new festival. In less than three months, his dream becomes a reality.
On the 19th of September, the day after Jimi Hendrix's tragic passing, Glastonbury's predecessor, the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival, opens its gates. Attendees enjoy performances by T. Rex, Alan Bown, Stackridge, and more — as well as all the free milk and ox roast they can get their hands on.
Sept 19
£1
1,500
- SatT. Rex
- 19 Sept 1970: Event starts its life as the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival.
- The Kinks cancel their headline slot due to Michael Eavis being a dairy farmer. Replaced by T. Rex.
- The festival's very first main stage, a far cry from the iconic Pyramid of today.
- The poster for the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival. Free milk!
- Festival attendees utilise one of Michael Eavis's old carts to start a fire.
Glastonbury Fair
A second festival brings the first of many name changes, the event now borrowing the moniker of a sleepy little town seven miles to the east. Bill Harkin brings his architectural prowess to an ambitious new project, a stage designed to be a one-tenth replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
With financial help from Andrew Kerr and Arabella Churchill, the capacity of the festival expands to almost five times that of 1970.
Jun 20 – 24
Free
12,000
- Name changes to Glastonbury Fair.
- Pyramid Stage: First version built. Conceived by Bill Harkin, the stage was a one-tenth replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza. It's built using Kwikstage scaffolding and 300 sheets of expanded metal.
- The very first Pyramid Stage. Conceived by Bill Harkin, it's a one-tenth replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
- The muddy festivals started early.
- The 1971 festival's lighting tower.
Directed by Nicolas Roeg, the Glastonbury Fayre documentary is released to critical, yet limited, acclaim. It chronicles the performances and happenings of the five-day festival in 1971.
- Glastonbury Fayre documentary released. Directed by Nicolas Roeg.
- Poster for the release of the Glastonbury Fayre documentary about the 1971 festival.
Impromptu Festival
Jun 28 – Jul 8
Free
500
- Impromptu festival occurs after travellers arrive from Stonehenge.
- Pyramid Stage: Harry Williamson's version appears. The Polytantric Stage was used at the impromptu 1978 festival and in addition to the Main Stage in 1979.
- Harry Williamson's Polytantric Stage, often incorrectly cited as the second iteration of the Pyramid Stage.
- Erecting a shelter in front of the stage.
- Michael Eavis on his way to help a broken down bus.
Glastonbury Fayre
Jun 21 – 23
£5
12,000
- SatTim Blake
- Name changes to Glastonbury Fayre.
- The Main Stage at Glastonbury 1979.
- Peter Gabriel and friends.
- Glastonbury Festival 1979's official programme.