Glastonbury is big. Not just "omg-it’s-Glasto-get-the-facepaint-and-flags" big, but sprawling. It’s the festival of festivals. Across its seemingly infinite array of stages, many of music’s most revered artists will perform this weekend, with their every move studied by huge crowds and beamed into living rooms around the world.
Putting together a complete guide for the weekend is nigh on impossible, as every decision can be countered with a number of different options with real merit. But, we’re going to try anyway. So, as you watch the clouds gather and wonder what you did to offend the weather gods so terribly, here are just some of the bands/utterly legendary performers we’re keen to see this weekend.
Pyramid Stage
They’ve dominated the pre-festival agenda and Metallica are a must-see. Lars Ulrich is pretty excited about GLASTON-BERRY and, really, we should be pretty excited to see what one of metal’s most revered bands, and an absolute stone cold killer of a live act, can cook up. It’s Metallica, get over yourselves.
Kelis has released one of the year’s best records, ‘Food’, and will demonstrate the fact on Saturday afternoon, while Angel Haze and the War On Drugs have also piqued our interest as possible scene-stealers. Also, it’s become apparent that you’ll never, ever see Led Zeppelin again, so might as well make do with a bit of Robert Plant, eh?
The Other Stage
Let’s take a trip to an alternate universe: Manic Street Preachers headline the Pyramid Stage with a rendition of ‘The Holy Bible’ to celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary. Would have been ace, right? Anyway, it’s not happening. But, you absolutely should still go and see James Dean Bradfield and the boys, who are still in ferociously good nick.
Also on The Other Stage are Haim, who have one of the great debuts of recent years in their locker and fond memories of last summer’s festival, and PaoloNutini, who has some doubters to correct following the release of the largely excellent ‘Caustic Love’. Just a quick word on two further bullet-proof legends: Blondie - on disgustingly early on Friday - and Sunday headliners Massive Attack. Do. Not. Miss.
West Holts
Few artists demonstrate the counter-culture credentials associated with Glastonbury quite like M.I.A, who has followed up the release of her ‘Matangi’ album by doing pretty much as she pleases. Fresh from leaking a Beyonce remix, expect her to do much the same when she headlines the West Holts stage on Friday night.
Also, expect big things from Merrill Garbus and Tune-Yards after the arrival of the deliriously fun‘NikkiNak’, studied artistry from Goldfrapp and some heady beats from Disclosure. A special note too for the Daptone Super Soul Revue, a delightful throwback to the past led by the unstoppable, amazing Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.
The Park Stage
St. Vincent’s latest record is her best yet, which is quite an achievement. Annie Clark will take to the Park Stage prior to James Blake’s headline set on Sunday night, armed with complex pop gems, her guitar and a new batch of synchronised dance moves. Exciting, right?
Mogwai are going head-to-head with Metallica on Saturday night and will more than hold their own, while Young Fathers will offer a glimpse of ‘Dead’, their recent album and one of UK hip-hop’s best debuts in recent memory on Saturday. Keep an eye out for the wonderful Cate Le Bon that same afternoon and see Parquet Courts, fresh from finding their sound on ‘Sunbathing Animal’, on Friday.
John Peel Stage
Chance The Rapper is one of the most exciting young artists around right now and, even though Glastonbury has been somewhat hip-hop-phobic in the past, cuts from ‘Acid Rap’, his recent breakthrough mixtape, deserve to be heard on stages like this. Catch him just before London Grammar’s headline set on Sunday.
Also, check out the fascinating Jungle, hipster favourites and rising stars Fat White Family and Dry The River, who have a new album on the way. Make sure to get miserable withLykkeLi, too, if only for Gunshot, the best Swedish pop/Springsteen crossover ever.
Acoustic Tent
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s recent album, ‘What Have We Become’, marked a welcome return for the duo, who last played together when the Beautiful South was still a going concern. Here, catch new ones rubbing shoulders with Beautiful South and Housemartins oldies that can comfortably be considered some of the finest pop songs of a generation.
For a little dose of superstardom, line up for Jake Bugg, who will also headline the Other Stage. Also worth investigating are Alison Moyet, who still sounds incredible, if you’re asking, producer turned troubadour Ethan Johns and Tinariwen, a group with a unique voice in modern music.
Avalon Stage
Beth Orton will stop in at the Avalon Stage prior to a series of shows celebrating the 15th anniversary of ‘Central Reservation’, her second album. A good chance to see one of the UK’s best in action. SophieEllis-Bextor, meanwhile, has become quite the pop chameleon and will bring songs from ‘Wanderlust’ to Glastonbury on Friday, with guitar wizard JonnyLang, Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit and Hazel O’Connor all worth a look too.
Left Field
Billy Bragg will again preside over the Left Field's mix of music, comedy and politics this year, his voice for change just as passionate now as it was with the release of ‘Life's a Riot with Spy vs Spy’ over 30 years ago. He’ll be aided by spoken word artist Kate Tempest, the ever enthralling Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip and US political punks Anti-Flag, who will close proceedings on Sunday night. This year, the Left Field Tower has been renamed the Tony Benn Tower in tribute to the late politician, who died in March.
Sonic
An interesting blend of the hard stuff and pop nous on this year’s Sonic Stage, with the minimalism of Richie Hawtin paired with Tiga’s funky, wistful tunes, the diversity of Maya Jane Coles and Kiesza’s chart-topping foray into pop house. Fatboy Slim and Annie Mac are the big guns for Saturday night’s festivities, with Charli XCX and Foxes flying the flag for straight up pop.
For a better idea of the many delights available, head here for the full line up.
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