Glastonbury 2025: Who's headlining, what Irish acts are playing, and where to watch
THE GATES ARE open, the music has started and thousands of flimsy, coffin-sized tents have gone up – Glastonbury has officially kicked off.
It's once again a jam-packed lineup this year, with over 3,000 performances scheduled across dozens of stages – including a whopping 33 Irish (and Northern Irish) acts.
Who is headlining this year?
Glastonbury Festival's gates opened on Wednesday, with the full music schedule set to kick off in force tonight.
Headliners for the weekend include British pop-rock band The 1975, rock legend Neil Young, US pop-punk star Olivia Rodrigo, and national treasure Rod Stewart, who returns to the festival for the first time in 23 years to fill the iconic Sunday 'legend slot'.
Olivia Rodrigo, Neil Young, Rod Stewart and the 1975.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
But the headliners are just the beginning. The line-up also features major names like Charli XCX, Wolf Alice, The Libertines, Wet Leg, Biffy Clyro, Franz Ferdinand, The Prodigy and Scissor Sisters.
Throwback sets from the Kaiser Chiefs, Rizzle Kicks and En Vogue promise a hit of nostalgia, while debut performances by Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams, Lola Young and Doechii bring fresh energy to the fields of Worthy Farm.
Rumours are also swirling about secret sets from Lewis Capaldi, and Pulp—each marked as 'TBA' on the festival schedule, the same as Lorde (who did indeed host a secret set today).
Which Irish acts are playing at Glastonbury?
33 bands, musicians and DJs from the island of Ireland will be performing at Glastonbury this week, including some well-known stars.
You've likely heard the news that Kneecap are performing, in spite of vocal opposition from the powers-that-be in the UK (Labour and the Conservatives).
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
The Belfast rap trio will play at the West Holts stage on Saturday at 4pm.
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, globally known as CMAT, will grace the main stage (the pyramid stage) this afternoon at 1.30pm.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Tomorrow, the Script will also play main stage at 3pm.
Other Irish acts to watch out for are Annie Mac, DJ extraordinaire who will play at the Arcadia stage at 1pm tomorrow, Dublin-based punk band Sprints (Woodsies stage at 2pm) and popular singer-songwriter Orla Gartland (Avalon stage at 6.35pm tonight).
Here's the schedule for some other Irish acts:
Friday
Inhaler: 2.15pm–3.15pm (Other Stage)
Gurriers: 5.05pm–5.40pm (Leftfield Stage)
Ash: 5.05pm–6.05pm (Avalon Stage)
Max Cooper: 10.50pm–11.50pm (Arcardia Stage)
Advertisement
Saturday
Lorraine Nash: 12.10pm–12.40pm (Acoustic Stage)
Oisin Leech: 1pm–1.40pm (Acoustic Stage)
Liam O'Maonlai (Not Completely Unknown a celebration of the songs of Bob Dylan): 3pm–4pm (Acoustic Stage)
The Coronas: 5.10pm–6pm (Acoustic Stage)
Sunday
Dea Matrona: 11.25am–12.05pm (Avalon Stage)
The Henry Girls: 1pm–1.40pm (Acoustic Stage)
The Riptide Movement: 3pm–3.40pm (Acoustic Stage)
Can I watch Glastonbury in Ireland?
Yes – though your viewing will be somewhat limited. Still, there's arguably no better weekend for music on TV than during Glastonbury.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
With sweeping crane shots capturing every moment, you actually get a clear view of the action—no muddy crowds or distant stages. And instead of trekking miles across Worthy Farm to chase overlapping sets, you can stay planted on the couch, turn up the volume, and enjoy it all on record.
While Irish viewers will miss out on the full expreience on the BBC iPlayer, it's not all bad, as the festival will feature across three BBC television channels (BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four) during the day.
Plus, the BBC's Glastonbury YouTube channel will also allow you to catch up with the day's heaviest hitters.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
BBC One offers a curated slice of Glastonbury this weekend, with The 1975 on Friday, Raye and Charli XCX on Saturday, and Olivia Rodrigo on Sunday, preceded by Rod Stewart in the afternoon.
For broader daily highlights, BBC Two is your go-to, with a round-up show that's basically Match of the Day with glitter and wellies.
Prefer your music a little more indie or alternative? BBC Four has you covered all weekend with acts like Franz Ferdinand, Wunderhorse, Amyl and the Sniffers, Beth Gibbons, St Vincent and Snow Patrol.
And for the electro faithful, The Prodigy's Sunday night set will also air there.
Despite the extensive list of Irish acts at Glastonbury this year, BBC's schedule sadly appears to show that no Irish acts will make the TV cut this year – it's not just Kneecap, though there's still question marks around that.
'Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines,' the British broacaster said, when asked whether Kneecap's set would be broadcast live or as part of the BBC's catchup services.
'Decisions about our output will be made in the lead up to the festival.'
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch are among the objectors to Kneecap's highly-anticipated performance at the festival.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Hollywood star parties with Kneecap at Glastonbury amid police probe over ‘free Palestine' chant and ‘terror group' top
HOLLYWOOD actor Jamie Dornan was seen backstage at Glastonbury partying with Irish rap group Kneecap as police investigate politically charged moments during their set and another by Bobby Vylan. 3 Jamie Dornan joined Kneecap after their Glastonbury set last night Credit: Instagram 3 Bobby Vylan of British duo Bob Vylan chanted 'death, death, to the IDF' as the crowd joined in Credit: AFP An unexpected celebrity endorsement came from Jamie as The Robin Hood star, from Northern Ireland, posed backstage with the band made up of rappers Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí. They performed shortly after punk duo Bob Vylan also stirred controversy, with frontman Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on X that they are reviewing footage from both sets: 'We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon. 'Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.' READ MORE ON GLASTONBURY The BBC declined to stream Kneecap's performance live, citing editorial standards, though one audience member live streamed it in full on TikTok. The band also led anti-Keir Starmer chants after he called for them to be axed from the Glastonbury line-up. However, many fans waved pro-Palestinian banners and wore themed face paint in support. The West Holts stage was temporarily closed due to fears of overcrowding, with festival organisers issuing a 'no access' warning shortly before Kneecap's 4pm performance. Most read in Music The decision not to broadcast the set live follows mounting political pressure. Prime Minister 'It just makes me happy', says legendary singer Elton John as he praises 'brave' Irish musicians The controversy was further fuelled by footage of rapper JJ Ó Dochartaigh (Móglaí Bap) wearing a T-shirt referencing Home Secretary In a separate case, He allegedly displayed a Following the performance from Bob Vylan, Glastonbury said: "Glastonbury Festival was created in 1970 as a place for people to come together and rejoice in music, the arts and the best of human endeavour. "As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in - and actively campaign for - hope, unity, peace and love. "With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs. "However, we are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. "Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence." 3 The PM called for Glastonbury to axe Irish hip hop group Kneecap from its line-up but their set went ahead Credit: Getty
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Glastonbury Festival organisers ‘appalled' by Bobby Vylan anti-IDF chants
Glastonbury Festival has said it is "appalled" by the statements made by Bobby Vylan, of punk duo Bob Vylan, during their set on Saturday.
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
The Script pay emotional tribute to late band member at Glastonbury
The Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue paid tribute to his 'best mate' and former band member Mark Sheehan as the band performed at Glastonbury over the weekend. The former lead guitarist of the band was just 46 years old when he died following a brief illness. Earlier this year, The Script marked Mark's second anniversary with an emotional tribute online. The Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue paid tribute to his 'best mate' and former band member Mark Sheehan as the band performed at Glastonbury over the weekend. Pic: ShaneDanny and Glen Power welcomed the addition of Ben Sargeant and Ben Weaver to the band following Mark's death, noting that the band would never be a three-piece again. On Saturday, the four performed on the Pyramid stage at Worthy Farm in Somerset, with Danny taking an opportunity to pay tribute to his late pal. 'There's one person I really wish was here to see this,' he told attendees, 'He was on this stage 17 years ago. We lost my best mate and the founding member of The Script, Mark Sheehan. @bbcradio2 @thescript_danny's touching 'If You Could See Me Now' tribute to bandmate Mark Sheehan was just perfect🧡 @thescripttok Watch on | Listen on @bbcsounds #Glastonbury #BBCGlasto ♬ original sound – BBC Radio 2 'I just wanted to thank every single person here for keeping us going, for all your thoughts and all your prayers. Thank you so much. Honestly. 'I know he's having a whiskey right now looking down on us. With that, I'm going to dedicate this song to him. This song is called If You Could See Me Now.' A clip of the bittersweet moment was shared by BBC Radio 2 to TikTok with fans taking to the comments sharing their own tributes to the late Mark. Mark Sheehan performing with The Script at Glastonbury in 2009. Pic: Harry Scott/Redferns One said: 'Danny you're such a nice guy he's defo looking over you all.' Another added: 'Love the script best Irish band aww Mark sadly missed. Love Danny he is defo looking down on you all.' A third commented: 'Thinking of yea RIP Mark xxxx.' Earlier this year marked two years since Mark had died with the band taking to social media to share an emotional tribute admitting it 'feels like yesterday we were in the studio working on the next tune.' They said: 'Your impact on this world will never be forgotten. And with each year your legend only grows further. We'll continue on what you started. Miss you brother x.'
