Best Glastonbury Performances Ever: 30 Legendary Festival Highlights

30: Neil Young (2009)

Despite not usually catering for mainstream festival-goers, Neil Young was one of the most highly anticipated performers at Glastonbury 2009. Originally booked to appear in 1997, Young had to cancel due to an alleged finger injury sustained while making himself a snack. However, he made up for it 12 years later by swapping the kitchen knife for his trusty axe and running through a career-spanning setlist featuring some of the best Neil Young songs, including Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black), Heart Of Gold and Rockin’ In The Free World. An incendiary performance, it cemented Young’s status as one of the greatest songwriters in the history of rock’n’roll.

29: Iggy & The Stooges (2007)

Proving there was still life in the old dog yet, Iggy & The Stooges’ appearance at Glastonbury 2007 marked a legendary moment among the best Glastonbury performances. At the age of 60, a topless Iggy Pop got into an onstage argument with guitarist Ron Asheton (“I can’t stand this bullshit anymore!”), but that did little to lessen the impact of a blistering set which prompted a stage invasion during No Fun and culminated in a gloriously riotous performance of one of the best Stooges songs of all time, I Wanna Be Your Dog. With their frontman as wild and unpredictable as ever, The Stooges ensured their Glastonbury set was a triumph that brought the anarchic spirit of punk rock to Worthy Farm.

28: Adele (2016)

With a magical voice like hers, there were high hopes that Adele’s Glastonbury 2016 headline show would be one for the ages. More than living up to expectations, the London-born singer had the entire audience in the palm of her hand throughout, belting out her powerhouse vocals and charming the crowd with her wit. Adele’s setlist was a perfect mix of beloved hits and new material, and her rendition of Someone Like You was particularly stunning. Giving us smatterings of her cor-blimey accent and her down-to-earth personality, Adele’s emotional connection with her audience was a sight to behold, making for a truly unforgettable performance that fully established her as one of the best female singers of all time.

27: Pet Shop Boys (2010)

Marking their first-ever appearance at Worthy Farm after almost three decades in the pop charts, Pet Shop Boys delivered a strobe-filled highlight among the best Glastonbury performances. Synth-pop duo Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, known for their flamboyant style and theatrical live shows, pulled out all the stops for their 2010 set, with an extravagant stage show featuring stunning visuals, Lycra-clad dancers and numerous costume changes. Renditions of some of the best Pet Shop Boys songs, such as It’s A Sin and West End Girls, which have become iconic anthems for the LGBTQ+ community, put a sparkle in the eyes of the crowd, while surprise covers of songs such as Coldplay’s Viva La Vida made the audience want to swap their wellies for platform shoes. With infectious energy and impeccable showmanship, Pet Shop Boys’ long-overdue Glastonbury spot proved why the duo remain one of the most exciting and culturally impactful acts in pop history.

26: Portishead (1998)

The traditional Glastonbury mud-fest did not spoil the spirits in 1998. Rubber boots firmly on, 100,500 keen attendees witnessed an ethereal Pyramid Stage set from Bristolian trip-hop pioneers Portishead. A lit cigarette in hand, and the mood appropriately set, singer Beth Gibbons delivered a performance of Glory Box for the ages.

25: Orbital (1994)

Orbital’s 1994 Glastonbury performance was pivotal in deepening the festival’s relationship with dance culture. Orbital stormed the NME Stage with complex electronics and a thrilling light show that dazzled a crowd more used to a four-piece guitar, bass and drums set-up. Before taking to the stage, the duo were sick with nerves, but their career-defining set immediately went down as one of the best Glastonbury performances of all time. A year later, Glastonbury opened a dance-music tent which was so successful it has since become the Dance Village.

24: Levellers (1994)

Levellers attracted the biggest Glastonbury turn out to date when they headlined the Pyramid Stage in 1994. After a security fence was breached, the Brighton folk-rockers performed in front of a record-breaking 300,000 fans desperate to see the group in the flesh. In their post-performance interview, the politically charged outfit spoke openly about their dispute with the Criminal Justice And Public Order Act 1994, which gave police the power to shut down events featuring music “characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats” – a clear attempt to abolish UK rave culture.

