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As it happenedended

Glastonbury day three, as it happened: Friday with Stormzy, Rosalia, Lewis Capaldi and George Ezra

Grime star became the first British rapper to headline the music festival in a set that featured appearances from Chris Martin, Dave and Fredo

Roisin O'Connor,Amy Blumsom
Saturday 29 June 2019 02:29 EDT
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Stormzy performs Know Me From at Glastonbury

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Stormzy made history with an explosive headline set on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2019.

The grime star became the first British rapper to headline the world-famous music festival on Friday 28 June, with a performance that included guest appearances from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and fellow MCs Dave and Fredo.

As expected following an announcement by the BBC, Stormzy’s set was uncensored and included a stand-out line from his single “Vossi Bop”: “F*** the government and f*** Boris.”

Elsewhere, he sampled a speech by Labour MP David Lammy, who responded with a tweet: "Stormzy using his headline spot at #glastonburyfestival2019 to speak out about the injustice of young black kids being criminalised in a biased and disproportionate justice system. Humbled and inspired that he sampled my speech. Salute #Merky."

Stormzy also featured a gospel choir for his song “Blinded By Your Grace”, dance troupes, and a special shout out his fellow artists, from established grime pioneers such as Wiley and Skepta to future stars including AJ Tracey, Ms Banks, Yxng Bane and Stefflon Don.

“This is the greatest night of my entire life. Who’s got energy today?” he asked the thousands of people watching his show.

For his grand finale he closed on “Big For Your Boots”, the track from his Brit Award-winning, record-breaking debut album Gang Signs & Prayer.

The liveblog is now closed

See all the best pictures from Glastonbury here.

The BBC has confirmed that it will broadcast Stormzy’s Glastonbury Festival set live and uncensored tonight (28 June), despite the fact that one of his songs contains an expletive aimed at Boris Johnson. Something tells me that Glastonbury's liberal-minded crowd won't take offence at this, considering the last festival reverted with chants of "Oh Jeremy Corbyn".

Stormzy, who is headlining the first night of the festival, is currently promoting “Vossi Bop”, the first single from his forthcoming second album, which includes the line: “F*** the government and f*** Boris.”

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 22:07

The Pyramid Stage is basking in the twilight, ready for Stormzy to deliver his headline set.  

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 22:18

Jo Whiley has just lived the more timid BBC Two viewers that this is not just a live, but  "live live" which means there might be some strong language. What she didn't mention is that there might be some searing political commentary to go with it.

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 22:27

Stormzy has burst on to the stage in a stab-proof vest embellished with a union jack. Before he's even opened his mouth he's combined politics and patriotism in one gesture.

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 22:29

Worthy Farm has been electrified by Stormzy's presence, they are enraptured. It's clear thought that knife crime is the focal point of this set. To build on the message of the stab-proof vest, he's kicked off "First Things First" with some crime stats sampled from one of Tottenham MP's David Lammy's speeches. That claustrophobic backing track just adds to the anger and power of this performance.

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 22:38

It's not just crime on the streets of London. Stormzy is also drawing attention to other issues, and how far attitudes towards race have evolved even in the last few years. White privilege pervades every level of society - even in ballet, where shoes have only just became available in different skin tones. Some lyric ballet dancing with a light show was such a poignant way to celebrate this while Stormzy nipped off for a quick costume change.

Not to mention Raleigh Ritchie (aka Game of Thrones's Grey Worm) has made the first cameo of the set.

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 22:47

Here's a peak at that stunning ballet performance during Stormzy's history-making headline performance:

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 22:58

Stormzy's performance is set to have more celebrity cameos than the later seasons of Friends. We've already had Raleigh Ritchie, and now Chris Martin with a gentle duet of "Blinded By Your Grace". Who knows which A-lister is going to rock up on the Pyramid Stage next.

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 23:03

"This is the greatest night of my entire life" says Stormzy as he tears up the stage at the world's most iconic music festival.

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 23:07

Special guest number three (and four) are rap ingenues Dave and Fredo. Poignantly, Stormzy makes pains to state that their single is the first pure rap song to go straight to number one. He's followed it up with the second pure rap song to do the same, Vossi Bop.

amy.blumsom28 June 2019 23:22

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