The hype is real. Five days of organised chaos for those lucky enough to hurdle the nightmare of securing a ticket. Glastonbury is a dreamscape that tops best festival lists across Europe and the world. It’s an invitation to suspend reality and banal daily problems. The only thing that matters is music, campaigning for what’s right and hedonism.
This weekend was a scorcher, so in amongst dusty grass the festival erected free suncream dispensers across the fields. The girlies were ready too with fans and bikinis, which seemed to be the outfit of the festival for many. We saw it reflected back on Charli xcx, Amyl and the Sniffers and tiny separates worn by Wet Leg and Wolf Alice. Artists repeatedly poured water over themselves in the compounded heat of stage lights and sun. Sexed up powerful dressing and tracks like Wet Dream or Guess rooted us in this sweaty summer loving, a hazy modern reimagining of The Summer of Love that organisers strove to capture in Glastonbury’s 70s inception.
Underpinning these hippie and political messages are the structures that make it Glastonbury. The pyramid stage remains crowned by the CND peace symbol (twinning with the modest free phone charging CND tent); the iconic Greenpeace stage packs a punch too, with “Jungle is not massive” tree and updated “Protect your right to protest” signs. Revellers are inevitably immersed in countless activist messages from installation artworks on oil and apocalypse to musicians advocating for Palestine, climate and trans rights. It’s done with hope, the joy of organised voices and coming together.
What stands Glastonbury apart from other iconic popular festivals, along with its activism, is the sheer vastness, choice and ultimately those clashes: Charli xcx, Doechii, Scissor Sisters or Neil Young – are you serious? We trace the key performances in order of appearance.
Thursday
WITCH
Yes, worthwhile things happen on Thursday. The psychedelic rock band WITCH from Zambia blew our socks off. Reunited, returning their front man to the stage after he’d gone back down the mines, the 70s phenomenon bristled with energy and style delivering resounding vocals and unravelling guitar fuzz. Their African print clothing looked majestic. Their historical weight felt well suited to the festival. With ecstatic stage presence WITCH left no doubt why lead singer Chanda is also known as Jagari, after Mick Jagger.
Yes, worthwhile things happen on Thursday. The psychedelic rock band WITCH from Zambia blew our socks off. Reunited, returning their front man to the stage after he’d gone back down the mines, the 70s phenomenon bristled with energy and style delivering resounding vocals and unravelling guitar fuzz. Their African print clothing looked majestic. Their historical weight felt well suited to the festival. With ecstatic stage presence WITCH left no doubt why lead singer Chanda is also known as Jagari, after Mick Jagger.
Slick n Bobby x Green
Strummerville stage had back to back great music and a quieter atmosphere in amongst the trees. This is where you could find the pretty waved young band, who proved a little wandering reaps rewards. Deeply cool the musicians spoke of grounding into your body, taking long breaths. It felt like modern reggae infused rock and was described to the crowd “this is psychedelic… so be psychedelic in your wanders”. They played in Berlin at 12am the night before, got back to London at 4am, and the drowsy energy added trippy pleasure.
Strummerville stage had back to back great music and a quieter atmosphere in amongst the trees. This is where you could find the pretty waved young band, who proved a little wandering reaps rewards. Deeply cool the musicians spoke of grounding into your body, taking long breaths. It felt like modern reggae infused rock and was described to the crowd “this is psychedelic… so be psychedelic in your wanders”. They played in Berlin at 12am the night before, got back to London at 4am, and the drowsy energy added trippy pleasure.
Lynks (DJ)
Opening with a silly Wannabe remix, this rising alt-pop culprit DJed all the noughties bangers in twisted remix form. Lynks donned massive fur head gear and elegant lace bra, as usual their face was covered. The set had an extreme sense of immediacy, mixing 212 with Bonkers before we could even think. The subtle pink and blue flashing of their projected backdrop gestured towards the trans pride flag. A live rendition of Lynks’ Silly Boy closed the set.
Opening with a silly Wannabe remix, this rising alt-pop culprit DJed all the noughties bangers in twisted remix form. Lynks donned massive fur head gear and elegant lace bra, as usual their face was covered. The set had an extreme sense of immediacy, mixing 212 with Bonkers before we could even think. The subtle pink and blue flashing of their projected backdrop gestured towards the trans pride flag. A live rendition of Lynks’ Silly Boy closed the set.
Friday
John Glacier
Smouldering and seemingly effortless, despite admitting her nerves, this model cum rap artist was wrapped in Burberry for her set. The sounds were big and bassy, with a gloomy spoken word thread that makes you lean in. Both poetic and atmospheric, her performance at Glastonbury proved she’s a rising star to watch.
Smouldering and seemingly effortless, despite admitting her nerves, this model cum rap artist was wrapped in Burberry for her set. The sounds were big and bassy, with a gloomy spoken word thread that makes you lean in. Both poetic and atmospheric, her performance at Glastonbury proved she’s a rising star to watch.
Wet Leg
Wet Leg’s show was energetic and polished, Rhian Teasdale moved and grooved intentionally as she delivered limber vocals. There was plenty from the new album to enjoy, including already popular CPR. Whilst Ur Mum permitted the thousands watching to do their longest and loudest scream. The tiny shorts with rosette and crop top number plus drenched hair was super sexy on the indie band’s lead singer too, whose presence was commanding throughout.
Wet Leg’s show was energetic and polished, Rhian Teasdale moved and grooved intentionally as she delivered limber vocals. There was plenty from the new album to enjoy, including already popular CPR. Whilst Ur Mum permitted the thousands watching to do their longest and loudest scream. The tiny shorts with rosette and crop top number plus drenched hair was super sexy on the indie band’s lead singer too, whose presence was commanding throughout.
