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
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
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:
What an end to Glastonbury 2022
It’s hard to imagine a more powerful conclusion to Glastonbury 2022 than Kendrick Lamar’s statement in support of women’s rights in the wake of the Roe v Wade ruling.
It’s safe to say chills were felt across Worthy Farm.
Kendrick Lamar says ‘godspeed for women’s rights’ in wake of Roe v Wade overturning
Headlining rapper is the latest celebrity to condemn the Supreme Court ruling
Done and dusted (almost)!
And that’s that! There you have it people, Glastonbury 2022 is over... (officially at least; unofficially, the after-party is probably still raging at Worthy Farm).
As Roisin O’Connor writes: “The glorious and long-awaited return to Worthy Farm proved to be one of the most colourful, eclectic and apparently crime-free events we’d ever seen.”
See our round-up of unmissable moments frm this year’s festival below...
Glastonbury 2022 was the weekend we’d been waiting for
The biggest event in the UK music calendar returned for the first time in three years. Roisin O’Connor reflects on a spectacular, emotional weekend
Megan Thee Stallion calls out US Supreme Court at Glastonbury
In case you missed it – A few days after the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, allowing states to outlaw abortion, Megan Thee Stallion spoke out against the decision while performing at the Glastonbury Festival.
The 27-year-old rapper called out her home state while onstage during her set on Saturday (25 June) night.
“Texas [is] really embarrassing me right now,” she said. “I wanna have it on the record, that the hot boys and hot girls do not support this bulls*** that y’all campaigning for.”
The rapper then urged the crowd to chant: “My body, my motherf***ing choice.”
Will Glastonbury be back in 2023?
The answer is yes!
The festival’s boss Michael Eavis has said that all three headliners have already been booked for next year. Names, however, are yet to be revealed.
While official dates have not yet been announced, the festival traditionally takes place in the last couple of weeks of June. We will update the readers when the dates are made official.
Below is everything you need to know about the 2023 festival.
Glastonbury 2023 registration, tickets and everything you need to know
How much are Glastonbury tickets?
All the celebrities that were spotted at Worthy Farm over the weekend
Many celebrities such as Jonathan Bailey, Kit Harington, and Dakota Johnson were spotted enjoying the Glastonbury festival over the weekend.
Other celebrities who were present with their friends and family are Christian Horner and Gerri Halliwell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sienna Miller, Laura Whitmore, Bonnie Wright, Cara Delevingne, Kate Moss, and Stormzy.
The ex-Liverpool and England footballer Jamie Carragher was also spotted with his friends.
Zoe Ball, Martin Roberts, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Princess Eugenie, Cate Blanchett, and Lily James also attended.
Glastonbury co-organiser thanks attendees for turning up to the festival
Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis has thanked everyone for attending the festival.
“Thank you [for] making this such a special @Glastonbury,” she tweeted on Sunday (26 June).
“If you’re starting to think about packing up, then PLEASE take everything home with you. Let’s leave this beautiful valley in the state that it deserves.”
Lorde says ‘f*** the Supreme Court’ from the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury
In case you missed it – Lorde performed on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday evening (26 June) where she delivered a speech that she concluded with: “F*** the Supreme Court.”
“Welcome to sadness,” said the singer on stage. “The temperature is unbearable until you face it. Wanna hear a secret girls? Your bodies were destined to be controlled and objectified since before you were born.
“That horror is your birthright. But here’s another secret. You possess ancient strength. Ancient widsom. Wisdom that has propelled every woman that came before you. That wisdom is also your birthright. I ask you today, make exercising that wisdom your life’s work because everything depends on it. F*** the Supreme Court.”
The musician’s speech was met with cheers from the crowd, before she launched into a performance of her 2021 track “Mood Ring”.
Annabel Nugent has the full story:
Lorde says ‘f*** the Supreme Court’ from the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury
‘Wanna hear a secret girls? Your bodies were destined to be controlled and objectified since before you were born,’ said the singer
Paul McCartney played Johnny Depp video during Glastonbury headline set
In case you missed it – Paul McCartney played a clip of Johnny Depp during his headline set at Glastonbury.
The Beatles legend took to the Pyramid Stage at 9.30pm on Saturday (25 June), where he played a video of Depp on the jumbo screen.
McCartney and Depp are reportedly close friends as well as longtime collaborators. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor has starred in several of McCartney’s music videos.
During McCartney’s performance of his 2012 track “My Valentine”, he played snippets from the song’s original music video, which also features Natalie Portman.
In the black-and-white clip, Depp is seen playing guitar and reciting the song’s lyrics in sign language.
Annabel Nugent reports:
Paul McCartney plays Johnny Depp video during Glastonbury headline set
McCartney becomes the oldest solo headliner at Glastonbury
What the revellers thought of Glastonbury 2022
Here’s a snippet from my colleague Megan Graye’s piece in which she talked to festivalgoers about what the weekend has been like for them.
Read the story in full below... We’re interrupted by ear-splitting screams signalling Billie Eilish’s arrival on the Pyramid Stage. On the edge of the huge crowd, bodies bump into one another as they make their way along the paths between stages, food stalls and campsites.
Taking a break from all the steps is David, 29, from Liverpool, sitting on the dusty grass. He’s been to the festival six times before, but believes this Glastonbury is the best yet.
“I’d like to thank Michael and Emily Eavis, because they’ve just done such a great job of making it so inclusive and amazing,” he says. Dressed in a spiked neon jacket (inspired by Billie Eilish), he says the festival feels like “home, family and love”.
‘It’s a fever dream’: Glastonbury revellers celebrate the return to Worthy Farm
As the belated 50th anniversary celebrations of Glastonbury draws to a close, festival-goers, crew-members and artists share their verdict on the long-awaited weekend. Music correspondent Megan Graye reports from Worthy Farm
Alreading missing Glastonbury?
For those who are already feeling the Glastonbury-shaped void in their lives, here’s our guide to how to get in on the action next year.
Festival organisers Michael Eavis has already booked the headlines for the 2023 event, and tickets are expected to go on sale around October...
Glastonbury 2023 registration, tickets and everything you need to know
How much are Glastonbury tickets?
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments