Not gone to Glasto?

It's that time of year, when thousands of festival-goers and artists (including, once again, Eastbourne's can-can troupe Les Ooh La Laas - see our previous feature here) make their way to Somerset for the Glastonbury Festival.

If, like the East office, you've not managed to head west this year, here's a round-up of some of the events our region has to offer this weekend.

Friday sees stadium rock come to Eastbourne Bandstand, with Pink Floyd tribute Us Not Them visiting for the first time. Pink Floyd were often suggested as the perfect headliners for Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage, but never made it to the famed Avalon setting. Imagine you're attending the Glastonbury that never was from 7pm at the Bandstand. Tickets £7.25 on the door.


Glastonbury is justly famous for its sprawling markets and carnival performers. Saturday brings the chance to indulge in more family-friendly revelry in the East region, as Hailsham Carnival returns, promising a funfair, live bands, sideshows and dozens of stalls on the Maurice Thornton Playing Fields. The carnival procession itself begins at 2pm, and all monies raised during the day go the the Lark In The Park charity.


Many newer festivals, such as Latitude, now place a major emphasis on spoken word events as well as music, and this has always been a Glastonbury trait. In Lewes, Free Speech - a three day festival of words for young people - concludes on Saturday, with a varied programme at All Saints Centre. Louise Rennison, author of Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging, will be interviewed by the area's students; a stage adaptation of John Agard's The Young Inferno is performed; and the evening brings a trio of live bands from the town. Tickets cost £3-5, and the event begins at 2pm.


Another popular Glastonbury spot is the packed Cabaret Tent, playing host to dozens of well-known comedians. On Saturday evening, two such big names in stand-up come to the De La Warr Pavilion, when Rhona Cameron and Shappi Khorsandi drop into Bexhill. Tickets for the double-bill cost £15, show starts 8pm.

Of course, Glastonbury Festival is a great place to see new, up & coming bands and DJs, but music fans have a typically packed weekend of gigs and club nights here in East Land too. Check out our revamped Live Music and Club listings to see what's on near you.

And remember, the weather forecast for us lot is a lot sunnier than the threatened thunderstorms over Pilton. Enjoy!