Glastonbury 2022: Six of the biggest talking points from the Worthy Farm festival
US rapper Kendrick Lamar’s headline set closed an impressive weekend of live music
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The final day at Glastonbury ended with a jaw-dropping performance by American rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Over the course of five days, fans had danced to performances by top artists such as Paul McCartney, Little Simz, Pet Shop Boys, Sam Fender, and Billie Eilish.
On the last day of the festival, George Ezra turned up at the John Peel stage in what was possibly the worst-kept secret set in Glastonbury history, while jazz-fusion legend Herbie Hancock delighted crowds relaxing at the Pyramid stage with a virtuosic performance.
Here’s a look back at six of the biggest talking points from the entire Glastonbury 2022 festival...
Roe v Wade
News of the US Supreme Court’s highly controversial legal ruling broke on Friday, and it was clearly on a lot of people’s minds at Glastonbury. It certainly didn’t escape the attention of the artists, many of whom were American. From Billie Eilish, to Phoebe Bridgers, to Olivia Rodrigo, to Kendrick Lamar, lots of the performers included powerful statements about abortion rights in their sets.
From the youngest ever headliner…
Eilish made history with her Friday night headline slot, delighting fans with an intimate but lively set of songs from the 20-year-old’s two albums. As the festival’s youngest ever solo headliner, the pressure was certainly on Eilish’s shoulders, but as Mark Beaumont’s five-star review attests, she pulled it off with aplomb.
…to the oldest
On the other end of the spectrum, we had Paul McCartney, who delivered an absolute barnstormer of a set on Saturday. Performing a range of hits from his Beatles and Wings repertoires, as well as his solo career (and a couple of covers), Macca delivered a Glastonbury experience for the ages. At 80 years old, he became the festival’s oldest ever headliner.
Kendrick Lamar
Closing the festival on Sunday was Kendrick Lamar, who held the Pyramid Stage in the palm of his hand from the start of his electrifying, career-spanning set to the end. The stunning climax of his set – a rendition of “saviour” performed while blood dripped from his diamond crown of thorns, before he began a furious chant about women’s rights – was pure chills-down-the-spine stuff.
Ukraine
The ongoing war in Ukraine was also a core political issue for many of the festival’s acts and attendees. Ukrainian flags were spotted commonly around the festival site, with McCartney holding one aloft in solidarity as he took the stage for his encore. The Pyramid Stage also played host to Ukrainian band Dakhabrakha on Sunday, one of several Ukrainian artists the festival championed.
A little help from my friends…
While Kendrick’s set may have been all him, many of the festival’s other acts deployed some heavyweight guest stars. McCartney brought Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl on stage towards the end. Olivia Rodrigo welcomed Lily Allen for a duet of “F*** You”. Phoebe Bridges joined forces with Arlo Parks (who had her own full set at the festival) for a couple of numbers. Pete Doherty even showed up on stage during Hak Baker’s performance, having performed with the Libertines shortly before. It was a festival chock-full of unexpected – but thoroughly enjoyed – cameos.
Look back at our live blog below:
Field of dreams
Live music and festivals returned almost a year ago, but Glastonbury 2022 will still be the major signifier that the post-pandemic party is back in full swing. Mark Beaumont explores the magic of Worthy Farm
The emotional return to Glastonbury Festival
Live music and festivals returned almost a year ago, but Glastonbury 2022 will still be the major signifier that the post-pandemic party is back in full swing. Mark Beaumont explores the magic of Worthy Farm
Phoebe Bridgers says f*** the Supreme Court at Glastonbury 2022
Check out all the rumoured secret sets so far:
Glastonbury secret sets 2022: Rumours and how find out who will play
Bastille were rumoured to be playing a secret set, and they did just that on Thursday 23 June
A dramatic start to Billie Eilish’s history-making Glastonbury set on the Pyramid Stage
The 20-year-old pop star is pulling out all the stops for her Glastonbury headline set on the Pyramid Stage.
Emerging amid ominous red lights and pumping beats delivered by her brother/producer/co-writer, Finneas, Eilish dived straight into “Bury a Friend”, from her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Shortly after that, we get “NDA”, from her follow-up album Happier Than Ever.
Paul McCartney to headline Glastonbury on Saturday
Here’s everything you need to know about Macca’s set tomorrow:
What day and time will Paul McCartney perform at Glastonbury?
Former Beatle will headline Worthy Farm festival for second time
Sir Paul McCartney performed to an intimate 800-person audience in Frome, Somerset, on Friday (24 June) ahead of his headline show at Glastonbury.
The gig at the Cheese and Grain entertainment venue sold out within an hour after tickets were released 24 hours before the show.
McCartney will become Glastonbury Festival’s oldest ever solo headliner when he takes to the stage this weekend, which marks exactly a week after his 80th birthday.
The lucky few who managed to secure a spot queued behind barriers while an entourage of local people who missed out waited in the hope of catching a glimpse of the former Beatle.
Self-professed superfan Jane Lamb stood opposite the venue holding a Beatles scrapbook she had made aged eight in the hope McCartney would come out and sign it after his show.
The 68-year-old from Frome said: “This is one of four scrapbooks I made between the ages of eight and 10. I’m hoping if I don’t get to see him at least I have this version of him. I didn’t manage to get tickets, I was close.”
Sir Paul McCartney leaves fans raving after 800-person Glastonbury warm-up gig
The former Beatle will become Glastonbury Festival’s oldest ever solo headliner when he takes to the stage on Saturday
After facing two years of cancellations, Glastonbury Festival is finally back.
The celebration of music and arts, which is held at Worthy Farm in Somerset, is taking place from 22 to 26 June. You can find out more information about the weather forecast for the festival here.
The full line-up and set times have already been announced, with Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar headlining.
It comes after the 50th anniversary in 2020 and last year’s festival were both cancelled due to the pandemic.
With Glastonbury tickets notoriously tricky to get hold of – resale tickets sold out in just over 20 minutes in March, with many hopefuls unable to get onto the website at all – people are already asking what the ticket situation will be for next year’s festival.
Glastonbury 2023 registration, tickets and everything you need to know
How much are Glastonbury tickets?
What are those black markings on Billie Eilish’s legs?
A lot of you are curious about what, yes, look a bit like “leg tattoos” on Billie Eilish’s legs. Actually, it looks like kinesiology therapeutic (KT) tape, which can be used to try and help prevent and treat shin splints.
Eilish has spoken about suffering from shin splints in the past – using the tape provides compression which can improve circulation and reduce pain (via Healthline).
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