Glastonbury 2022: Six of the biggest talking points from the Worthy Farm festival
US rapper Kendrick Lamar’s headline set closed an impressive weekend of live music
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Your support makes all the difference.The final day at Glastonbury ended with a jaw-dropping performance by American rapper Kendrick Lamar.
Over the course of five days, fans had danced to performances by top artists such as Paul McCartney, Little Simz, Pet Shop Boys, Sam Fender, and Billie Eilish.
On the last day of the festival, George Ezra turned up at the John Peel stage in what was possibly the worst-kept secret set in Glastonbury history, while jazz-fusion legend Herbie Hancock delighted crowds relaxing at the Pyramid stage with a virtuosic performance.
Here’s a look back at six of the biggest talking points from the entire Glastonbury 2022 festival...
Roe v Wade
News of the US Supreme Court’s highly controversial legal ruling broke on Friday, and it was clearly on a lot of people’s minds at Glastonbury. It certainly didn’t escape the attention of the artists, many of whom were American. From Billie Eilish, to Phoebe Bridgers, to Olivia Rodrigo, to Kendrick Lamar, lots of the performers included powerful statements about abortion rights in their sets.
From the youngest ever headliner…
Eilish made history with her Friday night headline slot, delighting fans with an intimate but lively set of songs from the 20-year-old’s two albums. As the festival’s youngest ever solo headliner, the pressure was certainly on Eilish’s shoulders, but as Mark Beaumont’s five-star review attests, she pulled it off with aplomb.
…to the oldest
On the other end of the spectrum, we had Paul McCartney, who delivered an absolute barnstormer of a set on Saturday. Performing a range of hits from his Beatles and Wings repertoires, as well as his solo career (and a couple of covers), Macca delivered a Glastonbury experience for the ages. At 80 years old, he became the festival’s oldest ever headliner.
Kendrick Lamar
Closing the festival on Sunday was Kendrick Lamar, who held the Pyramid Stage in the palm of his hand from the start of his electrifying, career-spanning set to the end. The stunning climax of his set – a rendition of “saviour” performed while blood dripped from his diamond crown of thorns, before he began a furious chant about women’s rights – was pure chills-down-the-spine stuff.
Ukraine
The ongoing war in Ukraine was also a core political issue for many of the festival’s acts and attendees. Ukrainian flags were spotted commonly around the festival site, with McCartney holding one aloft in solidarity as he took the stage for his encore. The Pyramid Stage also played host to Ukrainian band Dakhabrakha on Sunday, one of several Ukrainian artists the festival championed.
A little help from my friends…
While Kendrick’s set may have been all him, many of the festival’s other acts deployed some heavyweight guest stars. McCartney brought Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl on stage towards the end. Olivia Rodrigo welcomed Lily Allen for a duet of “F*** You”. Phoebe Bridges joined forces with Arlo Parks (who had her own full set at the festival) for a couple of numbers. Pete Doherty even showed up on stage during Hak Baker’s performance, having performed with the Libertines shortly before. It was a festival chock-full of unexpected – but thoroughly enjoyed – cameos.
Look back at our live blog below:
Kendrick Lamar delivers a headline set to rival Paul McCartney’s
This is a headline set to rival yesterday’s from Paul McCartney. Now if only, there were some special guests on the agenda...
Paul McCartney’s Glastonbury 2022 show was possibly the best we’ve ever seen – review
McCartney’s available canon is the greatest in music by such a vast degree that any couple of hours plucked from it at random would be the best gig of any particular year
From Billie Eilish to Kendrick Lamar
And of course, we can’t forget Billie Eilish – our first headliner of the weekend, who gave us a history-making set on Friday.
Billie Eilish’s Glastonbury set was 90 minutes of noir-pop catharsis – review
Eilish’s headline set is just as significant as Jay-Z’s or Stormzy’s because it marks the ascendence of alternative pop
Kendrick Lamar concludes a brilliant last day at Worthy Farm
Kendrick Lamar is closing out a specatcular last day at Glastonbury, with stellar performances from a range of artists including McFly, Fontaines DC – and Diana Ross, of course.
Glastonbury Sunday reviews: Fontaines DC and McFly
The crowd at the Other Stage for Fontaines DC’s set is testament to their reputation as a brilliant live band, while McFly fall a little short on the crowd-pleasers
A future Legends Slot act?
With performances like this, it’s not too far a leap to think that Kendrick Lamar may find himself in the Legends slot at a future Glastonbury festival.
This year, that spot was filled by none other than soul legend Diana Ross. While some viewers had an issue with the singer’s “off-key” vocals, we’ll back her forever.
Diana Ross fans defend singer after viewers complain Glastonbury set is ‘off-key’
Soul singer drew huge crowds for her Legends Slot at Worthy Farm
30 minutes left!
Just a little over half an hour to go – still plenty of time for a surprise guest...?
Speaking of surprises...
George Ezra gave fans an unexpected(ish) set from the John Peel tent.
While it was packed to the rafters, Mark Beaumont managed to get within listening distance of the singer. Here’s what you missed if you didnt...
George Ezra gave beachside BBQ vibes at his not-so secret Glastonbury set – review
Until the Avalon stage makes a big deal of having booked The Joshua Trees, there can’t be a more obvious secret set than Gold Rush Kid on the John Peel Stage
Don’t forget about The Pet Shop Boys
If you can tear yourself away from Kendrick Lamar, The Pet Shop Boys are delivering an absolute cracker of a show on the Other Stage.
Viewers at home, I implore you, have a quick peep!
It’s just one of many brutal clashes to hit festival-goers this weekend...
The 7 most brutal Glastonbury 2022 set clashes (and possible workarounds)
Because it’s impossible to see absolutely everyone
“Glsatonbury I said, make some motherf***ing noise!”
It’s been a relatively un-chatty set from the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper who lets the music do the talking, with just a few interludes to hype the audience up.
Wow!!!
An explosive end to a powerful performance, as Kendrick states: “They judge me; they judge Christ. Godspeed for women’s rights,” seemingly in response to the recent overturning of Roe v Wade.
Kendrick Lamar says ‘godspeed for women’s rights’ in wake of Roe v Wade overturning
Headlining rapper is the latest celebrity to condemn the Supreme Court ruling
The Pet Shop Boys – review
No one brings the Eighties and 2022 together quite like the Pet Shop Boys. From the moment Neil Tennant walks on the stage, inviting us to “a world of memory” as the thumping drums of “Suburbia” begin, we know we’re about to straddle eras.
Chris Lowe, along with an excellent live band, join later. There are Eighties synths, an appearance from Years and Years (although not singing “It’s A Sin” as predicted) and nostalgic anecdotes about holidays in the Caribbean.
The big tracks get the Other Stage crowd jumping higher than half the late-night DJs at this festival. A “Losing My Mind”/”You Were Always On My Mind” remix soars – as does “Love Comes Quickly” and penultimate track “West End Girls”.
“Opportunities”, for all its high-camp joy, is a personal highlight. After the last five days, I’m not sure any of us have much of the brain, looks, brawn or lots of money they mention left… yet it still gets us singing.
Their closing track, “Being Boring”, is an empowering tribute to the victims of the attack on a gay bar in Oslo, Norway. The words “you can always rely on a friend” close out the set, a fitting finish to Glasto 2022.
Glastonbury Sunday reviews: Pet Shop Boys, Fontaines DC and McFly
Also reviewed: The crowd at the Other Stage for Fontaines DC’s set is testament to their reputation as a brilliant live band, while McFly fall a little short on the crowd-pleasers
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