Glastonbury
Season 2023
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. The festival is best known for its contemporary music, but also features dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and many other arts. For 2005, the enclosed area of the festival was over 900 acres, had over 385 live performances and was attended by around 150,000 people. While the villagers of Pilton have been complaining about the noise generated during the weekend for many years, in 2007 over 700 acts played on over 80 stages. Glastonbury was heavily influenced by hippie ethics and the free festival movement in the 1970s, especially the Isle of Wight Festival.
Where to Watch Season 2023
174 Episodes
- Elton John's Guide to GlastonburyE1
Elton John's Guide to GlastonburyBefore Elton John makes his debut on the Pyramid Stage at this year's Glastonbury, Clara Amfo sits down with him, at his home, to sift through his extensive record collection and pick some of the artists he’s excited about seeing down at Worthy Farm. - Thursday NightE6
Thursday NightIt’s that time of year again, where the verdant fields of Worthy Farm are transformed into one of the biggest music events in the world, the legendary Glastonbury Festival. Lauren Laverne and Jack Saunders return to this magical place ahead of a jam-packed weekend of live music. From their hilltop studio overlooking the Park Stage and beyond, Lauren and Jack bring you all the stories from the first couple of days of the site being open, including the summer solstice, and they look ahead at what’s to come - with headline performances from Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John and Lizzo, it promises to be a huge weekend. They're also joined by special guests and some unique performances in the BBC Park Studio. - Day One HighlightsE7
Day One HighlightsJo Whiley and Jack Saunders are live from Glastonbury Festival as the festival dons its night-time outfit. They look back at the highlights from the other headline acts of the evening, including US superstar Kelis, who brings tunes including her classic banger Milkshake to the West Holts Stage, along with Swedish experimental synthpop purveyor Fever Ray and English synthpop band Hot Chip, who bring the party atmosphere to the newly named Woodsies Stage alongside some of the special moments from the first 24 hours. Plus a couple of unique performances in the Park Studio, reflecting some of the sounds from across the wider festival line-up, and some special guests popping in for a chat to share their experiences of the first day. - Highlights: Texas and GabrielsE8
Highlights: Texas and GabrielsLauren Laverne and Clara Amfo are live at Glastonbury Festival as the first full day of music gets going. Introducing performances from across the site from the likes of Texas, who return to the Pyramid Stage for the first time since 1999, armed with sing-a-long anthems from across their career, and Los Angeles trio Gabriels, who bring their unique cinematic blend of soul, R&B and gospel to the West Holts Stage. Plus a look at some of the other stages, hopefully with a few surprises along the way. With some special guests and an intimate performance in the park studio. - Highlights: Royal Blood, Warpaint, Sparks and Young FathersE10
Highlights: Royal Blood, Warpaint, Sparks and Young FathersClara Amfo and Jo Whiley are live from Glastonbury Festival as they gear up to welcome the first headliner of the weekend, Arctic Monkeys. Jack Saunders reports from the Pyramid Stage pit, soaking up all the excitement ahead of their highly anticipated third headline performance at the festival. Meanwhile, Clara and Jo introduce music from the likes of Brighton duo Royal Blood, who rock out on the Pyramid Stage, LA all-female indie rockers Warpaint, enigmatic 70s duo Sparks, and Scottish trio Young Fathers, all from across the different stages. Also, there's a short film looking back at Arctic Monkeys' Glastonbury journey, as well as another special performance in the studio. - Highlights: Arctic MonkeysE12
Highlights: Arctic MonkeysJo Whiley and Clara Amfo introduce Sheffield icons Arctic Monkeys as they take to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, their third time headlining the festival and a decade on from their last appearance in 2013. Following a huge sold-out world tour and armed with their recent seventh studio album The Car, they are set to be one of the talking points of the festival. Expect many of their big songs hopefully including Brianstorm, Fluorescent Adolescent, R U Mine?, I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor and many more. - Saturday NightE60
