Glastonbury 2023, Saturday live: Chaos as Lana Del Rey’s set cut after singer starts 30 minutes late

Saturday (24 June) at Glastonbury Festival ended in dramatic fashion when Lana Del Rey’s set was cut, after she arrived on the Woodsies stage 30 minutes late.

Billed to perform while headliners Guns N’ Roses were playing the Pyramid Stage, the US pop artist kept fans waiting way past her scheduled time of 10.30pm. She finally arrived, and later appeared to blame the delay on her hair.

Drama seemed to be the order of the day. Earlier, Japanese-British artist appeared to call out her label-mate, The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, for a controversial podcast interview that included a number of derogatory remarks about women and Asian people.

Meanwhile, Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi was forced to cut his own set early due to vocal issues, but received enormous support from the thousands of people who sang along with him. Later, Lizzo dazzled with a jaw-dropping performance of some of her biggest hits, including “Boys” and “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls”.

The night before, Arctic Monkeys took to the festival’s main stage, marking the third time the Sheffield-formed band have headlined the festival. Brighton-based rock duo Royal Blood performed on the main stage three weeks after their controversial gig at BBC Radio 1’s Biggest Weekend in May. Read Jazz Monroe’s two-star review here.

The BBC is broadcasting the festival across all of its main channels, including BBC Radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

Glastonbury 2023 highlights

• Fans support Lewis Capaldi after singer forced to cut his set short

• Billy Nomates asks BBC to remove footage from iPlayer after wave of ‘personal abuse'

• Lewis Capaldi pranks the audience during his Pyramid Stage set

• Too cool to love these acts 10 years ago? This year’s Glastonbury is for you

• Full lineup and stage times for Glastonbury 2023

Yusuf / Cat Stevens

17:26 , Mark Beaumont

Of recent years the Legend Slot has tended towards the camp mid-afternoon party starter – Barry Gibb, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Diana Ross – and pop, soul and country one-namers: Kylie, Dolly, Lionel.

Anything that the stage-front security can do a synchronised routine in aid of consigning to history the phrase “guilty pleasure”. 2023, however, recalls the roots of the slot, when Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Brian Wilson would take a Sunday lunch pedestal as Yusef Islam - the artist previously known as Cat Stevens - emerges with a gently supportive band and an acoustic guitar set to “glistening arpeggios”.

“What a journey” he says of his path from the 1960 folk clubs to the Pyramid, then takes a skipping trip back along it. For a dedicates peacenik – his suggestion to end all war, he tells us, is to “lock all the leaders up in London Zoo” – it’s a pretty punk statement to throw “Moonshadow” away early, but he has plenty more folk gold in the vault.

An early medley takes in “The First Cut is the Deepest”; the stirring gospel “Tea For The Tillerman”, theme from Extras, floats sweetly out of the cultural subconscious; “(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard” is a synthesised diversion into truly classic pop.

By the time “Wild World” and “Father and Son” – accompanied by footage of a young Cat – drift by and “Morning Has Broken” arrives like all of your assemblies come at once, it’s apparent that Yusef is so embedded within pop culture, he comes across as a folk Nile Rodgers. As lovely as a “Here Comes the Sun” tribute to George Harrison is, he’s quite enough sunshine on his own.

18:45 , Roisin O'Connor

Spice Girl Melanie C has raised hopes the famous girl band could play at Glastonbury in the future, saying they “all” would like to perform at the music festival.

The singer, 49, took to the stage on Saturday night on the Avalon Stage, and speaking to BBC Radio 6 Music’s Matt Everitt, she responded to whether the Spice Girls would accept an offer to play the legends slot.

According to BBC News, she told Everitt: “All of the Spice Girls would like to play Glasto, that is the truth.

“Like I said to the audience (on Saturday night), doing a couple of Spice Girls songs, ‘a bit of a warm-up for next year?’

“They’re rehearsed, they know the words, they’re ready.”

“So, if I can drag the other girls along... I say ‘drag’ the other girls along - all of the Spice Girls would like to play Glasto, that is the truth.

“It’s just getting it together, the timing being right.”

The pop star, also known by her nickname Sporty Spice, added: “And it’s quite daunting, some of the girls haven’t been up on stage for years.

“But I think it’s, we call it (playing Glastonbury) the bucket list, because as an artist it really is the ultimate.”

Video footage shared on Instagram shows Mel C, full name Melanie Chisholm, performing some of the band’s hits such as 2 Become 1 and Spice Up Your Life on Saturday night.

In a separate interview talking to Huw Stephens and Arielle Free, on the BBC’s iPlayer channel, Mel C said of the band doing Glastonbury: “There are certain members of the band, most of them, who would jump at the chance. We would love to do it, the thing is when we do it - do you like that?”

“I’m manifesting - when we do it, it’s got to be amazing. We’ve not been out since 2019 when we did our stadium tour.

“So we need to be out there, we need to be doing shows, we want to come to this stage being on top form.

“So, we’ve got a little bit more planning to do before we get here... you want to be brilliant and for some of the girls they’ve not been on stage since 2019 so a lot of it is psychological as well.”

In 2019, the beloved girl band of Mel B, Geri Halliwell, Mel C, and Emma Bunton, and minus Victoria Beckham, got back together for a string of tour dates across the UK and Ireland.

It was the first time the Spice Girls had performed together since the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony.

If they were to play in the legends slot they would be following in the footsteps of this year’s performer, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, and other prolific music names like Dolly Parton, Kylie Minogue and Dame Shirley Bassey.

