Top 5 Glastonbury headliners

Not all of the performances on this list were “headline” acts (see The Smiths, for example). But if you want a rundown of the most iconic, here are who we think are the top Glastonbury headliners:

1. David Bowie
2. Radiohead
3. Paul McCartney
4. Beyoncé
5. Metallica

The best Glastonbury performances

1. David Bowie (2000)

A showcase of wild musical genius – from the keys to Bowie’s almost otherworldly vocals. Bowie’s headline set in 2000 was one for the books, so much so that it was released as a live album in 2018. And yet, this incredible, heavenly performance was juxtaposed with Bowie’s down-to-earth confession of laryngitis earlier in the week.

The outfits, the energy, the crowd, the timeless classics… this has to be one of the best Glastonbury performances ever.

2. Radiohead (1997)

Few can sing with studio-level accuracy like Thom Yorke can. Radiohead’s 1997 Glastonbury set is introspective brilliance – pure ‘90s indie rock in its prime. Just a couple of weeks after the release of Ok Computer, Radiohead’s 1997 Glasto show was one of their pinnacle moments. The band went on to perform at the festival in 2003 and again in 2017.

3. Paul McCartney (2004)

A historic moment for the ex-Beatle and some 120,000 members of the crowd, Paul McCartney at Glastonbury was a long-awaited event. He delivered a legendary set spanning Beatles favourites and solo material. A heartfelt tribute to George Harrison was a touching moment, while the show’s climax – “Hey Jude”, complete with singalong, fireworks and confetti – turned a muddy field into something euphoric.

4. Beyoncé (2011)

Beyoncé’s headline show never faltered. Not once. From rising out of the stage and performing a choreographed routine of “Crazy in Love” in a mesmerising opener to commanding the place with her insanely powerful vocals throughout the whole set, the energy never dipped.

She’s a truly great performer – and yet, she was genuinely surprised by the audience’s reaction. She took it all in, amazed and excited for the career-defining moment she was in the middle of.

5. Metallica (2014)

Metallica’s 2014 Glastonbury set marked a turning point for the festival, as they became the first heavy metal band to headline the Pyramid Stage. Their appearance came with some scepticism, but the band delivered an incredibly, tightly executed show that won over doubters in the crowd.

They ended with a thrilling encore featuring “Seek & Destroy” and a cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Whiskey in the Jar”. It was a controversial booking, but on a stage quite literally surrounded by fans, the pure ferocity and energy of the band made it an iconic set.

6. Pulp (1995)

Pulp weren’t actually supposed to headline Glastonbury in 1995, but when The Stone Roses pulled out, they took the slot and kept it under wraps right until they walked out on stage. It was monumental – both for the audience and the band. Jarvis Cocker comfortably prowled the stage, talking to the audience like they were his mates, and those Britpop classics hit harder than ever before.

The excitement from a crowd who weren’t even expecting the band says it all.

7. Stevie Wonder (2010)

Legendary musician and excellent showman Stevie Wonder gave us all the hits in his 2010 set. From the keytar to the piano to the harmonica, it was a talented masterclass in delivering one of the best Glastonbury performances of all time. Hits like “For Once In My Life”, “Superstition”, and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” were brilliantly churned out with infectious energy. A truly quintessential moment in the festival’s history.

8. The Cure (1986)

The Cure’s 1986 Glastonbury set was intense, not least because of the thunderstorm that broke over the site during their headline slot. It paired uncannily well with their brooding, guitar-heavy sound.

They closed with three encores, including a stripped-back version of “Faith”, and went on to headline again in 1990 and 1995.

9. Dolly Parton (2014)

The country icon took to the stage in 2014 and commanded it. Dolly Parton might be of legend status, but her Glastonbury set felt like a masterpiece in down-to-earth storytelling. While strutting the stage in a rhinestone-studded outfit, she recounted tales of her life growing up, both through her songs and in her interactions with the crowd.

From “Islands In The Stream” to “9 to 5”, all those global hits that everyone adores were met with gleeful choruses from the crowd.

10. The Rolling Stones (2013)

2013! It was a long time to wait for a Rolling Stone headliner, but it was worth it. They played all the classics: “Gimme Shelter”, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, “Sympathy For The Devil”, and so many more. Shiny shirts and crazy dancing, electrifying energy taking over the crowd, and to witness some of the greatest rock ‘n’ rollers to walk the earth simply having a blast on stage – it doesn’t get much better.

11. Neil Young (2009)

Neil Young’s 2009 Glastonbury headline set was a masterclass in raw, no-frills rock. He opened with “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)” and moved straight into “Mansion on the Hill”, leaning heavily into his Crazy Horse catalogue with extended guitar workouts.

At the end of such a gigantic set full of classics, he closed with a thunderous take on The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life”, smashing his guitar and mic stand to cheers that refused to die down.