Saturday NightClara Amfo, Lauren Laverne, Jack Saunders and Jo Whiley are live from Worthy Farm for the second day of Glastonbury Festival 2023. Artists likely to feature over the next four hours include vocal powerhouse RAYE, who makes her Glastonbury debut on the Pyramid stage, musical polymath Jacob Collier who’s worked with everyone from Coldplay to Stormzy, and London jazz outfit Ezra Collective, who bring their infectious energy to the early evening. Plus a couple of intimate performances live in the Park Studio and two short films following two very different performers from earlier in the day: contemporary classical composer Max Richter and 80s icon Rick Astley. - Highlights: Central Cee and Loyle CarnerE61
Highlights: Central Cee and Loyle CarnerVick Hope presents a UK rap attack tonight, as two very different rappers come to the farm. Making his Glastonbury debut is one of London’s sharpest, Central Cee, who will be his unapologetic self as he performs on the Other Stage. His body of work isn’t large, but every track released so far shows why he is the one to watch and why Gen Z’s eyes and ears are firmly on him… and a billion streams and counting can’t be wrong. Then, from the West Holts Stage, Loyle Carner, who has been gathering critical acclaim for the past decade and received five-star reviews for his recent third album, hugo. Tonight will surely bring an emotional, vulnerable and truthful evening to all those watching. - Highlights: Jacob CollierE62
Highlights: Jacob CollierJamz Supernova introduces a set from the West Holts Stage by Jacob Collier, a Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, whose famous fans include Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and Chris Martin. Expect harmonies, many different instruments and gadgets - and audience participation - Highlights: Tom Grennan and AitchE63
Highlights: Tom Grennan and AitchVick Hope starts tonight’s line-up live from Glastonbury on BBC Three with two cheeky chappies. From the Other Stage comes Bedford’s finest Tom Grennan, who’s just released his third album, What, Ifs and Maybes. Expect to hear the new tracks as well as the rousing hit songs from his previous releases. From the Other Stage, we move over to the Pyramid Stage for Manchester rapper Aitch. Expect attitude, bars and arm-waving as he serves the crowd a set full of hit songs and then some. - Highlights: Lewis Capaldi and LizzoE64
Highlights: Lewis Capaldi and LizzoClara Amfo introduces two of the biggest pop artists on the planet. First up on the Pyramid Stage is self-proclaimed Scottish Beyoncé, singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi. The hitmaker returns to Glastonbury having recently scored his second number one album, Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, which became the biggest-selling album of the year. Crowd singalongs and Capaldi’s witty onstage patter are guaranteed. Following Capaldi on the Pyramid Stage is Grammy award-winning US pop star Lizzo, who returns to Worthy Farm after her triumphant 2019 set. With two albums Cuz I Love You and Special, full of hook-laden hits, an infectiously positive attitude and a flute called Sasha, her set promises to be a high-energy euphoric and unifying experience like no other. - Highlights: Manic Street Preachers and LeftfieldE65
Highlights: Manic Street Preachers and LeftfieldHuw Stephens is at the helm for a double bill that sees two music worlds unfurl side by side. First up, from the Other Stage, is Manic Street Preachers, whose debut album was released back in 1992. Fourteen albums later, the Welsh rockers show no signs of stopping as they perform for the sixth time at Glastonbury from the Other Stage. And from rock to dance as Leftfield unleash their best dance moves to an expectant audience from the Park Stage. It’s been 23 years since they last appeared, so get ready for loud sounds and beats to dance to on a Saturday night. - Highlights: Guns N' RosesE66
Highlights: Guns N' RosesLauren Laverne and Jack Saunders introduce one of the most legendary bands on the planet as the LA rock gods Guns N’ Roses make their first visit to Worthy Farm, headlining the Pyramid Stage. Expect an epic set from the their huge back catalogue of hits from Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Child O’ Mine to Paradise City. - Fatboy SlimE93
Fatboy SlimClosing day two of BBC Four’s Glastonbury coverage is one of the world’s top DJs, one Norman Quentin Cook, better known to the masses as Fatboy Slim. In a career that spans more than 25 years of banging club hits, remixes, and numerous awards, his set is a guaranteed floor filler - albeit in a Somerset field. Right here, right now is where you want to be. - Highlights: Rick Astley and BlondieE116
