Glastonbury: Gates open to festival - but rain could be on the way
The gates to this year's Glastonbury Festival have opened - with revellers scrambling to find the best camping spots.
A brass band played the Rocky theme tune as organiser Emily Eavis oversaw the unlocking of the large green double doors and led the countdown for the start of the world-famous music event hosted at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset,
Glastonbury Festival said in a post on the X social media platform: "Here's to a wonderful few days here on the farm."
It also advised queuing festival-goers to "be safe in the heat" by drinking lots of water, avoiding alcohol, which would dehydrate them, taking off rucksacks and keeping topped up on the sunscreen.
But while campers can expect "mostly warm, dry and settled" weather for the next five days, scattered showers could begin from day one and last until the end of the weekend, according to the Met Office.
As in previous years, there will be no amplified entertainment on Wednesday, with the main music stages not kicking off until Friday.
This year's headliners include pop star Dua Lipa, British rock band Coldplay, and American singer-songwriter SZA, while Canadian country star Shania Twain will play the coveted legends slot.
Other attractions at the 900-acre festival include speeches, film screenings and Q&As, circus performances and comedy sets.
Rock band Squeeze open the Pyramid Stage on Friday at midday, followed by rising star Olivia Dean, K-pop group Seventeen and singer Paul Heaton.
Later, PJ Harvey and LCD Soundsystem will warm up for Dua Lipa ahead of her main stage debut.
The 28-year-old star is expected to treat revellers to a selection of her hit songs, including Houdini and Training Season from her third studio album, Radical Optimism, released earlier this year.
On Saturday, the main stage will welcome Nigerian stars Femi Kuti and Ayra Starr, followed by US '80s chart-topper Cyndi Lauper and rock band Keane.
Mercury Prize winner Michael Kiwanuka and British rapper Little Simz will play in the evening before Coldplay top the bill.
It will be the band's first appearance since 2016 - making them the first act to headline Glastonbury five times.
The main stage on the final day will open with a performance by Interlinked Ballet, with Seasick Steve and Paloma Faith set to play in the afternoon.
They will be followed by Twain, who is expected to play her hits including Man! I Feel Like A Woman!, You're Still The One and That Don't Impress Me Much.
The country star follows in the footsteps of artists such as Dolly Parton, Kylie Minogue and Diana Ross in the prestigious slot.
US singer and actress Janelle Monae and Nigerian singer Burna Boy will take over for the evening session before SZA closes out the Pyramid Stage with her hits including Saturn and Kill Bill.
The US singer, real name Solana Imani Rowe, who was named international artist of the year at the Brit Awards in March, will be making her festival debut this year.
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A number of spots across the schedule have been left as "TBA", including a space at 6pm on Saturday on the Woodsies stage.
In previous years, acts such as the Foo Fighters, The Killers and Radiohead have surprised festival-goers in these secret slots.
The festival will also pay tribute to DJ Annie Nightingale, the first female presenter on BBC Radio 1, who died in January at the age of 83.
