Fury from rock fans after Glastonbury announce pop-heavy line-up including Dua Lipa and Shania Twain
Worthy Farm is going to be popping off this summer – thanks in large part to headliners Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA.
The line-up, with Shania Twain playing the legends slot, is the most poptastic Glastonbury we’ve ever seen.
And to say we’re excited would be an understatement.
As you can imagine, hardline musos are up in arms with the announcement, with one person comparing the Pyramid headliners to a “Smash Hits poll winners party”.
Admittedly, that is funny, but it is not exactly true.
There are some great acts on the bill for the four-day event in June alongside the big pop names.
Rockers LCD Soundsystem, Idles, Bloc Party, The National, and Nothing but Thieves are all confirmed, as are punk acts Fontaines D.C. and Sleaford Mods.
And Burna Boy and Headie One are both acts I’ll be heading to see, along with Jungle, Jessie Ware, Paloma Faith, Arlo Parks, and Sampha.
We revealed last week how a last-minute drop-out by Stevie Wonder left festival bosses Michael and Emily Eavis scrambling for a late headline booking in SZA.
But given her phenomenal success over the past year, I think she’ll be a sure-fire hit.
Blown away
Coldplay, fronted by Chris Martin, are making a welcome return to the farm.
Their slot on the Pyramid stage on the Saturday will be their fifth time headlining, a record for the festival.
After seeing them at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium last year, where I was absolutely blown away by their set, I have no doubt they’ll be setting Glastonbury alight.
It’s a huge time for Dua too, with her upcoming third album, Radical Optimism, due out on May 3, a few weeks before the festival.
Her Friday night slot will be the biggest performance of her career so far, and I am expecting her team to pull out all the stops to make it a show to remember.
Playing to an expected 120,000 crowd is no mean feat, but knowing how determined and driven Dua is, I think she’ll put on the show of a lifetime.
As well as being the most poppy, this year’s Glastonbury is the most diverse line-up ever — with almost 15 per cent more female or non-binary artists than its American equivalent in Coachella.
There are more acts to be announced in the coming weeks, but given the line-up so far, I’m almost a happy camper.
But I will never, ever be truly pleased about sleeping in a tent.
Neigh Stopping Legend Shania
Brushing my teeth over a muddy puddle, That Don’t Impress Me Much.
But Shania Twain will make the Glasto hygiene horrors all worth it.
The singer is already planning her outfit for her Legends slot on the Sunday, which I can guarantee will be replicated by our very own Jack, who goes all out when it comes to his Worthy Farm wardrobe.
Shania is also considering bringing a horse on stage in a nod to her 2014 Las Vegas residency when she rode into the room singing You’re Still The One.
She said on BBC Radio 2: “I really am so excited. I’m already planning what I’m going to wear.
“You know, it’s going to be all the hits first of all, so I expect us to all be singing, word for word the whole time through.”
After host Gaby Roslin suggested she might transport her trusty steed to Somerset, she added: “Oh God, who can pull those strings for me? You’ve just put something in my mind.
“I know that you guys love your horses . . . let me think about this.
“Maybe I could show up on a carriage, you know, a team of horses or something.”
Prince Philip would have been proud, Shania.
Simz Onto the Next Stage
Two years after a stellar set on West Holts, Little Simz has graduated on to play the Pyramid Stage.
Speaking about returning, the Venom hitmaker said: “The last time I did Glasto, West Holts, I remember saying, ‘I’ll see you next time on the Pyramid’ and it actually happened.
This is the only show I’m playing this year. All roads are leading for me to Glasto, so I’m really taking time to craft a show, to make it as much of an immersive experience as I can.”
Speaking to Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 6, the rapper said going back to Worthy Farm meant the world to her.
She added: “I think my Glastonbury journey has just been so unique. They’ve supported me and kept bringing me back to do bigger stages, it really is special.”
We’ll see you there, Simz.
Sugababes caused chaos when they first played at Glastonbury in 2022. Pints of warm lager went flying because the demand to see them on the Avalon Stage was so huge, with security eventually closing it off to stop people being crushed.
Luckily this year, it won’t be the same – as Emily has upgraded them to the bigger West Holts Stage to give everyone a chance to watch.
Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhan Donaghy said: “We are ecstatic to be returning to Worthy Farm.
“Two years ago will go down in history as one of our favorite ever shows, we’ve never seen a crowd like it.
“Roll on Glastonbury 2024, let’s make it even better!”
And thankfully less wetter.
GLASTO HEADLINERS LEAGUE TABLE
1 – Coldplay (2024, 2016, 2011, 2005, 2002) – 5
2 – The Cure (2019, 1995, 1990, 1986) – 4
=3 – Arctic Monkeys (2023, 2013, 2007), Muse (2016, 2010, 2004), Radiohead (2017, 2003, 1997), and Van Morrison (1989, 1987, 1982) – 3