Highlights: Rick Astley and BlondieLauren Laverne presents two performances from the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. Rick Astley visits Worthy Farm for the very first time, leading a mass sing-a-long as the 80s icon belts out some of his massive bangers, including Never Gonna Give You Up and Together Forever. New York punk pop legends Blondie return to the festival as frontwoman Debbie Harry, one of the most iconic women in music, leads the band through many classic hits from their five decade-long career. - Highlights: Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Becky HillE117
Highlights: Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Becky HillClara Amfo, Lauren Laverne and Jack Saunders are live from the third and final day of Glastonbury Festival, introducing one of the most loved moments and coveted sets of the weekend in the tea-time Legends slot. This year it’s the turn of British folk singer-songwriter Yusuf/Cat Stevens, who first shot to fame in the late 1960s with his top ten album Matthew & Son. From the Other Stage, chart-topping pop vocal powerhouse Becky Hill makes her debut with a spectacular show to bring the dancefloor to the fields of Worthy Farm. Plus a couple of live performances in the studio, and a chat with the Bristol Reggae Orchestra and Windrush Choir, who are the day's opening act on the Pyramid Stage. - Highlights: The Chicks and Dermot KennedyE118
Highlights: The Chicks and Dermot KennedyHuw Stephens takes the helm for a double bill, which begins with country music, courtesy of The Chicks, who make their Glastonbury debut. Having formed in 1989 in Dallas, performing bluegrass and country standards, The Chicks have evolved over the years and developed a more contemporary sound, with politically charged lyrics, leading the way as country music’s new generation. From The Other Stage is Dermot Kennedy, the Irish singer-songwriter who has gone from busking to a few in Dublin to performing in front of thousands across the globe. Marking his second return to Glastonbury, in the midst of a North American tour and with two number one albums under his belt - Without Fear and the follow-up, Sonder - the show highlights just what a musical force of nature Dermot Kennedy is on stage. - Highlights: Barrington Levy and Candi StatonE119
Highlights: Barrington Levy and Candi StatonJamz Supernova introduces an hour from Glastonbury filled with reggae and soul, all from the West Holts stage. First up is Jamaica’s 80s dancehall/reggae star Barrington Levy, whose distinctive voice brings the JA vibes to Pilton. Then it's Candi Staton, a woman the club kids will know for the anthemic You Got the Love, while the former club kids and their parents will recall Young Hearts Run Free. - Highlights: Elton JohnE120
Highlights: Elton JohnClara Amfo, Lauren Laverne, Jack Saunders and Jo Whiley present an important moment in the history of Glastonbury Festival and British music – Elton John’s last ever UK show. The rocket man arrives in the fields of Worthy Farm to make his debut, and what a debut it will be, headlining the Pyramid Stage and closing an amazing weekend of live music. With a career of hits spanning over five decades, it’s guaranteed to be a spectacular and emotional swansong to one of the world’s greatest showmen. - Highlights: The War on Drugs and Queens of the Stone AgeE121
Highlights: The War on Drugs and Queens of the Stone AgeFor the closing hours of this year’s festival, Huw Stephens and Glastonbury will not be going quietly as tonight’s performances are all rocking and rolling from the Other Stage. First up, and originally from the east coast of America, with a synth and guitar approach to rock and roll, The War on Drugs wow the crowd with their hypnotic neo-psychedelic live experience. They are followed by fellow Americans, from the west coast of Seattle, Queens of the Stone Age, who have just released their eighth studio album, In Times New Roman... - Highlights: Sunday NightE122
Highlights: Sunday NightAs Glastonbury Festival comes to a close, Clara Amfo, Jack Saunders and Jo Whiley are live behind the Pyramid Stage, taking a look back on a weekend of exceptional live music. After a moment reflecting on Elton’s triumphant set, they introduce highlights of the other Sunday night headliners, including French synth-pop stalwarts Phoenix, who close the Woodsies Stage, and London trio Rudimental, who have the crowd bouncing over at West Holts. Plus one last unique, intimate performance, and a look back at a couple of special highlights from across the weekend.