GLASTONBURY Festival founder Michael Eavis was all smiles this morning as he opened the gates of Worthy Farm to the public for the first time since 2019.
Michael and his daughter and festival co-organiser Emily Eavis clapped as the first attendees entered Worthy Farm shortly before 9am.
Michael, 86, told them: “This is going to be the best show in town. Wait and see. You better believe it.”
Many of the festivalgoers in the queue this morning battled travel disruption en route to Somerset amid three days of major rail strikes.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast shortly before the gates opened, Emily said: “It’s still so exciting. It’s even more spectacular this year.
“The wait has been so long and it’s just the biggest build-up we’ve ever had and everybody is feeling very, very happy and a little bit emotional, I think, about opening the gates.”
She added: “It’s all so exciting, you’d never believe it.”
The festival's opening marks its return after successive cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.
Glastonbury 2022 gates are open!! pic.twitter.com/2LuWx2yBI9
— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) June 22, 2022
Wells MP James Heappey said there is “great excitement” that the festival is back in his constituency after a prolonged absence.
He told the PA news agency: “It’s great to have the festival back after the pandemic.
“It contributes an enormous amount to the local economy and whilst we’re always keen that the organisers work closely with the local authorities to minimise disruption for residents, it’s with great excitement that we welcome stars from around the world, and hundreds of thousands of music lovers, to our corner of Somerset this weekend.”
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The festival will be headlined by Billie Eilish, Sir Paul McCartney, and Kendrick Lamar.
It will feature some of the biggest names in world music including Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde, Diana Ross and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
Meterologist Tom Morgan from the Met Office spoke to the PA news agency ahead of the festival about the weather festivalgoers can expect.
He said the weather outlook promises to be “one of two halves” with temperatures set to reach 27°C at the 900-acre site with a risk of showers and thunderstorms predicted from Friday onwards.
Gallery: Michael and Emily Eavis officially open Glastonbury Festival
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