Glastonbury 2023 will go down in history as an unforgettable edition of the iconic music festival. With legendary performer Elton John bidding a grand farewell, the stage was set for a truly spectacular experience. However, it was the incredible lineup of female acts that truly stole the spotlight, showcasing their immense talent and commanding the main stages with awe-inspiring performances. In addition to the established stars, Glastonbury 2023 also unveiled a wave of extraordinary new acts, poised to make their mark. From start to finish, the festival proved to be a celebration of diversity, creativity, and the unstoppable spirit of live music.
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Elton John Bids Farewell
The anticipation was palpable as everyone speculated about the surprises Sir Elton had in store for his highly anticipated closing performance at Glastonbury, which also marked his final show in the UK. We’ve never quite seen a crowd like it, it felt as if the whole of Glastonbury had held on for one last party. It was widely believed that he would be joined on stage by esteemed artists like Britney Spears, Paul McCartney, and Harry Styles.
Sir Elton took a slightly more refreshing approach. Alongside his good friend Brandon Flowers from The Killers, he chose to showcase the extraordinary talents of Steven Sanchez, Rina Sawayama, and Jacob Lusk from Gabriel’s, who represented the newer generation of artists. The energy was palpable as we celebrated with an array of beloved hits, and as the fireworks illuminated the sky in what marked the perfect goodbye. It was almost an entertaining observing the audience then the show, revelers dressed to the nines with glitter and sang every tune right back at him. It goes down as a flawless performance that cemented his legacy as one of the best to ever do it.
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Lana Del Rey Powers Through Set Being Cut Short
With almost a decade since her last performance at Worthy Farm, Del Rey has solidified her position as one of pop music’s most exceptional and introspective singer-songwriters. From being announced, Del Rey playing as Glastonbury was imbued with a sense of drama. Adored in masses for the vulnerability of her music, she has a discography that’s helped us all through the toughest of times.
Despite arriving on stage half an hour late, Del Rey went full throttle in taking the audience on a mesmerising journey that cascaded from intense and psychedelic renditions of tracks from the beloved 2014 album ‘Ultraviolence’ to a wistful performance of the title track from 2019’s generation-defining ‘Norman Fucking Rockwell’, every moment was a standout.
Her sound got cut short, after ‘White Mustang’, with both Lana and her adoring fans in a shared state of shock. She fell to her knees, before looking out to her audience who helped belt out ‘Video Games’. She transformed the initial set-back, owning it, letting it become her kryptonite. The theatrical end in some ways felt perfect, from a true performer who as always left the masses wanting more.
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Foo Fighters Return To The Pyramid Stage
The Churnups were a mystery act slotted into the billing at the Pyramid Stage. An initial cloud of mystery faded rapidly in the emerging hours prior to the set as countless sources revealed who it was. In a mere hour, Foo Fighters aka The Churnups crafted an unforgettable performance that will be etched in the memories of fans for years to come. Despite the time constraint, they seized the stage and unleashed blistering renditions of beloved hits like ‘All My Life’ and ‘The Pretender’.
But it wasn’t just about the high-energy anthems. Foo Fighters masterfully balanced their set with poignant moments, acknowledging the significance of the occasion. It marked their first full UK gig since the heartbreaking loss of their longtime drummer, Taylor Hawkins. Through heartfelt moments, they paid tribute to their late bandmate, creating an atmosphere that was both electric and emotionally charged.
To add to the already epic night, frontman Dave Grohl made surprise appearances during sets by Pretenders and Guns N’Roses, leaving the audience awe-struck by his undeniable talent and rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Foo Fighters proved once again why they are revered as one of the greatest live acts of our time, captivating their audience with a performance that transcended the limitations of time and left an indelible mark on the Glastonbury stage.
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Ezra Collective Deliver Glastonbury’s Most Uplifting Performance
Ezra Collective brought their unique fusion of jazz, afrobeat, and hip-hop to Glastonbury, delivering a mesmerizing performance that transported the audience into sheer euphoria. Their mission for the show was to bring joy to their audience, which they certainly achieved. It was arguably the highlight of the day, with a performance that almost instantly won over the masses. Along with their intricate musicianship and infectious rhythms, were met with words of affirmation that championed self-worth. They go down as the breakthrough act of the festival, who undoubtedly picked up a number of fans after their gig. The ever-growing crowd was visibly touched, with some tearing up at points of the set.
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Rick Astley Never Gave Up and Finally Played At Glastonbury
In a delightful turn of events at Glastonbury, Rick Astley graced Glasto not once, but twice. Even more surprising, he and Blossoms joined forces to create an unexpected supergroup that completely took over the Woodsies Tent. Their collaboration resulted in a euphoric performance dedicated entirely to the iconic songs of The Smiths, captivating the audience with pure joy.
He also took the stage for his own solo set, which turned out to be a remarkable journey through an eclectic range of music. It felt surreal that it was his first time ever playing the festival, it was evident he was soaking up every minute. In addition to his own chart-topping hits, he fearlessly tackled songs from diverse artists such as Harry Styles and AC/DC. It was priceless seeing the audiences’ beaming faces as he played a catalogue of pop classics, with a knowing nod to the irony of it all.
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Crowd Help Lewis Capaldi Finish His Songs As He Struggled Through Set
Amidst the buzz of anticipation, Scottish sensation Lewis Capaldi graced the Glastonbury stage, captivating thousands of enthusiastic festival-goers. Despite having cancelled prior performances to prioritize rest and recovery, Lewis’s devoted fans eagerly awaited his arrival. Regardless of your thoughts on Lewis Capaldi as an artist, you cannot knock him for his loving demeanour and profound honesty. As he embarked on his hit-filled setlist, enthralling the masses with pop ballads “Before You Go” and “Forget Me,” the crowd belted out every lyric at the top of their lungs.
Towards the climactic moments of his performance, Lewis humbly confessed that his voice was starting to wane. Yet, far from disappointment, the crowd responded with an outpouring of warmth and support. In an extraordinary display of unity, they wholeheartedly took over the vocals, harmonising with passion and elevating the soul-stirring ballad ‘Someone You Loved’ to breathtaking heights. It was a poignant testament to the unbreakable bond between Lewis Capaldi and his adoring fans. It’s what Glastonbury is all about, unwavering compassion in the masses to artists performing the music they love. It was a moment where ego and judgement got put to one side and the spirit of Glastonbury was present in all of its glory.
Lizzo Confirms The Necessity Of Female Headliners
Lizzo, the queen of self-love and empowerment, delivered a show-stopping performance that was equal parts energetic, uplifting, and awe-inspiring. With her powerhouse vocals, infectious personality, and captivating stage presence, Lizzo had the entire audience dancing and singing along to hits like ‘Good as Hell’ and ‘Truth Hurts’. Her message of self-acceptance and body positivity resonated deeply with the crowd. The only disappointment was that she didn’t headline the festival, which this year was all-male for headline slots.
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Shame Return to Glastonbury In Style
Shame are a band known for their explosive live shows, unleashed their raw energy on the Glastonbury stage, leaving a lasting impact on all who witnessed their set. With their punk-infused sound and magnetic stage presence, the band created an electrifying atmosphere, inciting a frenzy of mosh pits and crowd surfing. Shame’s performance was an absolute riot, showcasing their rebellious spirit and cementing their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts around.
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Slowdive Make Their Grand Return
Celestial shoegaze types Slowdive reformed for an epic new album in 2017, playing some of the biggest headline shows in their career as a result. Since then, they’ve taken time out – solo projects and other offshoots taking precedence over the day job.
All that changed at Glastonbury, however, with Slowdive making their first ever appearance at Worthy Farm. It was worth the wait for band and audience, a set that offered a sublime glimpse into the glories of their catalogue – songs such as ‘Alison’ have rarely sounded better, while ‘Souvlaki’ remains an inspired, genre-less piece of cosmic abstraction. It’s good to have them back.
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Loyle Carner Headlines the Other Stage
Loyle Carner headlined the Other Stage bringing his unique blend of introspective lyricism and Glastonbury, captivating the crowd with his ever-captivating stage presence. His thought-provoking and personal songs resonated deeply, and he effortlessly commanded the stage, engaging the audience with every word. He had the audience in the palm of his heads, with a performance that felt wholeheartedly cathartic. He lay it all out on stage referencing how the birth of his son, the strength of his mother, and forgiving his father had made him the artist he is today. Whilst he has consistently delivered at the festival in previous years, this year felt like his most mature performance. He rejoiced, performing the tracks so many of the audience have embedded into the fabric of their lives.
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Maggie Rogers Revels In The Sunshine
As the sun baked the fields of Worthy Farm revellers made their way to the Other Stage for a set by American pop songwriter Maggie Rogers. A self-admitted fan of the festival – she was spotted on-site the day prior, and popped up Stage Right during Carly Rae Jespen’s set – Maggie gives her all during a powerhouse performance.
The maximalist pop of her second album finds its place amid the perpetual sunshine, while Maggie’s vocals take ‘Want Want’ to fresh heights. Honed by a year of touring she’s on remarkable form – ending with a bravura take on ‘That’s Where I Am’ the Red Arrows soar overhead, producing an incredible moment of festival synchronicity.
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