Glastonbury kicks off next month, with an amazing, eclectic line-up of bands as always. This year’s event will see The Rolling Stones performing at Worthy Farm for the first time ever, alongside other British acts including Arctic Monkeys, Mumford and Sons and Primal Scream.
We have waited years to see Mick Jagger strut his stuff on the pyramid stage, hopefully it will be one of those Glasto performances to remember; with so many highlights from years gone by, we highlight some of the most memorable performances of all time:
We have waited years to see Mick Jagger strut his stuff on the pyramid stage, hopefully it will be one of those Glasto performances to remember; with so many highlights from years gone by, we highlight some of the most memorable performances of all time:
T-Rex (1970)
T-Rex made their presence known to Britain at the first ever Glastonbury in 1970. Michael Eavis wanted to rival the larger Blues Bath & West Showground blues festival, hiring Marc Bolan’s T-Rex to lay the foundations for what was has become the biggest festival in Britain.
The Smiths (1984)
Many ardent Glasto fans felt that The Smiths’ sound was not appropriate for a traditionally mellow event; their inclusion, however, allowed Glasto to successfully appeal to a wider audience. Morrissey and Johnny Marr provided one of their best performances of all time, sparking a stage invasion.Oasis delivered their first Glastonbury performance with a swagger and guile of rock n roll giants in waiting. This performance was as fresh and game-changing as anything that decade, with Liam’s snarling vocals complemented by Noel’s simple yet god-like guitar solos. Oasis returned the following year to similar effect, with Robbie Williams joining the stage for a dance-off.
Muse (2004)
Muse’s elaborate set was theatrical and colorful to say the least, blowing away any hint of skepticism to create one of the most memorable Glastonbury sets of all time. Ending with the iconic riff ‘Plug in Baby’, Muse’s set took on a poignant tone when drummer Dominic Howard's father tragically passed away backstage following the performance.Jay Z’s 2008 inclusion sparked surprise and controversy, with Noel Gallagher stating that the inclusion of a hip-hop artist may have been the reason for such poor ticket sales that year. Jay-Z responded with a mock cover of ‘Wonderwall’, which set the tone for an incredible performance. Glasto has since included a range of alternative artists, increasing popularity further than ever.
Despite the disappointment of losing their Britpop crown to Oasis, Blur were back on magical form to close the 2009 festival, having recently rekindled for some 90s nostalgia. Their extensive back catalogue of smash hits, including Girls and Boys and Tender, combined with an appearance from actor Phil Daniels on ‘Parklife’, was one of the most poignant, and loudest, performances to date.
Whatever bands you watch this year, stay safe!
With so much music to look forward to this year, it’s sure to be a fantastic spectacle – especially after a two-year break since the 2011 festival.
However, please remember that prolonged exposure to loud music can cause hearing problems if you don’t take precautions. Make sure you stand far enough away from speaker systems and take regular breaks from the stage. Also invest in a good set of ear plugs: a range of solutions now exist which preserve speech intelligibility and music quality, meaning that you won’t have to miss out on any of the action.
