BBC announces plans to broadcast classic Glastonbury highlights

The coverage will take place across the weekend the festival was due to host its 50th anniversary event

Unfortunately Glastonbury festival’s planned 50th anniversary edition this summer has been cancelled due to the coronavirus, but the BBC is still planning a broadcast schedule celebrating the event.

BBC Two and BBC Four will show classic highlights from Glastonbury’s illustrious history, including the first ever full television broadcast of David Bowie’s 2000 performance. Headline slots by the likes of Adele, Beyoncé and Jay-Z will also be featured.

The coverage will take place across Thursday, June 25, to Monday, June 29, when Glastonbury festival was due to take place this year.

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A pop-up Glastonbury channel will be hosted on iPlayer, with more than 60 on-demand sets available.

BBC Radio is also involved. Jo Whiley will begin hosting a series of specials on BBC Radio 2 on Monday, June 22, and Emily Eavis will join Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 6 MUsic on the morning of Friday, June 26. Other audio highlights will be available on BC Sounds.

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Lorna Clarke, Controller, BBC Pop says: “Glastonbury Festival has for decades been a huge moment in the BBC’s music calendar, thanks to Michael and Emily’s magical creation. Even though Worthy Farm can’t be full of thousands of music lovers this year, the BBC will celebrate with four days of memories and archive footage across TV, BBC iPlayer, Radio and BBC Sounds, to give our audience a taste of the festival in their own homes.”

Emily Eavis says: “There are so many memorable sets being played across the BBC over what would have been our 50th anniversary weekend. Personally, I’m looking forward to a weekend of reflecting on the history of our festival and going back to some classic performances from David Bowie, Adele, REM, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Billie Eilish and lots more. Me and my dad will definitely be watching!”

Head to BBC's website for full details.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Features Editor, follow him on Twitter

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