Press Association

And on the West Holts Stage

18:39 , Annabel Nugent

Jamiacan reggae and dancehall artist Barrinton Levy is wowing the crowd over at the West Holts Stage, where Candi Station and Rudimental are due to perform later tonight.

Rami Malek loves Blondie, too

18:33 , Annabel Nugent

Kate Hudson isn’t the only celebrity Blondie fan at Glastonbury this year.

Oscar-winner Rami Malek was also spotted in the wings of Debbie Harry’s stellar performance on the Pyramid Stage.

What’s the weather looking like?

18:31 , Annabel Nugent

After a threat of rain clouds over the Pyramid Stage earlier today, it’s looking like Glastonbury is in the clear with the Met Office reporting less than a five per cent chance of rain tonight.

Becky Hill is on over at the Other stage

18:28 , Annabel Nugent

Donning an outfit emblazoned in bright yellow smiley faces, Becky Hill is certainly bringing the summer vibes to the Other Stage.

Her song “Afterglow” is proving to be a hit with the audience, who eagerly sing along with every word.

Spotted: Kate Hudson and Stella McCartney watching Blondie on the Pyramid Stage

18:15 , Roisin O'Connor

Where are we at with the Britney rumours?

17:58 , Roisin O'Connor

OK so yes, the fields at Worthy Farm are buzzing with speculation that Britney Spears could be one of Elton John’s special guests at his headline show tonight. Some are dismissing this as nonsense, but a very reliable source told me the locals around the festival site were talking about this before revellers even turned up, and they usually hear these things first.

Britney’s definitely in a British mood, too - her Instagram is suddenly full of images of apples cut into a St George’s flag shape, along with fish and chip sandwiches, and the caption GBGBGB. There is a completely unverified/unconfirmed report that she was spotted at Bristol airport yesterday, though I’m not too sure how much I believe that one.

I’m not saying I think she’s going to perform, but I do think there’s a strong chance she might pop in to say hello.

We’re loving Blondie on the Pyramid Stage!

17:50 , Roisin O'Connor

I think I’ve seen Blondie three times now, and it never gets old, so the fomo is real as I watch this Pyramid Stage set from home. Debbie Harry’s such a legend, and they know how to do a crowd-pleasing set: “Maria”, “Call Me”, “Rapture”... And she gets the crowd going!

The Chicks review

17:23 , Adam White

Who’s ready for a hootenanny?” asks Natalie Maines, frontwoman of The Chicks, during their Sunday afternoon set on the Pyramid Stage.

The Texas three-piece (Maines is joined by sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer) remain one of country’s most purely anarchic acts, celebrating the historic sounds of bluegrass and pop but also always pushing forward, tangling with politics, feminism and race (the Confederate connotations of their previous name, The Dixie Chicks, led to their decision to change it in 2020).

They’re born rebels, with the historic controversies to prove it (they were famously blacklisted by US radio for criticising President George W Bush and his invasion of Iraq, and absolutely refused to apologise despite taking a massive commercial hit).

Their set is a brilliant encapsulation of their appeal, with a mix of Nineties classics such as the uplifting “Wide Open Spaces” and modern hits like the glitchy, atmospheric “March March”.

A cover of Beyoncé’s “Daddy Lessons” massively pops off, as does a cover of Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton’s “Rainbowland” to acknowledge Pride Month. For sheer potency, though, look no further than Maines belting out the group’s 1999 pop crossover anthem “Ready to Run” at the front of the stage with a silver-frosted mohawk.

Cat Stevens’ birthday message for Ricky Gervais

17:00 , Annabel Nugent

Cat Stevens gave comedian and TV writer Ricky Gervais a special shout out during his Glastonbury set.

The music festival continued on Sunday (25 June) at Worthy Farm, with The Chicks, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Blondie all taking the stage before Elton John’s much-anticipated headline show.

Yusuf Islam – commonly known by his other stage name Cat Stevens – performed on the Pyramid Stage in the sunny afternoon.

The 74-year-old and his band delighted the crowd with hits including the 1967 tracks “The First Cut Is the Deepest” and “Here Comes My Baby”.

Introducing his 1970 song “Tea for the Tillerman”, Stevens shouted out one of his biggest fans, Ricky Gervais.

“Oh Glastonbury, are you enjoying yourselves?” Cat Stevens asked his audience. “You should be, it’s teatime! The only person missing right now is Ricky Gervais.”

The comedian and actor – who celebrates his birthday on Sunday (25 June) – is known to be a huge fan of Stevens.

Full story:

Cat Stevens gives special shout out to Ricky Gervais during Glastonbury Legends set

Breaking news: Man in his 40s dies at Glastonbury after ‘medical incident'

16:32 , Roisin O'Connor

Just in:

A man in his 40s has died at Glastonbury Festival after suffering a “medical incident”, police have said.

Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: “Shortly before 4am today emergency services responded to a medical incident involving a man in his 40s at Glastonbury Festival.

“The incident happened on a footpath known as the old railway line.

“Sadly, the man died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and officers are carrying out inquiries on behalf of the coroner.”

More to follow

Cat Stevens closes his Legends set with two classics, “Wild World” and “Father and Son"

16:30 , Roisin O'Connor

What a perfect afternoon set from Cat Stevens, and how wonderful he sounds up there on the Pyramid Stage. These are the vibes we need.

‘Lock all the leaders up in London Zoo, that’s my solution’ - Cat Stevens

16:23 , Roisin O'Connor

‘Here comes the sun'

16:03 , Roisin O'Connor

Beautiful Beatles cover from Cat Stevens, and just what we needed. It really does feel like years since summer’s been here, but here it is!

