GLASTO WAS A FOOTIE FEAST

This weekend I should have been at the 50th Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, or Glasto’ as we call it.

- Andy SMART

I have been lucky enough to work at every Festival since 1985. In the olden days I used to compere the Comedy Tent on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am till 3.00pm. I’m too old for that game now, and for the last 12 years I’ve performed with the Stephen Frost Impro All Stars, in the Astrolabe Tent.

It is a highlight of every year. I love it. I have watched the event change. It was like a wild west town in the eighties. Gradually, as the fences became taller and stronger, there were less chancers and more of the middle classes. Nowadays, it is like a Center Parcs with bands on.

Surprisingly, for a party with so much going on, the Festival has made time for football. Last year, for instance, the Lionesses were playing a World Cup quarter-final against Norway.

They showed the game on the West Holts Stage. It was a warm Thursday evening before the music started up. We camped in the performers’ section behind the Cabaret Tent and found ourselves lying beneath the massive screen. We were sorted for local cider and roll ups. When Jill Scott scored 50,000 revellers went crazy.