23: Stormzy (2019)

As the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury Festival, Stormzy knew his 2019 appearance would be a true moment of cultural significance. Taking to the stage with a stab-proof vest designed by graffiti artist Banksy, the UK icon’s electrifying set was a commanding mix of hard-hitting grime tracks (Big For Your Boots) and emotionally charged ballads (Blinded By Your Grace, Pt.2) which showcased his versatility as an artist. Despite delivering a barrage of some of the best Stormzy songs to date, most memorable, perhaps, was the rapper’s political commentary, including a poignant moment where he called out the UK government’s inadequate response to the Grenfell Tower fire. Not just a musical performance, but a powerful statement on race, class and inequality in modern Britain, Stormzy’s set was history in the making among the best Glastonbury performances.

22: Ed Sheeran (2017)

Armed only with his acoustic guitar and loop pedal, Ed Sheeran had the entire crowd lighting up the night with their smartphone torches while delivering a masterclass in showmanship at Glastonbury 2017. Packing his set with a perfect blend of upbeat hits and heartfelt ballads, including standout performances of Shape Of You and Thinking Out Loud, what really made Sheeran’s appearance so memorable was the sense of intimacy he created on the massive Pyramid Stage. One of the world’s biggest songwriters, he managed to make it feel as though he was playing to each and every person in the audience, effortlessly demonstrating his talent by delivering one of the best Glastonbury performances in recent memory.

21: Kylie Minogue (2019)

Following her shock breast-cancer diagnosis, Kylie Minogue was forced to cancel her planned 2005 Glastonbury appearance. However, the “Princess Of Pop” more than made up for it 14 years later, when she played the Sunday Legends slot in 2019. Replete with a fake wedding, a plethora of the best Kylie Minogue songs and an almost constant stream of confetti, her fabulous set smashed the record for the most-watched Glastonbury performance, with an average audience of 3.2 million people tuning in at home, beating previous highs set by the likes of Ed Sheeran and Adele.

20: Travis (1999

Travis’ appearance at Glastonbury 1999 was a watershed moment for the Scottish rock band. Taking to The Other Stage on a rain-soaked afternoon, they delivered a set that defied the inclement weather, prompting the crowd to sing along to every word of Why Does It Always Rain on Me? with no hint of irony. Frontman Fran Healy’s heartfelt singing left no doubt that Travis were a band on the rise, and the appearance propelled them to national-treasure status. It remains a beloved moment among the best Glastonbury performances.

19: Arctic Monkeys (2007)

In 2007, Arctic Monkeys achieved a massive feat: headlining the Pyramid Stage a mere year after the release of their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. Despite being new to Glastonbury, fans were screaming Alex Turner’s lyrics from the get-go as the band delivered a top-tier set while casually attired in jeans and trackies. They wrapped up their Glastonbury debut with A Certain Romance, but not before a surprise appearance from UK hip-hop legend Dizzee Rascal, who accompanied the Sheffield indie group for their Brianstorm B-Side Temptation Greets You Like Your Naughty Friend.

18: Dolly Parton (2014)

Glastonbury’s bookers had been trying to secure Dolly Parton ever since staging their first event back in 1970, and the time finally came in 2014, when the country-music icon performed her greatest hits to over 180,000 festival-goers. Parton has admitted she felt nervous about her performance, thinking she might not fit in with the type of artists who had previously appeared at the festival. However, she was welcomed with open arms – and not just by the crowd, but by many of that year’s other performers, too. With security staff even choreographing their own dance moves for Jolene, Parton was overwhelmed at the reaction, saying, “I’m just a country girl and now I feel like a rock star.”

17: Lizzo (2019)

A vibrant and empowering celebration of self-love and body positivity, Lizzo took to the West Holts Stage in a glittery leotard at Glastonbury 2019, delivering a high-energy set that had the entire crowd dancing. Wowing the audience by playing flute and delivering messages of self-acceptance amid a bombardment of the best Lizzo songs to date, it’s easy to forget that, for many watching at home on BBC iPlayer, this was their first introduction to the unstoppable dynamo. With her powerful vocals and infectious stage presence culminating in an exceptional rendition of her breakout hit, Juice, Lizzo delivered a star-making turn that showcased her talent and spread a message of inclusivity, easily making it one of the best Glastonbury performances of the decade.

16: Metallica (2014)

Proof that heavy metal had well and truly entered the mainstream, Metallica were the first metal group ever to headline Glastonbury. Fulfilling a “bucket-list” dream, the thrash legends put on the show of a lifetime, using the stage to encourage the organisers to book more metal acts. “This is dedicated not only to the crowd but to all the British heavy metal bands that have been dreaming and still dream of playing this stage,” said frontman James Hetfield. They even let a lucky group of fans on stage for the entirety of their set.

