Glastonbury Festival weekend to be honoured with past legendary sets on the BBC after its 50th anniversary was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis
Glastonbury Festival weekend is set to be honoured on the BBC in June with a lookback at past legendary sets.
The music event’s 50th anniversary was cancelled in March due to the global COVID-19 crisis and postponed until June 2021. It was due to take place from June 24-28.
Glastonbury Festival will now be honoured across three special 90 minute programmes on BBC Two, which will air classic sets from over the last 50 years.
Honoured: Glastonbury Festival weekend is set to be honoured on the BBC in June with a lookback at past legendary sets (Beyonce pictured at Glastonbury in 2011)
This will include the likes of Adele, Beyoncé, David Bowie, Coldplay and JAY-Z to name a few.
Co-organiser Emily Eavis said: ‘There are so many memorable sets being played across the BBC over what would have been our 50th anniversary weekend.
‘Personally, I’m looking forward to a weekend of reflecting on the history of our festival and going back to some classic performances from David Bowie, Adele, REM, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Billie Eilish and lots more. Me and my dad will definitely be watching!’
Controller of BBC Pop, Lorna Clarke, added: ‘Glastonbury Festival has for decades been a huge moment in the BBC’s music calendar, thanks to Michael and Emily’s magical creation.
Cancelled: The music event’s 50th anniversary was cancelled in March due to the global COVID-19 crisis and postponed until June 2021. It was due to take place from June 24-28 (pictured in June, 2019)
Legendary: Glastonbury Festival will now be honoured across three special 90 minute programmes on BBC Two, which will air classic sets from over the last 50 years (Adele pictured performing in 2016)
‘Even though Worthy Farm can’t be full of thousands of music lovers this year, the BBC will celebrate with four days of memories and archive footage across TV, BBC iPlayer, Radio and BBC Sounds, to give our audience a taste of the festival in their own homes.’
BBC iPlayer will have a special Glastonbury channel for the weekend of the event looking back at the Pyramid Stage showstoppers. The platform will also look at 60 other classic sets from over the years.
Glastonbury Festival also took to its official Instagram page to share the news, sharing a picture of Beyonce performing at the music event in 2011.
A look back: This will include the likes of Adele, Beyoncé, the late David Bowie (pictured at Glastonbury 2000), Coldplay and JAY-Z to name a few
They penned: ‘The BBC has announced its broadcast plans for the weekend when this year’s Glastonbury Festival would have been.
‘With a host of classic sets being made available across TV, radio & online, including Adele, Beyoncé, David Bowie, Coldplay & JAY-Z. Full info on our website (link in bio). #Glastonbury2020.’
Glastonbury Festival 2020 was officially cancelled in June amid growing fears over the coronavirus crisis.
Hooray: Glastonbury Festival also took to its official Instagram page to share the news, sharing a picture of Beyonce performing at the music event in 2011
Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar were due to headline the legendary music festival.
Glastonbury founders Emily and Michael Eavis broke the news on Twitter alongside a lengthy statement, they said: ‘We are so sorry to announce this, but we are going to have to cancel Glastonbury 2020.
‘Tickets for this year will roll over to next year. Full statement below and on our website. Michael & Emily.’
Postponed: Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar were due to headline the legendary music festival (pictured in June 2019)