More about: Glastonbury Festivalglastonbury

With Glastonbury 2023 around the corner, we’re here to equip you with a guide to the festival’s main stages

Glastonbury is one of the biggest festivals in the world and, probably because of that, getting tickets is what can only be described as utter carnage. However, if you’re one of the lucky 200,000 or so people that managed to get tickets to this year’s festival, this guide is for you.

I was lucky enough to go last year but even since then, there’s been some changes, which we’ll go through as you read on. 

The first thing I should probably point out is that no, I haven’t personally been to all of the stages. With 100+ stages set across the 900-acre site; what human could handle all that walk? So to boil it down, here are the 9 main ones...

For The History: The Pyramid Stage

Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage needs no introduction. Probably one of the most famous stages in the world, the stage has been walked by countless legendary musicians and performers throughout the years.

It’s the festival's main stage. Home to the festival's biggest and grandest moments. It’s open, as all the stages are, from 11:00 until 23:30. It gets busier as the headline slot gets closer and, at its peak, holds half of the festival’s capacity. Needless to say, if you want a good spot, get there early. I saw Sir Paul McCartney’s set there last year but, due to the incredible amount of flags, only really saw the odd glimpse of the actual Paul McCartney. 

Having said that, if you’re not there to see the headliner, you should find a good spot fairly easily if you turn up 15 minutes or so before show time. 

For More Big Acts: The Other Stage

The Other Stage is, as is usually the case at festivals, the second biggest stage. A 20-minute walk from the Pyramid Stage, it’s home to the biggest alternative artists on the lineup. For me it had a much more attractive lineup to the Pyramid Stage when I went; Fontaines DC’s set there was no doubt the festival highlight for me (If you’ve not seen it, you need to).

It’s also at the heart of the festival, acting like a through road for much of the festival’s traffic. It’s surrounded by food places and bars so you can often be pulled in by what you see on stage while you wait for your fish and chips. As is the case with the pyramid stage, you won’t find it tricky to find a good spot if you get there in good time. I managed to get to the front for both the Fontaines DC and Idles sets and got there with about 15 minutes to spare. 

For Up And Comers: Woodsies Stage (New to 2023)

Formerly the John Peel Stage, the Woodsies Stage has had its name changed to reflect the area of the farm it’s located in. Though my favourite set was on the Other Stage, the newly named Woodsies Stage was my favourite stage. 

Boasting a mix of artists from right across the musical spectrum, it comes with an atmosphere of eclectic taste. I saw artists ranging from Just Mustard through to Self Esteem here and every band fed off the tent’s atmosphere. Be warned though, it hasn’t got any big screens and isn’t the largest of areas, so you’ll need to get there early. Also, as you’re probably aware if you’ve been to a festival before, tents get very, very hot - especially if Amyl And The Sniffers happen to be on. 

For Eclectic Sounds: The West Holts Stage 

Think of the West Holts Stage as the chilled stage. You’ll find funk, soul, R&B and neo-psych here. A place to absorb the atmosphere that surrounds you. I’d advise you to relax into yourself for your entire time at Glastonbury, as doing so elevates your experience, but doing so at the West Holts stage is doing what the stage is designed for.

It’s located across the way from the Other Stage and, like the Other Stage, it can draw you in as you pass through the field. West Holts is where you’ll find many of the unexpected gems of your festival. It’s often pushed down on people’s ‘to visit’ list but there’s plenty to discover here. I saw Greentea Peng there by sheer coincidence and haven’t stopped listening since.

For The Best Views + Biggest Surprises: The Park Stage 

The Park Stage doesn’t struggle to draw a crowd, not that any of the stages do, but the Park Stage really doesn’t struggle. It’s right at the top of the farm, just down from the Hollywood-style Glastonbury sign (which I also recommend you go and relax by). Its location means it’s slightly out of the way in relation to the other stages on this list but it’s well worth the walk up the hill. 

Featuring mainly the indie artists that aren’t yet big enough for the Other Stage, it’s a great place to see indie’s next big thing or, as the case may be, a surprise set from indie’s old big thing. The likes of Wet Leg and Courtney Barnett graced the stage last year as well as Jarv Is and Jack White. One of the best things about the Park Stage is the scenery around it; being there at dusk means you can watch the sunset behind it, making it one of the best places to welcome the night. 

For A Late One: Arcadia 

Once the main stages shut, people flock to the parts of the farm devoted to night and, if that’s you, Arcadia is likely going to form a decent portion of your night. Its centrepiece is the giant spider you’ve probably seen already but, if you’re not familiar, it’s essentially a huge metal spider structure that acts as the stage for whoever is performing. 

With flame-throwers, laser light shows and more surprises, this is where you’ll find some of the world’s best-known DJs. All of the stage’s speakers are pointed towards the spider so, to get the full benefit of the sound, the trick is to get to the middle of the stage, right underneath the Spider. Do remember, it’s one of the most popular places on the farm once the sun goes down so, if you want to make the most of it, head there to kick off your night.

For Immersion: Block 9

Less of a stage and more of an area, Block 9 is the heart of the festival’s nightlife. It’s known for its immersive environment and, believe me when I say, you’ve never seen anything like it. It’s a place that seems to be in a whole new world of its own. Bars made from American school buses, huge towers with trains sticking out from the side, and a stage that emerges from a statue’s face; it’s the craziest part of Glastonbury.

There’s so much going on here and, while there are stages you’ll hear are the best ones to visit, the best thing to do in Block 9 is go where it takes you. There are so many different clubs, bars, and stages, each with its own exceedingly quirky vibe, and every one of them will offer something different. If you explore, you’ll find a little, or indeed big, pocket that most suits you.

For Early Doors + Secret Sets: Williams Green

Williams Green is a small and fairly unassuming tent, located near the acoustic stage and a couple of fields from the Pyramid Stage. Don’t let its modest image deceive you though; this is the best small stage at Glastonbury. And opening on the Thursday ahead of the main stages, it's where the party starts.

Visit this stage to see some of music’s lesser-known stars; acts on the lineup last year included Porridge Radio, Sorry, The Goa Express, and Horsegirl and this year will no doubt feature similar artists from music’s underground scenes. If you’re like me and love finding a hidden gem, you won’t want to stray too far from Williams Green. And if you're trying to catch one of the infamous secret sets, stick close by...

For A Chill Out: The Acoustic Stage 

If you’re more up for a chilled-out festival, or you’ve got a sore head from the night before, the Acoustic stage is a great place to get some clear headspace. 

It’s one of the older parts of the festival, having been entertaining festival-goers for over 30 years. With folky leanings, it’s a great place to see some true legends of their time. The Undertones performed there last year, as did Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott. If you’re looking for a slower afternoon, the acoustic stage has you covered. 

In Conclusion...

Glastonbury is, in many ways, the coming together of various festivals. Each section and each stage has its own character, along with its devoted followers. Your experience of the festival will be different to everyone else’s, as what will suit you may not suit others. You could go 100 times and still have a different experience each time. 

I’ve gone through the main stages on this list but, predictably, the only real way to get a feel for them is to visit them. You’ll hear a lot about this stage being better than that stage but the only way to make your own mind up is to sample as much as you can while you’re there. 

Don’t stick to one stage because its lineup is one you recognise, dive in and see what the festival has to offer. If you do this I guarantee you that your favourite moment of the whole festival will be one you’ll have never expected. It might even be on a stage not even featured on this list. 

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: Glastonbury Festivalglastonbury