Cat Stevens just shouted out his biggest fan, Ricky Gervais

15:56 , Roisin O'Connor

“Oh Glastonbury, are you enjoying yourselves?” Cat Stevens asks his audience. “You should be, it’s teatime! The only person missing right now is Ricky Gervais.”

In case you didn’t know, the comedian is a massive fan of Stevens’, and picked his classic song “Lilywhite” as his Desert Island Disc favourite back in 2007.

“It’s just beautiful, he said of the song.

Stevens has previously said the song was inspired by an “amazingly bad trip”.

“I was at Noel Redding’s house, we were on tour and he introduced me to this substance,” he told Mojo. “That was the worst night of my life!

“It was in his flat in Clapham Common. By the time I got to dawn and I was able to get out of the door it had snowed and it was like looking at an angelic gift from heaven! It was beautiful. Now, the song represents a recapturing of that moment where after darkness comes light.”

Gervais was likely also behind “Tea for the Tillerman” being used as the closing title track for his comedy sketch show Extras.

Moshing – to Weyes Blood?

15:43 , Annabel Nugent

When you think of Weyes Blood’s psychedlic folk, you don’t exactly think of mosh pits but anything is possible.

“I’ve heard this festival is extremely known for having the best moshes so this is your chance. This is our one extremely upbeat song...”

Weyes Blood: ‘A beguiling blend of nostalgia and optimism’

15:38 , Annabel Nugent

Our music critic Helen Brown is also a fan...

Weyes Blood’s new album is a beguiling blend of nostalgia and optimism – review

Weyes Blood at the Park Stage

15:38 , Annabel Nugent

If anyone can tear themselves away from Cat Stevens’s gorgeous vocals, I would suggest tuning into Weyes Blood over at the Park Stage.

Natalie Mering’s psychedlic folk is not something you want to miss.

Weyes Blood: ‘I wanted to be an artist but I didn’t have the family money’

In other news...

15:33 , Annabel Nugent

Those not watching Cat Stevens right now can catch The Teskey Brothers at the Other Stage, Cat Burns at Woodsies, and Weyes Blood at The Park Stage.

‘Course not!'

15:29 , Annabel Nugent

Cat Stevens is certainly not camping this year...

Keep ‘em coming

15:26 , Annabel Nugent

Cat Stevens is reeling through the hits! From “Here Comes My Baby” to “First Cut Is The Deepest”, this is a crowd-pleasing set if ever there was one.

“What a journey!"

15:24 , Annabel Nugent

Cat Stevens reflected on his long, storied career in between songs on stage.

The musician recalled the first ever time he walked up to a microphone at a small folk venue in Soho in 1965.

“And now walking on the great Pyramid stage of Glastonbury – what a journey!”

Now on the Pyramid Stage

15:21 , Annabel Nugent

Yusuf Islam – aka Cat Stevens – is here, and winning over the crowd with a gorgeously sung rendition of his 1971 “Moonshadow”.

Applause for Rick Astley

15:19 , Annabel Nugent

Rick Astley has just finished up a crowd-pleasing set over at the Pyramid Stage, with his 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” proving to be the ultimate antidote to this sweltering weather.

Ready for Elton!

15:15 , Annabel Nugent

Rumours are swirling...

15:13 , Annabel Nugent

With just under six hour to go until Elton John’s headline show, whispers are rife about who will be joining the musician on stage...

14:49 , Louis Chilton

Adam White on The Chicks:

“Absolutely massive set by The Chicks over on the Pyramid Stage just then – lovely mix of Nineties classives like ‘Wide Open Spaces’ and modern hits like the glitchy, atmospheric ‘March March’.

“A cover of Beyonce’s ‘Daddy Lessons’ massively popped off, but for me the highlight was frontwoman Natalie Maines belting out ‘Ready to Run’ at the front of the stage with a silver-frosted mohawk. I may have ascended.”

14:30 , Louis Chilton

Looking very likely that Rina Sawayama will be one of the guest to feature during Elton’s set later.

Courtesy of an overheard mic check...

14:15 , Louis Chilton

People think Aitch just leaked the new Manchester United 2023/24 football kit during his Glastonbury appearance yesterday.

Either that or it’s a very convincing knock-off...

14:00 , Louis Chilton

For the last time!

Here’s a full rundown of all the performers and stage times coming today.

Fatigue may be setting in at Worthy Farm, but there are still bangers left to come...

Glastonbury 2023: Full line up and stage times for Sunday

13:48 , Louis Chilton

Four stars for Sophie Ellis-Bextor from Adam White.

“There is a specific kind of performer whose ability to bring the house down at Glastonbury tends to come as a shock to those watching – they tend to be women, they tend to lean towards pop (or at least dabble in it), and they tend to never have achieved the kind of international stardom their litany of recognisable bangers probably deserved. Case in point: Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

“‘This is pretty flipping exciting,’ she says at the top of her set, very much embodying your favourite primary school art teacher — who also moonlights as a pop behemoth. ‘Can you feel my sequinned-leotard, excited-mother energy?’ she asks. It’s a question that sums up the following set: one that is cosy and gentle when it’s not bopping.”

Read the full review here:

Sophie Ellis-Bextor dispenses disco bangers and irresistible sequinned vibes – review

13:35 , Louis Chilton

One of the spicier moments from yesterday’s sets.

Rina Sawayama appeared to call out The 1975’s Matty Healy on stage.

