The 2024 Glastonbury Festival, a behemoth in the music festival world, concluded on a high note, leaving its 210,000 attendees with memories of surprise guest appearances, genre-bending performances, and a bit of unexpected soccer fever.
This year’s Glastonbury offered a captivating blend of established icons and rising stars. Festival veterans Coldplay and Shania Twain graced the stage with their timeless hits, while Dua Lipa and SZA made their Worthy Farm debuts, injecting the festival with fresh energy.
Headliners Steal the Show: Dua Lipa Shines, Coldplay Makes History, SZA Overcomes Nerves
Dua Lipa’s Dream Comes True
Taking the helm on Friday night, British pop sensation Dua Lipa kicked off the headline performances on the prestigious Pyramid Stage. Expressing her gratitude to the crowd for “making my dreams come true,” Lipa delivered a polished and captivating set. She later reveled in the rest of the festival, free from performance jitters. A special treat for fans was her surprise guest, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, joining her for a rendition of their collaborative hit, “The Less I Know The Better.”
Coldplay Makes Glastonbury History
Saturday night saw Coldplay etch their name deeper into Glastonbury lore. Chris Martin and his bandmates became the first act to headline the festival five times, surpassing their previous record-setting performances in 2002, 2005, 2011, and 2016. The packed field buzzed with excitement, attracting A-list celebrities like Tom Cruise, Gillian Anderson, and Florence Pugh. Opening with the iconic “Yellow,” Martin took a moment to express his heartfelt appreciation to the devoted fans who camped out all day for prime viewing spots. “This is our favorite thing to do on earth, so thank you for letting us do it,” he declared.
The night took an unforgettable turn when Michael J. Fox, the beloved star of the Back to the Future trilogy, joined Coldplay onstage for a surprise guitar performance on their hit “Fix You.” Sharing a carousel of photos on Instagram, including one featuring himself and his team in front of an “Optimism is a Political Act” sign, Fox stated, “There is a time for every band and a band for every time. This is @coldplay’s time.”
SZA Conquers Glastonbury, Despite Initial Setbacks
Sunday night belonged to SZA, the talented singer-songwriter making her Glastonbury debut. Although noticeably nervous at the outset, she quickly found her footing, overcoming initial technical difficulties that caused her microphone to sound muffled. SZA belted out crowd favorites like “Kill Bill” and “20 Something,” captivating the audience with her raw talent. However, her nerves may have contributed to a smaller crowd compared to the previous headliners, as some festivalgoers opted to attend other performances on the final night.
Festival Icons Deliver: Shania Twain Faces Technical Hurdles, K-Pop Makes History
Shania Twain Battles Through Technical Issues
The illustrious Shania Twain, a Glastonbury legend, filled the Legends slot on Sunday. Opening with the fan-favorite “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” she ignited the crowd’s energy. However, technical gremlins seemed to plague her set, with fans noticing Twain fiddling with her microphone and earpiece. Despite these challenges, the country music star persevered, delivering a memorable performance.
Glastonbury Welcomes K-Pop with Open Arms
Seventeen, a popular K-pop group, entered the Glastonbury history books by becoming the first act of their genre to grace the festival stage. Their high-energy performance marked a significant moment for international music representation at Glastonbury.
Festival Favorites Keep the Party Going
Beyond the headliners, a diverse range of artists kept the Glastonbury spirit alive across the festival’s numerous stages. British pop outfit Sugababes and Canadian pop-punk icon Avril Lavigne brought their signature sounds to the smaller stages, while Camila Cabello surprised audiences with a unique performance featuring dancers in dog masks melting popsicles on her. U.K. rapper Little Simz delivered a powerhouse performance on the Pyramid Stage, declaring to the crowd, “I need you to understand that you’re witnessing greatness. I say that not with arrogance, but with confidence.”
Louis Tomlinson Becomes Glastonbury Hero with Surprise Soccer Screening
Glastonbury has a long-standing policy of not airing soccer matches during major artist performances. However, former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson anticipated a potential clash between his beloved England and Slovakia in the UEFA European Championship. To the delight of festivalgoers, Tomlinson brought television to a campsite, allowing fans to catch the exciting match.
