Glastonbury is the biggest event in live music in the United Kingdom. The performance is broadcasted on the BBC into every home and video clips are posted on YouTube.
Since not everyone can attend, as it is notoriously difficult to get tickets, and there are so many videos to watch – we decided to draw your attention to performances that are particularly noteworthy.
The BBC (who publish these performances) would like to make it very clear that there may be flashing imagery or offensive language (gasp) during the performances.
Billie Eilish is so young and her rise has been so quick that it's almost impossible to grasp (but this Vanity Fair interview does a pretty good job of trying). She barely makes the Top 20 on the official Glastonbury line-up poster, but her performance was a standout and on everyone's lips (like after Coachella as well).
"My first ever headlining gig was in London" she states on stage "and I was thrilled cos it was 200 cap" to a crowd of thousands. That gig? Less than two years ago, the 10th of July 2017 at The Courtyard in Hoxton.
Miley's performance seems to bring together all of the facets of the star we've got to meet over the years: daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus (he joined her on stage as well as Lil Nas X with a performance of the number one hit Old Town Road), the god-daughter of Dolly Parton (she performed a cover of Jolene, and not for the first time), a true lover of music and covering classic songs (tribute to Amy Winehouse; covers of Led Zeppelin and Metallica), plays to 'the shock factor' with raunchy performances (just watch and listen), an artist of many identities (Ashley Oh made an appearance, Miley's latest feature in Netflix's Black Mirror), a well respected individual in the industry (when Mark Ronson joined her a stage), a hitmaker (stay for the singalong to Party in The USA and Wrecking Ball) -- and above all, an extraordinary performer.
Miley Cyrus is not on tour at this time.
No, it's not 2009. It's 2019 and Vampire Weekend was an absolute highlight for many -- or in the words of NME 'possibly the most fun live band on the planet'. It's simply irresistible fun, and now that their highly anticipated fourth album finally came out, these joy-makers are hitting the road again.
Stormzy takes the crowd in Somerset and everyone watching at home to CHURCH.
Stormzy has been a grinder in the UK industry for a while as the first grime artist to climb to the top of the charts. It's clear as he closes down the Pyramid stage that he's taking in how incredibly far he's come – not just himself as an artist, but as a pioneer of a whole new sound. "Culture-defining" the critics are calling it. Preach Stormzy, we're listening.
Speaking of church... Lizzo has no less soul than Stormzy but she's just more the dancing kind. Somehow it's taken the world a very long time to come around to this soulful performer, but it has come around. Following the success of her 2019 album, she's even performed her first ever award show. This rise is reflected in her Glastonbury experience as the last time "only 10 people were there dancing with me" and this time, well: she's a standout and the crowd jamming speaks to her incredible charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.
There's just something hypnotising about Tame Impala. He seems to capture this perfect intersection of sounding current and classic. He feels like one of these artists that just suddenly came out of nowhere as this fully realised artist with a sound that who knew that we all just loved -- demonstrated by him being one of the more memorable acts of Coachella and now Glastonbury.
And while we're in the trance – we must mention The Chemical Brothers. The level of production here is unreal, not just on the live show itself; but also on the BBC version for the peasants who were forced to watch this over the television waves.
The most beautiful moment of any festival, whether enjoyed in person or over the internet/TV/radio is the discovery aspect. There's nothing like turning on the TV or whatever, and suddenly seeing something that just takes you aback, and you just can't help but get drawn into the performance.
Like YouTube user 1002anna put it: HELP ME I'M OBSESSED WITH THIS GIRL AND TWO HOURS AGO I HAD NO IDEA SHE EXISTED. Not only does 1002anna capture this feeling so perfectly, but I've heard those exact words about this exact artist once before. From my grandmother. Not a joke.
And it's not a festival in England without the appearance of a Gallagher and a BBC issued warning of 'very strong language' – and a giant sign requesting Wonderwall. There is definitely still an Oasis shaped hole in the psyche of England, and maybe one day this wish will come true. However, today is not that day.
Speaking of things lodged in the English psyche... we checked for the sake of this piece, and it's actually illegal in England to put Glastonbury on and not include the Killers' Mr. Brightside. They won't allow it. It's the British national anthem after all (by this Las Vegas originated band – which you only realise when they belt out the American pronunciation of Glastonbury "Glastonberry" just before first chorus hits 'JEALOUSY, TURNING SAINTS INTO THE SEA...' hits).
To make sure they earn their five stars in the Guardian, they bring out Pet Shop Boys for a performance of Always On My Mind and Johnny Marr for a version of the Smiths’ This Charming Man.
