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:
... Full story here
Olivia Rodrigo brings out Lily Allen for ‘F*** You’ to Supreme Court over Roe vs Wade
‘I wanted to dedicate this next song to five members of the Supreme Court,’ declared Rodrigo on stage
Check out the highlights from Saturday at Glastonbury 2022
Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl join Paul McCartney in epic Glastonbury surprise
Crowd were overjoyed by the unexpected guest appearances
Who’s Big Jeff?
Self Esteem and Idles have paid tribute to music hero Big Jeff Johns during their respective Glastonbury sets.
The Bristol band performed at Worthy Farm on Friday night (24 June) while Self Esteem – real name Rebecca Lucy Taylor – took to the stage on Saturday afternoon (25 June).
Idles lead singer Joe Talbot dedicated the song “A Hymn” to Big Jeff, who is currently in hospital after suffering severe burns in a home fire.
“This next song goes out to our brother and our friend Big Jeff,” said Talbot. “He’s everything that we wish we represent, he’s everything that is music fandom and he is everything that is love. This is for you Big Jeff.”
The special shout outs have left many people curious as to who Big Jeff is.
Olivia Rodrigo on Saturday – review
She may not have been a headliner, but Olivia Rodrigo delivered one of the most iridescent, blistering sets of Glastonbury.
On Saturday, the Gen Z pop star gave fans a memorable performance with a little help from Lily Allen. No one will forget Rodrigo’s cover of Avril Lavigne’s 2003 grunge hit “Complicated” anytime soon.
Olivia Rodrigo delivers one of Glastonbury weekend’s most iridescent sets – review
Yes, it might be true that Paul McCartney’s playing later – but for now the zoomers are taking the wheel
“Warm afternoon sunlight gleaming off her knee-high DMs, mirror-mosaic piano, and purple electro-acoustic guitar, this is one of the most iridescent – and sweetest – shows of Saturday at Worthy Farm.
Although she’s best known for her grungy hit “good 4 u”, Rodrigo has a back catalogue full of ballads about heartbreak. Today her performance includes “happier”, “hope ur ok”, and a song she says is from her childhood acting career, “all i want”, She breaks out her breakthrough, “drivers license”, early on.
A surprise cover of Avril Lavigne’s 2003 grunge hit “Complicated” comes next, during which Rodrigo kicks her heels up on the piano. This alone would have been enough to leave this doe-eyed crowd charmed. But then Rodrigo announces that she’s going to bring out a special guest. At first, it sounds like the words “Billie Eilish” have left her lips. And it would make sense – the Pyramid Stage headliner played the night before. But it turns out it’s just her accent – because it’s Lily Allen who takes the stage, and sets the scene for one big festival moment.” Ben Bryant
Fans in awe of Sir Paul McCartney’s headline set: ‘Macca has just won Glastonbury’
Here’s a round-up of fan reactions to former Beatle and forever legend Sir Paul McCartney’s epic headline set on Saturday, with unbelievable surprise appearances from Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen:
ICYMI – Saturday reviews for Haim, Glass Animals and Celeste
Haim prove that all good things come in threes, Glass Animals’ Dave Bayley proves an indefatigable frontman, while Celeste soothes any hangovers from Friday.
Read The Independent’s reviews here:
Glastonbury 2022 Saturday reviews: Haim, Glass Animals and Celeste
Haim prove that all good things come in threes, Glass Animals’ Dave Bayley proves an indefatiguable frontman, while Celeste soothes our Friday hangovers
Glastonbury 2023 registration, tickets and everything you need to know
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.
Find out everything you need to know about getting your hands on tickets for Glastonbury 2023 here:
Glastonbury 2023 registration, tickets and everything you need to know
How much are Glastonbury tickets?
What’s the weather forecast for Worthy Farm on Sunday?
Weather experts are providing regular updates on the current forecasts for Worthy Farm (or, more specifically, the nearest village of Pilton) during the five-day Glastonbury festival.
Here’s what to expect on Sunday:
Latest forecast predicts light showers with sunny spells for Glastonbury
The Met Office has indicated a day of sunshine, with some scattered showers, over the course of a breezy Sunday
Kendrick Lamar albums ranked in order of greatness
Ahead of Kendrick Lamar – “hip-hop’s oracle” – taking the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury tonight, Kevin E G Perry ranks the rapper’s albums in order of greatness.
Read how the artist’s four studio albums, prior to his latest Mr Morale & the Big Steppers, have shaped Lamar’s staggering artistic legacy:
Kendrick Lamar albums ranked in order of greatness
As the release of long-awaited new record ‘Mr Morale & the Big Steppers’ approaches, Kevin E G Perry rates the rapper’s albums to date
Celebrity spotting at Glastonbury – from Kit Harington to Louis Tomlinson
In addition to the hundreds of announced artists, this weekend at Worthy Farm has also held a number of surprises – from secret sets (find out more here) and a special appearance from climate activist Greta Thunberg.
However, a number of other celebrities have been spotted on the festival site, with many attending the festival as fans.
We’re keeping track here:
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