Go La La! set up shop at iconic music festival – with a bit of Elton in the background
Go go Glasto! That’s where Go La La! is hanging out this week, bringing greeting cards, soaps and gifts to the festival fans at Glastonbury.
While co-owners Laura Kavanagh and John Higgins have a long-standing connection to the famous festival and the company is based in the Somerset town, it’s the first time they’ve had a stall – and there’s even a special range of naughty novelty soaps for the occasion.
“John was born in the area and, until last year, he’d been to every festival since 1981,” Laura told PG Buzz. “His mum even took him to the first one in 1970 but he doesn’t remember it!
“This is my 24th festival. My first Glastonbury – or Pilton Pop as it’s known to the locals – was in 1985 and I was 15. My mum bought me a ticket with her child allowance and it was £16. This year, tickets were £335!”
As the festival kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, 21 June, to allow campers to arrive at the famous Worthy Farm venue and get settled ready for a line-up that includes The Arctic Monkeys, Texas, Royal Blood, Guns ’N’ Roses, Lizzo, Lewis Capaldi, Rick Astley, Blondie, Cat Stevens, Manic Street Preachers, Queens Of The Stone Age, Christine And The Queens, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Elton John, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 23, 24, 25 June, there’s a good couple of days for people to discover Go La La!’s unique offer.
Laura added: “The products should attract a fair amount of attention because they’ll be completely new to the festival crowd and we can’t wait to see their reactions – I’ve developed a few limited-edition funny festival-themed soaps for the occasion and, with the rest of the range, they should do well.
“We’re taking all our other gifts too from our Trollied Dollies range and a wide selection of our cards from a few different ranges.”
Explaining that for the past 15 years she’s run a team of volunteer stewards who raise money for a local charity, Laura added: “I head up a crew who work in the backstage area of The Park, looking after VIP tipis and also the Park stage green room – it’s a job which festival founder Michael Eavis himself organised for me.”
The couple had been thinking about Go La La!’s business model overall and toying with the idea of a shop front but have always wanted to be able to travel around as they love customer-facing events such a trade shows while also want to deal directly with consumers.
“I decided I’d factor some pop-ups into the model and would start with the event I know best, which is Glastonbury.” Laura said. “We had to apply in the same way as everyone else and, even though we’re a local company, an application isn’t guaranteed. There are around 800 pitches with over half of them food concessions and many long-standing traders, so I was pretty thrilled to be offered a pitch.”
The stall is being manned by pals, including Liz Faulkner and Liv Weaver from fellow publishers Jelly Armchair, while John has to miss out on the fun this year by staying at Go La La! HQ to keep the business running smoothly and also be on standby delivery duty to make sure festival stock is topped up.
Laura added: “We have a fantastic spot in between the Pyramid stage and the Meeting Point, which is another iconic landmark. We have a bright pink gazebo and a variety of frankly, ridiculous signage!
“It’s been bloomin’ hectic setting up but we’re so close to the Pyramid stage we’ll be able to hear all the acts performing without needing to leave the stall. I never really plan to see anyone at the festival, I just like to wander and find new things and maybe see a headliner or bigger band if I’m in the area.
“I will, however, be fixed to the spot for Elton’s set – wouldn’t want to miss that, as it’s his last-ever UK performance. It’s going to be magical.”
