Glastonbury Festival stands as the world’s premier music festival, with a storied history that began humbly in 1970. Originally a modest event costing just £1—which included free milk—Glastonbury has grown into a global cultural phenomenon attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees annually.
Today, tickets can fetch upwards of £350, with demand far exceeding supply. For many fans, securing entry to the festival is a lifelong goal, sometimes taking decades of attempts. But Glastonbury offers much more than music: the sprawling 900-acre site hosts countless unique attractions and fosters a remarkable sense of community among festival-goers.
Central to the festival’s enduring appeal is its diverse and illustrious line-up. Headliners, playing the iconic Pyramid Stage each night, represent some of the biggest and most influential names across genres—from rock and pop to rap and indie.
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The 2023 festival features headliners like The 1975 on Friday, Neil Young on Saturday, and Olivia Rodrigo on Sunday, continuing the tradition of unforgettable performances.
Tracing Glastonbury’s headliners through the decades reveals the festival’s evolution:
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The inaugural 1970 festival was slated to open with The Kinks, who pulled out, leaving T. Rex to take the spotlight at what was then a modest event.
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By 1971, attendance jumped to 12,000. Pink Floyd canceled their appearance, and David Bowie ultimately took the top slot, as the festival remained free.
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The following years saw fluctuating attendance and line-ups, with notable acts such as Tim Blake, Peter Gabriel, Van Morrison, and UB40 stepping onto the stage.
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The 1980s introduced larger crowds, reaching 25,000 in 1982. U2’s canceled appearances began a pattern that would persist, while artists like Curtis Mayfield and The Smiths made their marks.
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The 1990s saw the arrival of Britpop and alternative rock, with headliners including Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, and Pulp. Radiohead’s 1997 set is still heralded as one of the greatest in festival history.
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Into the 2000s, the festival grew to accommodate over 100,000 attendees, with repeat appearances by Muse and Coldplay cementing their status as Glastonbury staples.
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Iconic legends such as David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and The Rolling Stones took the stage, alongside contemporary giants like Arctic Monkeys, Adele, and Jay-Z, reflecting the festival’s broad musical spectrum.
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The past decade brought groundbreaking moments, including Stormzy becoming the first grime artist to headline in 2019 and Billie Eilish becoming the youngest ever headliner in 2022.
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Despite challenges like the cancelled 2020 festival, Glastonbury has remained resilient, welcoming a blend of established icons and emerging stars, including Kendrick Lamar, Elton John, and Dua Lipa.
From its modest roots to its current status as a global cultural landmark, the history of Glastonbury Festival headliners mirrors the shifts and innovations in popular music itself—a testament to its enduring influence and spirit.