Here it is - the big one. The icon. The mother of all festivals. The pilgrimage for music lovers the world over. Steeped in thousands of years of history, the name 'Glastonbury' carries the weight of more legends than pretty much anywhere else on this Earth. After a year off and a enough epic names to intimidate God Himself, can Glastonbury 2013 fulfill it's own legacy and be one for all time? Will we see history made yet again? Let's get started...
A muggy start sees Beady Eye surprise no one with their drab dad rock, in the what could well have been the worst kept secret in the history of Glastonbury. Liam Gallagher's Manc swagger is never enough to disguise his reams of worn cliches pillaged from four decades of pub jukeboxes. Their 'secret set' should have remained just that. But meanwhile, things were about to pick up over on the Pyramid Stage.
"I think this might be the best day of my life," states a wide-eyed and humbled Este Haim as she and her sisters welcome a field-full of sun-drenched Glasto-goers to the Pyramid Stage. With an almighty feel good vibe and 'The Best Bass Face In Rock', Haim were made for this setting, as 'Falling', 'Don't Save Me' and 'Forever' make for the ultimate early morning dance moments. Then Este started to flag.
"I won't let diabetes get the better of me," she promises, more than a little weary. It's worrying to see the concern on her sisters' faces but heartwarming to see how tight they are as a family unit, let alone a band. Illness aside, they made a mark on the Pyramid Stage and proved themselves as the perfect Glastonbury band. It's an amazing feat for an act who don't even have an album out yet. Expect to see them soar up the bill in years to come.
Jake Bugg draws an impressive crowd, but the Notts' rockers lite-folk fails to really meet the peak set by Haim. Over in West Holts, Toro Y Moi shines as he adds a much funkier depth to his sound when his imagination explodes onto the stage.
Dapper icon Miles Kane looks pretty immaculate in his Union Jack blazer, clearly untouched by the Worthy Farm mud. Tearing through set of pedestrian but powerful mod shots, The John Peel Tent is almost bursting at the seams - especially for the anticipated arrival of Alex Turner, who joins Kane on stage for a Last Shadow Puppets reunion and a glorious rendition of 'Standing Next To Me'. It speaks volumes that it was the highlight of his set, as the mood dips noticably for the ending of 'Come Closer'.
The true victors of the day are Frightened Rabbit. You can barely see the John Peel stage for the sea of waving F'Rabbits flags and the swaying arms of their dedicated cult following. Frontman Scott Hutchison is charged by the deafening cheers as waves of love rebound from band to audience. It's a pretty humbling sight. Opening with 'Living In Colour', the Scot rockers effortlessly fire through a set of timelessly brilliant Americana-tinged folk. From the foot-stomping glory of 'Old Old Fashioned' to the raucous rumble of 'Holy', F'Rabbits leave all witnesses furiously asking themselves "WHY AREN'T THEY MUCH, MUCH BIGGER?"
They play Brixton in November. If you know what's good for you, you'll bloody be there.
Christ, Foals were good. We're talking a career-defining level of utter awesome. Seriously. Masses surround the Other Stage before exploding into an unrelenting frenzied dance. 'My Number' makes Glasto bounce like only Glasto can, while the sprawling epic of 'Spanish Sahara' hypnotises everyone within a four-mile radius. As the band dive into the crowd, 'Inhaler' and 'Two Steps, Twice' kick like a muel on crack and there's a menacing madness in frontman Yannis Philipakis' eyes as he squares up to Glastonbury with a set worthy of headliners. Plus, they did it all without playing 'Cassius' or 'Balloons'. Good for them.
Biblical numbers flock to the Pyramid Stage to catch half a glimpse of Sheffield heroes Arctic Monkeys. Suited and booted, they waltz on stage to open with the slow-burning filth of 'Do I Wanna Know?' - a clear statement of intent. 'Brianstorm' acts as the perfect release before the scuzz poetry of 'Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair' drowns Glasto in an innebriating swoon.
The deafening howls reserved for 'Fake Tales of San Francisco' and 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor' are the stuff that Glastonbury magic is made of, while the devious little rocker 'R U Mine?' proves itself to be a true festival favourite. New track 'Mad Sounds' lands well and carries all of the snarling desert-rock hallmarks of their latter day sound, before old friends 'Flourescent Adolescent' and 'A Certain Romance' bring the first part of their set to a celebratory close.
The underrated slow-burner 'Cornerstone' sinks the mood somewhat, before 'Mardy Bum' acts as the one that everyone came to see. Getting all of Glastonbury to sing happy birthday is probably the best birthday present that Alex Turner's mum will ever receive, sealed with the sweet kiss of welcoming Miles Kane back to roll through '505'.
It's a formidable effort, and they definitely lived up to their promise of surpassing their previous headline attempt. It's true that at Glastonbury you can't afford to skip on the classics, but with only two new songs and all the usual favourites, their set feels a little bit safe. Still, with style and aplomb they stand brazen like a band in their true prime. Will tonight go down in history? Only time can tell.
Below - 8 incredible photos of Arctic Monkeys headlining Glastonbury
