Glastonbury Festival has found itself in a perplexing situation this year, with Guns N’ Roses headlining on Saturday while Lana Del Rey’s set was controversially cut short. To the mystically-inclined, this peculiar turn of events may seem like a result of malfunctioning magical energy. However, from a more practical perspective, it reflects a disappointingly conservative selection of acts for this year’s festival.
The opening night belonged to Arctic Monkeys, who took the main Pyramid Stage for the third time. Meanwhile, Elton John is set to close the festival on Sunday with his farewell UK show. However, this momentous occasion would have been even more significant if Elton hadn’t already been on his farewell tour since 2018.
On Saturday, Guns N’ Roses, an iconic hard rock band, made their Glastonbury debut. While this would have been an impressive booking in 1991, Lana Del Rey, a contemporary pop star, seemed less than thrilled to be playing second fiddle to a legacy act. She arrived 30 minutes late for her set and had the power cut off midway through, leading to boos from the crowd.
However, the festival made up for this questionable lineup with the amazing atmosphere experienced by the 210,000 festival-goers. The warm midsummer sun provided a balance between good vibes and sunburn. Even those with painful burns wore expressions of contentment, grateful that they didn’t have to deal with trench foot.
The festival also featured some noteworthy international acts. The Star Feminine Band from Benin brought a powerful message of female empowerment to the West Holts stage. On the same day, the Master Musicians of Joujouka, a traditional Moroccan group, created a captivating wall of sound that drowned out nearby electronic music.
US rappers were in scarce supply, with Earl Sweatshirt delivering a standout performance, and UK rappers adding a refreshing disruption to the lineup. Stormzy’s headline set in 2019 has cemented Glastonbury as a rite of passage for UK rappers, despite the ongoing challenge of shaping a contemporary musical identity for the festival.
The Foo Fighters surprised the crowd as the “mystery” act on the Pyramid Stage, but their performance felt predictable and lacked uniqueness. Arctic Monkeys faced uncertainty due to a previous cancellation, but they delivered a mix of fan-favorite anthems and newer material that satisfied the audience.
Personally, my highlight of the first two days was Sudan Archives, an American artist who brought a unique blend of R&B, electronic music, hip-hop, and Irish fiddle-playing to the stage. Her stage presence and powerful vocals made for an unforgettable performance.
Guns N’ Roses took the stage with less fanfare than their counterparts, and I left to catch the remainder of Lana Del Rey’s set. Unfortunately, her performance was cut short due to the festival’s curfew. Despite her captivating stage presence and placid yet electric songs, Glastonbury’s lack of adventurous headliners had backfired.
Overall, Glastonbury Festival’s lineup choices, particularly the headliners, have been met with confusion and disappointment. While there were standout performances and unique acts, the festival’s conservative approach left many yearning for more excitement and originality.
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