Glastonbury 2024 has come to an end, with US singer-songwriter SZA closing the show on the Pyramid Stage after a glamorous weekend that included celebrity cameos, fireworks and crowd surfing.
And of course music.
Dua Lipa, ColdplayLittle Simz, Shania TwainBig names like Janelle Monae and Cyndi Lauper performed, but only on the main stage. GlastonburyThe huge Worthy Farm estate in Somerset.
It's been a record-breaking year: Lipa on Friday followed by SZA's nature-inspired set on Sunday marks the first time two women have headlined the event, and Coldplay has headlined five times, more than any other artist.
From the main events to the bits you might have missed, relive another weekend of highlights that show exactly why this is the best festival in the world.
Michael J. Fox onstage, Tom Cruise backstage
There was some skepticism online about Coldplay's return to headline Glastonbury Festival for a record-breaking fifth time, but on Saturday night Chris Martin And they proved exactly why they are perfect for this slot.
Their celebrity fans certainly seem to think so: On stage, after other artists including Little Simz took to the stage, Hollywood legend Michael J. Fox played guitar for a tear-jerking rendition of “Fix You.”
Backstage, Tom Cruise was watching as part of the audience at the side of the stage, and Martin's partner Dakota Johnson was also spotted on camera.
Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis was also at the concert and received a tribute song from the Coldplay frontman, who told Eavis, “We just want to thank you. As a human being you're the best in every way. Musically you're fascinating and you're the best farmer in the world. Has anyone been knighted while wearing shorts? Thank you, Michael. We love you.”
The next day, Foxx shared a photo from the festival on Instagram, writing: “So yeah, in case you were wondering… it was absolutely mind-blowing. Every band has a time, and every band has a time. This is Coldplay's time.”
Dua Lipa joins the crowd
During her headlining performance on Friday night, Dua Lipa explained to fans how she “made” the experience happen, saying she “wrote this moment down…I wished for it…I tried so hard with the hope that maybe one day it would come true.”
Plus, her preference was to headline on Friday specifically, “so I knew I could party for the next two days at the best place on earth.”
Well, at least on Saturday the star was able to enjoy the festival as a spectator (albeit one with access to a proper bed and shower): We spotted her walking through the crowd at the Other Stage ahead of The Streets' evening slot, and later backstage in the hospitality area with actor boyfriend Callum Turner.
Other celebrity appearances
Glastonbury has been a hotspot for celebrity spotting since the mid-2000s, when Kate Moss wore micro shorts and wellies.
This year was no exception, with a star-studded lineup including former headliner Stormzy, Maya Jama, Alexa Chung, Paul Mescal, Sienna Miller, Cara Delevingne, Leo Woodall and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Noel Gallagher and Dave Grohl (who made a surprise appearance at least at that year's event) were also reportedly seen watching LCD Soundsystem stageside, with Gallagher later pictured with Belfast rap trio Kneecap, and Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett heading out to see Paloma Faith.
Russell Crowe was also there as a performer rather than a guest with his band Indoor Garden Party, while Idris Elba spoke on stage at West Holts, speaking about knife crime and his campaign, “Don't Stop Your Future.”
Secret (and not-so-secret) sets
“It's happening! See you at Woodsies @glastonbury at 6pm.”
It was meant to be kept top secret, but with bookmakers and confidential Glastonbury sources predicting Kasabian would be the big surprise act for days, the Leicester band decided to spill the beans just hours before the show.
Their message at X was the confirmation they needed to draw thousands of people to the Woodsies Stage – so many people, in fact, that the area was closed off nearly an hour before the group's start time due to the sheer number of people trying to get onto the stage in the sweltering sunshine.
Kasabian headlined the festival in 2014, so the tent was in capable hands: their set was the biggest secret set slot and featured some crowd surfing from frontman Sergio Pizzorno, but there were plenty of other events happening throughout the venue.
Plus, there are plenty of star-studded cameos, including Mel C and Tilda Swinton joining Orbital, Sam Smith appearing with Disclosure and Sophie Ellis-Bextor teaming up with Peggy Gou.
