More about: Glastonbury Festival

There are a lot of reasons as to why Glastonbury is the mecca for festival-goers" the size and scale of it, the community values and free-spirited nature at its heart, and of course its rich 50-year history and ever-enduring legacy. However possibly the biggest draw for music fans, is that there really is something for everyone on offer.

With over 100 stages, Glastonbury attendees won’t have any trouble finding something to occupy their time at any given moment during the five-day spectacular. Whether it’s watching electric live sets from some of the biggest musical acts in the world, wandering through the colourful sights and sounds of the late-night areas or simply chilling out by the Stone Circle or in the fields of Avalon, Glastonbury is the festival that caters to all tastes.

So, if it’s your first time heading to Worthy Farm or you are making a long-awaited return and are keen to learn more about some of the areas that might have been added since your last visit, we’ve got you covered. Although we can’t cover everything, here’s our rundown of the main Glastonbury music stages and what you can expect to discover when you get there.

For The History: Pyramid Stage

The main arena and stage that is synonymous with Glastonbury is its iconic Pyramid. First introduced in 1971 at the second-ever edition, it has evolved through the years but has always remained as the primary festival focal point. With some of the biggest acts throughout history gracing its hallowed platform, this is the one the artists themselves dream to play and nowadays it is even seen as the final proving ground of an all-out superstar. If you get asked to headline this one, you have truly made it to the top.  

Now of course you could avoid the Pyramid Stage all weekend and still have a great time, but if you really want to have an “I Was There” Glastonbury moment, then you’ll want to make an appearance at some point over the weekend. Over the years, Glastonbury has seen iconic headline sets from the likes of Oasis, Radiohead, David Bowie, Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Stormzy to name just a few, and there is plenty of opportunity for more history-making moments in 2022.

Billie Eilish’s Friday night set, for example, will be historical from the get-go, as the meteoric-rising popstar will become the youngest artist to ever headline Glastonbury at just twenty-years old. Then on Saturday, you may want to go belt out 'Hey Jude' and other hits with the legendary Paul McCartney, who is sure to provide a feel-good moment for the festival’s 50th anniversary celebrations. On the flip side to Billie, he will be the oldest headliner in Glastonbury history having just turned 80 years-old this past week. Hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar will then round-off the weekend with what will surely be a politically charged and triumphant performance on the Sunday night. 

Away from the headliners, Diana Ross will be playing the coveted Sunday Afternoon Legends slot, which has also seen memorable and heavily talked about performances from the likes of Dolly Parton, Lionel Ritchie and Kylie Minogue in recent years. Then across the weekend, current favourites and possible future headliners like Sam Fender, Wolf Alice and Lorde could also arise to steal the show. Although no one knows when or where a Glastonbury moment might happen, the odds are always in the Pyramid’s favour.

For More of The Biggest Acts: Other Stage

However, if none of the Pyramid acts are tickling your fancy, then you may want to check out Glastonbury’s alternative main stage, simply known as the Other Stage. Although it is seen as the second stage at Glastonbury, here you’ll find more acts that would be main stage bill-toppers at pretty much any other festival. 

The first performance on the Friday has become a coveted slot in recent years, seen now as the official curtain raiser for the entire festival with legends like Blondie, James and Liam Gallagher having had the honour at previous editions. This year it’s the turn of the likely lads, The Libertines, to get the Glastonbury party started and they will no doubt deliver a suitably anthem-packed set to kickstart the weekend. 

Across the three days, you’ll also be able to catch sets from post-punk heroes Idles and Fontaines D.C., indie-pop darlings Blossoms and Glass Animals, as well as current stateside sensations Olivia Rodrigo and Megan Thee Stallion, with the latter headlining the stage on the Saturday night. Foals will then be bringing their summer-ready new album Life Is Yours and incendiary live show to the Friday night headline slot and with some heavy momentum on the Oxford trio’s side, it is surely tailor-made to be one of the performances of the entire weekend.  

For The Best New Music: John Peel / BBC Introducing

Gaining its current name in 2004 in honour of the late, great radio DJ, the John Peel Stage is where you’ll be able to catch performances from some of the world’s fastest-rising artists. 

