With Glastonbury riding in on us without much notice, today I wanted to give all you like minded mud lovers my take on the festival. I first attend Glastonbury in 2008, and at the young age of 15, I instantly knew this was my favourite place in the world.


Unable to get tickets this year, I am secretly hoping NME send me to get some cracking stories behind the scenes (a girl can dream). But I have to somehow come to terms with the fact that this post isn't for me, it's for you, and if this is the first time you're visiting Glastonbury, believe me, it's the best discovery you'll find! Whether it be the magical comfort of Strummerville that ticks it for you, or the surreal, secretive and very rude rabbit hole, there is something for everyone and actually, you'll be surprised by how much your opinions of different area's changes throughout the week/end.

I have made a list of my top 3 areas of Glastonbury, that's if you can have a top 3, I mean this was very difficult for me to make a decision on because even I love the huge unicorn playground in the kidzfield...but here it goes. My top 3.


1. Strummerville

Nestled into some beautiful Greenland overlooking the whole site, The Joe Strummer Foundation have set up camp (literally) in the most idyllic area of Glastonbury. Perfect for those summer days lounging around, drinking beer, listening to some ace music and remembering Joe, of course!

A charity that is extremely close to my heart, I visit Strummerville every single day of the festival. Whether that be to relax after partying too hard or to just get the party started. Sometimes I just go up there purely for the view, which is breath-taking. So if you get the chance, in fact, no, please make this your priority to go check out this year - there is nothing not to like.



(You can find out more about The Joe Strummer Foundation here)


2. Shangri-la

This area is born out of originality, creativity, truth, and lies. A magical and mystical other-world pops up every year and summons in all the campers that are fascinated by alternative ideologies. Never been before? well, get ready for the new movement!


An empowerment through art, music and unity, we are being educated in the understand that people have lost their voice amongst the deceit and distractions of the mainstream media. People want the revolution, people want freedom and in Shangri-La the people's voices are being heard louder than ever before.

I've decided to purposely not write much about Shangri-La's best kept secrets because those secrets are best witnessed live.

3. Pyramid Stage

I think this area is pretty self-explanatory. You could say this is the most famous stage in the world having homed huge artists from David Bowie to Beyonce. Going in 2016? Get ready to watch Adele, Coldplay, and Muse amongst many other artists take to the pyramid. And don't forget to get there early for the Sunday Legends slot.



 4. The Rabbit Hole


Oops, I accidently added a fourth area, purely because the rabbit hole is the most amazing find. Every festival should have a rabbit hole, a secret dreamscape where you can let your imaginations run wild. Make it your must to find the psychedelic tunnel that welcomes you to live music and Dj's. Grab a delicious tipple from the bar and be prepared because from here there's no going back... who know's you might even bump into Alice in wonderland on the way.



*All photos were taken by Stevie. 

Being from Sheffield, I always remember this moment as being such an iconic speech that blasted the Arctic Monkeys into a whirlwind on social media. Sending the world into wild debates and opinionated social media battles nobody could get their heads around Turners witty and unusual way with words.




Upon collecting their prestigious award for 'Best Album' at the 2014 Brit Awards, the Arctic Monkey's saw their charming, rock n roll front man take center stage once again to provide the nation with his beliefs behind the album, stating that 'rock n roll will never die'. The speech complimented his quirky hair style, 50's rock fashion sense and mysterious yet absolutely god damn gorgeous personality which subsequently saw most of the population take to Facebook and twitter naming Alex a 'living legend' and describing his actions to be literally the most rock n roll thing they have ever seen. However, not all watchers that tuned in to witness Alex's speech thought he stole the night. Critics turned on him accusing him of being 'pretentious', a 'tool' and an overall embarrassment but do you really think those harsh words would ever stop Turner? 

My guess is no. His talk of sludge and a 'cynical nature of the universe' may come across as arrogant but he is setting an image for himself (and it worked). Alex no longer wants to be known for his indie, long fringed, 17 year old self when he first took to the scene, it has been 10 years and with the last album edging on electronic rock n roll his image has become somewhat, well, amazing! His 50's look and Elvis/Richard Hawley like hair style is what every girl wants in a guy and what every guy wants to be. 

The Brits aren't about great music, they're are about popular music, which is why we have to put up with the likes of Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Disclousure etc. So, is receiving a Brit award the most un-rock-and-roll achievement out there? Who knows? I think Alex Turner certainly thinks so.

Turner eventually defended his controversial speech by saying:

'Wonderful as it is to be acknowledged, I don't necessarily think the talent, or how good a group of musicians is, is directly shown by their trophy cabinet. That's not meant as a downer -  it's a pleasure to be mentioned alongside great people.' 

It's taken me weeks to write this post... maybe I was just too shocked and shaken by the whole experience I completely forgot to tell you all about - I met The Stone Roses!


Ian (Brown) - I like to just say Ian because it sounds more like I know him personally which I do now of course- was stood outside my flat and I have never ran so fast in all my life. I looked like a right nutter as I turned up with no shoes on shaking a phone in his face. At first I only saw the back of his head so I would have felt like a right idiot if it'd not been him but lucky for me it was and he was amazing! Ian and bassist Mani where both what I can only describe as real musicians who showed me that they are really there for their fans after he waited for me to nip back to my flat to grab my vinyl for him to sign. I was shaking so badly I couldn’t believe this was happening, Ian even asked me if I was okay in which I told him this was the greatest moment of my life.

I couldn't resist asking him whether he saw my tweet and to my surprise he said " Yeah, it was you that let the cat out of the bag". As you can imagine I giggled and wanted to cry at the thought of Ian recognising me. And honestly when I got back to my flat I did cry... a lot (whilst staring at my signed photo and record).






I am absolutely gobsmacked at how much this story blew up! Since announcing to the world via Twitter that they were recording my phone has turned into a hotline with people constantly emailing me wanting the inside story. I got to say though being the first person to be told by Ian himself that the band recording new material is insane. With the band being so notoriously secretive it gave me great pleasure to get the word out first, I mean come on... this will go down in the history books, right?

Eager to hear their new material I am counting down the days until I go watch them live at Etihad Stadium in June. I've got a funny feeling that this gig will be one to always remember but until then I'll give their record a spin, stare at their autographs and pray for another meet and greet in the future.