Glastonbury Festival Hosts 200,000 with New Crowd Control, Circus Debut, Controversy

The 2025 Glastonbury Festival introduced several notable changes and events, including a reduced ticket count and the addition of a new field called the Dragon's Tail to help spread out the 200,000 attendees and reduce crowding, which many found improved the overall experience. For the first time in 35 years, the festival opened with a theatre and circus show on the Pyramid Stage, featuring aerialists and acrobats performing without musical accompaniment due to licensing restrictions. Amid the festival's cultural and artistic highlights, controversy arose when performances by rap punk duo Bob Vylan and Irish-language group Kneecap included chants calling for violence against the Israeli military, prompting a UK police investigation and the US State Department revoking Bob Vylan's visas for their 'hateful tirade.' Despite the political tensions, festivalgoers enjoyed diverse programming and large-scale events such as Rod Stewart's performance and Olivia Rodrigo's headline set, with elevated photographic views capturing the scale and vibrancy of the crowds. Security measures, including stewards directing crowd movement, contributed to a safer and more comfortable environment compared to previous years. The combination of innovative performances, crowd management efforts, and political controversy made Glastonbury 2025 a festival marked by both artistic evolution and significant public discourse.