Well it wouldn't be Glastonbury without it! Revellers reach for ponchos as showers hit festival (but don't worry, sun is on the way)



Main performers for event at Somerset's Worthy Farm are Arctic Monkeys, Rolling Stones and Mumford & Sons

Total of 135,000 tickets to this year's world famous festival sold out in less than two hours and cost £205 each

Weather is expected to be warm and mostly dry, quashing fears of another washout at festival famous for mud

Primal Scream, Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello, The xx, Professor Green and Dizzee Rascal also performing

Festival reveller from Leeds gets down on one knee to propose to his sweetheart - while holding a can of cider

Police say 40 crimes were reported in the first day, 22 of which were thefts, and officers made total of 24 arrests




D ancing at the sacred circle, jumping over campfires, inhaling laughing gas and partying until dawn - it can only be Glastonbury.

And even the rain made its traditional appearance this afternoon, with wellies and ponchos coming in handy when a shower hit the tent city. But a good forecast is expected for the rest of the hotly-anticipated weekend.



Meanwhile these astonishing aerial photographs show the sprawling site of the world-famous festival , where the rain has stayed away so far for the thousands of music fans attending.



S unshine even broke through the clouds over Worthy Farm in Somerset yesterday, as festival goers trudged miles with rucksacks, tents and sleeping bags to reach the campsites.

The site was due to open at 8am but flung open its doors an hour early to allow the streams of people in, at an estimated rate of 5,000 per hour. Some had even slept out in their cars overnight to be the first in line.

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A little rain: Four girls sported blue, pink and yellow ponchos as the rain fell for a short time at Glastonbury Music Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset

Trying to keep dry: Festival-goers wrapped up against the elements when there was a little rain at the Glastonbury Music Festival at Worthy Farm Not too muddy yet: Wellies came in handy when a rain shower hit the Glastonbury site in the afternoon at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset Still having fun: These revellers were still able to enjoy themselves despite the rain at Glastonbury Music Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset It will get better: After the showers, the weather is expected to be warm and mostly dry, quashing fears of another washout at the festival famous for mud

Sweeping views: Aerial photograph of the vast temporary city which has sprung up at the Glastonbury Festival on a dairy farm in Somerset

Above: Some Glastonbury festival goers having a much-needed rest before doing the final journey with their baggage said they could not wait for the festival to start

Big population: More people cram in to the 900-acre site than the entire population of Wigan for the three-day festival and they will all be sharing 5,487 toilets In line: Sunshine even broke through the clouds over Worthy Farm in Somerset as festival goers trudged miles with rucksacks, tents and sleeping bags to reach the campsites

Poshing it up: This year 'glamping' is more popular than ever with hundreds of wig-wams, bell tents and yurts available for those that can afford them. Colourful: This aerial view of the vast city of tents which has sprung up at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset shows colour-coded sections of the site

Blue, grey, orange and blue: Some 135,000 ticket holders have been making their way on to the site at Worthy Farm, since the festival flung open its doors Doing it in style: 'Glamping' at the festival has become popular for those who want the live music experience without the troubles of basic camping Dairy farm: A number of tents and caravans can be seen in this aerial photograph of the vast temporary city which has sprung up at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset Caravan section: Campsites at the Glastonbury Festival 2013 have been filling up quickly as music fans rushed to pitch their tents in the best spots Tens of thousands of people: There have been 24 drug-related offences but some of those involved were dealt with by way of a caution instead of arrest, police said

‘When it got dreamed up late at night we thought it would be funny if 100 people turned up, but 3,500 joined the Facebook group in the end.

‘People like to get involved in something that’s not scripted and programmed. I’ve been told some people were looking forward to this more than the festival itself. And quite frankly - do you really want to live in a world where things like this don’t happen?’.

Sir Mick is expected to be on the festival site over the weekend, and is staying nearby with his family.

There is a chance he might even stumble upon the second ‘Jagger Off’, at the silent disco held in the early hours of Saturday morning.

‘I would imagine it’s on Jagger’s radar. I don’t think he can avoid it,’ said Mr Duke-Evans. ‘It’s a tribute to him. We’ve watched him for years and I hope he’ll be able to watch us if he sees the footage from today.’

