Festivals

For the first time in living memory, Glastonbury hasn’t sold out and, given that the previous couple of festivals have resembled the Somme without the shooting, it’s not entirely surprising. But in the margins at least, this year’s line-up looks considerably more interesting than usual. Much-loved, rarely seen elder statesmen like John Cale, Jimmy Cliff and Edwyn Collins rub shoulders with promising youngsters like Vampire Weekend, Foals and Yeasayer. Modern dance music gets a proper look in at last in the shape of Benga and Skream. And presumably to Noel G’s chagrin, there’s more hip hop with Kool Keith, Cadence Weapon and Dizzee Rascal. Let’s hope that the Beeb tears the cameras away from MOR crooners and mortgage rock often enough to reflect this. Saturday night is Jay-Z night. Will Jigga step up to the haters? Quite possibly. Then on Sunday, the final day of the Eavis-fest, is grandfathers’ day on the Pyramid Stage with Leonard Cohen, Gilbert O’Sullivan and Neil Diamond performing the unlikely feat of making headliners The Verve appear positively youthful. With an almost comically bad line up on the Other Stage, this might be the moment that frazzled festival-goers’ minds turn wistfully to thoughts of the sofa, a curry and the Euro 2008 final.

Glastonbury 2008 coverage: Friday June 27: 7.00-10.30pm, 12.45-2.00am BBC3, 11.00pm-2.00am BBC2, 11.20pm-12.40am BBC4; Saturday June 28: 7.00-8.00pm, 8.45-9.30pm, 10.30pm-2.00am BBC3; 10.30pm-2.00am BBC4. Sunday June 30: 5.00-6.40pm, 10.45pm-2.00am BBC2; 7.00-8.00pm, 10.00pm-2.00am BBC3; 9.00-10.00pm BBC4.

Glastonbury Festival, Worthy Farm, Pilton, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4BY (0800 079 2008/www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk). For tickets visit www.seetickets.com.