Glastonbury 2024: Thursday

I awake and I'm at Glastonbury, the 4am tent set up accomplished, it's time for the bright lights to infiltrate my dreams and bring in the day in all it's glory. It's a well worked routine, arriving very late Wednesday ensures no traffic, or queues on the way in, and as the song goes “we'll sleep when we're dead”.

That's the attitude and first band we see ARXX, all girl female alternative rock two-piece seem to agree. Their fiery guitar fuelled songs with uplifting synths are all immediately accessible and the Greenpeace Stage audience seem to agree. A fake tree with the banner 'Ceasefire' draped from it and a massive slide, which sees the occasional body slip down, enclose the stage either side. They finish with 'Ride or Die' the title track of new album well worth checking out.

We stick around for nu-punk Brighton three-piece Lambrini Girls who kick, screech, and scream through their anarchic set, with singer Phoebe Lunny getting off the stage and into the crowd. Musically more individual than ARXX but no less entertaining.

Over at Shangri-la New York Brass took the edge off at Peace Stage, an explosion of colour, sound and brass. A cover of Dancing In The Moonlight a personal favourite. With dancers encircling the stage on a pink raised platform, masquerading as a clothing store shopfront selling peace and love, a must-see arena and area in general. Das Brass followed with their groovy offering of originals and covers, ‘Groove Is In The Heart’, a standout, the audience dancing as the sun shone down. In case you hadn't got your fill of brass yet She's Got Brass, yes a female nine-piece then plough their particular beats led brass furrow to the delight of all.

Next door Nowhere Stage was pumping out the beats, with body shuddering basslines but we return in time for Beans on Toast. The Essex born singer-songwriter has seen his DIY approach earn him cult status, travel the world and record 15 albums to date. Jay McAllister has indeed been busy and his no-nonsense approach endears him to the crowd once more where it all started off for him here at Glastonbury.

Hak Baker is another musician who wears his heart on his sleeve. A chequered past has given him a wealth of experiences to draw on, his upbeat banter always guaranteed to win over the crowd. Often clutching a bottle of tequila, the acoustic set is embellished with excellent trumpet playing and it’s hard not to love this man, a great future awaits.

We end the night in Silver Hayes. Lady Shaka at The Lonley Hearts Club brings Afrobeat vibes and the party is in full swing. A sea of people enjoying all that Glastonbury has to offer.

DJ and producer Joy Orbison continued the festive feeling at Glastonbury’s open-air nightclub The Levels. Blending house, dubstep and UK garage, hands were in the air throught the set. The sound quality was also astounding as it is across the site, only the best speakers on show here.

Tomorrow we look forward to Squeeze opening up the Pyramid Stage, with the much talked about Dua Lipa closing it. On The Other Stage The Snuts, Bombay Bicycle Club and D-Block Europe, with Idles headlining. Another great day awaits.