Many of those performing the moves, which including the ‘finger waggle’ and ‘squeezing through a narrow doorway’, wore Jagger masks as a tribute to their musical hero.

Mark Forrest, 30, from Hackney, east London, had bought masks for all of his friends. He said: ‘It’s an excellent idea to start off the weekend by dancing to the Rolling Stones. I can’t wait to see them on Saturday and I’m really excited to see what the phoenix does.’

With flowers in our hair: Charlie Lightfoot, 26, and Jessica Horton, 26, pose for a photograph at Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, Somerset Raising a can: Festival goers enjoy the atmosphere during preparations for Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset

Danger: A man jumps over a fire that has been lit inside the stone circle as people gather for sunset at the Glastonbury Festival site at Worthy Farm, Pilton

Sea of tents: Gates opened yesterday at the Somerset dairy farm that will be playing host to one of the largest music festivals in the world However, unlike most of the fans crammed onto the crowded train, the sunglasses-clad star was in the first class carriage. Some festival goers having a much-needed rest before doing the final journey with their baggage said they could not wait for the festival to start. Sarah Ford, 26, from Scunthorpe, said: ‘The weather is a bit different from 2011, which was just awful. It's amazing that it's not rainy this year. If it stays like this it will be perfect. We've come for the atmosphere more than anything. It's just a great festival.’ But it is not just the atmosphere the fans are after. Alice Evans, 25, from Hereford, said: ‘I'm actually really looking forward to the food as I've heard it's brilliant. I'm gluten-free and vegetarian so it can be hard to find things to eat at festivals usually.’

Packed in: Tents fill the camping fields at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts site at Worthy Farm, Pilton Big smiles: Festival goers arrive at the campsite on the second day of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset Looking out: Festival goers with flowers in their hair arrive at the campsite on the second day of Glastonbury music festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset Fun in the sun: Festival goer Kirsten Ryan, seven, from Bath, puts her arms up in a trolley at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset She added: ‘In 2011, I didn't have the money to go and regretted it the whole year.’ Bethany Walker, 21, from Southampton, said: ‘This is one of the things you have to do at least once in your life. All our parents came when they were younger. I can't wait to see Mumford & Sons. We were devastated when we heard Ted Dwane was ill and we're so glad he's better.’ The Grammy-award winning band have confirmed they will still be performing at Glastonbury, despite bassist Dwane having surgery for a blood clot on the brain earlier this month. The 135,000 tickets to this year's festival, which cost £205 each, sold out in a record one hour and 40 minutes. The weather is expected to be warm and mostly dry, quashing fears of another Worthy Farm washout. But wellies came in handy when a rain shower hit the site in the afternoon. Sally Webb, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: ‘A band of rain is moving eastwards, and overnight will be cloudy with drizzle. Some rain is possible first thing and then it should dry up, with sunny spells possible on Friday.’ Temperatures hit a maximum 17C (62.6F) today, she added.

One group of friends enjoying the day despite the rain was headed by Laura and Craig Nuttall from Liverpool, celebrating their Glastonbury-themed wedding earlier this year with a trip to the festival. They chose '70s themed fancy dress for the day, with Mr Nuttall in a Sergeant Pepper-style uniform. His new wife, 30, said: ‘Glastonbury is about being with your friends, being free to be unusual, and making boss memories. It's the best days of my life. It's so magical. There's something so special about Glastonbury.’

Prepared for the weekend: Festival goers enjoy the atmosphere during preparations for Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Glastonbury

Soaking up the sun: Nicola Deaton, 24, at Glastonbury for her second time, poses for a picture on the first day of Glastonbury music festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset On a trolley: Festival goers arrive during the second day of the Glastonbury 2013 Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts at Pilton Farm, Somerset 'Hands free kit': A woman drinks beer from a specially-designed hat during the second day of the Glastonbury Festival at Pilton Farm, Somerset Fancy a cider? Festival goers arrive during the second day of the Glastonbury Festival at Pilton Farm, Somerset, with a trolley full of Strongbow cans

