A sixteen-year-old boy with muscular dystrophy is one a member of the youngest band to ever perform at Glastonbury. The group of lads, who only finished their GCSEs last week, were spotted by a record label boss after they performed at their school talent show.
The frontman of teen band Askew, Eli Crossley, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy - a progressive muscle wasting disease which means he's been using a wheelchair since last year. Before their performance at the UK’s biggest music festival on Friday (June 23), the biggest gig the band played was at their "local pub in front of a few parents.”
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"It's a crazy experience. We were very nervous with the excitement of playing on a Glastonbury stage when we haven't really done a proper gig before.
"The biggest we've done is in a pub in front of parents so this is a big step up. Being the youngest band to play Glastonbury is crazy. It's unexpected and I never in a million years thought this would happen.
"We only finished exams last week so it's been pretty hectic. It's really special and I hope we can show people what we're about as a band,” Eli said.
The band formed six years ago in Chiswick, London and includes four other members - Alfie Lewis, 15, Freddie Wormleighton, 16, Jay Guru-Murthy, 16 and Will Ponds, 16. The boys got their spot on the Rabbit Hole stage after an Island Records boss saw them play at their school talent show, and got in touch with someone who knew Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis.
Their road to Glastonbury began earlier this year when Eli appeared on BBC Breakfast alongside his mum Emily Reuben, 49, to discuss his condition. The teen was speaking about his new 'Smart Suit', a piece of technology designed to help him move his upper body as he grows.
While on the show he said he hoped the suit would help him play the world famous festival. Soon after, viewers took to social media to contact Emily Eavis, asking for a slot for Askew.
Eli said: "I said out of the blue that my dream was to play Glastonbury. Lots of people saw it and tagged Emily Eavis. It was a very nice gesture and I really appreciate everyone who helped.
"After the buzz died down a bit, my mum emailed Jon Turner at Island Records because he's a dad at our school. At first we didn't hear anything, but then he saw us play at a school talent show and got in touch with someone who knew Emily Eavis and that's how we got our slot."
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive condition diagnosed in childhood. It causes all the muscles in the body to gradually weaken. There is no cure for Duchenne, but Eli says music has become a therapy for him.
"Last year I became a permanent wheelchair user. It's tough and a challenge but music is one of those things that doesn't affect me at all.
"I can get fully involved and do it with my friends. The band are all amazing and I wouldn't be able to do it without them.
"It's like therapy for me. At the end of the day Duchenne is who I am and I wouldn't change it - I won't let it hold me back."
Eli's mum Emily, founder and CEO of charity Duchenne UK said: "It's hard to put into words how proud I am.
"I've been going to Glastonbury for years but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought my son would be playing there.
"I'm just hoping they all have the most amazing experience - for some of them it's their first gig."
