Glastonbury 2025 Highlights

Glastonbury 2011. Image source: jaswooduk on Wikipedia Commons.

Worthy Farm in Somerset witnessed another eclectic setlist of artists taking the stage from 25th to 29th June. This year’s headliners were The 1975, Neil Young and Olivi Rodrigo, and all of them delivered a showstopping performance. All of the artists performing committed and gave their audience a mesmerising show, but there were some serious standouts that really brought the energy for the UK’s biggest festival.

Doechii

When Doechii took the West Holts stage Saturday night, it wasn’t just a debut—it was a declaration. Framed as a “school of hip-hop,” the Grammy winner’s set dissected bars, flow, and genre with swagger, precision, and theatrical flair. Between desks, lockers, and rapid-fire verses, she embodied both student and master. From Wu-Tang to Beyoncé interpolations, her references grounded her in rap lineage—yet her charisma, breathless choreography, and dynamic stage command were uniquely hers. With tracks like Boiled Peanuts, Nissan Altima, and Denial Is a River, Doechii schooled the crowd—then vanished mid-roar, proving a true icon always exits on her own terms.

Lewis Capaldi

Lewis Capaldi delivered a deeply emotional, surprise return to the Pyramid Stage after a two‑year hiatus. The unannounced set drew a packed crowd ready to support his comeback. His heartfelt rendition of “Someone You Loved” brought tears to thousands, many openly weeping and embracing in solidarity. Capaldi debuted his new single “Survive”, a powerful anthem of resilience, and expressed gratitude for overcoming challenges tied to Tourette’s and mental health. His triumphant return was hailed as one of the festival’s most moving moments.

Pulp

Under the mystery billing “Patchwork,” Pulp made a triumphant return to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, June 28, 30 years after their iconic 1995 set. Opening with “Sorted For E’s & Wizz,” they wove together Britpop classics—“Mis‑Shapes,” “Disco 2000,” “Babies”—with fresh tracks from their comeback album “More”, like “Spike Island” and “Got To Have Love,” proving their enduring creative spark. Jarvis Cocker’s charismatic stage presence, wry commentary, and the climactic “Common People” finale cemented Pulp’s status as Britain’s beloved, defiantly unconventional pop icons.

Charli XCX

Charli XCX stormed the Other Stage with unapologetic bravado, claiming “Brat Summer is eternal” on screens and tearing through 17 tracks with raw energy and industrial-pop flair. Her “Brat”-era of songs like “360,” “Club Classics,” and “Apple,” was delivered with pitch-bent autotune, strobing lights, and defiant choreography. There was minimal staging but maximum impact. Critics and viewers sparred, and Charli XCX’s appropriate response was that “the best art is divisive”. Yet 60,000-strong crowds were mesmerised, enthralled by her shamanic presence. She closed with a fiery cover of “I Love It” and a cryptic message: Brat might be over, but “Brat is forever.” The iconic “BRAT” wall burned down as audiences looked on in awe.

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo headlined the Pyramid Stage with a sensational, high‑octane performance that “stole the entire festival”. Launching into “Vampire” and “Driver’s License” amidst fireworks and tossing around guitars, she struck a chord across multiple generations. She also brought out The Cure’s Robert Smith for “Friday I’m In Love” and “Just Like Heaven”, thus creating one of Glastonbury’s most memorable moments. With theatricality, emotional depth and blistering guitar‑driven energy, Rodrigo closed with balloon-filled “Good 4 U”, sealing a five‑star review and proving her status as pop’s next defining superstar.

There were so many more notable moments, from RAYE singing two new songs, to JADE’s first Glastonbury performance and Lorde’s secret set that attracted too many audience members to continue. It is safe to say that Glastonbury remains the UK’s biggest festival and I hope to see just as many icons next year as there were this time around.