Up in flames: People watch as a wooden phoenix burns on the first day of the Glastonbury music festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset Bright: People dance around a fire that has been lit inside the stone circle as people gather for sunset at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton

Spectacular: The unlikely combination of shorts and wellies was the order of the day as temperatures rose during the afternoon, before a fireworks display at night

Bang: People gather to watch the fireworks display launched above the stone circle at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset James Wilby, forecaster with Meteogroup, said: ‘You always expect there to be a deluge when it's Glastonbury but luckily that doesn't seem the case. ‘There's a fair bit of cloud around but it's starting to brighten up, with temperatures up to 20C yesterday. It's pretty pleasant and will stay dry. ‘This morning will be dry and bright but there's a chance of rain in the afternoon, with a damp end to the day. It will be more typical of the conditions you'd expect at a festival. It could potentially get a bit muddy, but there will only be a millimetre or two of rain.’ Friday will see spots of drizzle but conditions will improve during the day, with Saturday being dry and sunny. Sunday will be the best day of the festival with temperatures up to 22C (71.6F), Mr Wilby said.

Special moment: People gather to watch the sunset from the stone circle at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts site at Worthy Farm, Pilton

Together: People dance around a fire that has been lit inside the stone circle as people gather for sunset at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts Cheerful cop: A policeman warns campers about recent thefts on site as they arrive on the second day of Glastonbury music festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset Drinking up: Bride-to-be Lizzie Chapman, 23, drinks cider through a funnel on arriving at Glastonbury, where she celebrates her hen night, on the second day of the festival Provisions: Milk and other supplies are sorted in the backstage wholesale market at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts site at Worthy Farm, Pilton Happy day: Rachel Godfrey, 21, puts a wristband on Anna Metcalfe, 24, as people arrive on the second day of the gates opening at Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, Somerset And forecaster Tony Gray from the Met Office said: 'On Friday there's a chance of light rain first thing in the morning, but then it should be cloudy. Saturday you've got a chance of some sunny intervals after lunchtime and high temperatures reaching 19C. 'Sunday much the same - a bit overcast, but sunny intervals for the afternoon and evening, highest temperature 19C. Monday it's basically overcast until 10am, followed by cloudy conditions.' Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis said he believes the weather, combined with the line-up, means this year's festival will be ‘unusually good’. ‘The whole thing is fantastic,’ the 77-year-old farmer said. ‘There are 1,000 acres of creativity on a massive scale and to a very, very high standard. You won't see anything else like this in the whole world.’

Peace: Rudina Hatipi smokes as she joins fellow revellers as they gather for the sunset at the stone circle at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts Village life: Many chose to enjoy the sun while sitting at the stone circle, overlooking the whole site, while others were still pouring in through the entrances. All ages: A festival goer wheels in a mobile toilet and crates of beer as he arrives at the campsite on the second day of Glastonbury music festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset Tent city: Gates opened yesterday at the Somerset dairy farm that will be playing host to one of the largest music festivals in the world

There is even the promise of the best-ever Glastonbury toilets, with a new system that sees waste go straight into the ground, designed to beat the infamous smell. Eavis has even said that, 43 years since the first Glastonbury, they have finally found ‘the perfect loo’.

To mark the resurrection of the festival after a year off, a giant phoenix has been installed on top of the Pyramid stage, designed by Joe Rush, who was behind many of the mechanical vehicles and props used at the Paralympics closing ceremony.

Indeed one of them - a steamship on which singer Rihanna performed - can be found at the festival this year.



Other highlights fans can expect are appearances from Primal Scream, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello, The xx, Public Enemy, Professor Green and Dizzee Rascal.



Community: Glastonbury, the world's largest music festival known for stars and mud, opened its gates to 135,000 fans with the Rolling Stones set to perform

Breathing in: Festival goers inhale laughing gas at sunrise at the stone circle on the second day of Glastonbury music festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset Party time: Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis said he believes the weather, combined with the line-up, means this year's festival will be 'unusually good'

As ever, the festival is also offering some more unusual acts alongside the chart toppers - with Sir Bruce Forsyth playing on the Avalon Stage on Sunday, country star Kenny Rogers taking to the Pyramid Stage the same day, and the Dalai Lama's Tibetan monks also making an appearance.