While introducing the song “STFU!” on the festival’s Woodsies stage, the 32-year-old Japanese-British artist made reference to Healy’s recent racism controversy, as well as his self-admitted pornography habits.

Crouching on the floor, Sawayama said: “Tonight, this goes out to a white man that watches Ghetto Gaggers, and mocks Asian people on a podcast... he also owns my masters... I’ve had enough.”

Rina Sawayama publicly calls out Matty Healy at Glastonbury Festival

13:17 , Louis Chilton

From Kate Hutchinson: “Sophie Ellis Bextor is absolutely killing it on the main stage, bringing the kitchen disco to the Pyramid in a shimmy-shake of gold glittery tassels and huge disco-pop bangers.”

Full review from Adam White coming imminently...

13:02 , Louis Chilton

A replacement was announced earlier for Japanese Breakfast, who withdrew from the festival this morning amid travel issues.

Eaves Wilder is currently taking their spot on The Other Stage.

12:47 , Louis Chilton

A matter of hours now until Elton John performs his last ever live set.

We’ve been told to expect four special guests.

Could Britney Spears be one of them? Stranger things have happened...

Britney Spears ‘drops clues’ she’s performing at Glastonbury

12:44 , Louis Chilton

A matter of hours now until Elton John performs his last ever live set.

We’ve been told to expect four special guests.

Could Britney Spears be one of them? Stranger things have happened...

Britney Spears ‘drops clues’ she’s performing at Glastonbury

12:21 , Louis Chilton

ICYMI: Mark Beaumont’s full review of Guns N’ Roses last night.

He didn’t mince his words...

Guns N’ Roses are frontrunners for the worst Glasto headliners of all time - review

11:51 , Louis Chilton

A very moving moment from Lewis Capaldi’s set yesterday...

11:31 , Louis Chilton

Glastonbury have issued some advice before what’s sure to be a sweltering day of music at Worthy Farm.

It’s hot enough here in London – I’m told the festival site was a “furnace” yesterday.

11:11 , Louis Chilton

This just in on social media: Japanese Breakfast have to cancel their set today. The band, led by Michelle Zauner, were struck by late-in-the-day travel issues.

“Well Glasto… we hustled out of Luxembourg at 9 pm, woke for customs at 3 am, and again for a 6 am ferry, hired an additional driver to floor it for our 12:30 set and due to various travel delays out of our control we are just not able to make it in time. We are devastated.

“I’ve always wanted to play Glastonbury and we did everything we could to be there. Hopefully we will be back for another year.”

Gutted for them.

11:03 , Louis Chilton

Checked in with The Independent’s people on the ground at Worthy Farm. Some fallout from Lana Del Rey’s abrupt ending...

“Summertime Sadness” was apparently one of the songs cut off.

“Lots of frustration in the press tent/hospitality that Lana got cut off, when she wasn’t exactly going to be keeping anyone in Exeter awake with her music...”

Here’s a full review of the (not so full) set, if you’ve not read yet:

Lana Del Rey’s Glasto set was a promising performance with a devastating end - review

10:32 , Louis Chilton

A wee look back at some of the highlights from yesterday.

Just one day to go – which will include Elton John’s final ever performance.

10:17 , Louis Chilton

Astley certainly had a ball yesterday.

This is a photo from the evening, after his full set of Smiths covers alongside Blossoms.

10:00 , Louis Chilton

Another moment from yesterday: the Red Arrows fly over Worthy Farm during Lewis Capaldi’s set

09:46 , Louis Chilton

Spotted during Guns N’ Roses’ set last night. They don’t make ’em like they used to...

09:30 , Louis Chilton

Here’s a look at the moment the crowd started singing Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games”, after her microphone was cut.

“I was so f***ing livid that I am about to rush this set today,” she said, shortly before the set finished.

“If they cut power, they cut power, I’m super f***ing sorry... my hair takes so long to do, I love you. Let’s keep on running this set as it’s supposed to go.”

Lizzo review, Glastonbury 2023: Life-affirming performance leaves you baffled as to why she wasn’t a headliner

09:01 , Kate Hutchinson

Glastonbury got it in the neck this year for its lack of women headliners. Watching Lizzo’s exceptionally glammy live performance ahead of Guns N’ Roses on the Pyramid Stage, you’re left baffled as to why she wasn’t in the top slot. Earlier this year she sold out two nights at London’s O2 Arena as part of a mammoth tour, won Record of the Year at the Grammys for her 2022 album Special, and was immortalised playing flute on The Simpsons. Her punchy power-disco-pop, zinging with self-love and sassy empowerment messages, is exactly the pep up Glastonbury needs after a burning hot day.

And Lizzo has more pep and fizz than a Berocca dropped in Prosecco. There’s Shirley Bassey drama as she enters to “Cuz I Love You”, dressed in an incredible PVC lace-up catsuit, and flanked by dancers in pink lamé. The song’s stellar high note, meanwhile, serves as a reminder that she is a singer and rapper with astonishing range. Beyond the high-concept slogans and fun choreography, Lizzo is an artist at the top of her game.

Lizzo’s Glastonbury set leaves you baffled as to why she didn’t headline – review

Guns N’ Roses review, Glastonbury 2023: Frontrunners for the worst Glasto headline set of all time

08:30 , Mark Beaumont

If Noel Gallagher’s wading into a Glastonbury headliner debate, you know matters are taking a significant turn. Back in 2008, Noel was “not having” Jay-Z headlining; this year, indie music’s sagest commentator finds it “crazy s***” that Guns N’ Roses are topping Saturday night’s bill. And this time, rather than his comments being brushed like dirt from the shoulder of progress, he has a point.

