History  /  1980s
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Glastonbury Festival
in the 1980s

As the 80s roll around, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament begins its involvement in the festival, starting with a festival name change and then the expansion of its role within the event.

Glastonbury CND Festival

The festival enters a new decade with a new name, part of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament's involvement. The CND handles promotion and ticket sales, and receives a £20,000 donation in return.

A new Pyramid Stage is built, using old telegraph poles and iron sheeting, standing in the same spot as its 1971 counterpart. It takes three months to build, but the result is more than worth it.

Dates

Jun 19 – 21

Price

£8

Tickets Sold

18,000

Headliners
  • FriGinger Baker
  • SatHawkwind
  • SunTaj Mahal
Key Events
  • Name changes to Glastonbury CND Festival. First year joining the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
  • Pyramid Stage: Second permanent version built. Constructed from telegraph poles and metal sheeting from the Ministry of Defence.

CND's involvement grows, and they now control gates, information services, press, and advertising. The CND logo finally gets its time to shine on the Pyramid Stage, where it stays for the remainder of the decade.

Glastonbury's introduction to severe weather happens on the Friday, with Somerset recording its highest rainfall in forty-five years. Despite this, the festival is a resounding success, attendance now over double that of the previous decade.

Dates

Jun 18 – 20

Price

£8

Tickets Sold

25,000

Headliners
  • FriBlack Uhuru
  • SatRoy Harper
  • SunRichie Havens

A new law is passed, allowing local authorities to regulate outdoor events. The festival applies for, and is granted, a licence which sets the crowd limit — now 30,000 — and conditions for all on-site services.

Worthy FM's predecessor, Radio Avalon, also makes its debut this year. Worthy FM continues to broadcast at the festival to this day.

Dates

Jun 17 – 19

Price

£12

Tickets Sold

30,000

Headliners
  • FriMelanie
  • SatUB40
  • SunKing Sunny Adé & His African Beats

After breaching the 1983 licence, Michael Eavis is forced to defend five prosecutions brought by the Mendip District Council. Upon successfully doing so, he swiftly applies for a new licence with a 15 perfect increase in capacity. He's successful with that eventually, too.

The Green Fields spring to life at this year's festival, the beginning of an area that now spans multiple fields and offers everything from tea tents and science workshops to massages and woodworking.

Dates

Jun 22 – 24

Price

£13

Tickets Sold

35,000

Headliners
  • FriDr. John
  • SatElvis Costello
  • SunFela Kuti
Key Events
  • 17 Jan 1984: Michael Eavis successfully defends five prosecutions. These were brought forward by the Mendip District Council for breaching the 1983 license.

The festival outgrows Worthy Farm and the neighbouring Cockmill Farm is purchased, increasing the size of the festival by 100 acres.

Dates

Jun 21 – 23

Price

£16

Tickets Sold

40,000

Headliners
  • FriJoe Cocker
  • SatIan Dury
  • SunHugh Masekela
Key Events
  • Cockmill Farm purchased. Increases festival size by over 100 acres.

The festival's first official fallow year, giving the grounds time to recover.