15: Oasis (1995)

A year after their Glastonbury debut, Oasis helped mark the festival’s 25th anniversary when they returned as Friday-night headliners, taking to the stage with confidence and delivering arguably the best of their Worthy Farm performances. Surprise guest Robbie Williams came on to dance during Shakermaker, while the band premiered songs such as Roll With It, The Swamp Song and Morning Glory, from the yet-to-be-released (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? album. With a lone Noel Gallagher debuting Wonderwall on acoustic guitar, the set has gone down in legend among the best Glastonbury performances.

14: New Order (1987)

After a notoriously booze-fulled Glastonbury 1981 headline spot, New Order’s return to Worthy Farm in 1987 was a truly defining moment for the post-punk pioneers. Taking to the Pyramid Stage less than a year after the release of their fourth album, Brotherhood, the band turned in a slick and passionate set that showcased their floor-thumping mix of alternative rock, synth-pop and dance. With Bernard Sumner’s moody vocals and Peter Hook’s nimble bass-playing, memorable hits such as Bizarre Love Triangle and True Faith had the crowd moving throughout the night. Leaving little doubt over New Order’s reputation as one of the most influential bands of all time, the group’s 1987 appearance remains a pivotal moment among the best Glastonbury performances.

12: The Killers (2017)

In 2017, The Killers made a surprise appearance at the relatively small (for Glastonbury) John Peel Stage. Walking on to Teenage Kicks by The Undertones – the much-missed DJ’s favourite song of all time – the Las Vegas rockers kicked things off with a bang, opening their set with When We Were Young, then continuing with a collection of their classic hits, including Human and Somebody Told Me. Securing its place among the best Glastonbury performances of all time, The Killers’ set pushed the tent beyond capacity, with organisers having to issue a warning to latecomers: “Please do not head in that direction as you will not get into the venue.”

11: Foo Fighters (2017)

Having had to cancel their 2015 appearance after frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg during a show just weeks before, Foo Fighters were finally able to prove they had what it took to deliver one of the best Glastonbury performances, when they headlined in 2017. It was a show full of electricity, F-bombs and dedications, with Everlong going out to Laura Plane, a campaigner and fundraiser for breast cancer who had passed away from the disease in May. Fittingly, Walk was performed for the surgeon who worked on Grohl’s broken leg, while My Hero was dedicated to a naked fan. The group also performed a fantastic collection of covers, among them Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust and Ramones’ Blitzkrieg Bop, with Grohl swapping places with their late drummer Taylor Hawkins to perform the signature punk tune.

10: Stevie Wonder (2010)

One of the most legendary soul singers of all time, Stevie Wonder blessed the Pyramid Stage in 2010, playing a remarkable set full of all-time classics as he brought an unusually sun-drenched and rain-free Glastonbury to a close. Forever securing its place among the best Glastonbury performances, Wonder invited founder Michael Eavis on stage to join him during Happy Birthday – an apt ending to the festival’s 40th-anniversary event.

10: The Smiths (1984)

Fresh from releasing their self-titled debut album, The Smiths introduced themselves to the UK festival circuit with yet another breakthrough moment among the best Glastonbury performances. Morrissey’s distinctive vocals and Johnny Marr’s jangly guitar tones filled the air on this Saturday afternoon in the summer of 1984, captivating a crowd of 20,000 hippies who had previously been unaware of the group. From the classic riffs of This Charming Man to the achingly beautiful William, It Was Really Nothing, The Smiths’ Glastonbury 1984 set secured their place in music history and remains a memorable moment in the festival’s storied past.

9: Blur (2009)

Having played at Worthy Farm a number of times, Blur could always be relied upon to deliver some of the best Glastonbury performances. Their 1992 set was a landmark appearance, paving the way for both the release of their Modern Life Is Rubbish album and the start of Britpop; almost two decades later, a reunited Blur closed Glastonbury in spectacular style with a set that spanned their entire career. Joined by additional musicians, including a brass band and backing singers, the group delivered 13 album highlights such as Tender and Trimm Trabb, while actor Phil Daniels was also on hand to reprise his role on their 90s anthem Parklife. Having reminded the world what the best Blur songs had to offer, frontman Damon Albarn would be back the following year, headlining with Gorillaz.