After 15 solid years of widening the cultural remit of Britain’s most legendary festival, booking Guns N’ Roses is Glastonbury’s biggest backward mis-step since Mumford & Sons. The festival could have honoured a rich and influential songbook, like those of the Pyramid Stage’s other heritage heroes Paul McCartney, Elton, Bowie or The Rolling Stones. But from the moment GN’R arrive – with uncharacteristic punctuality – to corny, cartoonish visuals of skulls in Slash hats, they represent everything dated, rockist, indulgent and macho that Glastonbury has rejected since its inception.

Guns N’ Roses are frontrunners for the worst Glasto headliners of all time - review

Too cool to love these acts 10 years ago? This year’s Glastonbury is for you

08:01 , Roisin O'Connor

They’re older, but that’s OK!” Bill, a 22-year-old from Bristol, is telling me his thoughts on Guns N’ Roses, this year’s Saturday night headliner at Glastonbury Festival, and a band potentially more ancient than the Sphinx. Bill, though, is unbothered. “You gotta have something for everyone, you know what I mean?” He’s en route to see his fave anyway. “Everyone’s seeing Fred Again, mate.” I nod politely.

No one can accuse this year’s Glastonbury of being the most cutting edge of events. Arctic Monkeys, Friday’s headliner, have long been in their elder statesmen era, while Elton John, headlining Sunday, is a genius but one who was probably at his peak in 1973. This is also just one more stop on his farewell tour (although he has promised an entirely different set), and nothing screams dance-floor mood-killer faster than imminent retirement. But as I make my way through throngs upon throngs of teenagers spilling through Worthy Farm as if Lord of the Flies met up with The Belles of St Trinian’s and everyone was wearing Day-Glo sunglasses, I realise this is a place built on specific kinds of nostalgia anyway. The age of the headliners is irrelevant when you’re on the ground.

Glastonbury fans think Paul McCartney might be one of Elton John’s surprise acts

Lana Del Rey review, Glastonbury 2023: A promising performance with a devastating end

07:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Lana Del Rey’s Glasto set was a promising performance with a devastating end - review

Lewis Capaldi teases Glastonbury fans with fake Ed Sheeran announcement

05:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Britney Spears ‘drops multiple clues’ she’s en-route to Glastonbury

05:01 , Roisin O'Connor

Britney Spears ‘drops clues’ she’s performing at Glastonbury

Billy Nomates performs at Glastonbury

04:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Glastonbury 2023: Full line up and stage times for Sunday at Worthy Farm, from Elton John to Lil Nas X

04:00 , Roisin O'Connor

Glastonbury 2023: Full line up and stage times

Rick Astley covers AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’ on drums during impressive Glastonbury set

03:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Glastonbury fans think Paul McCartney might be one of Elton John’s surprise acts

03:00 , Roisin O'Connor

Glastonbury fans believe they may have uncovered the identity of one of Sir Elton John’s four guest collaborators during his headlining act.

John is set to perform his last ever UK show at the Worthy Farm festival on Sunday 25 June, which also marks his debut on the Pyramid Stage.

While the musical acts began on Friday 23 June, Glastonbury co-founder Emily Eavis opened the festival gates to attendees on Wednesday 21 June. This year’s hefty line-up includes performers such as Lana Del Ray, Lizzo, and Cat Stevens, with headlining acts by Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses, and John.

Rina Sawayama appears to call out The 1975 frontman Matty Healy over podcast controversy

02:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Lizzo review, Glastonbury 2023: Life-affirming performance leaves you baffled as to why she wasn’t a headliner

02:00 , Roisin O'Connor

Lizzo’s Glastonbury set leaves you baffled as to why she didn’t headline – review

Guns N’ Roses review, Glastonbury 2023: Frontrunners for the worst Glastonbury headline set of all time

Sunday 25 June 2023 00:53 , Roisin O'Connor

A painful two stars in this withering but brilliantly written (and well argued) review of Guns N’ Roses by Mark Beaumont:

Guns N’ Roses are frontrunners for the worst Glasto headliners of all time - review

And on that very dramatic note

Sunday 25 June 2023 00:21 , Roisin O'Connor

I’m ducking out to help edit our critics who’ve filed their Guns N’ Roses and Lana reviews... Thanks all for following along and see you again tomorrow!

Lana Del Rey’s set has been cut short!

Sunday 25 June 2023 00:09 , Roisin O'Connor

This is astonishing, it’s absolute chaos down at the Woodsies stage as Lana’s set was cut, after she started her set 30 minutes late. Fans are screaming and crying, and Lana is trying (not very successfully) to get them to sing a cappella. You can’t hear a word she’s saying.

Lana Del Rey appears to blame the 30-minute delay on her hair

Saturday 24 June 2023 23:49 , Roisin O'Connor

Unless I heard that wrong, Lana seemed to say just now that it was her hair that caused the 30-minute hold up on her set tonight.

“I was so fucking livid that I am about to rush this set today,” she said. “If they cut power, they cut power, I’m super fucking sorry... my hair takes so long to do, I love you. Let’s keep on running this set as it’s supposed to go.”

Rina Sawayama appears to takes swipe at Matty Healy during Glastonbury set

Saturday 24 June 2023 23:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Rina Sawayama seemingly took a swipe at The 1975 frontman Matty Healy during her Glastonbury 2023 set.