Glastonbury has done a better job than most in recent years of promoting female representation across its line-up, and this year they seem to have got the balance right again with the standout names on the John Peel stage bringing with them a welcome shot of girl power. From rockers Phoebe Bridgers, Beabadoobee and Amyl & the Sniffers to current Queens of Pop Charli XCX and Self-Esteem, the famous red-and-blue tent is sure to be bouncing all weekend.

For more new music away from the John Peel tent, Glastonbury also hosts its own BBC Introducing stage, with Gigwise favourites Nova Twins and Nilüfer Yanya playing sets there across the weekend, alongside other hot up-and-comers like Walt Disco and Honeyglaze. Although one of the smallest stages at the festival, huge acts have been known to rock up at the BBC Introducing stage for some more intimate performances from time to time. With no headliners announced yet for the stage in 2022, you may want to keep your ear to ground for any surprises over the weekend.

For The Views & Surprises: The Park

Speaking of surprise performances, one stage at Glastonbury has become renowned for secret sets over the years and that is The Park stage. With the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Last Shadow Puppets, Radiohead, Pulp and Foals all rocking up to play unannounced shows to mammoth crowds, you’ll again want to listen out for any rumours over the weekend. Looking at the line-up in advance, there is an intriguing 'TBC' act scheduled for 6pm on Sunday, which is surely primed for a special guest appearance. 

Unannounced acts aside, the line-up at The Park is usually one of the best and most eclectic, and this year is no different. Across the weekend, it is set to host performances from the likes of Four Tet, Confidence Man, Wet Leg, Mitski, Arlo Parks, Caroline Polachek and The Avalanches to name just a handful. You’ll also be able to catch upcoming Gigwise magazine cover star Katy J Pearson, who is sure to impress with her early Saturday afternoon slot.

Outside of the music and surprises, another reason why The Park is one of the best stages is simply its location. With it being situated right at the top of the site, it plays host to some of the finest viewpoints of the entire festival. Whether it’s a selfie by the famous Glastonbury sign, a panorama from the top of the Ribbon Tower or simply laying out on the hill watching the sunrise or set, this is the spot to take photos, make some memories and soak in the breathtaking Somerset scenery. 

For Eclectic Sounds: West Holts

Much like The Park, if you are looking for another main stage with plenty of variety on the line-up then West Holts is also worth a visit. Formerly known as the Jazz World stage, it was renamed a few years back as the acts further diversified from not just jazz and world music but also an array of electronic, reggae, R&B and hip-hop acts too.

As ever this year’s line-up is stacked, with the likes of Róisín Murphy, Bicep, Caribou and Bonobo all representing on the electronica front, whilst glam-indie phenomenon Yves Tumor, electo-punk duo Sleaford Mods and experimental art-rockers Black Midi are also due to perform as well. 

West Holts could be the place to be on Friday evening too, as you can jam along to 'No Scrubs' and 'Waterfalls' with R&B legends TLC, before red-hot rapper Little Simz takes the stage for what will surely be a mesmerising headline performance.

For Debates & Activism: Leftfield

A political and social consciousness has always been at the heart of Glastonbury, tracing right back to the festival’s origins in the early 1970s. Nowadays, this element of Glastonbury can be found thriving in Leftfield, where the weekend’s line-up of music and deep discussion is curated by activist and musician Billy Bragg.

During the day you will find carefully selected panels debating urgent topics such as neurodiversity, climate emergency, the Ukraine war, the Black Lives Matter movement and even the current cost of living crisis. Then from about 5pm onwards, music takes over the stage with artists such as Yard Act, The Regrettes, Billy Nomates and curator Billy Bragg himself performing.

For Thursday Entertainment: William’s Green

Now although the festival officially kicks off on Friday, you will find a few stages around the site operating a reduced Thursday schedule too. The best of these is usually William’s Green, which is situated between the Pyramid and Acoustic stages, marking the main crossroads right at the centre of the festival site. 