PinkPantheress
Louis Theroux gave a recorded on-screen introduction defining fancy before PinkPantheress took to the stage. Looking around, and noted by the singer herself, the crowd was (finally) a tad older than her usual draw of teenagers. Transporting us to her own sort of club in the tent, the nostalgia-tinged tracks of this pop mistress worked some magic. Innocent diffused vocals and bouncing band kept the energy up, so did a tap dancer.
Louis Theroux gave a recorded on-screen introduction defining fancy before PinkPantheress took to the stage. Looking around, and noted by the singer herself, the crowd was (finally) a tad older than her usual draw of teenagers. Transporting us to her own sort of club in the tent, the nostalgia-tinged tracks of this pop mistress worked some magic. Innocent diffused vocals and bouncing band kept the energy up, so did a tap dancer.
Romy (DJ)
Romy delivered one of many excellent DJ sets at the festival, which was magnified in intensity by the breathtaking set design, this time the Dragonfly at Arcadia. Encased in the flashing eyes of a dragonfly Romy conducted pandemonium down below under the belly of the insect. Mixing house and dance beats that rose up euphorically, this lesbian musician (there were plenty queer acts at Glastonbury) DJed to a united dancefloor where all that mattered was the next track.
Romy delivered one of many excellent DJ sets at the festival, which was magnified in intensity by the breathtaking set design, this time the Dragonfly at Arcadia. Encased in the flashing eyes of a dragonfly Romy conducted pandemonium down below under the belly of the insect. Mixing house and dance beats that rose up euphorically, this lesbian musician (there were plenty queer acts at Glastonbury) DJed to a united dancefloor where all that mattered was the next track.
Saturday
Fcukers
This was one of the acts to see. Shouted out later in the day by other NYC locals, TV on the Radio, this electronic band are deeply cool. With a charming confidence, and great look — shout-out Jackson Walker Lewis’ sultry little vest, Fcukers are party starters. Their sound aligns with the current electroclash resurgence with a modern take on being young, dumb and full of it.
This was one of the acts to see. Shouted out later in the day by other NYC locals, TV on the Radio, this electronic band are deeply cool. With a charming confidence, and great look — shout-out Jackson Walker Lewis’ sultry little vest, Fcukers are party starters. Their sound aligns with the current electroclash resurgence with a modern take on being young, dumb and full of it.
Kneecap
Kneecap’s much anticipated performance saw the West Holts stage cordoned off reaching capacity. The field shook with bass, as well as chants of “Fuck Keir Starmer” and “Free Palestine”. But a quip “let’s start a riot” from outspoken frontman Móglaí Bap was quickly taken back. Their set was much the same as at Wide Awake: unbridled rapped drawl and taut drums to make Dionysus smile. It’s something to experience. At Glastonbury Kneecap topped their biggest crowd record with 30,000 attendees.
Kneecap’s much anticipated performance saw the West Holts stage cordoned off reaching capacity. The field shook with bass, as well as chants of “Fuck Keir Starmer” and “Free Palestine”. But a quip “let’s start a riot” from outspoken frontman Móglaí Bap was quickly taken back. Their set was much the same as at Wide Awake: unbridled rapped drawl and taut drums to make Dionysus smile. It’s something to experience. At Glastonbury Kneecap topped their biggest crowd record with 30,000 attendees.
Charli xcx
Charli xcx’s performance was highly visual and involved a big dose of erotic writhing. The tracks stand up with warped joyous autotune and swarming synths. For something a little more experimental and sonically abrasive A.G. Cook, a firm Charli collaborator, performed earlier in the day (incredible). Charli xcx’s performance was for the young fans at Glastonbury and her lyric “You’re from the 70s but I’m a 90s bitch” felt super pertinent during the Neil Young clash and wider context. The artist threw herself into it and near the front of the crowd the energy was high. This was a big moment.
Charli xcx’s performance was highly visual and involved a big dose of erotic writhing. The tracks stand up with warped joyous autotune and swarming synths. For something a little more experimental and sonically abrasive A.G. Cook, a firm Charli collaborator, performed earlier in the day (incredible). Charli xcx’s performance was for the young fans at Glastonbury and her lyric “You’re from the 70s but I’m a 90s bitch” felt super pertinent during the Neil Young clash and wider context. The artist threw herself into it and near the front of the crowd the energy was high. This was a big moment.
Sunday
Geordie Greep
Cool as fuck, the weirdo lead singer of Black Midi’s solo project has received much acclaim. Atmospheric and considered picking led us down meandering melodies that matched the disorderly mood of his sleepy crowd. There was no need for visuals. No projection, not even the musicians on the big screen, just the jazz-inflected madness of Mr. Greep and co.
Cool as fuck, the weirdo lead singer of Black Midi’s solo project has received much acclaim. Atmospheric and considered picking led us down meandering melodies that matched the disorderly mood of his sleepy crowd. There was no need for visuals. No projection, not even the musicians on the big screen, just the jazz-inflected madness of Mr. Greep and co.
Wolf Alice
Festival veterans at this point whose debut at Glastonbury was in 2014, Wolf Alice gave a confident emotional performance. Their song for besties Bros was particularly touching. On the Sunday energy is waning and Wolf Alice’s indie rock bangers managed to keep us dancing on our feet rather than passed out on the ground. There should be a medal for that. Despite the leg and head aches endured we are pulling at the lead for the next 2027 edition of Glastonbury.
Festival veterans at this point whose debut at Glastonbury was in 2014, Wolf Alice gave a confident emotional performance. Their song for besties Bros was particularly touching. On the Sunday energy is waning and Wolf Alice’s indie rock bangers managed to keep us dancing on our feet rather than passed out on the ground. There should be a medal for that. Despite the leg and head aches endured we are pulling at the lead for the next 2027 edition of Glastonbury.
