Cliff Notes – Glastonbury branded a ticking time bomb
- Concerns over overcrowding at Glastonbury Festival 2025 have resurfaced, with an insider warning it could lead to severe safety issues, including potential fatalities.
- The festival has implemented changes to crowd management, including larger spaces around popular stages, in response to previous incidents of overcrowding.
Glastonbury branded a ticking time bomb in warning from former executive
Fears around overcrowding at Glastonbury Festival 2025 have re-emerged after a former executive slammed the crowd control.
Glastonbury insider voices concerns around overcrowding at festival.
With less than a month to go before Worthy Farm opens its gates, an unnamed insider said it was a ‘disaster waiting to happen’.
Glastonbury Festival 2025
On June 26, Glastonbury will kick off with headliners The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo all taking to the Pyramid Stage across the weekend.
Huge crowds are part of the festival experience, with officials often having to close down sections to alleviate the numbers.
Last year saw Sugababes shut down West Holts while secret set Kasabian caused chaos at Woodsies – then there was Avril Lavigne whose fans flooded the Other Stage area.
‘Worst-case scenario, people are going to die, I think we are going to have some massive issues this year,’ said the insider to the Mail on Sunday.
Someone could ‘die’ if things don’t change
Concern was raised after the announcement that Charli XCX, who saw huge success last year with her Brat album, would headline the Other Stage.
He claims her DJ set on Levels last year prompted an emergency meeting for bosses as it was anticipated that thousands would rush there after Dua Lipa’s headlining slot ended.
In the end, while the small stage was packed, no emergency intervention was needed.
The source also claimed that there is prolific drug-taking among both festival goers and staff, even those who drive vehicles around the festival.
Calls for emergency medical assistance for overdosed or collapsed gig-goers were reportedly being made every 15 to 20 minutes each night.
Last year Charli XCX’s set was of particular concern.
Crowds around iconic points or big sets are a logistical nightmare
He continued: ‘How has it [Glastonbury] survived this long without a major disaster?
‘It’s got to be a mixture of luck and a mixture of good will, the jewel in the UK’s crown is actually something of a ticking time bomb.’
A spokesperson for Glastonbury denied these claims and said it tested staff drivers for alcohol and drugs.
They also stated that the festival uses a ‘system of robust and dynamic crowd-management planning’, which includes a 500-strong team who ensure ‘that at all times…crowd safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds’
Glastonbury released a fresh map, suggesting more space around big stages
Glastonbury released an updated Worthy Farm map last month which did indicate larger areas were being created around the popular stages.
Dedicated Glastonbury X account The Glasto Thingy shared a gif comparing last year and 2025’s maps, pointing out the changes in areas.
‘Big change to Shangri-La,’ they wrote. ‘Opened up, new area called Dragon’s Tail. Oxlyers reduced to give more space in Other Field.
‘Silver Hayes and The Glade both have more space.’
These adjustments will likely ease the crowding, especially around the Other Stage which is the festival’s second stage.
Across the festival, there are plenty of brilliant artists set to perform from newcomers like English Teacher and Lola Young to established acts like The Libertines, Scissor Sisters and even Busta Rhymes.