Glastonbury Headliners. It is as predictable as the changing of the seasons. A selection of newspapers that I will not mention will say year after year that it will be the coldest winter ever, there will be outrage at a hosepipe ban and people are furious at the Glastonbury Headliners.
Glastonbury Headliners
Furious! If you know the history of Glastonbury you will know this has been happening since the 80’s. When the Smiths were announced to play at Glastonbury in 1984, the people who preferred folk music were up in arms.
Most famously of all, in 2008 Noel Gallagher went into a right old strop because Jay Z was headlining. Jay Z answered back perfectly by coming out on to the Pyramid Stage strumming Wonderwall.
What makes people so angry about an artist headlining Glastonbury? It doesn’t happen with Reading/Leeds or The Isle of Wight Festival. I think part of it is because Glastonbury has become like it or not a national institution.
Wherever I travel in the world when people see my Glastonbury t-shirt they start chatting to me. It is now known worldwide.
The clue is in the name
Glastonbury Festival Of Contemporary Performing Arts. That is the full name of the festival. I loved the 90’s and Britpop. I have seen many of the bands and artists from that era and I like seeing them down at the farm. I don’t expect and want them to be headliners every year though. Some people and newspapers seem to be stuck in the past though. If it isn’t someone from that era they throw their toys out of the pram.
It isn’t about the headliners
It is a cliche but for me going to Glastonbury isn’t about the headliners. Don’t get me wrong, I love a mass sing-along down in front of The Pyramid Stage. It just isn’t the reason why I am desperate to go every year. I am not the only one either, otherwise it wouldn’t sell out before the headliners are announced.
For me, Glastonbury is about community, friendships (new and old), and discovering new things. I said it in the very first article I wrote on this website, it is about being with my tribe. Every year I attend the festival those things are more and more important.
Last year my favourite act was Heilung, a band I had never heard of before they were announced on the lineup. Life is about discovery and Glastonbury is the perfect place to get out of your comfort zone for 5 days.
Don’t go chasing around the festival site to every artist you know. Stay and watch someone you have never heard of. Chat with strangers, eat exotic food, and visit The Healing Fields.
Everyone I know who attends the festival has never ever moaned to me about the headliners. I think the people who moan the loudest have never been or gone a long time ago and don’t like change.
Glastonbury Festival Is Changing
To use a line from the brilliant Beans on Toast song, Glastonbury Festival is changing. It has always changed. They can’t just rely on past glories to keep going. You need a mix of the next generation of festival goers with the seasoned veterans.
As I have gotten older I realised that I was listening to tried and trusted eras of music and not listening to any new stuff. I didn’t like that so I vowed that I would listen to new music at least once a week.
That is how I discovered CMAT, Glass Beams and Wet Leg. People moaned about last year’s Glastonbury Lineup too. Once I had completed my annual playlist for it, I soon realised that it was a brilliant mix of music. I am already discovering the same for this year.
I for one will never moan about who is headlining. Music is like food, we all have different tastes. With over 100 stages down at Worthy Farm, there is enough to cover everyone’s palate.
See you on the farm.
The Glastonbury Festival Guidebook Is Now Available
Hey there, Glasto Newbie!
So, you’ve scored tickets to Glastonbury? Congrats! Now, let’s make sure your first time is more epic than a Pyramid Stage headliner. My Glastonbury Festival Guidebook is like your cool best friend who’s been there, done that, and is ready to guide you through the festival’s wonders. Download it below or get the print version on Amazon here: The Glastonbury Festival Guidebook
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