Glastonbury performance draws over 180,000

June 29, 2014
Dolly Parton performs at Glastonburg 2014

Dolly performs before a crowd of more than 180,000 Glastonbury festival goers, a record for the event

In the summer of 2014, Dolly performed at the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts. When she took to the Pyramid stage, it was said that all the other stages were empty and even the performers were likely gathered to see her concert. In a sharp contrast to the famous Glastonbury mud, Dolly greeted her fans in a white rhinestone-covered pants suit.

She sang many of her hits including "Coat of Many Colors," and "9 to 5" while the eager young audience sang along, many wearing blond wigs in admiration. The security staff even choreographed their own moves to "Jolene."

The festival staff had been trying to book Dolly since their very first event back in 1970. However, the timing of her touring schedule did not work out until now. Dolly was excited to perform at Glastonbury and especially admired the large farm that hosts the annual event. She said,

"I'm just a country girl and now I feel like a rock star."

The BBC aired the entire event and made it available on their networks around the world. During the performance, Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora joined in on Dolly’s version of "Lay Your Hands On Me." The song appears on Dolly’s album, "Blue Smoke" as a spiritual tune.

Before the event, Dolly received a special presentation marking her total career album sales surpassing 100 million worldwide.

The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts is a five-day music and arts event. The festival hosts multiple stages and is set on Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, England.