The return of the legendary Glastonbury festival this weekend saw an incredible lineup of artists take the stage for Britain’s biggest music event.
While the Arctic Monkeys, Rolling Stones and Mumford and Sons headlined the Pyramid Stage, Twitter became the second screen to the festival, with #Glastonbury trending in the UK and worldwide.
From the festival revelers on Worthy Farm to people watching at home or on the move, Twitter brought fans all over the world closer to the action. At its peak, nine of the 10 UK trends on Saturday night related to the festival. Here’s a chart showing how the conversation on Twitter reflected the pulse of the festival’s headline acts:
The first glimpses of the synchronicity between Twitter and the festival started back in May with the @GlastoFest team using Vine to show how the site was coming together:
The Pyramid is currently sharing its field with lots of flowers… https://t.co/sT8wUqcdrr
— Glastonbury Festival ( @GlastoFest) May 21, 2013
The team ran a number of official accounts that took followers around the site throughout the weekend showing highlights of the festival:
Flags looking lovely over in West Holts… C pic.twitter.com/7oPSV7N5Nb
— Glastonbury Live ( @GlastoLive) June 29, 2013
Also this year for the first time ever, a dedicated Twitter account was set up to give real time help to festival goers:
@leeroyb It depends whether it’s an African or European swallow! L
— GlastoInfo ( @GlastoInfo) July 1, 2013
The BBC broadcast the festival with field-to-field coverage of the action, and used Twitter to bring the crowd at home closer the experience:
We got some of you in a #glastoshout with @benhowardmusic, look! @Leeroy_Vincent @DannyKingg@zoeboomerang #bbcglasto pic.twitter.com/Udd9SHIqOM
— BBC Three ( @bbcthree) June 29, 2013
It wasn’t just the organisers and broadcasters who made great use of the platform. Artists took to Twitter to keep fans updated as to the latest news, including:
Chuck D updating fans on his missing bandmate:
Well immigration kept Flav from leaving the USA this Glastonbury weekend. This Sucks . The show goes on…sht, these damn governments ,..
— Chuck D ( @MrChuckD) June 29, 2013
Rudimental keeping the party going:
#Glastonbury you are smashing it tonight!! Lets carry on the party at our 3am DJ set at The Stonebridge Bar
— Rudimental ( @RudimentalUk) June 29, 2013
Sharing the build-up to a big set:
Nearly that time. 90 minutes and I’m walking out on a stage I never dreamed I’d be on. #glastonbury CAN’T WAIT!
— Professor Green ( @professorgreen) June 28, 2013
And even celebrating a collaboration:
Thank you @HAIMtheband for being there with us, loved it at #Glastonbury. Get some More Light! http://t.co/dpz9nvlhLj pic.twitter.com/iiDSOAqsQc
— Primal Scream ( @ScreamOfficial) June 30, 2013
And of course thanking the crowd:
WOW! The ENTIRE #CHIC performance from @GlastoFest. This $hit is BANANAS! I’ll never forget it http://t.co/2VHggaf58Q
— Nile Rodgers ( @nilerodgers) June 30, 2013
The Pyramid Stage on Saturday played host to the Rolling Stones’ Glastonbury debut. Band members @MickJagger, @OfficialKeef and @RonnieWood used Twitter to build excitement for their headline set:
Heading to #glastonbury ~ despite the heatwave my red wellies are ON! @RollingStones pic.twitter.com/Tzr0uyyb8T
— Ronnie Wood ( @ronniewood) June 29, 2013
During the set, the official account kept Twitter users around the world up to date by live tweeting the songs, reactions and photo:
For our next offering on the guitar we’re going to be joined by @MickTaylorInfo CAN’T YOU HEAR ME KNOCKING #StonesGlasto
— The Rolling Stones ( @RollingStones) June 29, 2013
And of course Twitter was the best place to get the reaction from those on the ground at Worthy Farm:
It was a bit surreal while performing also hearing the Rolling Stones blast away from the pyramid stage during breaks at Glastonbury ..
— Chuck D ( @MrChuckD) June 30, 2013
The Rolling Stones headlining Glastonbury… Only just hit me how mental this is. Can’t believe I’m here!
— Gabrielle Aplin ( @GabrielleAplin) June 29, 2013
As well as those watching at home:
Amazingly, I have exactly the same body fat index as Mick Jagger.
— Jeremy Clarkson ( @JeremyClarkson) June 29, 2013
Love love love mick jagger. (And the stones!)
— Vernon Kay ( @OfficialVernonK) June 29, 2013
We even saw fans presenting special gifts to the Glastonbury stars covered in fan’s Twitter @handles, such as this T-shirt for @Example:
Omg ! My @ name was written on this t-shirt yesterday that Example was given ! #GlastoShout pic.twitter.com/bWNAPWJWzl
— hannah fletcher ( @hannfletchie) June 30, 2013
A mug for @HAIMtheband:
@BBC6Music: We disturbed @HAIMtheband’s brew drinking for a Sneaky #glastoshout pic.twitter.com/Cbiwd2OX1z
— BBC Radio 6 Music ( @BBC6Music) June 28, 2013
The stars themselves:
It’s only a #Glastoshout with @professorgreen pic.twitter.com/amF3f4lPqx
— BBC Radio1 Breakfast ( @R1Breakfast) June 28, 2013
And even on a cake!
I ACTUALLY GOT ON THE GLASTOCAKE MY NAME IS NEXT TO JESSIE WARE WHAT IS LIFE SO HAPPY pic.twitter.com/G8fm6SzJ9O
— Gemma Frith ( @GemFrith) July 1, 2013
And when organiser Emily Eavis (@EmilyEavis) wanted to send her thanks to festival goers, it was fitting that at the end of what was dubbed the most digital Glastonbury ever, she chose Twitter to send her message:
Thank you all for making it a truly great year. Genuinely one of the best. See you next year!
— Emily Eavis ( @emilyeavis) July 1, 2013
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