Mike Skinner as Prime Minister?
Another set featuring energetic crowd surfing, The Streets slot on the Other Stage was one of the highlights of the weekend.
Mike Skinner dipped in and out of the audience during a performance that captured the spirit of Glastonbury, performing hits such as “Blinded By The Lights,” “Weak Become Heroes,” “Fit But You Know It” and “Dry Your Eyes.”
A fan in the front row shared a message on his mobile phone, which was caught on camera, which read: “Mike Skinner for Prime Minister”, which drew huge cheers.
Do you think next week will be too late?
Glastonbury's youngest fan?
On Friday morning, when DJ Annie Mac opened the Other Stage with a dance set, one fan in the crowd stole the show.
Ten-week-old Finlay, dressed in striped pyjamas and earmuffs and perched on his father Tom Kay's shoulders, appeared on the big screen at various times throughout the set, drawing cheers as special effects transformed him into mind-blowing images.
“Oh my god, this kid is a little legend,” Mac told the crowd, before closing the performance by thanking “everyone, Glastonbury and this kid.”
When asked what advice she had for parents thinking about taking young children to the festival, mum Rosie Lewis said: “By all means go – sometimes it can be hard to put you off because you think too much about it. But take more nappies than you think you'll need. Take more vests and clothes than you think you'll need.”
She's still my soulmate
In front of a crowd of cowboy-hat-wearing fans, country singer Shania Twain performed a “life-changing” set in the Legends slot.
The show has become the festival's Sunday afternoon favourite and in past years has featured stars such as Kylie Minogue, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton and Tom Jones.
Twain revealed she had explored the festival grounds ahead of her debut performance: “This really is a city. It's a community,” she said.
Political statements
With the general election approaching, Glastonbury is sure to take on a political tone this year.
Damon Albarn took to the stage to urge music fans to vote next week, while artists including Charlotte Church called for “Liberate Palestine” during their performances.
And an inflatable lifeboat that was apparently hoisted into the crowd during Idols' performance on Friday was later confirmed to be a work by artist Banksy.
The small boat was full of migrant dolls wearing orange life jackets.which was criticised by Home Secretary James Cleverley and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden.
“It's disgusting that festival-goers are dressing up as migrants and celebrating the actions of human traffickers while partying,” Cleverley wrote on Twitter. “Whatever your political views, this is not something to be taken lightly.”
The boat appeared while IDLES were performing their 2018 song “Danny Nedelko,” which begins with the lyrics, “My blood brothers are immigrants, beautiful immigrants.” Band members reportedly were unaware of the incident until after the performance.
The boat also appeared above the crowd during Lil Sims' performance the following day.
England v Slovakia, presented by 1D Star
Officially, Glastonbury wasn't broadcasting the Euro 2024 match – which began at the end of Twain's set and overlapped with acts like Nothing But Thieves, Janelle Monae and Avril Lavigne – but that didn't stop England fans determined to watch.
In one corner of the festival, near the Silver Haze area, a crowd had gathered around a fan who had set up a flat screen and a mifi unit to stream the match. The fan turned out to be One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
People were seen watching the broadcast on their mobile phones around the venue.
The game was largely bleak until extra time, when England were 1-0 down for much of the game and were saved by a stoppage-time equaliser from Jude Bellingham, followed soon after by a Harry Kane goal in extra time.
Final score – England wins 2-1will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
read more:
Coldplay makes historic headline appearance with Michael J. Fox
Knee Cap unexpectedly draws 'headline-worthy' crowd
How politics fit into the music at Glastonbury
See you again next year?
Fans will be happy to hear that organiser Emily Eavis is already in negotiations with several performers for 2025.
“We're going to have a fallow year in 2026 to let the land rest,” she told the festival's local newspaper, the Glastonbury Free Press. “A festival before the fallow is always fun to plan because it means you've got two years' worth of work to do in one.”
“We're already in negotiations with several artists. We're really excited about it.”
See you in the ticket battle in a few months.
