BBC Explainer presenter Ros Atkins and Crissy Criss have warmed up for Glastonbury by sampling Emily Eavis on a new track, ‘The Festival Is Here’.
- READ MORE: Glastonbury 2024: check out the full line-up, set times and stage splits
Following his 2024 DJ set, the news journalist is returning to the festival tonight (June 26) to take over the Rave Machine at Stonebridge. To warm up for his DJ set at Glastonbury, he’s teamed up with drum ‘n’ bass DJ Crissy Criss for a new track, ‘The Festival Is Here’.
The track is a nostalgic blend of classic 90s jungle and hardcore, and samples organiser Emily Eavis talking about the joy of opening the gates at Glasto. It also features voice notes from various BBC Radio 1 listeners recalling their own memories of the festival with host Greg James.
On social media, Atkins wrote: “I was so taken with the Thursday at last year’s Glastonbury that when I was booked to DJ on Thursday this year, I set about making a track about the Thursday feeling on the festival site. Thanks to everyone who helped. Feels like the day to post it…”
Though you might know him for his viral explainer videos with the BBC, Atkins has spoken before about regularly attending raves in Cornwall and his love for hardcore and drum ‘n’ bass. He also DJed in Brixton for a brief stint and was inspired by the likes of LTJ Bukem and DJ Hype.
After a one-off DJ set for BBC Radio 6 Music in 2022, Atkins explained how some of his “heroes” got in touch to teach him how to DJ, including Ray Keith. He teamed up with Keith, who also organises Stonebridge at Glastonbury, to play a set at The Social. He was then invited by Carl Gosling of The Social to play at the legendary festival.
I was so taken with the Thursday at last year’s @glastonbury that when I was booked to DJ on Thursday this year, I set about making a track about the Thursday feeling on the festival site. Thanks to everyone who helped. Feels like the day to post it… pic.twitter.com/HMUL90PF4K
— Ros Atkins (@BBCRosAtkins) June 26, 2025
Festival organisers Michael and Emily Eavis opened the gates to the festival yesterday (June 25), and the 2025 edition is set to run up until Sunday night (June 29). It will be the last instalment before a fallow year in 2026.
The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo would also be headlining this year – gracing the Pyramid on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Closing the Other Stage will be Loyle Carner (Friday), Charli XCX (Saturday) and The Prodigy (Sunday). Meanwhile, Rod Stewart will play the coveted Legends tea-time slot.
Other big names across the weekend include Biffy Clyro, The Maccabees, Lucy Dacus, Father John Misty, RAYE, Wolf Alice, The Prodigy, Doechii, St. Vincent, Deftones, The Libertines, Wet Leg, Weezer, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Future Islands, JADE, TV On The Radio, Self Esteem, CMAT, Blossoms and Turnstile.
There are also plenty of ‘TBA’ acts, a mysterious band called Patchwork and a lot of secret set rumours circling.
Check back at NME here for the latest news, reviews, interviews, photos and more from Glastonbury 2025.
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