Your front-row pass to who the performers will be watching at Glastonbury
Hello from Worthy Farm, home to Glastonbury festival! As is tradition, this newsletter is coming to you from a sparsely apportioned cabin behind the festival's legendary Pyramid stage, which this weekend will feature headline sets from The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo.
The festival proper is kicking off right about now, though really it has been whirring away for two days already. The official opening was on Wednesday night: a circus spectacular on the Pyramid stage featuring jugglers, drummers, fire-flinging dancers and a bloke doing handstands on a fairy-light-strewn bike suspended above the audience. The extravaganza came courtesy of the talented folk from Glastonbury's theatre and circus fields, who were tasked with opening the festival for the first time since the early 90s.
(Incidentally, the Theatre and Circus Fields have a pretty remarkable origin story: in 1971 Winston Churchill's granddaughter Arabella was being relentlessly hounded by the paparazzi in London, having created a bit of a stink by daring to speak out against the Vietnam war. She legged it to Somerset, and there helped one of her father Randolph's former employees, Andrew Kerr, and some farmer named Michael Eavis, launch a certain summer festival. Churchill would devise the Theatre and Circus fields a decade later and handled their running until her death in 2007. You'd imagine she would have been thrilled to see her charges back doing their daredevil stuff on the Pyramid.)
The theatre and circus folk will be doing their thing all weekend, part of the more than 3,000-strong army of performers at this year's festival. As ever the Guardian is your one-stop shop for coverage of the biggest and best of those performances. All manner of goodies have already been published: an interview with the band Keir Starmer wants banned from the festival, Kneecap; music editor Ben Beaumont-Thomas's tips for the best acts to see this year; Glasto returnees, including Billy Bragg and Kate Nash, recalling their festival debuts; and, most importantly of all for those of you at home, an exhaustive viewing guide.
Then, all weekend we'll have news, reviews, galleries, features and of course the big Glastonbury liveblog, which runs from lunchtime to after midnight today, tomorrow and Sunday. That will be topped off on Monday by a special Glastonbury edition of the Guardian's G2 newspaper supplement, with a full exhaustive review of the festival.
Drink it all in because next year Glastonbury takes a year off, to allow the farm to recover from hundreds of thousands of people stomping all over it. I'm dreading it already, but let's worry about that later and make the most of this year first. To help maximise your enjoyment of the festival, whether on site or at home, we've asked some of this year's performers to share the one act they're most excited to see this year …
Tom Odell | Eternally boyish indie pop singer songwriter
'I'm such a huge fan of CMAT – Ciara is an incredible artist and such a fun person to be around. She supported me last year in Amsterdam at the Ziggo Dome, and we all ended up getting incredibly drunk in the backstage bar afterwards. I'm so happy to see her absolutely smashing it right now, and I can't wait to watch her perform on the Pyramid Stage!'
Tom Odell plays Woodsies 9pm, Saturday
Lambrini Girls | Sardonic, sweary Brighton punk trio
'I'm really looking forward to see Turnstile take the Other Stage [4:30 PM Sunday]. They're undeniably one of the most hyped bands right now, and it's for good reason. Their live shows are beautifully orchestrated chaos. I really respect their willingness to evolve. They've pushed the boundaries of hardcore, embracing pop and indie influences without losing their edge. It's ruffled some feathers because a lot of hardcore fans want to gatekeep hardcore – and that is what I love most about it. Punk was never meant to be exclusive, Turnstile are making it accessible for everyone!'Lambrini Girls play Left Field, 7.50pm Saturday
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Billie Marten | Soulful jazz folk, straight from Yorkshire
'There are oodles of treats to watch this weekend; Four Tet, Father John Misty, Amyl and the Sniffers, Nilüfer Yanya, Jalen Ngonda … but it's all about Beth Gibbons for me. What a hero! I grew up listening to her aching vocals on the Portishead records, and then her solo work. Mysteries is a masterpiece in writing, structure and production. Having never seen her live, only through the shiny barrier of YouTube and TV, I am totally ready for one hell of an arresting performance. Long reign Beth!' Billie plays the Acoustic Stage, 5pm today.
