Glastonbury’s Live At Worthy Farm livestream plagued by technical issues as music-lovers complain live stream crashes
GLASTONBURY’S Live At Worthy Farm livestream has been plagued by technical issues - with music-lovers furious as the online concert kept crashing.
The festival was cancelled for the second year running earlier in 2021 because of the coronavirus, with an online version instead being held tonight.
But virtual attendees were left furious as the technical problems meant they were unable to log in.
And they were instead told to rewind the concert when they were eventually able to access what was meant to be a livestream.
Following the delay, the show's co-promoters and producers, Driift Live, announced they were providing a free link.
They later tweeted to say they were offering those affected on the BST time zone extended access to the stream on Sunday.
They also said they would be offering a refund for those who required one, with tickets costing £20.
Their statement added: "All other ticket purchasers for the other timed streams remain unaffected. We send our sincere apologies to all those who were affected by tonight's technical issues, but we hope they will all be able to enjoy this incredible show over the coming days."
A tweet from event producers Driift Live said: "Hello! We're looking into the issues of invalid codes urgently.
"If you're having issues with the live stream please do not fret, you'll be able to rewind once you're in. Thanks!"
But despite the apologies, many fans were left frustrated and angry.
BBC Breakfast's Louise Minchin tweeted: "Anyone managed to get into the live-stream of @glastonbury? I wasn't expecting to be watching #Eurovision but here we go and the snacks won't be wasted!".
BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James tweeted: "It wouldn't be an authentic Glastonbury experience if it wasn't a complete pain in the arse to get in tbf."
Avid music fan Lisa Adams, from Bath, who has regularly attended the Glastonbury Festival in the past, told The Sun Online: "What a shambles! We could only rewind by an hour so missed Wolf Alice!
"Doesn't do Glasto any favours when they're already struggling in enforced furlough."
Steve Brine MP wrote on Twitter: "Sorry guys but this is a shambles. First world problem but lots of people have paid you their money for this and your system is clearly unable to handle it."
One music fan said: "Is anyone getting this screen come up at all by any chance?" while attaching a screenshot of his TV screen.
Another frustrated fan wrote on Twitter: "Invalid code here too. Daughter asked "Have we been scammed?" Pretty bad when we're sitting here all set for Glasto!"
In an updated Twitter message from Driift Live, it said: "We apologise to those who have not yet been able to access the stream. Here is a new link with no code to access the stream. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience."
Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis apologised to fans after the technical fiasco.
She wrote on Twitter: "I am so sorry about the problems with the stream tonight. If you weren't able to get on, I'm told that the new link is working.
"We will obviously make sure we show the whole film again from tomorrow too and give you the chance to catch up on any bits you missed.
"I really hope you can enjoy the rest of it tonight. And, again, I'm just so sorry to anyone who's had issues."
The festival was cancelled for the second year running earlier in 2021 because of the coronavirus.
In March 2020, festival organisers announced the plan to launch a virtual replacement for the three day music festival on May 22, with Coldplay enlisted to perform.
The band was joined Damon Albarn, Wolf Alice, Idles, Michael Kiwanuka and other acts for Glastonbury’s livestreamed mini festival, which was promoted as taking viewers on a “five-hour journey through all of those spots that you know from Worthy Farm”.
Singer-songwriter George Ezra and Irish disco producer Roisin Murphy were also on the bill, while festival co-founder Michael Eavis, 85, led a spoken-word narration of the five-hour event with the help of PJ Harvey and Jarvis Cocker, plus Kate Tempest, George The Poet and Kurupt FM.
Musicians Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner - known as The Smile - also performed a first-ever set of original music for the event.
The festival's 50th anniversary was originally scheduled for 2020 but was cancelled amid health and safety concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
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Saturday night's show supported Oxfam, Greenpeace and WaterAid, the festival's three main charity partners.
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The event was also being screened at select cinemas across the UK.
The regular Glastonbury Festival normally takes place in June and attracts 200,000 people.