Live review: Glastonbury

The thousands of complex rain dances performed in the run-up to Glastonbury (many of which were choreographed in the Hot Press office) paid off last weekend, as the sun shone down on the 170,000 revellers who'd made their way to Worthy Farm.

Your humble correspondent travelled via ferry from Dublin on Wednesday morning, pulling up to Camper Van West at around 8pm that night. And though there was some dreaded rain on Thursday, by the time festivities officially kicked off on Friday, any mud had completely dried up and fecked off.

Having (somewhat) got our bearings, a Friday saunter brought us to Solange in The Park, before we strolled back to see the excellent Alt-J on the Other Stage. Next up was the dance area, where a jam-packed Sonic Stage played host to UK garage act Disclosure (interviewed in the new issue of Hot Press). A brisk jog to West Holts next, where Lord Nile Rodgers and Chic did their disco-tastic thing, before we retired to the Shangri-la area. Here, DJs - including Diplo - played out of mammoth art installations 'til the wee hours.

Feeling perhaps a smidge groggy on Saturday, visits were paid to Sugarman himself, Rodriguez, Azealia Banks, AlunaGeorge and Devendra Banhart. The night however belonged to headliners The Rolling Stones. Having astonishingly never played Glasto, anticipation was clearly sky-high as thousands of fans - both old and young - poured into the Pyramid Stage. Jagger & Co. didn't disappoint, serving up hit after hit, complete with encore and firework display.

Sunday proved the sunniest so far; perfect for the Pyramid's daytime line-up. The sweetest Somerset cider was sipped as Rufus Wainwright did his thing, before (this will make Mammy H fierce proud) we worshipped at the altar of Kenny Rogers. Fact: You know more of his songs than you think! Vampire Weekend followed with a stomper set, after which we retired to the Cabaret area for a stroll. There, Waterford percussion act Torann performed their third set of the festival, ensuring all passers-by stopped for an impromptu boogie.

Phoenix in the John Peel tent finished things up on a high, before we retired to Shangri-la, where once again, the partying continued 'til dawn.

In all, a fantastic weekend. Until next year!

Picture: Ruth Medjber. See more on Flickr