Lil Nas X Wows Fans With Glastonbury Performance: ‘An Iconic Master Class In Black Queer Excellence’

Lil Nas X is here, he’s queer, and he owned it on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival, where the rapper wowed fans and critics alike with the queerest show the festival has probably ever seen.

Lil Nas X is arguably the world’s most prominent, queer Black artist today, and he wears that title proudly, as seen by the captivating theatrical performance on Sunday night where he thrilled fans and reviewers who announced the “watershed moment for queer pop” would “go down in Glastonbury history.”

“Glastonbury, this is my first time here since 2019,” Nas said, addressing the thousands in the crowd. “I’m happy to be back. This is a big-a** crowd. Are y’all ready to have some fun?”

Nas gave an “iconic,” hourlong performance on the Pyramid stage ahead of Elton John’s headline slot, sweeping through some of his biggest hits, from 2021 opener “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” through “Scoop,” “Dead Right Now” and “That’s What I Want.”

The elaborate set included numerous extravagant costume changes, gyrating dancers (one of whom Nas even shared a quick kiss), equally entertaining props (including a substantial mechanical horse) and even a surprise appearance from fellow rapper Jack Harlow for Nas’s closing song, “Industry Baby.”

The Georgia-born rapper previously surprised fans when he appeared during Miley Cyrus’ set in 2019 alongside her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. 

Now it was Lil Nas X’s turn to command the stage as the lead artist. And upon the conclusion of the stellar performance, fans rushed to social media to fawn over it.

“Lil Nas X delivering an iconic master class in Black queer excellence on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury. We love to see it,” one fan wrote.

“A pure expression of self and star still on the rise. I love it for us, and I love it for him. This will go down in Glastonbury history!” another said.

“Lil Nas is an absolute breath of fresh air for Glastonbury. This whole performance is iconic,” another added.

“Lil Nas X is putting on a *SHOW*. My kids are absolutely glued to the TV. And what a voice,” someone shared.

“Oh mate, Lil Nas X is killing his set, design, dancers, vocals, energy YES, SIR,” one viewer commented.

“This is one of the best performances I’ve seen. The staging and the dancers are incredible! Lil Nas X, you will ALWAYS be famous,” one person said.

“Just watching the energy of Lil Nas X owning The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury like it’s his own show is INSANE. He’s giving Sunday evening life. What an artist…incredible performance,” another viewer tweeted.

“DEFINITION OF AN ICON,” one person tweeted.

Reviewers were just as fascinated by the set, with The Guardian calling it “the most openly, ostentatiously queer show ever staged on the Pyramid.” At the same time, The Independent praised the star for bringing “ridiculously high energy” to an “exciting and inventive” stage show.

The 24-year-old made Billboard chart history with his 2019 hit “Old Town Road.” He has since racked up over 40 awards, including two Grammys.

The consensus, it would seem, is that on Sunday night, Lil Nas X came out swinging with banger after banger in a performance that will surely last in everyone’s memories as “one of the best performances” Glastonbury has ever seen.