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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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 TV schedule of live coverage across Worthy Farm festival
Day four of Glastonbury saw some of the best sets of the festival’s 50th anniversary edition – including an epic headline set by Sir Paul McCartney (with surprise appearances by Dave Grohl. And Bruce Springsteen.)
The FOMO for Glastonbury fans who hadn’t made it out to Worthy Farm this year was very, very real, they lamented on Twitter.
However, viewers in the UK can watch the festival live stream for free on the BBC, with coverage spread across BBC One, Two, Three, Four, BBC Radio, the BBC Sounds app, and BBC Radio.
Here’s the full TV schedule for your at-home viewing pleasure:
Full TV schedule of BBC’s Glastonbury coverage
Coverage will be spread across BBC channels over the next four days
The Queen’s doppelganger spotted at Worthy Farm on day four
Since the festival began on Thursday, several stars, including Tilda Swinton and Paul Mescal, have been spotted in attendance at Worthy Farm.
One person in particular, however, has caused a stir among viewers at home after BBC footage showed a woman in the crowd bearing a striking resemblance to the Queen.
During Friday night’s (24 June) coverage of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’s show, the camera panned over to people in the audience – including the woman in a blue raincoat and sunglasses, with a likeness to the Queen.
One viewer shared a snippet of the moment to Twitter, writing: “Lovely to see the Queen enjoying a bit of Robert Plant at Glastonbury.”
Full story here:
Glastonbury viewers joke about spotting the Queen ‘in disguise’ at festival
The royal’s doppelgänger was shown in BBC coverage of the festival
Glastonbury Festival through the years – in pictures
Take a look at some defining images of Glastonbury from over 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
Day time and stage details for Kendrick Lamar’s debut headline show
Kendrick Lamar is all set to make his debut at Glastonbury festival this Sunday.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper is among the year’s headline acts, including Glastonbury’s youngest solo headliner Billie Eilish and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.
Find out how you can catch Lamar live at Worthy Farm for the first time here:
What day and time will Kendrick Lamar perform at Glastonbury?
Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper makes his highly anticipated debut at Worthy Farm
Paul McCartney review, Glastonbury 2022: It’s a historic privilege just to be alive at the same time as him
Sir Paul McCartney’s available canon is the greatest in music by such a vast degree that any couple of hours plucked from it at random would be the best gig of any particular year.
Read The Independent’s five-star review of Macca’s headline set on day four of Glastonbury 2022 here:
Paul McCartney’s Glastonbury 2022 show was possibly the best we’ve ever seen – review
McCartney’s available canon is the greatest in music by such a vast degree that any couple of hours plucked from it at random would be the best gig of any particular year
Review – Kendrick Lamar’s latest ‘Mr Morale and the Big Steppers’
In May this year, hip-hop’s oracle returned in a crown of thorns for his latest prophecy: a surprising meditation on fatherhood, family and friendship.
Kendrick Lamar’s work has always been introspective, but Mr Morale and the Big Steppers – with guest spots from artists including Florence Welch, Beth Gibbons, Summer Walker and Sampha – has a delicacy and tenderness to it that is unprecedented for the father of two from Compton, California.
Read The Independent’s five-star review of Kendrick Lamar’s latest studio album – and his first in five years – ahead of his headline set at Glastonbury tonight.
Kendrick Lamar’s Mr Morale and the Big Steppers is a tender, delicate opus – review
Rapper’s first album in five years is a haunting and surprising meditation on fatherhood and family
Day four highlights – From Paul McCartney’s surprise guests to the Queen ‘in disguise’
Day four of Glastonbury came to an eventful close at Worthy Farm on Saturday (25 June).
Below are the highlights from day four at Glastonbury – including Sir Paul McCartney’s superstar set (with special appearances by Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen), the Queen’s doppelganger, and Olivia Rodrigo singing “F*** You” to the US Supreme Court with Lily Allen:
The biggest highlights from Saturday at Glastonbury 2022
Paul McCartney brought out Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl in an epic surprise
Fans question BBC censorship of Olivia Rodrigo-Lily Allen Roe v Wade protest
Glastonbury fans have criticised the BBC for leaving a protest song by Olivia Rodrigo and Lily Allen about the overturning of Roe v Wade in the US out of its highlights coverage.
Through her performance on the Other Stage, the “drivers license” singer brought out special guest Allen for a rendition of the latter’s 2009 hit “F*** You”.
Twitter users early Sunday morning (26 June) pointed out the BBC’s (which is broadcasting the festival live) decision not to include the song in its highlights coverage – with some expressing newfound respect for Rodrigo and Allen, while others questioning the BBC’s decision to edit out the “era-defining” moment.
Full story here:
Glastonbury fans question BBC censorship of Olivia Rodrigo’s Roe v Wade protest
Glastonbury fans watching the festival at home noticed the BBC had edited out Rodrigo and Allen’s ‘F*** You’ to the US Supreme Court
What a moment from last night’s show...
Paul McCartney staged a “duet” with John Lennon’s voice during his Glastonbury headline set.
Towards the end of his marathon Pyramid Stage concert, the former Beatle performed “I’ve Got a Feeling”, with additional vocals from his late bandmate.
“I know it’s virtual,” he told the crowd, “but there I am singing with John again, we’re back together”.
Read more:
Paul McCartney ‘duets’ with John Lennon on ‘I’ve Got a Feeling’ in Glastonbury set
‘There I am singing with John again, we’re back together,’ the former Beatle told the crowd
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments