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:
A reminder of what’s on today at Glastonbury.
Our guide to the line-up and set times, day by day:
Glastonbury 2022 full lineup and set times by day
Festival returns to Worthy Farm with major UK and international artists
Some cool pictures here shared on the official Glastonbury Instagram account...
Pretty amusing flag spotted in the crowd during Rufus Wainwright’s set yesterday...
The BBC’s main Glastonbury feed for the early afternoon is as follows:
12:00 Today at Glastonbury
13:15 Joy Crookes
13:40 Sigrid
14:00 Holly Humberstone
14:30 Skunk Anansie
15:10 Easy Life
15:20 Wolf Alice
15:50 Self Esteem
16:20 AJ Tracey
Here’s our guide to Glastonbury’s secret sets, with Paolo Nutini strongly rumoured to be making an unannounced appearance tonight...
Glastonbury secret sets 2022: Rumours and how find out who will play
Paolo Nutini is strongly rumoured to be playing a set on Saturday
Greta Thunberg, meanwhile, has announced a surprise appearance on the Pyramid Stage this afternoon.
Details here:
Greta Thunberg announces surprise Glastonbury Pyramid Stage appearance
Swedish climate activist will deliver a speech on the festival’s main stage on Saturday afternoon
Billie Eilish among Glastonbury acts to condemn US Supreme Court abortion ruling
A number of artists performing at Glastonbury 2022 have condemned Friday’s (24 June) US Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v Wade.
The Republican-controlled Supreme Court ruled yesterday in favour of a Mississippi law that outlaws abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy while also overturning key precedents established by the 1973 decision in Roe v Wade as well as an affirming decision in 1992’s Planned Parenthood v Casey.
During her landmark headline set at Glastonbury Festival on Friday (24 June), Billie Eilish addressed the decision, saying it was a “really dark day for women in the US”.
“I’m just gonna say that because I can’t bear to think about it any longer in this moment,” she told the crowd at the festival’s main Pyramid Stage.
Earlier in the day, fellow US artist Phoebe Bridgers led chants of “f*** the Supreme Court” during her Glastonbury set.
Billie Eilish among Glastonbury acts to condemn US Supreme Court abortion ruling
Phoebe Bridgers, Idles and more have also condemned the decision
Glastonbury through the years – in pictures
Glastonbury turned 50 in 2020, having begun as the Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival in September 1970 with 1,500 people in attendance. Admission cost £1, which included free camping and free milk.
Check out some amazing photos of Glastonbury through the years:
Glastonbury Festival through the years – in pictures
Glastonbury is celebrating its 50th birthday, as it returns to Worthy Farm for the first time since 2019
I’ve heard a rumour...
A certain Scottish fellah has been spotted at Worthy Farm. Maybe you’ll catch him down the rabbit hole?
Glastonbury secret sets 2022: Rumours and how find out who will play
Paolo Nutini is strongly rumoured to be playing a set on Saturday
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