Wednesday 25th June 2014 by Andrew Trendell | Photos by Shirlaine Forrest

Elbow's Guy Garvey's guide to Glastonbury 2014

Who to see, what to wear, why it's special, Metallica and tent sex

Photo: Shirlaine Forrest

When it comes to Glastonbury, few bands are more suited to the sunset slot on the Pyramid Stage than Elbow. Not only do their songs pull on every human heartstring, but they are true Glastonbury veterans. Which is why we asked frontman Guy Garvey to give us his guide to Glasto - from who to see, what to wear, how to handle tent sex and makes it such a special festival.

"I'm sure we will one day," Garvey told Gigwise, when asked if they'd like to headline. "Retrospectively, perhaps - when I find out that I've got some kind of life-threatening illness or Peter Kay covers one of our hits and gets it to No.1, they'll wheel us out. Of course, we'd absolutely love to. It's every band in the UK's dream as it's consistently the best party in the UK - year on year. The best festival in the world The headline slot on the Pyramid Stage is the absolute pinnacle of a band's career in the UK."

The road to headlining is a long one - and Garvey has learned a thing or two about Glastonbury over the years. So throw the curtains wide, and let in the light of Elbow frontman Guy Garvey's Glastonbury wisdom.

The atmosphere makes it the best festival in the world
"The beating heart of the entire festival is the attitude of the people who put it on in the first place - from the people who conceive it, fowards, and Michael Eavis is such a loving and big-hearted, kind, jolly man, and that's the attitude that you get from anyone the second you arrive at the gates."

"You don't get hassled by security at Glastonbury. It really tops up my soul for the year. I've been lucky enough to have breakfast with Michael a number of times, and the stories he tells are about how wonderful people are to one another and how much fun he has at watching them do that."

Metallica are going to be incredible
"I think Glasto faultless, year on year. I love the fact that the British press normally have a problem with who they choose to headline, and watching Metallica run with the prize this year is going to be amazing.

"No, I think the controversy is nonsense and bullshit - just like the Jay Z controversy. They'll hit the stage and Worthy Farm will open its arms and absolutely love it. It's going to be great fun. I think we'll see some scenes at the Pyramid Stage this year, the likes of which, you've never seen before. It's going to absolutely go off."

If you must see anyone else who isn't Elbow...
"I was gutted that I won't be able to see Tune-yards. I caught her at Sasquatch last year, and they're easily the best festival band. Such an extraordinary live performance. Unfortunately it crosses over with out set so I'll only be able to be able to catch the first half, but I'd recommend that anyone who's anywhere near her at a festival to catch her because the live set she's got together is literally spell-binding."

Some practical advice for all Glastonbury-goers
"Girls, wear wellies socks - or you'll chaff the back of your legs and it will ruin your Glastonbury. They look cool as well, they come right up to the top of your boots.

"Also: bin liners, bin liners, bin liners. Oh, and don't bother bringing food or gas canisters. You're unlikely to make tea or eat your own food when there's a band right near you. Contact lens wearers, bring your specs."

"Bring contraception, but don't expect to use condoms because you're going to be absolutely filthy within 24 hours and aren't going to want anyone anywhere near you naked. Tent sex is awkward but also the best, but it just doesn't tend to happen at Glasto."

What to expect from Elbow's set
"We're just going to rely on the songs. We did think about getting a guest on, but we decided that we should probably just play the music."