While introducing the song “STFU!” on the festival’s Woodsies stage, the 32-year-old Japanese-British artist made reference to Healy’s recent racism controversy, as well as his self-admitted pornography habits.

Crouching on the floor, Sawayama said: “Tonight, this goes out to a white man that watches Ghetto Gaggers, and mocks Asian people on a podcast... he also owns my masters... I’ve had enough.”

Full story:

Rina Sawayama appears to takes swipe at Matty Healy during Glastonbury set

Saturday 24 June 2023 23:02 , Louis Chilton

Judging by Twitter, fans are having their patience tested by the “Summertime Sadness” singer...

Lana is late...

Saturday 24 June 2023 22:45 , Roisin O'Connor

... for a very important date! Lana Del Rey, babe, where you at?

Rina Sawayama ramps up the drama

Saturday 24 June 2023 22:42 , Adam White

Rina Sawayama’s hour set was a throwback riot, the singer-songwriter and actor embracing outrageous theatricality on a festival budget: costume changes, wind and fog machines, a tearaway suit hiding a latex corset (plus whip) underneath.

Sawayama is undeniably a student of the pop form, riffing on everyone from Shania and Gaga to Evanescence and Loreen throughout her hour — but when the effect is this good, it doesn’t matter all that much.

Highlights include the dreamy “Lucid” (“This song is about queer masturbation!” she boasts in her intro), along with the show’s line dancing closer “This Hell”. “It’s pride month and I’m wearing latex and my p**** is about to pop out,” she yells.

Surprise best show at the festival this year?

Rina Sawayama appears to call out Matty Healy during her set on Woodsies

Saturday 24 June 2023 22:11 , Roisin O'Connor

Rina Sawayama, currently slaying over on the Woodsies stage, just took a moment before going into her song “STFU”.

Remarking on how she’s sick of microaggressions, she said: “Tonight, this goes out to a white man that watches Ghetto Gaggers, and mocks Asian people on a podcast... he also owns my masters... I’ve had ENOUGH.”

In case you missed the story earlier this year, The 1975 frontman Matty Healy went on the controversial Adam Friedland podcast, where he engaged in some unsavoury conversations with the hosts that included derogatory comments about women, racism towards Asian people, and a number of remarks about rapper Ice Spice, including several attempts at guessing her ethnicity.

Healy was, until recently, a director at the UK record label Dirty Hit, until his role was terminated on 4 April 2023. Sawayama has been signed to the label since 2019. Following Healy’s podcast appearance, she commented on an Instagram post discussing it: “What the actual f***.”

Matty Healy sparks backlash over podcast interview that mocks Japanese people

Spotted: Macca watching from side of stage

Saturday 24 June 2023 21:54 , Roisin O'Connor

Rumours are swirling that Paul McCartney will come out for a session with GNR at some point. My source confirms that he’s currently watching their show from the side of the stage.

I just asked people on Twitter what they reckon of the set so far.

“I know its Glasto but Lizzo into GnR is a Venn diagram I’m not sure exists,” says Brandon Egley. “Might liven up when they reach the hits, bit deep cuts so far...”

“Mick Hucknell is giving a good go,” Cameron Clark-Dhir says, rather generously.

My colleague Jacob, who’s onsite, just told me he found getting away from the Pyramid Stage to head to the Acoustic Stage was “a doddle” when it’s usually impossible, which is telling...

And from Julian Stockton: “Surely the real question is why they were booked at all? They don’t care about Glastonbury, it’s clearly just another gig for them. You should ask Emily and Nick why they thought they were Saturday night headliners. Blaming the band seems to be missing the point doesn’t it?”

I’m not sure about that - I think if you say yes to headlining Glastonbury you’re putting yourself up for criticism, no? I’ve spent the months building up to this calling out festival bookers for that very reason, as well, so I think I’m covered.

Countdown to Guns N’ Roses on the Pyramid Stage

Saturday 24 June 2023 21:22 , Roisin O'Connor

I’m not sure quite how they’ll follow Lizzo’s set, but Guns N’ Roses are scheduled to take to the Pyramid Stage in the next 10 minutes. I need surprise guests, I need the biggest hits, and I need them to turn up on time.

Saturday 24 June 2023 21:13 , Louis Chilton

Dave Grohl’s been busy this weekend... the Foo Fighters frontman joined the Pretenders on drums for a rendition of “Tattooed Love Boys”

Saturday 24 June 2023 20:58 , Louis Chilton

Lizzo fans have all been saying the same thing after that barnstorming performance.

“Nahhh this is a headline set from Lizzo,” one wrote on Twitter. “Should have been top of the bill, I’m so embarrassed for the men who have to follow her.”

I guess the ball’s in GNR’s court now...

Lizzo fans say singer ‘should have headlined’ Glastonbury after knockout performance

Saturday 24 June 2023 20:39 , Louis Chilton

For anyone wondering when Guns N’ Roses will be making their way onstage.

Not too long to go, but a bit of a wait - imagine everyone will need a minute to catch their breath after Lizzo anyway.

Everything you need to know about Guns N’ Roses at Glastonbury 2023

‘Happy Pride, bitch!'

Saturday 24 June 2023 20:14 , Roisin O'Connor

This is going to go down as one of the best Glastonbury sets in history. Lizzo isn’t putting a foot wrong, from the Coldplay cover (from her song, “Coldplay”) to the flag she brought out to celebrate Pride Month, to the flute performance to the all-round spectacle of it. This is pure joy, and I’m actually mad that Glastonbury didn’t book Lizzo to headline this year. She could have done it - just look at the crowds, they’re going absolutely nuts!

