Glastonbury 2025: The Highlights
18 great videos from the UK's best festival.
It was everyone’s favourite weekend in the UK last weekend as Glastonbury 2025 took place. From what I read and saw, Charli XCX was the Queen of the Festival, but unfortunately the BBC has not released any footage that I can share, so after waiting too long, I’m giving up and publishing this without a video from her.
Hope you enjoy it anyway.
Best 90s Moment
3. Alanis Morrisette
The Canadian made her homeland proud with an excellent set including the wonderful “Thank You”. With a backdrop of positive social media messages, it provided some much needed connection in a world that has become more and more distant. Plus, there is no doubt that she still has amazing pipes and put on a great performance.
2. Supergrass
Released basically 30 years ago, Supergrass’ awesome “Alright” sets the mood for the weekend to come. “Alright” came out on July 3, 1995 and was included on the Clueless Soundtrack. It would hit number 2 in the UK and eventually sell over a million copies worldwide, including 600K in the UK. This is a really excellent live version and it’s nice to see the band still so tight.
1. Prodigy
The 90s dance outfit was in fine form with their entire set, but it was rocker “Breathe” that continued to be a standout for the band.
Surprise Sets:
Glastonbury is known for its surprise sets and guest artists and this year was no different. There are several which I could highlight, but here are the five best ones in my opinion.
5. Lorde
I’m not sure when Lorde decided to mimic her live show after late-80s Depeche Mode, but I’m not upset about it. Her surprise appearance at the Woodsies Field caused the festival to close because it quickly became a “non-surprise” surprise and the area became overcrowded. The area was packed to the gills and “What Was That” still sounds great.
4. Olivia Rodrigo with Robert Smith
Robert Smith sounded so great in their duet of “Just Like Heaven”. Olivia pulled out lots of stops with her headlining spot and this was the best of them.
3. Pulp
The Brit Pop champions appeared and rocked like it was 1995 with the classic “Common People”. The song included a chance flyby from the Royal Air Force; that’s a pretty awesome sight. The crowd looked happy. The band looked happy. I’m pretty happy.
2. Franz Ferdinand with Peter Capaldi
Still a fucking banger and with The Doctor in tow. Franz Ferdinand woke up the crowd with a great version of “Take Me Out” with former Doctor Who Peter Capaldi. I love that the Scottish band are still putting out new music, but gawd damn, I’m not sure they will ever best their 2004 classic.
1. Lewis Capaldi
It’s impossible to not pull for Lewis Capaldi. When he stepped out for his ‘secret’ performance, it marked Capaldi’s return to the Pyramid Stage. Capaldi who has Tourette’s had to cut his 2023 set short after a bout of pronounced tics and eventual voice loss, the audience didn’t let him down then and helped him finish “Someone You Loved” before he left. This year was a different story as his voice was spot-on and while he kept chit chatting to a minimum, he finished with this absolutely awesome version of “Someone You Loved” to close out his set on Friday. Big credit to the crowd for helping him out again.
Best Performances
10. Brandi Carlile
She nailed it with “The Story”. It’s a little odd that the crowd didn’t seem into this for such a wonderful performance. Brandi is awesome.
9. SPRINTS
Dublin rockers SPRINTS had the unfavourable 2pm on Sunday slot. After a couple days of partying, it’s really hard to get up for any act, let alone an indie rock group from Ireland, but SPRINTS attacked their set and “Literary Mind” sounds great.
8. CMAT
OMG, could this be the summer of CMAT, here’s an awesome version of her “Jamie Oliver Petrol Station”. The band is tight.
7. Four Tet
The London DJ had the closing set on Friday night and for those that could stay up enjoyed an absolutely awesome set which included the opus… um… “Opus”.
6. Turnstile
The summer of Turnstile continues with their awesome performance at the Other Stage on Sunday. “Never Enough” is a Bonafide banger.
5. Myles Smith
Myles Smith’s version of “Gold” was just that. But it was the UK singer’s version of his worldwide hit “Stargazing” which was the standout from Friday afternoon. Great crowd work, excellent pauses, and his band was solid. This was the act not to miss on Friday afternoon.
4. Raye
The London-born singer has been on a tear the last couple of years with a record-breaking haul at the 2024 Brit Awards, an appearance on SNL, and a Grammy nod. She made the most of her 8pm set on the Pyramid Stage with a full complement of band members and backup singers all dressed like the best-looking wedding band of all time. Her rendition of “I Know You’re Hurting” was excellent. If she keeps this up, there should be a headlining spot for her in the not too distant future.
3. The 1975
I’m not sure when The 1975 turned into Coldplay, but I think the transition is complete. Let me explain. When Coldplay came out, I loved them. But by the mid-2000s I was kind of done. It’s taken a bunch of years for me to come back and appreciate them for what they are and while their music doesn’t always speak to me, they are still pretty awesome when you think about it. The same thing can be said about The 1975 for me. When their 2018 album A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships came out, it was peak love for me, but since then it’s been more miss than hit. They felt old and current at the same time during their Glastonbury set which was rightly met with mixed reviews, but then they end with a performance like “About You” and I can’t help but snuggle back into Matty’s arms.
2. Fat Dog
Woof Woof Woof. Circle pits and saxophones. There is really only one religious experience this weekend at Glastonbury and that was “Running” by Fat Dog. What a performance on Friday at Woodsies. This was probably the only act that could follow up Myles Smith’s excellent performance.
1. Wolf Alice
The best band in Britain right now, no argument here. In a couple of years when Glastonbury is back for 2027, they will be headliners. This album is going to be huge for them. And after a performance like theirs, the future is bright.
Did I miss one; let me know in the comments.