Lorde performs new album Virgin in full in surprise Glastonbury Festival set
Alternative pop star Lorde has surprised fans with a secret set at Glastonbury Festival performing her latest album Virgin, which was released on Friday, in full.
The 28-year-old – whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor – took to the Woodsies stage at 11.30am as fans screamed at the top of their voices, before opening with latest single and the record's opening track, Hammer.
Masses of festivalgoers had converged on the tent, with a bumper crowd waiting outside.
Midway through her set she told the audience: "How you doing? You OK?
"This is f****** sick, thank you so much for being here with us on the day that Virgin was born.
"We decided to play the whole record for you from front to back.
"No, this record took me a lot, I didn't know if I would make another record to be honest, but I'm back here.
"I'm so thankful to you for waiting for me, thank you for sitting in the sun right now, hope you have a sick f****** Glastonbury."
Waving her shirt to cool down, Virgin's lead single What Was That prompted mass singalongs as flags with the new LP's cover and title waved.
Second single Man Of The Year climaxed with Lorde laying down on the floor of the building site-like set, as lasers shot out across the crowd from behind her.
Later in the set, she told the massive crowd: "This is crazy for me too, I hope you understand."
The New Zealand-born singer pulled her top off to finish with a double hit of Ribs from her debut album Pure Heroine, which she said was first played at Glastonbury 2017, and Melodrama's Green Light, which saw the lasers turn from blue to the colour mentioned in the track.
The final song prompted a football terrace-style singalong that almost drowned out Lorde herself.
Virgin is the singer's fourth studio album, with her previous three Pure Heroine (2013), Melodrama (2017) and Solar Power (2021) all reaching the top 10 of the UK albums chart.
The singer is best known for songs such as Homemade Dynamite, Solar Power and her second single Royals, which reached number one in the UK singles chart.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
15 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Lewis Capaldi says ‘I'm back baby' as he makes emotional return to Glastonbury
The crowd started chanting 'Oh Lewis Capaldi' before he began playing the hit song Before You Go, to kick off his set, which had been listed as 'TBA' on the Glastonbury website. The musician, who announced a break from touring shortly after his performance at the festival in 2023, has just released a new song called Survive. He also told fans: 'It's just a short set today but I just wanted to come and finish what I couldn't finish first time round.' Earlier on Friday, alternative pop star Lorde surprised fans with a secret set at Worthy Farm, performing her latest album Virgin, which was released on Friday, in full. Elsewhere at the festival, British pop rock band The 1975 will be the first headliners to grace the Glastonbury Festival's Pyramid Stage this year when they perform on Friday. Made up of four school friends, the group, known for songs including Chocolate, Someone Else and About You, comprises singer Matt Healy, bassist Ross MacDonald, guitarist Adam Hann and drummer George Daniel. The five-day celebration of music and performing arts, which opened its gates on Wednesday, will also host headline performances from veteran rocker Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop star Olivia Rodrigo. The BBC confirmed on Thursday that Young's Saturday Pyramid Stage set will not be broadcast live 'at the artist's request'. This year's line-up features a number of acts listed as TBA, as well as a mysterious act called Patchwork, which will take to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday. Festivalgoers had a clear morning after significant rainfall overnight, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s, according to the Met Office. ADVERTISEMENT The Met Office's Grahame Madge said: 'Heat and humidity will be building over the weekend. We anticipate highs of 26C on Saturday, with high levels of humidity. By Monday temperatures can be anticipated to be over 30C. 'There is always the chance of a light shower, but there is nothing in the forecast that suggests anything heavier for Saturday for Somerset.' Avon and Somerset Police said there had been 38 crimes reported at the festival, and 14 arrests made. On Saturday, Irish rap trio Kneecap, who have had one of their members charged with a terror offence, will perform on the West Holts Stage at 4pm. Before the festival, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it would not be 'appropriate' for them to perform. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London in November last year. Last week the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts. He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing at the same court on August 20. On Thursday, the trio posted a film they executive produced on social media, titled Stop The Genocide, which includes testimonies from a Palestinian activist and plastic surgeon on the war in Gaza. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as other guests. Rod's performance will come after he postponed a string of concerts in the US, due to take place this month, while he recovered from flu. In celebration of his legends slot South Western Railway has unveiled a new plaque at Twickenham railway station, where it is said that, years ago, he happened upon blues singer and band leader Long John Baldry, with whom he later played in the Hoochie Coochie Men. Among the other acts expected to draw large crowds this year is pop star Charli XCX, who is engaged to The 1975 drummer Daniel, and will perform songs from her sixth studio album, Brat. She is performing on Saturday night on the Other Stage, 15 minutes before the West Holts stage is graced by US rapper Doechii, another artist who has exploded in popularity in the last year. The BBC is providing livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.