Lewis Capaldi review, Glastonbury 2023: An emotion-charged singalong of everyman heartache

Saturday 24 June 2023 20:02 , Mark Beaumont

Despite having to cut his set short, Capaldi still managed to pull off one of the most moving moments at Glastonbury this year.

Lewis Capaldi’s Glastonbury set was an emotion-charged singalong - review

Badly Drawn Boy moves fans at the Acoustic Stage

Saturday 24 June 2023 19:43 , Adam White

Glastonbury is very good at reminding you of artists far better than you may remember them being.

Case in point: Badly Drawn Boy, the alias of singer-songwriter Damon Gough, who packed out the Acoustic stage on Saturday afternoon with a set of melancholy classics from the peak of his commercial success, and some newer tracks.

The instantly recognisable “Silent Sigh” is dedicated to his brother, who died of cancer at the peak of Covid. “Something to Talk About” — immortalised in the Hugh Grant vehicle “About a Boy” — is a sweet highlight.

Gough is also lovely company, very dryly introducing many of his tracks with mention of the advertising campaigns they soundtracked. “This was in one for the electronics company Comet,” he says of “All Possibilities Still”.

“Edith Bowman narrated it.”

Didn’t we used to have it all?

Lizzo wows on the Pyramid Stage!

Saturday 24 June 2023 19:40 , Roisin O'Connor

Oh Lizzo, how we love thee. She just hit the biggest note on the Pyramid Stage and is currently proving to everyone that she should have headlined this year. It’s About Damn Time.

Maggie Rogers takes it to church on the Other Stage

Saturday 24 June 2023 19:27 , Adam White

Maggie Rogers recorded her second album, last year’s Surrender, in Bath — a stone’s throw from Glastonbury and one of the many reasons she’s buzzing through her Other Stage set.

Rogers is a fantastic performer, shimmying around the stage and belting out tracks like she’s in church. Her sexy, anthemic “Want Want” goes down a storm, as does her closer, a bouncy rendition of single “That’s Where I Am”.

Much like her two albums so far, her set is one of two halves. Rogers is a lot more fun as a performer — and seems to be having a better time — on the uptempo alt-rock numbers that defined Surrender.

The lo-fi ballads that dominated her first album, 2019’s Heard It in a Past Life, are less arresting for a festival crowd — those vocals, in any case, are staggering.

The Manic Street Preaches recall their first ever set at Glastonbury

Saturday 24 June 2023 19:18 , Roisin O'Connor

From my colleague Jacob, watching Welsh rock band the Manic Street Preachers play the Other Stage.

Frontman James Dean Bradfield remembers the band’s late lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richie Edwards, who disappeared the year after the Manics made their Glastonbury debut in 1994.

Bradfield says everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong during that set, and it was “f***ing amazing”.

A lot of love for Lewis Capaldi after he was forced to cut his set early due to vocal trouble

Saturday 24 June 2023 18:59 , Roisin O'Connor

‘Stop f***ing crying'

Saturday 24 June 2023 18:50 , Roisin O'Connor

Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi brought his signature sense of humour to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday (24 June) at Glastonbury 2023.

The Grammy-nominated musician took to the main stage at Worthy Farm, Somerset, ahead of evening performances from US pop star Lizzo, and headliners Guns N’ Roses.

He played hits including his recent single “Forget Me”, from his No 1 album Broken by Desire to be Heavenly Sent, before which he managed to prank the audience into thinking his friend and co-writer Ed Sheeran was about to join him.

Singing 2019 single “Before You Go”, a ballad dedicated to his aunt, Capaldi found time to quip to the audience: “Stop crying. Stop f***ing crying.”

Full story:

Lewis Capaldi orders fan to ‘stop crying’ as he sings ‘Before You Go’ at Glastonbury

The Manic Street Preachers are about to play the Other Stage

Saturday 24 June 2023 18:45 , Roisin O'Connor

Meanwhile you’ve got Lizzo coming up on the Pyramid at 7.30pm, Ezra Collective at 7pm on West Holts, and a mystery set on the Park Stage at 7.45pm.

Full set times and stage performances here:

Glastonbury 2023: Full line up and stage times

If you’re not watching Lewis Capaldi...

Saturday 24 June 2023 18:09 , Roisin O'Connor

Go see The Pretenders, says producer/mixer extraordinaire David Wrench. Trust him, he has great taste (also me, because I’ve seen them twice this year and they were brilliant both times).

Raise your hand if you’ve felt personally victimised by Lewis Capaldi

Saturday 24 June 2023 17:58 , Roisin O'Connor

I fell for that prank before too, so don’t worry if you broke your neck to see if Ed Sheeran was coming out onto the stage. Oh, Lewis. As ever, his stage shows are half music, half comedy, as I said in my review of his Cardiff gig earlier this year.

Lewis Capaldi kicks off tour with a show that’s half music, half comedy – review

Look at the size of that crowd!

Saturday 24 June 2023 17:42 , Roisin O'Connor

Jesus, that’s a lot of people. Lewis is handling it like a champ, though, opening with recent single “Forget Me” (banger, I love it).

Lewis Capaldi to play the Pyramid Stage ahead of Lizzo and Guns N’ Roses

Saturday 24 June 2023 17:25 , Roisin O'Connor

Scotland’s finest, Lewis Capaldi, is about to take to the Pyramid Stage for the biggest show of his career to date. This slot comes after the release of his latest No 1 album, Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent. His last Glastonbury appearance was a glorious riposte to some criticism from Noel Gallagher... what’s he going to do this time?

