Tales from Glastonbury 1989

Tales from Glastonbury 1989

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What is it they say: “If you can remember the sixties, you weren’t there”?

Well, I think you could say the same about Glastonbury 1989.

Back when I was still a teenager, more than half a lifetime ago, a group of friends and I made a last-minute decision to head to the Glastonbury festival.

. Glastonbury, United Kingdom. Reuters/Dylan Martinez

After that things get a little hazy. Somehow around a dozen or so of us arrived at Worthy Farm, the site of the festival.

I couldn’t drive at the time so I didn’t help with anything but petrol money.

. Glastonbury, United Kingdom. Reuters/Dylan Martinez

I recall we all circled the area, found a quiet, secluded spot… Then when the coast was clear made a run for it, jumped over a fence and, hey presto, we were in a field pitching a tent.

. Glastonbury, United Kingdom. Reuters/Dylan Martinez

I think we had one four-person-tent between us. We never thought about what would happen if the weather turned bad. In that respect we got lucky and the rain held off.

I do, however, remember being very hungry, as we were - to use parlance of the day - "totally skint”.

. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

On our first day I strolled over to the Pyramid Stage and somehow blagged my way backstage. I have no idea how.

A few minutes later I’m watching Van Morrison, taking pictures of Martin Stephenson, of The Dainties fame, The Proclaimers, also shooting Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'dour and listening to Fairground Attraction.

. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Only people of a certain age may be impressed by that.

As always, I had my cameras with me: a couple of second-hand Nikons and a few lenses (a 28mm, 50mm and I think a 105mm), some colour transparency and a few ready-rolled black and white films.

. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Fast forward more than 25 years on. While clearing out a cupboard recently I found six rolls of black and white film marked “Glastonbury ’89” - the colour film was lost.

Those film canisters caught my eye as I was preparing to return to the festival.

Way too many things have changed in the years that have gone by but some things always stay the same - I still have Nikons and a few lenses.

. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

I can't help thinking when I look back through these pictures: I wasn’t only learning how to use a camera but also working on an important talent.

Getting myself into places where I really ought not to be.

Back to the future in 2015, I’m taking another crack at Glastonbury.

Bring it on.

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Slideshow

A man sits in a car on the way to Somerset for the Glastonbury Festival.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

A man sits in a car on the way to Somerset for the Glastonbury Festival.

Revellers sit on the grass at Worthy Farm.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Revellers sit on the grass at Worthy Farm.

Revellers at Worthy Farm in Somerset during the festival.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Revellers at Worthy Farm in Somerset during the festival.

A reveller and his dog at Worthy Farm.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

A reveller and his dog at Worthy Farm.

A festival-goer rolls a joint.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

A festival-goer rolls a joint.

Police on patrol at the festival.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Police on patrol at the festival.

The Proclaimers backstage at Worthy Farm.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

The Proclaimers backstage at Worthy Farm.

Singers Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'dour backstage.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Singers Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'dour backstage.

Rubbish at Worthy Farm.
. GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Rubbish at Worthy Farm.