Brief Notes From Glastonbury 2024
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Every year, a few of us pack our bags and tents, and head to a place where many go in the second half of June – the one and only Worthy Farm. The goal? To enjoy a few days of excellent music, brief periods of sleep, and a pint or two.
So, was 2024 a good Glasto year?
If you’ve been wondering what this year’s Glastonbury was like, you can read many summaries and reviews elsewhere. What was it really like is another question.
And before you continue, there’s a disclaimer: what you’ll find below are notes I never intended to publish because they’re an inner monologue and a record of immediate impressions.
Happy reading, maybe you’ll find some inspiration.
Olivia Dean
Soul isn’t my cup of tea but this English take on the genre sounds very appealing. Traditional soul 0, neo soul 1.
The setlist consisted of various moods, from remembering to (self-)love songs. Dean’s music was absolutely perfect for the sunlit afternoon. There was nothing missing.
One of the three top performances of the day.
Dean is definitely worth keeping an eye on, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing her a lot in the upcoming festival season.
Olivia Dean – Time (Glastonbury 2024)
PJ Harvey
After PJ Harvey’s Primavera Sound appearance, the Glastonbury one was highly anticipated and rightly so.
It was a truly amazing – yet intimate – act.
The setlist included some real gems and super staples in “Man-size”, an exploration of gender roles in society, to the biblical “The Garden”, but also newer pieces such as “I Inside the Old I Dying.”
Harvey is out of this place and time but fits it perfectly.
Mesmerising.
PJ Harvey – Dress (Glastonbury 2024)
Heilung
You can’t describe this act with words, not a full sentence would do the trick. And even if you try, an essay will sound like you have no idea what you are writing about.
Spiritual. Ritual. Tribal. Folk.
Using Wikipedia to describe the collective, as I don’t dare call them a band, ‘their music is based on texts and runic inscriptions from Germanic peoples of the Iron Age, and Viking Age. Heilung describe their music as “amplified history from early medieval northern Europe”.’
Heilung delivered a show somewhere between music, theatre, and a ritual. They pushed the day onto a whole new level of experience and performance, likely converting many into fans.
It was a spectacular and mesmerising tribal experience you don’t get to watch daily. I’d go to their gig anytime!
Big thumbs up. Magnificent.
Heilung – Anoana LIVE | LIFA Llyn Dain
Aurora
When I saw Aurora live for the first time back in 2016 at a Czech music festival, Colours of Ostrava, it was obvious Aurora had a great future playing at some of the biggest festivals there are – and she has, with multiple Glastonburys under the belt.
This genre, which you could call Nordic synth-folk-electropop, shines on big stages of festivals as has been previously demonstrated.
I missed “Running With the Wolves” from the first album, All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend (2016). It is one of the best festival songs I know.
The performance on Friday was a great one, and we at least got “The River” and “Runaway” so no complaints.
AURORA – Starvation (Glastonbury 2024)
Fontaines D.C.
Fontaines D.C., one of the bands I really wanted to hear, watch, and experience live, delivered one of the best performances of the day and is known to
I’d be surprised if the downloads of their music didn’t peak on Sunday and early on Monday.
The post-punk/alt-rock Dubliners know how to attack the stage, win everyone over, recruit new fans, and have fun along the way.
I discovered them thanks to a few colleagues who told me to try them. I did, started with the two new singles (and didn’t like “Starbuster” at first), I quickly realised why they’re so appreciated.
It was a good and energetic performance, I had to check when their tour brings them close enough for me to travel to a gig. Glastonbury confirmed they still have a leak ahead and seeing them live is a must.
They played a good combination of all three albums that are out so far, the biggest chunk came from Skinty Fia go deo (2023) – including “Big Hot” and Nirvana-style song “Jacki Down the Line.”
There were multiple standouts but I liked “Favourite,” from their upcoming album. Including “Starbuster” here because… I don’t hate it.
Fontaines D.C. – Favourite (Official Video)
Or
Fontaines D.C. – Jackie Down The Line (Official Video)
Bloc Party
Bloc Party’s Okereke and Lissack put together a fitting setlist that worked for everyone – and threw in a few surprises including “This Modern Love” (unexpected, right?)
It was great to see the band live and rocking the boat. Kele’s positive energy spoiled the crowd very much. The closing piece, the banger, “Ratchet”, was much appreciated, showing the frontman’s great crowd skills. He should have demonstrated these skills a lot earlier if you ask me.
No complaints about the band’s performance at all. After all, it’s Bloc Party, the Bloc Party that’s influenced… well, who didn’t they influence?
Bloc Party – Flux (Glastonbury 2024)
Black Pumas
I’m just leaving this here. Love the cool vibes. Wow.