Ros Atkins | BBC analysis editor and rave master
'My head's spinning from the array of DJs I'd like to see. But one time I won't be listening to them is 3.15 on Saturday afternoon. Instead, I'll be at the Greenpeace stage. Last year, I was a guest on Huw Stephens' Roundtable on BBC 6 Music and one of the songs we reviewed was Antarctica by Divorce. It stopped me in my tracks and I've been a fan ever since. There's a brilliant creativity and range to their songwriting and sound; I also find their tracks really affecting – in a good way! I've not seen Divorce live and plan to put that right. Emotions may run high.'Ros played the Stonebridge bar on Thursday. You can listen to The Festival is Here, his Glastonbury-themed collaboration with Crissy Criss, here
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North Wales Chronicle
39 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Kneecap to perform at Glastonbury amid calls for them to be banned
It comes after one of the band's members, Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a gig 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. Last week Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would not be 'appropriate' for them to perform in the slot, which is due to go ahead on the Somerset festival's West Holts Stage at 4pm on Saturday. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also said the BBC 'should not be showing' the trio's set in a post on social media last week. Badenoch said in an X post, which was accompanied by an article from The Times which said the BBC had not banned the group: 'The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda. 'One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. 'As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism.' Kneecap are not listed as one of the acts being shown live by the broadcaster. Ahead of the group's set, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson told the PA news agency: 'Ticket-holders can once again expect to see uniformed officers on site at Glastonbury Festival 24/7 throughout the festival as part of our extensive policing operation ensuring it is safe for everyone attending, as well as those who live nearby.' Neil Young, best known for songs such as Rockin' In The Free World, Like A Hurricane and Cinnamon Girl, will headline the festival's Pyramid Stage on Saturday night with his band the Chrome Hearts. The BBC confirmed on Thursday that Young's set will not be broadcast live 'at the artist's request'. Another act expected to draw a big crowd is Brat star Charli XCX, who will headline the Other Stage around the same time Young and Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii will also perform. The 1975 headlined the festival's Pyramid Stage on Friday night, with the performance seeing singer Matty Healy joke he was his generation's 'best songwriter'. After performing Part Of The Band he sat on a stool while smoking and sipping his drink, Healy said: 'What this moment is making me realise is that I probably am the best songwriter of my generation. 'The best what they say, a poet, ladies and gentlemen, is what I am. 'Generational words and I just wanted to remind you, over the next couple of minutes, these lyrics are poetry, I believe.' The band then launched into Chocolate from their 2013 self-titled debut, before Healy remarked 'I was only joking about being a poet' at its conclusion. Made up of four school friends, the group comprised of singer Healy, bassist Ross MacDonald, guitarist Adam Hann and drummer George Daniel were headlining the festival for the first time. Friday also saw a performance from Scottish music star Lewis Capaldi who told the Glastonbury crowds 'I'm back baby' as he played a surprise set, two years after a performance at the festival during which he struggled to manage his Tourette syndrome symptoms. 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 told fans: 'It's so good to be back. I'm not going to say much up here today, because if I do, I think I will probably start crying.' He ended his performance with Somebody You Loved, the track that Glastonbury crowds helped him to sing when he struggled with the condition which can cause physical and verbal tics in 2023. 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. Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand brought out former Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi during their Other Stage set while they were playing Take Me Out, one of their best-known songs. Celebrities who have been spotted at the festival include singer Harry Styles, Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne and Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn. Friday saw hot dry weather which hardened the Worthy Farm surface after rain in the early hours of the morning, with festival goers expected to see temperatures in the mid-20s on Saturday. The Met Office's Grahame Madge said: '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. Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as other guests. Sir 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. The BBC is providing livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.
North Wales Chronicle
39 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Rod Stewart says country should ‘give Farage a chance'
The 80-year-old singer backed the Reform UK leader ahead of appearing in the festival's afternoon legends slot on Sunday, 23 years after he headlined the Pyramid Stage. 'I've read about (Sir Keir) Starmer cutting off the fishing in Scotland and giving it back to the EU. That hasn't made him popular,' he told The Times. 'We're fed up with the Tories. We've got to give Farage a chance. He's coming across well. Nigel? What options have we got? 'Starmer's all about getting us out of Brexit and I don't know how he's going to do that. Still, the country will survive. It could be worse. We could be in the Gaza Strip.' Admitting his wealth ensures 'a lot of it doesn't really touch me', he insisted he is not out of touch and expressed his support for Ukraine – criticising US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance for their treatment of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky on his visit to the White House – and Gaza. 'It's depressing, what's going on in the Gaza Strip,' he said. 'Netanyahu doesn't realise that this is what happened to his people under the Nazis: total annihilation. And Trump is going to turn the Gaza Strip into Miami?' Stewart said a prolonged bout of flu, which forced him to cancel five shows in the US, nearly forced him to withdraw from a Glastonbury appearance he described to ITV as his 'World Cup final'. 'This time last week I was thinking of cancelling,' he told The Sun, crediting his wife Penny Lancaster with nursing him back to health. 'I have had Influenza A. It's been so terrible. It's the worst thing anyone could possibly have, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. 'Apart from (Vladimir) Putin. I'd wish it on him.' Stewart told The Sun he had negotiated an extra quarter of an hour on top of the allotted 75 minutes for his set. He confirmed he will be joined at Glastonbury by former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Lulu, as well as performing the song Powderfinger by Saturday headliner Neil Young.
