Huw Roberts, a native of Liverpool, in a recent comment outlined his concerns. He is particularly upset about the increasing expense of attending his native Britain’s legendary Glastonbury Festival. While Roberts is obviously sad about the changes that have made the original spirit of the festival a memory, he remains optimistic. It was, at one time, a powerful expression of the UK’s inclusivity, diversity, and creativity.
When ticket prices skyrocket, Roberts is on the same page as journalist Zoe Williams. She brings attention to the high financial cost that attendees have to absorb. Ticket prices are going up—but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Other costs associated with festival attendance are rising as well, putting this once accessible opportunity out of reach for many prospective participants.
Roberts reflects on his first experience at Glastonbury as a 16-year-old, where he paid £80 for a ticket funded by his part-time job. This bittersweet memory showcases his profound empathy for today’s young people. This is why so many young people today don’t have access to cultural events because they’re not cost accessible. You can tell he feels for the younglings who can no longer afford to attend Glastonbury. This festival has always welcomed people of every age, race, religion and economic status.
In an article published on June 29 in The Guardian, Roberts elaborated on his experiences at Glastonbury 2025, noting that the festival’s evolution raises pertinent questions.
“Is it unreasonable to mourn a time when more young people could afford to come?” – Zoe Williams
This painful question gets at the heart of the paradoxical situation Glastonbury finds itself in today. These increasing costs jeopardize the festival’s dedication to being inclusive. Protecting the spirit of the Grand Advocates like Roberts and Williams are working to reevaluate pricing structures and policies in an effort to protect the event’s spirit.