The US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. calf The verdict that abortion was legalized in America echoed across the Atlantic on Friday during the 50th anniversary of Glastonbury’s iconic music and arts festival, which drew 200,000 music fans who braved extreme weather and transportation to attend megastars like Billie Eilish , Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar to hear .
Glastonbury, ranked as the world’s premier travel destination along with Coachella and Burning Man, is according to its organizers “the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world” and is known for its superstar lineups, audience capacities and live circus performers, theatre, movies and more.
But politics got involved around 6pm UK time as news reverberated around the festival, sparking “a chorus of condemnation”, according to the performers The guard.
“Today is a really dark day for women in the United States and I’m only saying because I can’t bear to think about it any longer at this moment,” lamented Eilish, 20, as she introduced her to Beat Your Power. “This song is dedicated to that, I think…”
In her set, American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers called on the crowd, who booed the mention of America, to share their outrage. ‘Who wants to say ‘F – the Supreme Court’? One two three…”
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Biggest and muddiest
The largest and most notable of Europe’s music festivals, Glastonbury is known for being one of the most diverse (and muddy) performing arts festivals in Europe.
From its humble beginnings in 1970, when it lasted just one day and tickets sold for £1, the festival has become a template for all subsequent festivals, bringing music fans from around the world come rain or shine to Worthy Farm in Somerset flocked , England. This year, festival founder Michael Eavis opened the gates for the belated 50th anniversary celebrations after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite travel disruptions caused by rail strikes and flight cancellations, daring outfits, marriage proposals, celebrities, families and people of all ages were part of this year’s event. Also as the Daily Mail reports: “The mud synonymous with the legendary festival will emerge with thunderstorms and torrential downpours” forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA) has also urged festival-goers to be vigilant for monkeypox as cases in the UK continue to rise.
Billie Eilish and President Zelensky
Headlining this year’s festival are Gen Z pop star Billie Eilish, the youngest solo artist to headline the festival, Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney, rapper Kendrick LamarDiana Ross and many others spanning musical genres and generations.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy also appeared on Glastonbury screens to urge participants to put pressure on “all politicians you know” to “help restore peace in Ukraine”.
“Spread the truth about Russia’s war,” he said. “Help the Ukrainians who are forced to flee their homes because of the war,” he added, before rock band The Libertines opened the case.