The evolution of festivals through the years
They've changed a lot over the years
Last updated 12th May 2021
With 2020 being the year that pretty much every festival was cancelled or postponed, the only 'festivals' happening are virtual, or in your garden with a limited number of people. However, this hasn't stopped us looking at how festivals have changed loads of the past four decades.
We've now come full circle, with many virtual festivals now taking place, almost reminiscent of the early days of festivals when a few friends gathered around a fire in a field.
Here we take a look at festivals through the years:
Glastonbury (1971)
Starting way back in 1970, Glastonbury is one of the best-known festivals around, attracting people from around the world. Its iconic Pyramid Stage has looked very different throughout the years, but this is how it looked in 1971.
The first festival had an attendance of 1,500 and an entry fee of just £1 which included free milk from the farm!
Camping is the most popular accommodation at many festivals
If you've been to a festival that lasts more than a day you've probably ended up camping, and experienced the typical British weather.
For those who have been ill-equipped, with a leaking tent and wellies that look better than they feel, camping is definitely not the best part of the festival.
Wireless Festival (2005)
In the mid-noughties festivals used to feature a stage, they were pretty impressive for the time, but fast-forward a few years and they're now quite different.
Festival tent
Along with stages, with the typical British weather in the summer being wet, many festivals also put up huge tents to house smaller stages.
Festival ponchos
Throughout the years ponchos have become a popular festival accessory, with our rather predictably wet weather. Festivals even sell their own branded ponchos now.
Glamping
Festivals can be great fun, but so are a few home comforts, so for those lucky ones who can afford the glamping options, there's running water, proper loos, electricity and even a proper bed sometimes!
Glastonbury (2019)
Glastonbury's infamous Pyramid Stage is still reminiscent of the early days, but it has now been kitted out with state-of-the art lights and a huge sound system.
Tomorrowland (2019)
Last year saw some amazing festival stages, ranging from Creamfields in the UK to Tomorrowland in Belgium, a festival which is known for its extravagant stages and performances.
It's not just the size of the stage, but the amount of fireworks and pyro they also have, the experience is more than just the act on stage these days.
Virtual festival in your garden
That's right, you might not be able to go to a real festival this year, but if you've got the space, why not put up a tent in the garden and imagine you're at one?
Now read:
12 reasons a virtual festival is better than a real festival