The Irish Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
We just tied the knot at Glastonbury in front of 500 strangers – I wore a £27 Shein dress & we saved £20K on the DJ too
A BRIDE and groom tied the knot at Glastonbury Festival - with a crowd of 500 strangers cheering them on. Michael Anastasio, 32, and Francesca Anastasio, 35, have attended the festival together three times over their six-and-a-half year relationship - with the couple unable to think of "anywhere better" to get married. Advertisement 9 Michael Anastasio, 32, and Francesca Anastasio, 35, tied the knot at Glastonbury yesterday Credit: SWNS 9 They said their vows with 500 strangers cheering them on Credit: SWNS 9 Michael and Francesca have been to the music festival three times together and felt it was the perfect place to tie the knot Credit: SWNS After the pair found they were amongst the lucky few to get tickets to the biggest festival in Europe , along with 15 members of their bridal party, they started planning to tie the knot there. A last-minute cancellation of their celebrant meant Francesca had to call out for help on Glastonbury Facebook groups - with a replacement stepping in alongside photographers and hairdressers. Tying the knot in front of the iconic Glastonbury signage, the lovebirds were amazed to see crowds of people gather to watch their special moment. Francesca, a veteran's charity worker, from Wymondham, Norfolk , said: "I've been coming to Glastonbury for eight years. Advertisement More on Glastonbury "When I met Mike I brought him and I was so excited. "It became such a special place for us. "There wouldn't be anywhere better to get married than at Glastonbury. "Everyone is so lovely and it's got such a special energy . Advertisement Most read in Fabulous "We had a celebrant and unfortunately two weeks before they pulled out. "I went onto the Glastonbury Facebook groups and asked if anyone could be a celebrant for us. Pop-up hotel luxury glamping at Glastonbury "We met a lovely woman called Katie who was more than happy to do it for us." Others stepped in to help with a photographer shooting the couple's ceremony, and the hair station at the festival helping with last minute do's. Advertisement There wouldn't be anywhere better to get married than at Glastonbury Francesca Anastasio "All of these amazing people came forward and offered free things to help make our wedding happen," Francesca said. "Our friends sorted a lot of stuff. 9 The lovebirds found a last-minute celebrant on Facebook after their one pulled out Credit: SWNS 9 One of their friends brought a wedding cake in a cool box Credit: SWNS Advertisement 9 They celebrated with 15 of their closest friends at the festival Credit: SWNS 9 Michael and Francesca also did stag and hen dos on Thursday Credit: SWNS "One of our friends brought a cake in a cool box. "There were 15 of us in the bridal party. Advertisement "The celebrant and photographers brought their friends but when we were actually on the hill getting married there were 400 to 500 people watching. "It was incredible. "People were live streaming it on Instagram , it was really surreal." SHEIN GOWN 9 Francesca's wedding dress cost just £27 from Shein Credit: SWNS Advertisement The couple's outfits were sourced on a budget, with bride Francesca's bargain dress just £27 from Shein , and Michael's suit £150 from ASOS. Ringing in their nuptials over a few drinks, the party went to watch DJ Four Tet in the evening, followed by band Oh My God It's The Church. "It's nice on the Thursday, it's quite a chilled day just enjoying the sunshine and wandering around the site really. "We're treating this as a honeymoon really. Advertisement "It was stag and hen do's on the Wednesday, the wedding on the Thursday and the rest of the time as a honeymoon." 9 The couple are seeing the rest of Glastonbury as their honeymoon Credit: SWNS Glastonbury 2025 - confirmed acts so far TICKETS to the 2025 festival sold out in just minutes before some of the acts were even confirmed. Here is who has been confirmed so far. Confirmed headliners: The 1975 will take to the Pyramid Stage on Friday. Neil Young will headline the festival for the second time after his last set in 2009 on Saturday after RAYE makes her return. Charli xcx will headline the Other Stage on Saturday night. On Sunday, Olivia Rodrigo is due to belt out her hits for her first appearance while Rod Stewart will perform in the legends slot. More acts to appear on the Other Stage include Loyle Carner and The Prodigy. Doechii will make her Glastonbury debut on the West Holts Stage on Saturday night. Other names confirmed include Noah Kahan, Alanis Morissette, Gracie Abrams, Busta Rhymes, Lola Young, Brandi Carlile, Myles Smith, En Vogue, Amaarae, Cymande, Shaboozey, Osees and Gary Numan.
RTÉ News
35 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Lewis Capaldi plays surprise set at Glastonbury: 'I'm back'
Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi told the Glastonbury crowds "I'm back, baby" as he played a surprise set on Friday afternoon, two years after a performance at the festival during which he struggled to manage his Tourette syndrome symptoms. The crowd started chanting "Oh Lewis Capaldi" before he began playing the hit song Before You Go, to kick off his set, which had been listed as "TBA" on the Glastonbury website. The musician, who announced a break from touring shortly after his performance at the festival in 2023, has just released a new song called Survive. He also told fans: "It's just a short set today, but I just wanted to come and finish what I couldn't finish first time round." This year's line-up at the festival in Somerset features a number of acts listed as "TBA", as well as a mysterious act called Patchwork, who will take to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday.
