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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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:
Lorde out!
And that’s that from Lorde, whose set comprised a good mix of her new album and classic bangers.
London folk can catch her at Ally Pally next week, though!
Little Dragon wrap up on the John Peel stage – soon to be followed by Charli XCX
Over on the John Peel stage, we’ve got Swedish band Little Dragon wrapping up a lively evening set.
Stick around for half an hour, though, and you’ll see pop star Charli XCX taking the stage.
If Charli’s recent shows on her world tour are anything to go by, it’ll be a riot.
Fontaines DC and McFly – reviews
It’s a five-star for the Dublin-formed group, meanwhile the Noughties boy band have earned a three-star review.
Glastonbury Sunday reviews: Fontaines DC and McFly
The crowd at the Other Stage for Fontaines DC’s set is testament to their reputation as a brilliant live band, while McFly fall a little short on the crowd-pleasers
Who will Kendrick Lamar’s surprise guests be?
Ahead of Kendrick Lamar’s headline set tonight, the speculation surrounding special guests has gone into overdrive.
Potential names include the collaborators on his latest album Mr Morale and the Big Steppers.
Looking at next week’s Wireless line-up could help narrow the list down – with Summer Walker and Baby Keem both scheduled to play the London festival soon... Perhaps they’ve come to the UK early?
10 minutes to Kendrick!
Crowds are ready and raring to go at the Pyramid Stage, awaiting Kendrick Lamar’s Glastonbury debut.
It’s set to be a suitably extraordinary performance to conclude what has been an extraordinary weekend.
What day and time will Kendrick Lamar perform at Glastonbury?
Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper makes his highly anticipated debut at Worthy Farm
Kendrick is the third US hip-hop artist to headline Glasto
Kendrick is the third US hip-hop artist to headline Glastonbury, following on from Jay-Z’s seminal 2008 performance and Kanye West in 2015.
Remember Jay’Z's “Wonderwall” cover?!
Speaking of Jay-Z at Glastonbury, who could ever forget the rapper’s cover of “Wonderwall”?
An iconic Glastonbury moment if ever there was one.
Lorde – review
“I’m the ultimate comedown shepherd,” beams Lorde, surveying a hill of worn and fretful festivalgoers in need of some soothing.
Her third album, 2021’s Solar Power, received a lukewarm response from some quarters. But at the golden hour, it’s a record that comes to life – especially when paired with Lorde’s warm, empathetic stage presence.
She leads with “The Path” – the slinky opener. Her new blonde locks complement the golden stage design, as the sun dips behind the Pyramid and bathes the crowd in a yellow glow. Dressed in a violet leotard and red leggings, the 26-year-old looks exactly like Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde – surely no mistake, although it goes unremarked upon.
She struts up and down a central staircase supported by a giant circular disk that glows like a star. “This is the ultimate comedown anthem!” she says with a laugh, before introducing Arlo Parks and Clairo for a rendition of “Stoned At The Nail Salon”.
A live performance of “California” – about leaving the west coast behind and returning home – confirms it as one of the best cuts from Solar Power.
Lorde’s newfound sincerity fits in perfectly at Glastonbury – review
Comedown shepherd, sun worshipper, little freak: every version of Lorde shines like the sun this evening
Following Olivia Rodrigo and Lily Allen’s lead yesterday, Lorde is the latest performer to yell “f*** the Supreme Court” following its overturning of Roe vs Wade in the US. It’s a rare moment of aggression that follows a spoken-word address, which Lorde concludes with “Secrets From A Girl”. But the chilled vibe is quickly restored, thanks to “Mood Ring” and its talk of sun salutations, crystals and transcendental meditation.
“I’m going to need your help to sing this one,” she says, looking lonely as she takes a seat on her staircase to launch into the delicate yet lyrically brutal ballad, “Liability”.
“In the sun I become very powerful and I can get away with almost anything,” she says, introducing the title track from Solar Power.
Her newfound sincerity – a departure from the eye-rolling of her massive 2013 breakout single “Royals” – may be a tricky proposition for those beyond the borders of New Zealand’s utopian landscape. But Glastonbury is one place where it feels right at home.
“This place is Disneyland. This is the dream. Every artist looks forward to this weekend of the year,” she says. “So thank you for finding it in your hearts for a little freak from New Zealand.”
Comedown shepherd, sun worshipper, little freak: every version of Lorde shines like the sun this evening.
Kendrick Lamar!!!
Right on time, here comes the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper...
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