Missed out on Glastonbury Festival tickets this year? Don’t worry, the BBC iPlayer offers comprehensive coverage from the comfort of your home.
But that’s just the beginning of a busy week of entertainment.
Squid Game concludes its second season, Brad Pitt revs up in the new film Formula 1, and gaming visionary Hideo Kojima releases the highly anticipated sequel to Death Stranding.
Read on for this week’s highlights…
By Mark Savage, Music Correspondent
The UK’s largest music festival kicks off Wednesday, with headliners The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, and Neil Young gracing the Pyramid Stage.
For those unable to secure tickets (approximately 140,000 attendees), the BBC provides extensive live coverage across television, radio, and iPlayer – encompassing all major stages with over 90 hours of musical performances.
A dedicated Glastonbury Hits Channel on iPlayer offers a pre-festival treat, streaming classic performances from past years, featuring artists like Oasis, Little Simz, The Who, and Lady Gaga.
Worthy Farm attendees seeking an alternative to the main stages should explore the Avalon field, boasting a compelling lineup this year.
Relive your 2000s indie-pop nostalgia with Hard-Fi, The Fratellis, and Ash; discover emerging indie artists Orla Gartland and Rachael Chinouriri; and pay tribute to Amy Winehouse with a dedicated set from her former band.
After global success, the second season of Squid Game concludes on Friday.
Its debut season in 2021 garnered over 265 million views, making it Netflix’s most-watched series ever. The second season follows closely behind with approximately 192.6 million views, securing its place as the platform’s third most-watched show.
The series follows Seong Gi-hun’s participation in deadly children’s games for a life-changing cash prize to alleviate his substantial debt.
Creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who suffered significant stress during production, describes the ending as “bittersweet.” Initially envisioning a five-season arc, Dong-hyuk discovered a natural conclusion during the writing process.
He stated: “I’m relieved to leave the Squid Game world, but saying goodbye to those memories is sad.”
Lead actor Lee Jung-jae added: “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet. Fan reaction will help me say goodbye to Squid Game and Seong Gi-hun.”
By Tom Richardson, Newsbeat Reporter
Hideo Kojima, a highly influential video game designer, releases a new title this week. Death Stranding 2, launching Thursday on PlayStation 5, continues the story of Sam Porter Bridges, a delivery man navigating a post-apocalyptic world.
While the plot remains complex (Kojima’s narrative style and lengthy cinematic sequences often attract criticism), early indications suggest improved gameplay depth and variety.
Despite criticisms, Kojima’s previous works eerily foreshadowed real-world events, including the spread of misinformation and the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, viewers shouldn’t dismiss the game’s cutscenes, featuring an impressive cast, including Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Elle Fanning.
Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 film spares no expense in capturing the sport’s essence.
Pitt and co-star Damson Idris were seen driving real cars at Silverstone during the filming of the 2023 and 2024 Grand Prix.
Pitt portrays Sonny Hayes, a retired racer recruited by the fictional team APXGP.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film prioritizes authenticity, featuring a Hans Zimmer score, stunning visuals, and realistic high-speed crashes.
F1 fans will appreciate the numerous cameos, including drivers like Lewis Hamilton and commentators David Croft and Martin Brundle.
The film opens in cinemas Wednesday.