FEATURE:
The Best Glastonbury Headliner Ever?!
IN THIS IMAGE: David Bowie’s iconic Glastonbury 2000 headline performance is available for the very first time on C.D., DVD; streaming and on vinyl/IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images/Parlophone
Golden Years: Is David Bowie’s Legendary 2000 Set the Absolute Finest?
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THAT question might provoke some...
IMAGE CREDIT: Andrew Spear for WaxPoetics
backlash and fevered arguments – or nothing at all – but we all have our views regarding the best Glastonbury headliners! In terms of those festival headline sets, there are only two that I would love to have been at – turn the clock back and make sure I was there. When Nirvana played Reading in 1992…that would have been something epic and awesome. I would have killed to be there but, as I was nine at the time, maybe it wouldn’t have been the best idea! I was seventeen when David Bowie headlined Glastonbury in 2000 and, thinking about it; it seems like an opportunity missed. In 1999, Bowie brought us his Hours album and, to be fair, it was not one of his best. The 1990s was not a great period for Bowie in terms of standout albums and memorable tracks so it is forgivable to overlook his 2000 set. One might have thought he’d sprinkle some new material in with a few classics but what actually happened was something else! Up until now, we have only been able to see a portion of his famous headline set. Bowie only wanted a bit to go out on T.V. and, as other artists have demanded since; it was those in the audience that actually got to see everything. The paying punters at Glastonbury were seeing this mindblowing set and, as it was 2000, it was not streamed over the Internet!
This was whilst the Internet was around but it was pre-YouTube. All people, largely, had to go by was what was portrayed on T.V. and, because of that; there has been a huge clambering for the full set on some format or other. We have been quite lucky when it comes to pre-Christmas releases. Kate Bush has remastered and released her back catalogue and will bring us a lyrics book. There have been great music books elsewhere and there is plenty more to come. If you have already ordered socks and chocolates as last-minute – or rather inexpensive – Christmas ideas then you can hold the phone! Finally, for the first time, the full headline set is available across a couple of formats. Here are the details of the songs and magic that one can get their hands on:
“Not only the greatest Glastonbury headline performance but the best headline slot at any festival ever” NME
All formats feature Life On Mars?, Changes, Let's Dance, Under Pressure, “Heroes”, Fame, China Girl, Ashes To Ashes, Ziggy Stardust, Rebel Rebel, Station To Station, Golden Years, Absolute Beginners and many more.
2nd October 2018 London: Parlophone Records in association with BBC Studios and Glastonbury Festivals Ltd. are proud to announce DAVID BOWIE ‘GLASTONBURY 2000’ on 2CD/DVD, 3LP, 2CD and standard and high resolution digital formats documenting Bowie’s legendary Sunday night headline performance on 25th June at the most famous festival on earth...
The package includes the full 21 song greatest hits set and for the first time, a DVD of the entire show (only 37 minutes of which has ever been broadcast on TV) including the Glastonbury performance of ‘Heroes’, a highlight of the record breaking ‘David Bowie Is…’ exhibition and the only track that has been previously released.
All formats feature David’s diary, originally written for Time Out, which documents him preparing for the show in his own inimitable manner:
“As of 1990 I got through the rest of the 20th century without having to do a big hits show. Yes, yes, I know I did four or five hits on the later shows but I held out pretty well I thought…big, well known songs will litter the field at Glastonbury this year. Well, with a couple of quirks of course”.
In addition to newly mastered audio and upgraded video DAVID BOWIE ‘GLASTONBURY 2000’ features new artwork from Jonathan Barnbrook (who worked with Bowie on the sleeves for Heathen, The Next Day & ★) and notes from the renowned author and Bowie fan Caitlin Moran who reviewed the show for The Times.
The package features photos of Bowie resplendently dressed in a 3/4 length one-of-a-kind Alexander McQueen frock coat, the pattern of which was made to echo the hat (the famous ‘bipperty-bopperty hat’ mentioned in the song Queen Bitch) and worn by David at his Glastonbury Fayre debut in 1971...
Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis commented “I often get asked what the best set I've seen here at Glastonbury is, and Bowie's 2000 performance is always one which I think of first. It was spellbinding; he had an absolutely enormous crowd transfixed. I think Bowie had a very deep relationship with Worthy Farm and he told some wonderful stories about his first time at the Festival in 1971, when he stayed at the farmhouse and performed at 6am as the sun was rising. And he just played the perfect headline set. It really was a very special and emotional show”.
Emily’s father Michael, the founder of the festival who first met David at Glastonbury in 1971 said “He’s one of the three greatest of all-time: Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and David Bowie”.
We get to behold this great package where we get fan notes from Caitlin Moran and some beautiful artwork. When you have the time – and I suggest getting the vinyl version of Bowie’s 2000 masterpiece – you get to hear all his classics belted to an adoring audience. China Girl and Changes rubs shoulders with Ashes to Ashes and Little Wonder; Fame and Starman are in there too! In fact, it is a bonanza of Bowie classics and great interaction with the crowd. Bowie tells how it (2000) is the first time he has played Glastonbury since the 1970s and a true moment, at a rather interesting stage of his career, where he gets to play all the hits.
I have mentioned how 2000 was not his richest period and one would imagine, if he were still alive, he would be a sure-fire bet for next year’s Glastonbury. It is a tragedy we will not get to hear Bowie play songs from Blackstar (2016) alongside all those monster gems. The great man died in January of 2016 and, in a matter of weeks, we mark three years since his passing. It is with mixed emotions and a slight tear that one listens to Bowie having a ball; on the biggest musical stage and vibing from the incredible energy that evening. I would any forking over forty-four quid – as priced by Amazon.co.uk – is the bargain of the decade when it comes to a priceless bit of history. Years from now, you will be listening to the album and hearing this incredible, spine-tingling set! We all know how majestic David Bowie was as a performer and I am not surprised his 2000 headline set has made the history books. There is debate and conversation when one thinks about the ‘best’ Glastonbury headline set. To me, it comes down to Bowie’s 2000 set and Radiohead’s legendary 1997 appearance. Radiohead had released OK Computer and it was a pivotal time in their career. The sheer energy, mood and magic that was created is hard to top. I think Michael Eavis says it is his favourite-ever Glastonbury headliners and many fans agree.
This article collates the very best and puts David Bowie’s headline set at number-three:
“Here’s a great yarn, reported by Music Week: according to promoter John Giddins, who worked on David Bowie’s Glass Spider tour, Michael Eavis originally didn’t want the star to perform at Glastonbury, having described his recent drum 'n' bass tour as “the most boring thing he had ever seen”. In a cunning ruse, Gidding ‘leaked’ information to the press that Glastonbury was desperate to book Bowie and Eavis’s phone exploded with excitable phone calls. He swiftly did an about-turn and the resulting show – Bowie’s first at the festival since a low-key appearance in 1971 – was a greatest hits stomper that packed in the likes of Rebel Rebel, Starman, Changes and, of course, Heroes”.
This piece/publication included Bowie in their top-twenty and another, here, gives another angle behind Bowie’s 2000 appearance:
“He did everything. From ‘Wild Is The Wind’ to ‘Changes’ to ‘Ashes To Ashes’ to ‘Rebel Rebel’ to ‘The Man Who Sold The World’, one by one they came – leisurely dispatched by a grinning 53-year-old man with a gorgeous blond mane and an only slightly ridiculous long coat, a nod to the outfit he wore on his previous performance at the bash in 1971. “I got struck down by laryngitis earlier this week,” he noted casually over a tinkling piano intro, “so if I give out, and if any of you know the words, then for gawd’s sake join in. I’m counting on you!”
Showmanship, songs, the element of surprise, the good-natured vibes… it’s hard to see what more one could ask from a headline set. Even as he closed with the comparative low of ‘I’m Afraid Of Americans’, the crowd went with him. They belonged to him. Glastonbury was his”.