An interesting thread on Arctic Monkeys last night, and some additional thoughts from yours truly

Saturday 24 June 2023 17:16 , Roisin O'Connor

Everyone’s still talking about that Arctics headline set last night, along with this thread, which many seem to think chimes in with why not everyone was happy about the performance.

While I’m pretty much 100% in agreement with the fact that most artists want to develop and change over time, and that often means changing up the live performances of their classic / best-known songs, I don’t believe that’s why last night didn’t go down so well with everyone.

I think the problem last night was the band seemed to suffer a palpable loss of energy about five songs in. There was a shift - you could see it on TV and there were mutterings in the audience at the same time. At points the band seemed to be going through the motions.

Maybe it was because Alex was still feeling under the weather, having only just recovered from acute laryngitist. As a longtime tonsillitis sufferer, I can sympathise with how unpleasant that is and guess that he wasn’t back to 100% by the time Arctics stepped onto the Pyramid Stage. Also, maybe it was because the band did the same set they’ve been doing on tour and so they treated it like another gig.

Either way, I think that’s the reason people felt let down and not because they didn’t play “Arabella” the way fans wanted. Artists also need to remember that only a fraction of people watching your festival set are diehard fans. The rest might know some of your music, others none at all. You need to work twice as hard to win them over, which includes playing “the hits”. Radiohead brought out “Creep” and “Paranoid Android” in 2017 (also their third time headlining). The Cure played “Lovecats” and “Friday I’m in Love” in 2019. And I don’t think that generosity and understanding that festivals are a unifying, community experience was quite there yesterday. That’s my two cents!

Secret Sparks fans, where you at

Saturday 24 June 2023 17:06 , Roisin O'Connor

Too cool to love these acts 10 years ago? This year’s Glastonbury is for you

Saturday 24 June 2023 17:00 , Roisin O'Connor

Adam White braves the festival crowds, toilets and ‘special guest’ rumours – Cate, Britney, Dua Lipa – for the first time since he was seven and finds Worthy Farm steeped in nostalgia

Too cool to love these acts 10 years ago? This year’s Glastonbury is for you

The full lineup and stage times for today

Saturday 24 June 2023 16:00 , Roisin O'Connor

Glastonbury 2023: Full line up and stage times

Amadou & Mariam are killing it on the Pyramid Stage

Saturday 24 June 2023 15:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Married Mali music legends Amadou & Mariam are generating infinite good vibes on the Pyramid Stage right now.

One fan writes: “They need to be a staple at every festival, their vibes are stupid good.”

Billy Nomates asks BBC to take down Glastonbury footage after wave of ‘personal abuse’

Saturday 24 June 2023 14:34 , Roisin O'Connor

Singer-songwriter Billy Nomates asked the BBC to remove footage of her Glastonbury 2023 set after being hit with a wave of online abuse.

The 33-year-old musician, real name Tor Maries, performed at the festival’s Park Stage on Friday afternoon (23 June).

However, after footage from her set was shared online, she was faced with a number of disparaging and abusive comments.

My colleague Louis Chilton reports:

Billy Nomates asks BBC to take down Glastonbury footage after ‘personal abuse’

Saturday 24 June 2023 13:15 , Louis Chilton

A guide to the most brutal set clashes this year – and some possible workarounds.

Of course, there’s always BBC iPlayer.

The 7 most brutal set clashes at Glastonbury 2023

Saturday 24 June 2023 13:00 , Louis Chilton

Just heard in the circus tent, per The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy...

Compère: “Who here was at the Arctic Monkeys last night?”

*Crowd cheers*

Compère: “Were they good?”

*Deathly silence*

Seems like the set was just as divisive in person as it was on TV...

Arctic Monkeys accused of ‘butchering’ Glastonbury set

Saturday 24 June 2023 12:45 , Louis Chilton

He’s reportedly joining Blossoms for an unannounced set this evening.

Aside from word of mouth, news about who the performers might be is often shared via the Twitter account @Secretglasto, which claims to notify followers of suspected performances a few hours before they start.

For a complete guide to all the secret sets at Glastonbury 2023, check out The Independent’s guide here:

Glastonbury secret sets 2023: Rumours and how to find out who will play

Saturday 24 June 2023 12:23 , Louis Chilton

Astley is genuinely having the time of his life. And it’s obvious to everyone watching.

Saturday 24 June 2023 12:15 , Louis Chilton

Astley out on the Pyramid Stage now... and absolutely loving it

Saturday 24 June 2023 12:00 , Louis Chilton

Couple of on-the-ground tidbits from people at the festival:

Princess Beatrice was spotted in the DJ booth at the Rabbit Hole’s backstage party last night.

The compère at Woodsies just asked the crowd if they liked the change of name (the stage was formerly the John Peel stage), and was “loudly booed”.

The stage was renamed this year amid a controversy over the stage’s late namesake’s relationships with underage girls.

Saturday 24 June 2023 11:45 , Louis Chilton

Rick Astley on BBC Breakfast earlier. The “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer is heading onto the Pyramid stage in about 15 minutes.

He’s also rumoured to be playing a secret set this evening with Blossoms.

A “Rickastonbury” indeed...

Saturday 24 June 2023 11:31 , Louis Chilton

A flashback, for those feeling nostalgic.

The best performances in Glastonbury history:

The 22 greatest Glastonbury performances ever

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website