This year’s Glastonbury Festival boasts a heavy lineup of female acts and global sounds, with Afrobeats giants like Burna Boy, Ayra Starr and K-POP Stars SEVENTEEN joining Dua Lipa, SZA and Coldplay as headliners for the first time ever, while Shania Twain would take the coveted “legend slot” when the festival starts June 26th.
Arguably the UK’s biggest music festival, This year’s event at Worthy Farm in Southwest England promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers from around the world, ’cause for the first time in the festival’s history, female acts have secured two of the three headline slots, marking a milestone in Glastonbury’s commitment to inclusivity.
Burna Boy, one of Afrobeats’ biggest stars, will brings his infectious rhythms and magnetic energy to the prestigious Pyramid Stage, which would serve as another major moment for Afrobeats, while Ayra Starr is set to perform her new tracks like “Commas” and “Hype” showing the growing influence of Afrobeats on the global music scene.
Dua Lipa, who played a smaller stage in 2017, returns as a global pop star. Her headline set will likely showcase her new album “Radical Optimism,” inspired by psychedelia and Britpop. The singer told BBC News she was “over the moon” to be taking part. “Everyone always talks about it being the pinnacle of festival slots, so I am super excited.”
Coldplay, who are Glastonbury veterans, would be headlining for a record-breaking fifth time. Their set comes during their current world tour, as their only European festival date.
While, SZA is the newcomer among the headliners, She’s had an incredible year – with her second album “SOS” spending 10 weeks at the top of the US chart, and its signature single Kill Bill spending almost six months in the UK top 40. She beat stars like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Miley Cyrus to the Brits Award for best international artist earlier this month, and won three Grammys in February.
Her recent arena tour was praised as a “vigorous, confident, theatrical and intimate” tour de force by the New York Times, and it’s quite possible she could steal the show from the more established co-headliners.
The thirteen-member boy band SEVENTEEN will become the first K-Pop group to grace the main stage. Their appearance highlights the immense popularity of K-Pop, not just in Asia, but around the world.
Joining the star-studded lineup is country music sensation Shania Twain, coming off her Las Vegas residency, will take the stage in the enviable “legend” slot on the 26th. Twain, known for her chart-topping hits and lively performances, is sure to captivate audiences with her iconic songs. “I’m doing the hits – the songs that everybody knows and the versions that everybody knows,” she told BBC News. “It’s just going to be a big sing-along party.”
In addition to the headline acts, Glastonbury 2024 will showcase a diverse lineup of traditional favorites and emerging talent. From Avril Lavigne and Disclosure to the jazzy sounds of Little Simz, who earlier said, “This is the only show I’m playing this year,” she told BBC 6 Music. “All roads are leading me to Glasto, so I’m really taking time to craft a show, to make it as much of an immersive experience as I can. Just bringing vibes to the farm, really.”
The global theme extends throughout the lineup. From Afrobeats DJ sets on the smaller stages to rising stars from all corners of the world, Glastonbury 2024 promises a truly international music experience, which is why, it was no surprise when the tickets sold out within hours of going on sale, underscoring the event’s status as one of the most anticipated music festivals in the world.
As music fans eagerly await the opening of the festival gates on June 26th, anticipation is running high for what promises to be a celebration of music, culture, and fashion. So, get ready to experience the world in one place! and Stay tuned for updates and highlights from Glastonbury 2024!
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Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo
