Glastonbury retains its magic decades later – despite technology, there is still nothing like it

Music festivals have to create balance between current and upcoming artists, and the heritage acts that can also serve as major draws. Glastonbury has somewhat nailed that this year

With Glastonbury less than a week away, The Independent's culture desk is struggling to think about anything other than line-up schedules and weather forecasts. In another year that feels saturated by both established and brand new festivals, Glastonbury seems to be the only one that prompts a near-endless stream of reminiscing (or gritted teeth if you failed to get tickets this year).

It’s easy to understand why Glastonbury has a special place in the hearts of those who were privileged to attend the early years. But even now, in 2019, the moment where thousands of hopefuls wake up early, crouch over their laptops and hit the refresh button in the hope of getting tickets is practically an event in itself.

Perhaps it has something to do with how Glastonbury has adapted with the times. Sure, it’s still working out issues like the prevalence of all-male headliners, but over the years its organisers have spotted new music scenes and made new additions to cater to those fans like few other festivals. Elsewhere you have Isle of Wight and Reading and Leeds, which are stubbornly (or increasingly desperately) clinging on to their reputations as “rock festivals”, despite the common knowledge that this is no longer the most popular genre.