Glastonbury, the world's largest greenfield rock festival, is returning later this summer. With spaces for almost 120,000 tents, and artists such as The Who, The Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks, The Kaiser Chiefs and Amy Winehouse playing, it'll be the largest, and probably the best, Glastonbury yet....
Glastonbury luxury for discerning free spirits
By Nigel Reynolds, Arts Correspondent
08/06/2007
The Telegraph
Not so long ago, Glastonbury festival in Somerset was renowned for its music, free love and mud. But now it seems those heading for the three-day event want a little more.
So for discerning free spirits who love Glastonbury, but have no intention of making do with a tarpaulin strung between two sticks and a trench for a latrine, Camp Kerala, the ultimate in pop luxury, was unveiled yesterday.
The 75 tents at Camp Kerala are far more luxurious than those usually seen at Glastonbury Nicknamed "The Ritz", it is a small village of 75 tents which overlook the festival.
For £3,000 (US$6,000) plus VAT, guests can be pampered rotten with hot showers, massages, foie gras and Glastonbury beef fillets not to mention bottles of Chateau Margaux and Cloudy Bay.
Those staying at the camp, many of whom will arrive by helicopter, will be whizzed through the mud on electric golf buggies to the festival a few minutes away.
In their 20ft by 20ft tents, bought from a workshop started by the Maharajah of Jodhpur, guests will find a king-sized bed covered with sequinned Indian quilts.
There are sheepskin rugs on the floor and basin stands with wrought-iron jugs.
"Goodie bags" will include a pair of Hunter wellington boots, white towelling dressing gowns edged with silk, Crocs shoes, cotton pyjamas and Jemma Kidd cosmetics. The camp was started by Jenny Lederman, a former barrister, in 2005, the last time the event was staged. But it is even more luxurious this year.
And she insisted that it is not against the original festival ethos. "Look at me - I've gone from barrister to rock chick. I love Glastonbury," she said.
"All our guests love music and the majority of them went to a festival when they were younger. Now they have made some money but they remain bitten by the bug. They want to come back but with a bit more luxury."
All but 10 tents have been taken.
"I've got six people from Australia, eight from Monaco, 12 from the States and then more from Switzerland and Egypt."
Glastonbury is not alone in going up-market. With champagne tents, creches and cash machines, most festivals this summer are catering for rockers who have become well-off parents.
Paul Gambaccini, the American radio presenter who now lives in Britain, said: "I would be shocked if an 18-year-old wanted to do this but if a 58-year-old wanted to, hey, I'm glad they are still into the music."
Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, also wrote in Country Life this year that 21st century debutantes and their escorts were more likely to be seen at Glastonbury or one of new boutique festivals than at Glyndebourne or the Chelsea Flower Show.
dailymail.co.uk
Glastonbury luxury for discerning free spirits
By Nigel Reynolds, Arts Correspondent
08/06/2007
The Telegraph
Not so long ago, Glastonbury festival in Somerset was renowned for its music, free love and mud. But now it seems those heading for the three-day event want a little more.
So for discerning free spirits who love Glastonbury, but have no intention of making do with a tarpaulin strung between two sticks and a trench for a latrine, Camp Kerala, the ultimate in pop luxury, was unveiled yesterday.
The 75 tents at Camp Kerala are far more luxurious than those usually seen at Glastonbury Nicknamed "The Ritz", it is a small village of 75 tents which overlook the festival.
For £3,000 (US$6,000) plus VAT, guests can be pampered rotten with hot showers, massages, foie gras and Glastonbury beef fillets not to mention bottles of Chateau Margaux and Cloudy Bay.
Those staying at the camp, many of whom will arrive by helicopter, will be whizzed through the mud on electric golf buggies to the festival a few minutes away.
In their 20ft by 20ft tents, bought from a workshop started by the Maharajah of Jodhpur, guests will find a king-sized bed covered with sequinned Indian quilts.
There are sheepskin rugs on the floor and basin stands with wrought-iron jugs.
"Goodie bags" will include a pair of Hunter wellington boots, white towelling dressing gowns edged with silk, Crocs shoes, cotton pyjamas and Jemma Kidd cosmetics. The camp was started by Jenny Lederman, a former barrister, in 2005, the last time the event was staged. But it is even more luxurious this year.
And she insisted that it is not against the original festival ethos. "Look at me - I've gone from barrister to rock chick. I love Glastonbury," she said.
"All our guests love music and the majority of them went to a festival when they were younger. Now they have made some money but they remain bitten by the bug. They want to come back but with a bit more luxury."
All but 10 tents have been taken.
"I've got six people from Australia, eight from Monaco, 12 from the States and then more from Switzerland and Egypt."
Glastonbury is not alone in going up-market. With champagne tents, creches and cash machines, most festivals this summer are catering for rockers who have become well-off parents.
Paul Gambaccini, the American radio presenter who now lives in Britain, said: "I would be shocked if an 18-year-old wanted to do this but if a 58-year-old wanted to, hey, I'm glad they are still into the music."
Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, also wrote in Country Life this year that 21st century debutantes and their escorts were more likely to be seen at Glastonbury or one of new boutique festivals than at Glyndebourne or the Chelsea Flower Show.
dailymail.co.uk