The unlikely combination of shorts and wellies was the order of the day as temperatures rose during the afternoon, with ice cream vans and bars alike enjoying a roaring trade.



Many chose to enjoy the sun while sitting at the stone circle, overlooking the whole site, while others were still pouring in through the entrances.

Marcus Hardy, 40, a project manager from Dewsbury, Leeds, said: ‘It was my birthday last week so I wanted to come to Glastonbury to celebrate. The line up isn't as powerful as it has been in recent years but I'm really looking forward to Kodaline and The Lumineers.

‘The weather's superb so far. I've been to Reading and Leeds so it's good to be here at Glastonbury.’

Michael Wildboar, 31, from Birmingham, said: ‘We got here about 6am. We just wanted to get a camping spot.

Hippie Hollywood: People sit in the sun below the Glastonbury sign at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts site at Worthy Farm, Pilton

Prepared: The site was due to open at 8am but flung open its doors an hour early to allow the streams of people in, at an estimated rate of 5,000 per hour Forecast: The weather is expected to be warm and mostly dry, quashing fears of another Worthy Farm washout. Tomorrow will see spots of drizzle but conditions will improve

‘I really want to see the Arctic Monkeys. I'm not a massive Rolling Stones fan as they're not my generation's music, but I'm going to see them because it's the Stones.’

Gemma Clayton, 28, a textile agent from Nottingham, visiting the festival for the first time with two friends, said: ‘It's absolutely boiling carrying all our stuff in, but it's pretty awesome being here.

‘The weather forecast's so good we want to make sure we don't drink too much and pass out. It's pretty massive to see the Stones. My mum saw them in London when she was 17 and touched Mick Jagger, so that was a big day in her life. I've promised to call her when Red Rooster is on.’

The fields filled up with brightly-coloured tents and the huge flags that have become a Glastonbury trademark during the day.

Marry me: Touching moment Glastonbury reveller gets down on one knee to propose (with a can of cider in his hand) A Glastonbury Festival reveller got down on one knee to propose to his sweetheart - while holding a can of cider.

Lee Nickleson, 35, of Leeds, West Yorkshire, was so nervous about popping the question to Ceilidh Jacks that he forgot to put down his can of Stella Artois Cidre. Friends unfurled a banner reading ‘Will You Marry Me?’ as he proposed to his partner of four years on the first day of the music festival.

Miss Jacks, 25, was delighted when he pulled the ring from his pocket and immediately said ‘Yes’. The pair even have their own caravan so they can have some privacy during the festival.

The moment: Lee Nickleson, 35, of Leeds, was so nervous about popping the question to Ceilidh Jacks, 25, that he forgot to put down his can of Stella Artois Cidre Cash machine installer Mr Nickleson, who has been to the festival once before, said: ‘I’ve been wanting to propose for a while, but I didn’t know where to do it. Then I realised that Glastonbury would be the perfect place. I proposed on the first day because I wanted to get it out of the way. 'Otherwise I would be too nervous all weekend. I’m glad she didn’t say “no” though - that would have put a bit of a dampener on the party. It was Ceilidh’s first time at Glastonbury, so I wanted to make it special. We had a respectable night - we turned in to our love-shack about 2am.

'You don’t want to burn out on the first night of the festival. I probably shouldn’t have been holding a can, but I couldn’t think. I had other things at the forefront of my mind, to be honest. It has set everything up for a great festival.’

Healthcare worker Miss Jacks added: ‘I don’t mind that he was carrying a can - in fact, I didn’t even notice. I was shocked and delighted. He’s so lovely. I was already looking forward to this weekend so much, but now I think it’ll be the best weekend ever.’ Romantic: Friends unfurled a banner reading 'Will You Marry Me?' as he proposed to his partner of four years on the first day of the music festival Together: Lee Nickleson, 36, and Ceilidh Jackson, 25, share a kiss on top of a hill at the Glastonbury Festival site in Somerset