Download Teacher's Notes Download Student's Worksheet A farmhouse deep in the English countryside is an unlikely venue for a star-studded gathering of musical legends and up-and-coming musicians. The first Glastonbury Fayre, held four decades ago, had attracted a mere 1,500 hippies who paid £1 (RM5) for a ticket that also included free milk. But today's festival, held in June every year, has turned into one of the world's most celebrated cultural institutions. Now, Glastonbury is the largest open-air music festival in the world. Every year, over 150,000 music lovers bring their tents and wellington boots to the 900-acre farmland to enjoy live music and a variety of performance arts. In 2009, the festival attracted over 16 million television viewers from across the globe. Artistes such as Lady Gaga received online video requests in the millions, as a result of appearing at Glastonbury. So, it comes as no surprise that many of the biggest names in the music

But despite the successes and cult following, Glastonbury has not always been so popular. In the past, the festival faced closure and financial ruin. Local villagers bitterly opposed Eavis and his plans for a music festival. The English weather is not always kind either – even in midsummer in June. More often than not, the organisers, performers and visitors struggle with torrential rain, floods and mud. During one year, thousands of fans broke down a perimeter fence and illegally invaded the site, which resulted in the festival almost losing its licence permanently. Every year, the local council lays down an exhaustive list of conditions in order for the festival to get its licence. However, in 2010, Eavis gained the first-ever, six-year licence – the first step in guaranteeing long-term stability for the festival.

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Glossary

Venue
the place where an event or activity takes place.

Perimeter
the outer edge of an enclosed area.