Pulp owned the Pyramid Stage in 1995 and 1994 saw Oasis, Blur and Pulp take to the NME Stage. Look back at 1981 and New Order’s set and it is hard to match the spirited and epic tones that were produced. Ever since the 1970s, we have seen some biblical Glastonbury headliners and I guess Beyoncé’s headline slot in 2011 is the last really epic occasion – let’s hope she is invited back for next year! I doubt we will see the sort of histrionics and drama of previous years next year but you never can say. I feel the main battle of the headliners is between Radiohead in 1997 and David Bowie in 2000. It was a golden time and, if you were at either/both years, you will argue and have your own view. I attended neither (go figure) but I have heard and watched both Glastonbury sets. When it comes to Radiohead’s set; you have the charged and emotive performance that sees a band at the peak of their powers. It was a perfect moment for them to shine and, whilst big albums like Kid A (2000) would follow; the band had a huge following and the pressure was on them. At a moody and damp Glastonbury in 1997, they performed a truly sensational headline set.
If you think Radiohead were nerve-free for a relaxing and inspires set then, as the band has said, things were a little different. NME reported on their 1997 headline set – as they embarked on their second last year – and the band told the tale:
“Speaking to Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2, O’Brien recalled: “It was like a form of hell. We were doing something that was like a dream, to play the Pyramid Stage on a Saturday night, it doesn’t get better than that. [But] to find yourself in a situation whereby it felt like we were in crisis mode – the equipment failure was happening, [we were] trying to keep all members onstage, people not walking off – it was like ‘this should be a heaven but was like a kind of hell’.”
O’Brien added that their experience may have helped “galvanise” the group. Listen to the clip here.
Frontman Thom Yorke recently discussed how he came close to walking off stage during the set. Yorke spoke about how he nearly abandoned the performance during the encore because “all the speakers have been blowing up and stuff.”
“At one point I just went over to Ed [O’Brien, guitarist]. I tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘I’m off mate, see you later,'” said Yorke. “He turned around and went, ‘If you do, you’ll probably live the rest of your life regretting it’. I went, ‘Good point'”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Radiohead in 1997/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
However they were feeling whilst on stage; the results speak for themselves. Many (fairly) argue none come better than that 1997 set. I adore Radiohead but I think Bowie sneaks them. Think about the gap he left between Glastonbury appearances (nearly thirty years) and he was seamless and seemed to have no fear. The difference between the sweaty and charged Radiohead set and the old master seducing and enthralling the fans three years later is quite radical. I love how relaxed Bowie seems and how he chats with the huge crowd. Not only is the interplay and tone just so but you get decades of iconic hits. He has an embarrassment of riches to supply people with and nobody could have been disappointed. It was the perfect mix of the greatest hits and some newer material. The delivery and showmanship from Bowie is extraordinary and you only need to listen to the set – on the new release – to feel shivers and feel like you are there! It is a truly wondrous display of control, emotion and providing the absolute pinnacle headline experience. Maybe we will see a set that rivals Bowie’s 2000 one but I am not going to hold my breath! Eighteen years after he delivered this near-sermon of a performance; have we seen anything as epochal and truly unbeatable?!
IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images
I admire anyone’s viewpoint and why they love a certain Glastonbury headliners - but can you get better than Bowie gracing a lucky selection with some of the finest tracks ever written?! Radiohead might have been riding a wave and coming through at a crucial moment but the sheer breadth and quality of the material Bowie spooned to the masses in 2000, to me, makes it the defining headline slot. It is heartbreaking listening and realising we will never again see a David Bowie performance. I have been following him for years and look back at his gigs in the 1970s and compare them to the changed and different-looking man in 2000! Whether he was Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane; underneath everything, he was simple David Bowie (or David Robert Jones, to be precise!). I would have loved to have been there but having the chance to witness the full set in all its glory is a great thing. He has been gone almost three years but we are still being treated to rare material and ‘new’ offerings from David Bowie. His staggering Glastonbury set is out in the world and it makes for a perfect Christmas present. Not only that but we get to experience one of the/the best Glastonbury headline set of all-time, delivered by one of music’s true heroes. Make sure you grab a copy, block everything else away and, with a slight tear in the eye, witness a genius of music...
TRULY in his element.