12. Blur (1994)

We could’ve gone for Blur’s headline performance in 2009, but we haven’t; we’ve gone for when Britpop truly arrived, in 1994. Parklife had only been released a few months before, and the NME Stage not only played host to Blur but also Oasis, Radiohead, and Pulp. Iconic.

Blur’s set solidified the band as more than just a popular indie group; their setlist was anthemic and set the Britpop standard.

13. The Smiths (1984)

The Smiths’ 1984 Glastonbury appearance was brief but defining. With only one album out, they landed a Saturday slot on the Pyramid Stage, playing to a crowd largely unfamiliar with their sound, unlike the devoted fans they were used to performing to. They sped through song after song before technical issues disrupted the mix.

Despite the early sound problems, the band found their stride by the end. Morrissey’s stage presence and Johnny Marr’s rapid-fire guitar work helped turn the tide. They closed with “Hand in Glove”, and Marr instigated a stage invasion – a turning point that broke from the festival’s mellow tone and signalled a shift in its cultural direction.

14. R.E.M. (1999)

R.E.M.’s 1999 Glastonbury set was a pivotal moment for the band. It marked their first major show without drummer Bill Berry, but R.E.M. proved they were up for the challenge of Glastonbury – and they delivered. With Joey Waronker now on drums, they opened with the heavy groove of Lotus, setting a confident tone from the start.

The set balanced newer material with big crowd moments like “Losing My Religion” and “Man on the Moon”. “Everybody Hurts” was criticised at the time for being overplayed, but it hit differently here – Michael Stipe visibly emotional as the crowd sang back every line. It felt like a band pushing forward, not just leaning on legacy.

15. Florence + The Machine (2015)

Florence + the Machine’s 2015 Glastonbury set was a last-minute headline slot, stepping in for Foo Fighters. Rather than playing it safe, Florence Welch threw herself into it – barefoot, dressed in white, and even moving into the crowd.

She paid tribute to Dave Grohl with a cover of “Times Like These” and filled the set with tracks from How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. A huge sing-along to “You Got the Love” capped off a performance full of energy – a massive moment for Welch, who started out at Glastonbury on the John Peel Stage in 2009.

16. The Killers (2017)

They may have made their debut on the John Peel Stage in 2004, but The Killers’ most memorable set was in 2017, when they appeared as special guests on the same stage. They packed the tent and delivered a ten-song set filled with fan favourites including “Mr Brightside”, “Somebody Told Me”, and “Human”.

The band moved at pace, blending hits with a preview of their then-upcoming album, Wonderful Wonderful, via a punchy take on “The Man”. With the tent at full capacity and a crowd spilling out beyond it, The Killers cemented their return to headline status in 2019.

17. Oasis (1994)

A fundamental year for Britpop, 1994 saw Oasis command the NME Stage, with Liam Gallagher calling to the crowd, “Are you lot gonna wake up for some proper songs?” They hadn’t yet released their debut album, and the band played to a quieter audience than they were destined for.

However, it’s on the list as one of the best Glastonbury performances because of what it represented: a band about to become big and the establishment of Britpop, not to mention those fantastic early renditions of the likes of “Live Forever” and “Cigarettes and Alcohol”.

18. Foo Fighters (2023)

Foo Fighters’ “surprise” set was possibly one of the festival’s worst-kept secrets. Arriving under the name “The ChurnUps” (a couple of tweets seemingly confirmed that this band with no social footprint, no music, was, in fact, Foo Fighters), the band played to a packed Pyramid Stage crowd. They powered through a tight nine-song set that opened with “All My Life” and closed with “Everlong”, dedicated to Taylor Hawkins.

It marked 25 years since their first Glastonbury slot, adding weight to a set already full of emotional undercurrents – including a performance of “Show Me How” with Dave Grohl’s daughter, Violet. The band didn’t waste a second, pushing through hits at full throttle, clearly relishing their return.

19. New Order (1987)

New Order’s 1987 Glastonbury set was a turning point for the band and the festival. After a chaotic appearance in 1981, they returned with a tighter identity and a string of acclaimed albums behind them.

With Bernard Sumner in control and the band now fully separate from their Joy Division past, they sounded both confident and distinct. Songs like “Your Silent Face” filled the Pyramid Field with ease, showing they’d found a live sound as expansive as their studio work.

20. Jay-Z (2008)

Jay-Z’s 2008 Glastonbury set broke new ground as the festival’s first hip-hop headline act. Faced with scepticism – most famously from Noel Gallagher – he opened with a mocking acoustic version of “Wonderwall” before launching straight into “99 Problems”, blending it mid-song with AC/DC’s “Back in Black”.

His set mixed his own hits with British references and surprise covers, including a verse from American Boy and a nod to Amy Winehouse. The crowd responded with delight. In one night, Jay-Z silenced critics and proved Glastonbury had space for more than just guitars.

