Glastonbury brings out Coldplay, Charlie XCX and more

The 2024 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts has concluded, and the crowds feel musically fulfilled as they jet home. From huge sets by Charli XCX and Coldplay to a legendary performance by Shania Twain, Worthy Farm was nothing short of memorable.

In 2022, Paul McCartney brought out surprise guests Bruce Springsteen, and last year, Elton John teased bringing out Britney Spears and Dua Lipa during his set but instead brought out new talent. Coldplay wanted to match McCartney’s showmanship and brought Little Simz, Femi Kuti, Victoria Canal, and Laura Mvula on stage at their Saturday set much to the fans’ delight.

The weekend was packed with the poppiest line-up to date. Dua Lipa shared on stage Friday night that, as a little girl, she wrote that one day, “I will headline Glastonbury.” And that she did. SZA also performed at the Pyramid Stage to a crowd full of twenty-somethings as did Camilla Cambello. Another headline performer, but a first-timer at Glastonbury, was Avril Lavigne. “I can’t believe it’s taken me 22 years to actually be here,” Lavigne shared to her Friday crowd.

Peggy Gou, a newcomer, made history as the first female DJ to headline The Park Stage at Glastonbury. Over the past five years, Gou has gained attention for her representation of women in the male-dominated DJ industry. Her fans admire her rave sets full of finger taps, so, she played a remix of “Murder on the Dancefloor,” bringing out Sophie Ellis-Bextor for the special number.

As historic as Glastonbury is, each year the festival continues to aim to celebrate all that is happening in music right now.