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:
Charming little anecdote from Ben Bryant, who’s on site at Worthy Farm:
Ashlee, who runs a lost property office on site, has been telling me about some of the items that have been turned in over the weekend.
Among the most surprising was a single ten pound note (as yet unclaimed).
She has also taken receipt – and she has promised me she is not making this up – of a live tortoise.
“And we found its owner!” she says excitedly.
Some nice and innocuous celeb sightings for you...
Patrick Smith, The Independent’s culture editor, says he clocked Jessie Buckley “throwing shapes” last night at the Park backstage bar, and saw the Haim sisters dancing low with Alexa Chung. Mel C was there too.
In the Rabbit Hole, people were apparently “clustering” around Noel Gallagher, while Sienna Miller was chatting away in hospitality behind the Pyramid Stage.
I don’t really think Paul McCartney had anything to answer for after last night.
But nonetheless, some Wings-averse misanthropes have complained about the setlist, and Piers Morgan – who else? – has taken it upon himself to defend the Beatles icon.
Full story...
Piers Morgan defends Paul McCartney after Glastonbury set criticism
McCartney’s set has been hailed elsewhere as one of the best in the festival’s history
Statement from a BBC spokesperson re: the edited iPlayer version of Olivia Rodrigo’s set yesterday:
“The decision to edit this section of the performance was made solely because of the strong language used throughout.
“There were no other factors involved in this decision.”
Should pretty much put the matter to bed.
Jack White’s been confirmed for a secret set this evening – and George Ezra is starting a surprise set of his own in about half an hour.
Read more about the secret sets here...
Glastonbury secret sets 2022: Rumours and how find out who will play
Jack White and George Ezra are confirmed to be playing sets on Sunday
Sports Team, playing the 12.15pm slot at the John Peel Stage, draw in a huge crowd, their post-punk giving CPR to those (the band included) who were down at Block9 and Shangri-la till the early hours. It’s a set full of energy, as is typically, with frontman Alex Rice a ball of charisma. Their new album is out in August. Expect big things.
Pretty stunning backdrop from Ukrainian folk band Dakhabrakha, don’t you think?
They were performing on the Pyramid Stage a short while ago.
Our critic Mark Beaumont has managed to get within hearing distance of the rammed John Peel tent for George Ezra’s not-so surprise set. It was uncertain if the Gold Rush Kid would make it, given he came down with laryngitis earlier this week, but apparently he bounced back in time for a visit to Worthy Farm.
For anyone who’s just joining us, here’s a little rundown of what happened at the festival yesterday.
It was a special day for festival-goers, capped by a truly special performance from Paul McCartney.
GOAT?
The biggest highlights from Saturday at Glastonbury 2022
Paul McCartney brought out Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl in an epic surprise
Before the festival started, The Independent ranked the best Glastonbury performances in history.
We might have to make a few major amendments after this weekend...
The 22 greatest Glastonbury performances ever
Ahead of the festival’s glorious return to Worthy Farm, Mark Beaumont picks some of Glastonbury’s greatest ever music moments
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