Behind-the-Scenes at Glastonbury

Posted by Gill Sutherland at 09:24 on 30 Jun 2008

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What's it really like behind-the-scenes at Glastonbury? Marie Claire's Gill Sutherland reveals all…

Wow, everyone at Glastonbury is smoking, just like in the pre-ban days, how delightfully anti-establishment. We even spot Amy Winehouse puffing away on the old gaspers in the backstage bar area. Amy, no, no, no! Not with your lungs, surely?!

On closer inspection, it turns out to be Amy Greenhouse, aka Jamie, an affable chap who's dragged up for no particular reason other than his own entertainment. We're very impressed by his felt-tipped tattoos, arguably classier than the singer's own.

Elsewhere fashion laws are blatantly abused, trammelled underfoot by hilarious novelty wellies. Common crimes include tie-dye (but not of the recent tastefully arty sort), superhero costumes (yes, we appreciate the irony Banana Boy; but aren't you hot and what about when you need a wee-wee?), hats (the once ubiquitous felt jester has been usurped by the leopard-print/sparkly/pirate-pattern pork pie) and scarves-as-headbands, a trend started by the bushy haired Andrew VanWyngarden of NY electro outfit MGMT, who actually looks pretty damned cool in his purple chiffon number holding court backstage.

We also spot Lily Allen skipping about backstage, she appears to be committing all above mentioned fashion follies. Luckily, I have my seven-year old Molly with me (kids are ideal props for celeb-greeting); we hang expectantly near our candy-striped heroine. Back-on boyf Ed of the Chemical Brothers indicates our presence (what a nice young man) and she obliges Molly with a photo.

Triumphant we head off to see Neon Neon who play funky electro-pop and feature Gryff Rhys of Super Furry Animals and short-arse sexpot Har Mar Superstar. We follow that with a bit of raving at The Glade, a futuristic disco area atop a hill, surrounded by trees and delightfully lit with dappled sunlight. It's bliss and the presence of the Green Police, a bunch of ravehead nutters dressed in Day-glo copper outfits, guarantee a suitably bonkers Glasto atmosphere.

Meanwhile, back at our spiritual home, aka the backstage bar, we spot Kelly Osbourne looking resplendent in a diaphanous sort-of kaftan thing, slick-backed hair and flash goggles. Also hanging out is Sienna Miller, wearing a floral frock and sporting a black, elongated bowler hat on her head, which frankly looks a smidge daft.

No-one does daft quite like our beloved Amy though. And so we troop off to see her Pyramid Stage spot not quite knowing what to expect. She doesn't disappoint: cracking/heartbreaking renditions of all the tunes, mad ramblings about hubby Blake, and a slurry Rehab, during which she allegedly punches a fan, as a finale. What a princess.

SEE ALL THE CELEBRITY GLASTONBURY PICS HERE

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