On the Thursday this year, you’ll be able to catch former Spice Girl Mel C, as well as Elvana – a Nirvana and Elvis crossover tribute act that are renowned for their fun-filled live shows. That said, the unofficial headline act for the day is the man himself, Michael Eavis, who will be performing a series of his favourite Frank Sinatra songs complete with a live band. After that, London club night Guilty Pleasures will then be spinning the pop tunes until the early hours of the morning.

However, William’s Green isn’t solely for the Thursday night entertainment. During the weekend, you will find it hosting talks and performances from some of the very best new acts around too. Sleaford Mods and Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self-Esteem) will be in conversation to start the day on Friday and Saturday respectively, and will then be followed by live sets from the likes of Porridge Radio, The Snuts, NewDad, Alfie Templeman, Jane Weaver and many more. Also, a pro-tip for you – if it rains, the William’s Green tent also provides great shelter!

For The Late Night Raves: Arcadia & Silver Hayes

Although it wasn’t always the case, dance music is now a huge part of the Glastonbury experience and if you want to spend your weekend dancing the night away with some of the world’s best DJs and electronic acts, then Silver Hayes and Arcadia is where you’ll want to venture.

Previously known as Dance Village, Silver Hayes is a cluster of tents pumping out a mixture of house, techno, Eurodance and drum & bass, with a scattering of hip-hop and grime acts also in the mix too. A new addition to the Silver Hayes area for 2022 is The Lonely Hearts Club, which is an impressive 40 foot high art deco cinema structure set to host the likes of Kojey Radical, Mura Masa, Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Riz Ahmed, Lola Young, Piri & Tommy and a host of other top acts from across a range of genres. Then in the main Sonic and WOW tents, you’ll find electronic heroes old and new the likes of Fatboy Slim, HAAi, Romy, Ross From Friends, Craig Richards and Avalon Emerson.

However, for electronic music with even more added spectacle, you’ll want to visit Arcadia. This is where you’ll be able to witness some of the scene’s biggest names performing sets inside the festival’s iconic giant spider. As the metal arachnid structure shoots out a mind-blowing display of fire and other pyrotechnics, you can bounce along with genre heavyweights such as Jon Hopkins, Calvin Harris and rumoured Friday night special guests, The Chemical Brothers. The Arcadia spider will also play host to what will surely be some legendary back-to-back sets across the weekend, with Camelphat teaming up with Patrick Topping on Saturday night whilst Carl Cox and Chase & Status go head-to-head for a Jungle set on Friday. 

For After-Hours Extravagance: Shangri-La, Block 9, Unfairground & The Common

If you’re feeling hardcore and don’t want the party to end, then you’ll want to meander over to Glastonbury’s legendary late-night spots. With most of these areas only just opening when all the main stages begin shutting down, you’ll be able to carry on grooving until six in the morning if you so wish. 

The late-night scene at Glastonbury is split into four main areas – Shangri-La, Block 9, Unfairground and The Common – with each one offering up its own effervescent slice of hedonism. Across these areas you’ll find a theatrical, awe-inspiring wonderland, boasting some of the most impressive stage design and art installations to be found across the entire festival. 

In terms of entertainment there’s plenty on offer too, as you’ll discover an eclectic mix of night clubs, DJ sets, electronic and reggae acts, as well as some spoken word verse. Keep a look out for Floating Points, Honey Dijon and Hot Chip perfoming over in Block 9, as well as recent Gigwise cover stars Bob Vylan playing an Earache set on Shangri-La’s Truth Stage at 3am on Saturday. If your energy levels are dropping by that point, their ferocious live show and heavy mix of grime and punk will be sure to help perk you right back up.

And Finally If In Doubt… Just Take A Stroll!

We have only run through a snapshot of what Glastonbury has to offer here and sometimes half the fun can be just wandering around the site and seeing where you end up. So, if you find yourself at a loose end, just take a saunter through the fields and see what pulls you in – with Glastonbury being the dazzling, magical place it is, chances are you’ll stumble upon something fun and enlightening at the end of it. 

Issue Four of the Gigwise Print magazine is on pre-order now! Order here.

More about: Glastonbury Festival