Black Pumas – Colors (Glastonbury 2024)
Michael Kiwanuka
Ditto. Wow, wow, wow!
Michael Kiwanuka – Rule the World (Glastonbury 2024)
Or
Michael Kiwanuka – Cold Little Heart (Glastonbury 2024)
Not much else to say.
Coldplay
Coldplay were Coldplay.
Late by 16 minutes, kicked things off with “Yellow” and the massive crowd played along, singing as one since the moment.
You don’t have to know anything about the band but even if you’ve never heard a single song by them, you still appreciate the show they put on.
And when you know their work? It’s like coming home for Christmas and sleeping in your old room with all the posters on the walls
Chris Martin knows how to work with the audience. A snake charmer.
“Phones in your pocket, hands in the sky” – the most memorable experience ever. Martin asked the crowd, and the crowd obliged.
One has to ask though – what’s the value of having them play the Pyramid stage over and over?
Understanding you need a headliner I also feel like the band don’t have all that much to offer anymore.
Except for the show.
Coldplay – Fix You (Glastonbury 2024)
Rachel Chinouriri
We have written about Rachel Chinouriri so extensively that we probably don’t have to say anything else but…
It was the only performance that made the crowd cry one second and laugh and cheer the next.
We heard “The Hills”, “Ribs”, “All I Ever Asked”, or “It Is What It Is” but, what we didn’t get and I wanted to hear was “What a Devastating Turn of Events.” But that’s life.
Nothing from Glasto 2024 on YouTube is a bummer but this is super close:
Rachel Chinouriri – Never Need Me (BBC Introducing at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2024)
SOFT PLAY
SOFT PLAY were everything but soft. A band I never download to my device but will always go to a live gig. Just because the Clash-like sound and raw approach to music still are sexy.
SOFT PLAY – Punk’s Dead (Live from Reading)
The Last Dinner Party
The Last Dinner Party put together a really good setlist that sounded less art-rocky and more indie-rocky. It didn’t take the charm and character away at all.
We got to hear pretty much the entire Prelude to Ecstacy (2023) long player, including “On Your Side” and “Caesar on a TV Screen”.
The band has a lot of potential, some already showing, some still lurking in the shadows but let’s give them more time.
They fully deserved the slot and we can expect a lot more from them in the future.
The Last Dinner Party – My Lady Of Mercy (Glastonbury 2024)
Or
The Last Dinner Party – Nothing Matters (Glastonbury 2024)
Mdou Moctar
Awesome guitar skills. Let me repeat: absolutely AWESOME guitar skills. If Jimi Hendrix was alive, he’d either be on the stage with guys or gladly loudly applauding the skills.
Minimalistic lyrics, brilliant sound.
Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime (Live on KEXP)
Avril Lavigne
I’m surprised it took Glastonbury 22 years to have Avril Lavigne on one of the stages.
It was a good performance, exactly what was expected – from music, atmosphere, to sound, everything was perfect.
We got the hits, such as “Complicated” or “Sk8er Boi” both from the debut album Let Go (2002) but also the recent songs from the LP Love Sux (2023).
An hour slot wasn’t enough, she should have had more. The crowd would agree as everyone seemed perfectly excited during the show. After all, when Avril asked the crowd to sing, it looked like she wasn’t needed. People know the songs.
The festival did this to Foo Fighters last year and had to repeat the same mistake in 2024. Not well done.
Lavigne could have easily replaced Coldplay.
There, I said it.
Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi (Glastonbury 2024)
Or
Avril Lavigne – I’m With You (Glastonbury 2024)
Tell me this act didn’t deserve a proper time treatment…
London Grammar
London Grammar have two albums out but that’s enough for an hour-long Glastonbury performance. Actually, let me rephrase – they have only two albums out but that’s already more than enough for one of the main slots at Glasto.
The quality of music is just that high.
The set had a good flow, songs were well lined up, and all were accompanied by a few words here and there. Always honest, always sincere.
I’m biased – but another highlight of the festival. I do hope they get a bigger stage next time.
London Grammar – Baby It’s You (Glastonbury 2024)
Wrap-up and last thoughts
Glastonbury once again proved it’s simply one of the best music festivals on this planet and always offers something for everyone.
Apart from what’s listed above, there were others, check out the lineup for even more inspiration.
Sadly, Glasto 2024 also missed a few opportunities with both Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam being in the UK. Maybe we’ll get to see them next time.
However, there’s a stain on the event. Seeing all the fireworks and light eland visual effects, I believe even Glastonbury should consider its carbon footprint strategy because this surely doesn’t look sustainable at all.
Getting back home was a bit painful, so we – naturally – popped into a pub for the last one to discuss the future of music and the highlights.
All in all? Great stuff again, what’s on the menu for 2025, please?
Avril Lavigne Articles
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