21. Adele (2016)

Adele’s 2016 Glastonbury set proved doubters wrong with one of the most emotionally charged performances the Pyramid Stage has seen. Known for ballads rather than upbeat tunes, she turned “Someone Like You” into a mass sing-along.

Her natural stage presence, chats with the crowd, and unfiltered humour made the enormous event feel intimate.

22. Coldplay (2016)

Coldplay’s 2016 Glastonbury headline set opened with Charlie Chaplin’s speech from The Great Dictator. They launched into a euphoric, crowd-wide display of lights and sound that carried across a rain-soaked Pyramid Stage field.

The set blended stadium-sized hits with more poignant moments, including a tribute to Viola Beach and a surprise duet with Barry Gibb on “Stayin’ Alive”. A “Glastonbury referendum” (the set came just days after the Brexit vote) led to a final encore, as Michael Eavis joined them to sing “My Way”.

23. Amy Winehouse (2007)

Amy Winehouse’s 2007 Glastonbury set captured her at the height of her powers. Opening with “Addicted”, she moved through the majority of “Back to Black”, delivering “You Know I’m No Good”, “Tears Dry on Their Own”, and a particularly emotional “Love Is a Losing Game”. It was soulful, honest, and so beautifully Amy.

24. Johnny Cash (1994)

Johnny Cash’s 1994 Glastonbury set marked the start of his late-career revival. Fresh from releasing American Recordings, he opened with “Folsom Prison Blues” and played a stripped-back segment featuring tracks like “Delia’s Gone” and “The Beast in Me”, aimed at a younger crowd unfamiliar with his early years.

Joined by June Carter Cash for duets and closing with “A Boy Named Sue”, he won over the entire field. Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis called it one of his best bookings ever. Cash later reflected that it felt like coming full circle.

25. The Who (2007)

Despite heavy rain, Pete Townshend’s guitar work was on full attack and Roger Daltrey leaned hard into the classics – even if his vocals occasionally strained under the weight of “The Kids Are Alright”.

They tore through “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, “My Generation”, and “Who Are You” with the same punch that defined them decades earlier. Even with rough edges, they proved why they’re still rock heavyweights.

26. Iggy & The Stooges

Iggy & The Stooges’ 2007 Glastonbury set exploded into chaos in the best possible way.

Iggy jumped into the crowd, rolled on amps, and mid-set demanded the audience join him on stage. Security scrambled as fans surged forward, turning “No Fun” into a full-on stage invasion. It was loud, wild, and totally unrehearsed – punk spirit in its purest form.

27. Pet Shop Boys (2022)

Pet Shop Boys closed Glastonbury 2022’s Other Stage with a set that spanned decades in sound. Neil Tennant carried the first six songs solo due to technical issues – an experience he later described as the “worst moment” of his life. This didn’t dampen the rest of the show, however.

Despite that rocky start, the show evolved into a crowd-pleasing mix of synth-pop classics. “West End Girls” and “Love Comes Quickly”- among others – got the crowd going, while “Being Boring” closed the night with a moving tribute to the victims of the Oslo gay bar attack.

28. Kylie Minogue (2019)

Kylie Minogue’s 2019 Glastonbury set was 14 years in the making. She was originally supposed to play in 2005, but a breast cancer diagnosis very sadly meant she had to cancel. Her Sunday Legends slot in 2019 was a much-anticipated pop spectacle and, at times, an emotional performance, as Minogue reflected on her journey to get there.

The crowd welcomed guest appearances from Chris Martin on “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and Nick Cave for “Where the Wild Roses Grow”. The set came to a euphoric close with “All the Lovers”.

29. The Chemical Brothers (2000)

The Chemical Brothers’ 2000 Glastonbury set was a defining moment for electronic music at the festival. Playing on a newly refurbished, silver-clad Pyramid Stage, the duo turned the site into an open-air rave, delivering a set packed with sonic intensity and immersive visuals.

It peaked with a euphoric version of “The Private Psychedelic Reel”, pushing the Pyramid Stage beyond its rock roots and setting a new benchmark for dance acts on the main stage.

FAQs

Who was the most-watched Glastonbury performer?

Sir Elton John’s 2023 set was the most-watched Glastonbury performance of all time, pulling in a record-breaking 7.6 million viewers tuning in on BBC One. This is, of course, on top of the thousands of people at the festival.

What was the loudest performance at Glastonbury?

The Killers’ “Mr Brightside” performance in 2019 was the loudest Glastonbury has ever heard, reaching 106 decibels.

What was the busiest Glastonbury?

The biggest crowd at Glastonbury was 300,000 in 1994. The Levellers headlined that year.

Final thoughts

With Glastonbury just around the corner, it’s only right that we reflect on the legends of past and present. It’s a monumental moment in any musician’s career and a memorable experience for everyone attending; the festival is nothing short of iconic, and the best Glastonbury performances are ones that go down in the history books.