Chris and Amanda Bartlett from Reading enjoying Glastonbowie at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Photo: PA Wire

Dairy farmer and festival founder Michael Eavis welcomed festival-goers ahead of the first day of music with a rousing Elvis Presley karaoke set.

In what has become an annual tradition, Eavis took to the stage at Croissant Neuf, this year choosing The King’s classic Can’t Help Falling In Love, followed by Frank Sinatra’s My Way.

Thousands of voices on Thursday rang out across Worthy Farm as campers joined in song to pay tribute to murdered MP Jo Cox.

The event had originally been scheduled for Wednesday, which would have been Jo Cox’s 42nd birthday, but was pushed back after many were delayed arriving at the site due to heavy traffic.

Singer Billy Bragg led attendees in a solemn version of We Shall Overcome as people spilled around the sides of the packed Park Stage to celebrate her life.

He was joined on stage by Emily Eavis, carrying her newborn baby, and more than a hundred women from the crowd who wore sashes in the purple, white and green of the Suffragettes.

A minute’s silence was then held for the Labour MP, who was killed on June 16.

The crowd joined in a march to The Sisterhood, the first women-only venue at the festival, which was officially opened in Cox’s memory.

The late David Bowie’s life was also celebrated at the unofficial Glastonbowie, a singalong event which attracted thousands of fans – many dressed as the music legend himself.

In front of the Pyramid Stage, which is decorated with an Aladdin Sane lightening bolt in tribute to the late singer, fans gathered to sing Bowie’s hits including Starman, Ziggy Stardust and Suffragette City.

The festival kicked off yesterday.