It’s been just over a week since the blisteringly hot rollercoaster that was Glastonbury 2025, but it feels longer. Just like any intense holiday it’s always quite jarring recalibrating to normal life again.
Fortunately, we can watch this holiday back, my partner and I having fought off the post-festival blues by enjoying our favourite sets again on the telly. Biffy Clyro, naturally, was a highlight for both of us (we made it on camera), as well as CMAT, Father John Misty, Blossoms, Neil Young… It was fabulous as always, and bittersweet, the next one being all the way in 2027.
By then, I’ll be firmly 29, staring down the big three-o. It will be my seventh Glastonbury, having been on the Pyramid recycling crew my first year, and worked on the Woodsies access crew for the following five (I’ve still never been as a punter). I would have been performing as Seb Longhorn for ten years. As for the rest of my life, who knows? It’s a strange thing to think about; the festival marks time for me quite profoundly.
There have been perfect moments and dire ones. Having a bathtub for a tent in 2023, for example, was a lowlight. But then we were loaned a decidely more waterproof tent. Hurrah! Glasto magic (thanks Hannah). I’ve felt lonely there some years, others I’ve felt as elated as I’ve ever been; in the same day, oftentimes. Year in and year out though, there’s always one experience that never fails to deliver – performing at Glastonbury.
This year my musical adventures began with an open mic slot at the Crossiant Neuf bandstand, playing to all the newly arriving campers on Wednesday morning. I was surprised to find out there was no sound system for us open mic’ers (probably, ‘ahem’, quality control), but it was actually a very nice change of pace performing fully acoustic. It certainly felt more traditional. Afterwards I met a nice man called Dave who gave me a yellow smiley pin badge for my trouble. Cracking start.
Next up, a Saturday slot at the Fox & Badger – our backstage bar at Woodsies. My old lecturer and good friend Oz Cahill runs the stage, whom reminded me that about 8 years prior I sent him an email timidly asking if I could perform at one of the college gigs. A lot’s changed since then… the most pertinent thing being that I’ve got a handful of my own songs now! I played a 30 minute originals set to a crowd full of friends and warm faces. Despite my voice having a tad bit of festival-itis (dust, flare smoke, shouting, booze etc.) it was a really wonderful show. I sold a few CD’s and was booked to support Gary Stringer (from Reef!), which was a special gig in its own right. Again, Glasto magic.
Finally, no time to waste, I hiked with a small entourage of friends over to the opposite corner of the festival, all of us slightly delirious in the sweltering heat (we’re talking a half an hour walk here, the place is ginormous). The destination was Avalon Inn, one of my favourite bars on site. Excluding open mics and guerrilla performances, this would be my first public gig at Glastonbury Festival – and what a magical one it was. I played some of my favourite upbeat covers to get the crowd buzzing and managed to sneak a couple of my singles in there as well. People said some kind words, I sold another CD and gained a follower or two online. Small steps, but consistently tangible and positive. Icing on the cake, I covered Harvest Moon in my set, and I had front row seats to see the real deal playing it later that same day. Bliss.
In a week packed with amazing memories, these three gigs were my favourite moments. Every year I play I feel like part of the fabric of the festival, one of thousands of performers sharing music from the Tipi fields to the Pyramid Stage. Disregarding scale, we’re all entertaining and sharing music at the end of the day, and it’s the one of the great joys of my life to be a part of it.
Having said that – wouldn’t it be nice to play a bigger stage? Glastonbury 2027, 29 years old, 10 years performing music… it all adds up rather nicely I think.
In all seriousness, playing a big gig at Glastonbury has been my dream since I was a teenager. I had the motivation back then, but I was plagued with confidence issues. These days I’m more secure in my vocation, so I feel like I owe it to my younger self to give it everything I’ve got. Plus, thanks to the fallow year, I’ve got 714 days to do it!
Wish me luck.
Sort it out BBC!