The Guardian
42 minutes ago
- The Guardian
My Glastonbury food odyssey: 10 of the best dishes – whether you're feeling hungover or healthy
The food choices at Glastonbury can feel overwhelming – a smorgasbord of street food from around the world, which can trigger terrible choice paralysis when you're operating with a hangover, on zero sleep, or both. Fear not. Here are some guaranteed Glastonbury food wins, whether you're looking to stave off the mother of all hangovers or simply on the hunt for something green. South of the Pyramid stage A massaman curry served on brown rice (£14), this is loaded with nutritious ingredients, including greens, kimchi pickles and new potatoes. It's creamy, filling and thoroughly restorative, without leaving you bloated. The buddha bowls are a staple of most Glastonbury food lists for good reason. If you're craving salt, add the fried halloumi. Sprinkle a few chilli flakes for good measure. South of the Acoustic Stage One for the carnivores. Go for the Pitmaster (£17): a hunk of smoked barbecue brisket (cooked on site for more than 16 hours) served with a healthy dollop of pulled pork on a bed of crunchy fries and coleslaw. This is the dish if you decide to splash out and treat yourself. The south side of West Holt If it's your first time at Glastonbury, the Goan fish curry stall is something of a rite of passage (that queue is long for a reason). The go-to curry (there are a couple) consists of flaky white fish cooked in a hot tomato-based curry sauce, served with fluffy white rice (£13). Fans of spicy food will probably find this quite mild; if so, smother it in the zesty green chilli sauce. Fish has never really been in my hangover repertoire, but I've been reliably informed by my colleague, Gwilym Mumford, that the breakfast kedgeree here is a winner. The Reach, opposite the BBC Introducing stage Wings at a festival can feel like a risky strategy, particularly if, like me, you come with a beard. But sometimes they're necessary, and as long as you're happy to ask a friend or stranger to do a post-meal beard check, the much-hyped wings (£10) from the fusion street food company Mexican Seoul are worth queueing and getting dirty for. Dripping in a gochujang-based secret sauce, these are hefty double-fried wings with the crunch to match. It's a hearty portion of five wings, good if you're hungover, drunk, sobering up or simply sticking to your high-protein diet. Opposite the Left Field The Crumble Pots van is a build-your-own-crumble adventure. There are sweet options (apple, rhubarb, banoffee) and savoury (roast dinner, chicken and leek, veg curry). Billy Bragg says he is often distracted by the choices available at Crumble Pots whenever he performs at the Left Field. Crumble might not seem the obvious festival choice – and given the temperatures this year, I can't imagine wanting anything covered in hot custard – but if you keep it simple with an apple filling, cinnamon crumble and soft-scoop ice-cream combo (£7.50), it's surprisingly refreshing. Perfect if, like me, you have a lethal sweet tooth. Opposite the Park stage My colleague Jenny Stevens swears by the nourishing value of the Lebanese Mezze stall. It offers a big choice of hot and cold mezze from which to build your dream plate (or the servers can pick for you if you're feeling overwhelmed). There are different pricing tiers available (I bagged my choice of five for £13) and all your favourites are available, though in hindsight I perhaps leant too heavily into the carbs (including a crisp fatayer, flavourful batata harra and falafel). But if you make better choices than me, this is great when your body is crying out for something nourishing that isn't covered in batter or served with chips. Left of the Other stage The Notso Katsu stall offers delicious vegan fried chick'n dishes. If you need a hearty meal, the katsu curry (£12.50) is the right balance of stodge (rice), gratification (the chick'n), flavour (the Japanese curry sauce) and nutrition (edamame, pickles and seaweed), with a good kick. If fake chicken isn't your thing, you can sub in a pumpkin croquette (and the katsu burger looks banging, too). Between Left Field and West Holts These are hollowed-out bread rolls stuffed with chilli (vegan or steak, with varying spice levels), topped with sour cream and toasted garlic bread (£12). The bread is a sturdy vessel for the steak chilli, which is easily scooped out and shovelled down. This is perfect if you're on the go or need to sober up. The choice of whether to eat this when you have a hangover depends on your spice tolerance. Opposite the Park stage The chilli cheese dosa (£11.50) is a crisp pancake with a spicy masala paneer filling, served with pots of sambar chutney and coconut yoghurt. Great for a quick fiery hit, though it's a tough eat on the go: the pancake doesn't hold together quite as well you think it will, and cocky 'eat and walkers' – of which I am one – may find themselves coming unstuck. The south side of West Holts The surf and turf box (£14) is packed with juicy prawns and chunks of tender chicken. It's a good portion size, all perfectly seasoned, served with cajun-spiced fries and a very saucy coleslaw that keeps everything from getting too dry. I'm in two minds about including this one as I'm definitely going back and I don't want the queue to get any longer.
