FEATURE:
Deemed to Be Worthy
IN THIS PHOTO: Eminem
Who Might Headline Glastonbury 2025?
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I know that I…
IN THIS PHOTO: Charli XCX/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
always do a pun around Worthy Farm (where it is held) for Glastonbury features, as I am not really sure what to title them! In this feature, I am thinking about the acts that may headline in 2025. It is not long until we find out who will be performing at Glastonbury next June (25th-29th). Last year was a big one in terms of the headliners. We had Dua Lipa, SZA and Coldplay. It as rare to get any female headliners, let alone two. This is the thing about Glastonbury. In over fifty years, it has ignored women as headliners. No year has had more than one, until we got to 2024. If you count the total headliners, women are vastly overlooked. Organiser Emily Eavis said she wanted to tackle and address this, though it is a case of instantly reversing the male bias. Last year proved there are women who can headline. That was also the case in 2023, though potential headliners like Lana Del Rey were lower down the bill. It is a sorry state. However, let’s hope that last year’s female headliners suggested we no longer had to endure all-male acts. It is very boring and depressing having men dominate the headline slots. However, I am hopeful that 2025 will see more women headline. I believe next year is the last one before a fallow year. Glastonbury will not happen in 2026, to allow their fields and site to recover and rest. Others are already speculating who might headline next year. I think last year’s headliners were good. Coldplay seemed quite an obvious and rather uninspired choice. It is a shame that Glastonbury could not do an all-female line-up and put someone fresher in that spot. Dua Lipa and SZA performed incredible sets, though there were some who were critical.
It does seem that there is a shoo-in for headliner. In June, she is playing at Primavera Sound. Charli XCX might also be available to headline Glastonbury. I think it is hugely likely that she will headline the festival. Having released BRAT earlier in the year, it seems there is a huge demand to bring that to Glastonbury. One of the highest-rated albums of the year, she is dominating Pop right now. I know there would be a massive demand and cheer. She would be an awesome and captivating headliner. I would be very shocked if Charli XCX has not been booked in one of the slots. Maybe as the Saturday night headliner. It leaves two other slots. There are sites like this that predict some of the artists who might be in the running to headline. I think that there will be one band who will headline. It would be unusual to have three solo acts. In terms of possibilities, one hopes that it will be someone other than Coldplay or Foo Fighters or anything that predictable. As they have just released one of the best albums of their career, Songs of a Lost World, who would bet against The Cure headlining?! There is nothing in their diary that would preclude them from appearing at Glastonbury in June. That would be a massively popular booking. Although I personally would not want them to headline – as I think Nick Cave’s attitudes towards the genocide in Palestine is worrying -, Maybe Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds seems like another possibility. Offering a contrast to Charli XCX., perhaps a Sunday night headline slot would suit them. I don’t think Glastonbury will be bold and brave enough to have an all-female line-up, so there will be two female acts at most. Many have speculated how Olivia Rodrigo could headline. Having released one of the best albums of 2023 with GUTS, that is not out of the question. Perhaps another modern Pop titan, Sabrina Carpenter?! She is definitely on the rise and is also booked to headline Primavera Sound 2025. Chappell Roan is also headlining Primavera Sound. They are a festival who are progressive and have no issue finding women to headline. Glastonbury should definitely consider Chappell Roan.
IN THIS PHOTO: Sabrina Carpenter
In terms of a legend who might fill the other headline slot, Oasis have shot that down. They are not available. I don’t think it is evasiveness. They are busy preparing for your dates next year. Also, as great as it would be to have Madonna headlining, I am think it is a long shot. Maybe we will have a legend like Bruce Springsteen headline. However, I get the feeling that there will be a younger line-up for Glastonbury 2025. In terms of bands, what about Fontaines D.C.? As we have the Legends slot, opening up the headline slots to newer acts would be a pretty good move. I would love to see Charli XCX and Olivia Rodrigo headline. It seems like there is a name that is a strong frontrunner. Eminem has apparently been in talks to headline already. I guess that would make a degree of sense. He has not headlined before and would provide a thrilling set. Maybe not popular with everyone, it would provide something alternative and edgy. Charli XCX could bring her own brand of edge and, alongside Eminem, it would definitely be an interesting and varied festival! I know Taylor Swift was supposedly booked or in the frame to headline Glastonbury last year but she had scheduling conflicts. I think she is very unlikely to headline next year. In terms of cost, she would be very expensive. I am not sure whether a festival is what she wants to do. I am not sure what her diary looks like for next year. She has been busy with the Eras Tour. However, if Glastonbury could secure a good deal, maybe it is not out of the question. I said in another feature how it would be wonderful for Spice Girls to reform. They are unlikely to owing to disagreements and disputes between Mel B and Geri Halliwell-Horner. It seems that they might not be able to heal the rift, though it would be perfect having Spice Girls in the Legends slot! I know Billy Joel is a name that has been thrown around. I think a Spice Girls reunion for Glastonbury 2025 would be a huge booking. That would get a massive reaction! The Legends slot is one that could go any way. I have seen names like Cher thrown around. She would be great. Last year, Shania Twain booked in that slot.
IN THIS PHOTO: Spice Girls backstage at the BRIT Awards in February 1997. PHOTO CREDIT: Ray Burmiston/Avalon/Getty
Others in the running for a headline slot or Legends space are Harry Styles and Sam Fender. I have also seen Stevie Wonder talked about. Even though she was not a headliner last year, it would be awesome seeing Little Simz booked as one of the headliners. Perhaps a Legends slot for a Hip-Hop group such as Public Enemy or someone completely unexpected. You can never truly predict who might be booked for the slots. I think the only sure bet is Charli XCX. It would be a massive oversight if she was not confirmed as a headliner. My ideal line-up would be The Cure on the Friday night. Charli XCX then does the Saturday headliner, and she could then be followed by Olivia Rodrigo for the Sunday night closing headline slot. Have either Spice Girls or Billy Joel in the Legends slot. That would call into question a lack of racial diversity in the headline spaces. I do think Glastonbury will book a Black artist to headline, as they are aware of ensuring that there is that representation and diversity. As they have made small steps regarding female representation, let’s hope at least one woman is booked to headline. In terms of the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community, that is an area that has been represented but could do more – Elton John headlined Glastonbury in 2022. I think that Eminem is probably another safe bet, so perhaps he would take the place of Olivia Rodrigo. That would give us two male headliner. That would definitely be a step backwards in that sense. I think the Legend slot should go to a woman. Though you can’t bet against a band like Pet Shop Boys getting that call. Who knows. Tickets go on sale in a matter of days, so it will not be long until we see who is headlining. Maybe that first headliner announced. Will it be Charli XCX? Eminem? The Cure? Perhaps a long shot like Spice Girls, Taylor Swift or even Sam Fender. It is a great guessing game. After last year’s incredible headline sets, there is pressure to keep that quality high. The rumours and speculation have already started, so it will be fantastic to know exactly who will headline Glastonbury…
NEXT year.