8: Jay-Z (2008)

In 2008, Jay-Z became the first rapper in Glastonbury history to headline the Pyramid Stage. His appearance was generally acclaimed, but some rockists felt sour about it, with Noel Gallagher telling the BBC, “I’m sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance. Glastonbury has the tradition of guitar music… I’m not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It’s wrong.” The former Oasis star could not have been more wrong himself: hip-hop was the most thriving genre of music at the time, and Jay-Z played on the controversy by opening his set with a sarcastic rendition of Wonderwall before thundering into the Rick Rubin-produced 99 Problems, soaking it in high energy and classic rock guitar riffs.

7: Beyoncé (2011)

In 2011, Beyoncé became the first solo Black female to ever headline the Pyramid Stage, making history and delivering one of the best Glastonbury performances in the process. The Sunday Legends set was pure Bey greatness, too, with the star running through an abundance of pop masterpieces, including Crazy In Love, and even delivering Bootylicious with the other members of the group she found fame with, Destiny’s Child. The Single Ladies hitmaker hurled herself across the stage for a full 90 minutes, delivering a flawless performance made even more impressive considering she was secretly pregnant with her first child at the time, yet she barely broke a sweat.

6: The Rolling Stones (2013)

In 2013, the time finally came for The Rolling Stones to headline Glastonbury. And it was absolutely worth the wait, with Michael Eavis himself going on to say that the group delivered one of the best Glastonbury performances in history. There was some speculation beforehand as to whether the group would be joined by any special guests, with the likes of Adele and Florence Welch rumoured to be making appearances. In the end, the Stones supplied a stunning stripped-back set joined only by their former guitarist Mick Taylor, who was on hand for Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, Midnight Rambler and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.

5: R.E.M. (1999)

R.E.M. put on a historic Pyramid Stage show at the end of a long hot, day in the summer of 1999. Looking back at their performance, singer Michael Stipe later said it proved to be the moment when the band cemented their place in UK music history – and yet it almost didn’t happen when a security guard tried to stop Stipe from entering the grounds. Crisis averted, and history made, the alt-rock icons from Athens, Georgia, delivered a powerful set encompassing classic material, from Everybody Hurts and Man On The Moon to Losing My Religion.

4: Pulp (1995)

Stepping in as a last-minute replacement for The Stone Roses, who had to pull out a week before, after guitarist John Squire broke his collarbone while mountain biking, Pulp’s career-making 1995 appearance more than deserves its place among the best Glastonbury performances. Despite having to camp on-site, the group took the stage as though they’d been preparing for this moment their entire lives, and pulled off one of the greatest feats in the festival’s history. With their Different Class album just months away, Pulp saw a fitting opportunity to debut their new song Sorted For E’s & Wizz, and effectively became national treasures overnight.

3: Paul McCartney (2004)

The first Beatle to appear at Glastonbury, Sir Paul McCartney certainly delivered on all that promised in 2004. Stealing the weekend with a mix of Beatles classics, some Wings numbers and a heartfelt George Harrison tribute, McCartney brought his main set to a close with Hey Jude, striking out the chords on his piano as the audience sang along, standing side-by-side in a muddy field, lit by pyrotechnics and sprayed with confetti.

2: Radiohead (1997)

Regarded as one of Radiohead’s greatest gigs, despite being riddled with technical difficulties, the group’s 1997 headline slot came only two weeks after the release of their classic album OK Computer, and they delivered definitive live versions of that record’s highlights, Karma Police, Airbag, Paranoid Android and No Surprises among them. Even though the band have since admitted they were close to walking off stage due to the sound issues they were struggling against, their perseverance prevailed: not only one of the best Glastonbury performances, this is one of the most legendary gigs of all time.

1: David Bowie (2000)

Returning to Worthy Farm after 29 years, David Bowie performed a dream set executed with flair. A virtual wish-list of the best David Bowie songs – just about everything of significance form his lengthy catalogue, including Wild Is The Wind, Ashes To Ashes, Changes, Life On Mars?, “Heroes” and The Man Who Sold The World – the show was arguably one of the greatest headline appearances of any festival as, with impeccable showmanship, Bowie cemented his status as a Glastonbury icon. Easily topping our list of the best Glastonbury performances ever, we will never see the likes of it again.

Looking for more? Find out the best Reading and Leeds Festival performances of all time.

Original article: 23 June 2022

Updated: 21 June 2023. Extra words: Luke Edwards