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Glastonbury 2024: SZA closes festival amid technical issues as attendees face huge queues to leave site

Glastonbury draws to a close after performances from Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Sugababes, Janelle Monae and Burna Boy

Roisin O'Connor
Music Editor
,Ellie Muir
Monday 01 July 2024 17:36
Comments
SZA performs at Glastonbury 2024

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R&B artist SZA closed Glastonbury Festival 2024, after Shania Twain took on the coveted Legends Slot.

The Grammy-winning star appeared to have a much smaller audience than earlier headliners Coldplay and Dua Lipa, as revellers rushed home to beat traffic and amid four other major stage clashes.

Earlier, pop-punk singer Avril Lavigne tore up the Other Stage with a set comprising hits such as “Sk8r Boi” and “My Happy Ending”, while Shania Twain suffered with sound issues on the Legends Slot.

On Saturday night, rock band Coldplay headlined the Pyramid Stage for a record-breaking fifth time, after pop star Dua Lipa dazzled the crowds on Friday (28 June).

In a career-spanning set, the band performed a number of their biggest hits including “Yellow” and “Clocks”, while also bringing out a number of surprise guests including rapper Little Simz, singer Laura Mvula, and Back to the Future star Michael J Fox.

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Coldplay open with Yellow in record-breaking headline set on Pyramid Stage

Coldplay open with Yellow in record-breaking headline set on Pyramid Stage
Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 22:01
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SZA opens Glastonbury headline set to sparse crowd amid major set clashes

SZA opens Glastonbury headline set to sparse crowd amid major set clashes

Grammy-winning R&B star topped the Sunday lineup at the same time as performances on other stages from The National, James Blake, Justice and London Grammar

Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 22:15
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Cyndi Lauper review, Glastonbury 2024: A celebratory reminder of a career well spent

Cyndi Lauper’s Glasto set was a celebratory reminder of a career well spent - review

Lauper is on the cusp of a farewell tour, with Glastonbury potentially serving as her most high-profile UK goodbye

Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 22:21
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Readers, I am a bit mad at Glastonbury right now

OK, so obviously I have absolutely zero clue about the logistics required to curate a festival. I can only imagine it’s a right pain in the arse. BUT, I just cannot get my head around the fact that organisers lumped three major artists (Janelle Monae, Burna Boy, SZA) on the Pyramid Stage on a Sunday with major shows happening on the other stages. The fact that all three artists are Black isn’t a good look, either, given Glastonbury’s history of booking overwhelming white headliners.

It also doesn’t help that SZA is currently blowing Dua Lipa’s set out of the water, regardless of crowd size. She’s got that star wattage that Dua lacks no matter how hard she tries. The R&B singer has charisma to spare, not to mention those sublime vocals.

Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 22:38
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Emily Eavis ‘already in talks’ with acts for Glastonbury Festival 2025

Emily Eavis ‘already in talks’ with acts for Glastonbury Festival 2025

Glastonbury co-organiser hailed the event as a place where people could ‘come together and find our common ground’

Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 22:41
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SZA rescues fans while dressed as an actual fairy

That was lovely just now: SZA, dressed as a fairy, paused her set to make sure security made their way to some fans who needed help.

Talk about a fairy godmother.

Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 22:50
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Little Simz performs at 2024 Glastonbury

Little Simz performs at 2024 Glastonbury
Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 23:01
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SZA helps rescue fans while dressed as a fairy during Glastonbury headline set

SZA helps rescue fans while dressed as a fairy during Glastonbury headline set

The Grammy-winning R&B star directed security to help people struggling in the crowd

Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 23:16
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HEADLINER REVIEW: Dua Lipa review, Glastonbury 2024: More than mere pop spectacle

Dua Lipa review, Glastonbury 2024: More than mere pop spectacle

Though the performance is tightly drilled – even the confetti deployment seems studied – passion rings through in moments of cheeky theatricality

Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 23:21
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HEADLINER REVIEW: Coldplay review, Glastonbury 2024: Chris Martin and co deliver the spectacle of a lifetime

Coldplay deliver the spectacle of a lifetime at Glastonbury 2024 - review

Band offer up one of the most unifying and celebratory moments ever to emanate from this hallowed stage

Roisin O'Connor30 June 2024 23:41

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