Indeed, while 2023’s lineup was dominated by rock titans Guns N’ Roses and my hometown legends Arctic Monkeys, this year sees more pop artists take to the Pyramid Stage. While it may be too soon to make assumptions, it is fairly safe to say that Dua Lipa won’t be opening up with “Welcome To The Jungle”, so the question remains: is this shift away from indie and rock headliners a positive one?
I’ll be the first to admit that, as a fan of all things rock and a hater of all things Coldplay, I was initially disappointed by the lineup. I certainly wasn’t picturing Shania Twain as my ideal headliner for my first ever trip to Glasto. However, looking into the history of the festival soon changed my mind.
This debate, and Glastonbury platforming non-guitar acts, is certainly not new. Famously, Jay-Z walked out to Oasis’ hit Wonderwall in 2008 as a clap-back to Noel Gallagher following the guitarist’s slamming of the idea of hip-hop at Glasto. Some comments on 2024’s lineup are eerily similar to Gallagher’s remarks, and in my opinion share the same fatal flaw. Jay-Z’s performance at Worthy Farm went on to become legendary, and approaching 2024’s lineup with a Gallagher-esque closed mind could leave you just as embarrassed as he was in 2008.
Glastonbury has a proud progressive history, both musical and otherwise. It has been at the forefront of the peace movement in the UK for decades, for example. Worthy Farm has, and will continue to play host to artists that satisfy any and all music tastes – after all, it’s Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, not Glastonbury Festival of Guitar Music.
This year’s selection of artists is packed with talent, whether it be the unique Irish language trio Kneecap or my mum’s beloved Paloma Faith, you won’t struggle to find good music on the farm this summer. Furthermore, the guitar acts – yes they still have those – are among the most exciting, with the likes of Yard Act and Fontaines DC heading to Somerset.
In a way it takes rock back to its rebellious, counter-cultural roots.
In fact, it is precisely because “Guitar Music” is no longer at the forefront of popular music that makes the inclusion of rock artists special. In a way it takes rock back to its rebellious, counter-cultural roots.
The Noel Gallaghers of the world were out of touch then, and arguably they’re out of touch now. Music tastes will always evolve, and Glastonbury should reflect this, because that’s what Glastonbury is all about. Giving focus to one particular type of music over others will only stifle this evolution, ripping Glasto away from its soul.