Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan set for UK fests
Breakthrough US superstars Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan will both play headline slots at major UK festivals next year.
CAA-booked Carpenter will top the bill at AEG Presents’ BST Hyde Park in London on 5 July, supported by Clairo and Beabadoobee, while Wasserman Music client Roan is one of the headliners for Festival Republic’s Reading & Leeds, alongside Travis Scott, Bring Me The Horizon and Hozier.
Carpenter joins fellow Americans Olivia Rodrigo (27 June), Zach Bryan (28-29 June) and Noah Kahan (4 July) on the BST lineup, which also features Hugh Jackman (6 July) and the farewell performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO (13 July).
Running from 21-24 August, Reading & Leeds will also feature the likes of AJ Tracey, Becky Hill, Sammy Viriji, Trippie Redd, Amyl and The Sniffers, Conan Gray, The Kooks, The Dare, Bloc Party, Enter Shikari, Wallows, Sea Girls, Mannequin Pussy, Soft Play, Lambrini Girls and DJ EZ, who are among the first 40 acts to be announced for the twin festivals.
“We’re witnessing an exciting wave of inspiring voices breaking through in pop culture, and this lineup captures that energy perfectly”
“Right now, we’re witnessing an exciting wave of inspiring voices breaking through in pop culture, and this lineup captures that energy perfectly,” says Festival Republic MD Melvin Benn. “This is one of the youngest average ages for headliners in years, and that’s very exciting in itself. We are delighted to welcome Chappell Roan’s debut, an inspiring new pop star poised to define a generation, sitting alongside one of our favourite modern songwriters, Hozier.
“We are also proud to welcome back Bring Me The Horizon, a band who have grown with us over the years to become the UK’s biggest alternative act. Add to that the massive European exclusive appearance of Travis Scott and an unrivalled selection of dance music’s biggest names, and you’ve got something truly special. It will be a genuine privilege to witness these moments, from iconic headliners to extraordinary emerging artists.”
In addition, Carpenter, 25, and Roan, 26, will both headline Primavera Sound Barcelona, with Roan also performing at other European events including Sziget in Hungary and Oya in Norway.
Glastonbury’s payments to charitable causes and campaigns in 2024 will have exceeded £5.9m by the end of the year
Meanwhile, Glastonbury Festival has revealed its payments to charitable causes and campaigns in 2024 will have exceeded £5.9 million (€7.1m) by the end of the year.
Donations included £2 million to the NHS Somerset Charity and further donations totalling £126,000 to support NHS hospitals in Bristol and nursing staff across the UK. Another £1.6m was given as payments for services such as stewarding.
The festival has also continued to support its joint charity partners – Oxfam, WaterAid and Greenpeace – and made donations to Oxfam, War Child, UNHCR and other charities.
Its Emergency Fundraiser Crowdfunder appeal, which supported people in conflict, – raised £639,000, which was matched by the festival, bringing the total to more than £1.27m to fund the work of the British Red Cross, Oxfam and War Child.
Last month, Rod Stewart became the first artist confirmed for the 2025 festival, which takes place at Worthy Farm, Somerset, from 25-29 June.
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2025 festivals: Will Smith set to debut in France
Will Smith is set to perform in France for the first time as one of the acts at next year’s Positiv Festival.
The actor and rapper will star at UNESCO World Heritage Site Théâtre Antique d’Orange (Roman Theatre of Orange) in Orange, Vaucluse, on 31 July 2025.
Meanwhile, Nile Rodgers has accidentally confirmed that he and Chic will be performing at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival in 2025.
During last week’s Rolling Stone Awards at London’s Roundhouse, the musician accepted the award for Music Icon and let slip that he was already preparing to get up to some havoc with Rod Stewart at the Worthy Farm site.
Stewart was recently confirmed for the Sunday teatime legend slot at next year’s Glastonbury – his first performance at Worthy Farm since headlining the Pyramid Stage in 2002. It appears that Rodgers and Chic will play before him.
Elsewhere, Northern Europe’s largest festival, Denmark’s Roskilde, has confirmed 25 new acts for its next edition including Olivia Rodrigo, Deftones, Jamie xx, A. G. Cook, Anoushka Shankar, Saint Levant, Lambrini Girls, Body Void, Hitech, horsegiirL, and Landless.
Roskilde’s head of music, Thomas Sønderby Jepsen, says he is “immensely proud” that the festival will be Rodrigo’s only Scandinavian stop in 2025.
Acts previously confirmed for the 53rd edition, taking place from 28 June to 5 July, include Stormzy, Arca, Fontaines D.C., Magdalena Bay, Beth Gibbons, Electric Callboy, Jessica Pratt and Geordie Greep.
Roskilde’s head of music says he is “immensely proud” that the festival will be Rodrigo’s only Scandinavian stop in 2025
Dutch festival Down The Rabbit Hole has also announced a slate of acts including Massive Attack, Sam Fender, FKA Twigs, Beth Gibbons, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Tems, Amyl and the Sniffers and Ezra Collective.
The 12th edition of the MOJO-promoted festival will return to De Groene Heuvels near Ewijk between 4–6 July.
The 2024 edition sold all 45,000 tickets within 45 minutes of going on sale last December, setting a new record for the event.
In the summer, DTRH festival director Ide Koffeman spoke to IQ about the secret to the event’s success.
Portugal’s NOS Alive has confirmed Kings Of Leon as the latest headliner for its 10–12 July 2025 event – marking the band’s first performance in the country in 12 years.
Previously announced acts include headliner Olivia Rodrigo, as well as Artemas, Benson Boone, CMAT, Future Islands, Noah Kahan, St. Vincent, The Backseat Lovers, Amyl and The Sniffers, Girl In Red, Glass Animals, Mark Ambor and The Teskey Brothers.
AEG Presents’ Forever Now has confirmed its first wave of artists including Kraftwerk, Johnny Marr, The The and Billy Idol
Kings of Leon are the second headliner confirmed for TEG Europe‘s Come Together in Newcastle on 8 June, with special guests including Courteeners, and will also headline TK Maxx presents Lytham Festival 2025, slated for 2–6 July in Lancashire, UK.
Other headliners for the Cuffe & Taylor-promoted event include Alanis Morissette, Justin Timberlake and a double bill of Simple Minds and Texas.
Kings of Leon will also top the bill at Portsmouth’s Victorious Festival (22-24 August), alongside Queens of the Stone Age and Vampire Weekend.
Elsewhere in the UK, Latitude Festival has confirmed Maribou State, Elbow, Clean Bandit, Sigrid, and Public Service Broadcasting for its 2025 instalment.
They will perform at Suffolk’s Henham Park from 24–27 July, alongside previously announced headliners Sting, Snow Patrol, Fatboy Slim, and Basement Jaxx.
AEG Presents’ new UK festival Forever Now has confirmed its first wave of artists including Kraftwerk, Johnny Marr, The The, Death Cult, Billy Idol, The Cult (FKA Death Cult), The Jesus and Mary Chain, Happy Mondays, The Damned, Public Image Ltd and The Psychedelic Furs.
Dedicated to post-punk music, fashion and literature, the gathering will feature two music stages, as well as a third stage, The Echo Chamber, hosted by music journalist John Robb.
Another new UK event, Colchester Castle Summer Series, has lined up acts including Madness, Busted, Texas and James
The inaugural edition will launch on 22 June next year and will be the UK sister event of the US festival Cruel World.
Another new UK event, Chelmsford City Live, has announced Duran Duran as its third headliner.
The band will perform at Chelmsford City Racecourse on 5 July, with support from Nile Rodgers & CHIC, with whom they collaborated with on their UK number one single The Reflex.
They join previously announced acts Justin Timberlake and Olly Murs, who will headline the 30,000-capacity series on 4 July and 6 July respectively.
The 6 July concert will be Murs’s biggest-ever hometown show and will feature support sets from Blue, Lemar and DJ Mark Wright.
Yet another new UK event, Colchester Castle Summer Series, has lined up acts including Madness, Busted, Texas, James, Craig David’s TS5 and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell.
Superstruct Entertainment’s Y Not festival has added a raft of new acts including The Prodigy, Courteeners and Madness
The 10,000-capacity open-air series will launch at Lower Castle Park in 2025, becoming Colchester’s largest-ever music series.
Soundcrash, the promoter behind events like South Facing Festival and the Margate Summer Series, are spearheading the new event in partnership with Live Nation and Supermodified.
Superstruct Entertainment’s Y Not festival has added a raft of new acts to its 2025 offering, including The Prodigy, Courteeners, Madness, The Wombats, Primal Scream, The Last Dinner Party, Franz Ferdinand, Sigrid and Annie Mac.
The UK event will take place between 31st July and 3 August at Pikehall, Derbyshire.
France’s Garorock festival will play host to Black Eyed Peas, Biga Ranx, The Black Keys, The Last Dinner Party and J Balvin at next year’s event, set for 3–6 July in Marmande.
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Festivals 2025: Rod Stewart for Glasto legend slot
Rod Stewart will play the Sunday teatime legend slot at next year’s Glastonbury – his first performance at Worthy Farm since headlining the Pyramid Stage in 2002.
The singer is the first artist confirmed for the 2025 festival, which takes place from 25-29 June.
“I’m proud, ready and more than able to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury in June,” says the 79-year-old, who recently said he will be done with “large-scale world tours” when his current run of dates is complete.
The music legend has a number of shows locked in for 2025, including North American tours in February/March, Las Vegas residencies in March and May/June, a European tour in April/May and another North American tour in July/August.
The Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza concert, meanwhile, will return on 9 August with a headline set from The Script.
Also in the UK, Charli XCX is the first headliner revealed for Parklife, set for Manchester’s Heaton Park on 14-15 June. Also unveiled are Confidence Man, Interplanetary Criminal, DJ Heartstring, KI/KI, Girls Don’t Sync, Prospa, Chaos In The CBD, Antony Szmierek, Sim0ne, Bakey, Jodie Harsh and Gina Breeze, with the full programme to be announced in January.
Charli XCX is also curating her own festival, Party Girl, as part of AEG’s new Lido Festival at London’s Victoria Park on 14 June. Guest stars will include her Brat collaborators 070 Shake, A. G. Cook, Bladee, Kelly Lee Owens, The Dare and The Japanese House.
In addition, sustainability-led festival We Love Green will return to Paris, France, from 6-8 June with an exclusive French performance from Charli XCX, who will be joined by Magdalena Bay, Parcels, Horsegiirl, Spill Tab, Kavinsky and Air, among others.
Oslo’s Øya Festival (5-9 August) will star Chappell Roan, who will perform her first concert in Norway. The event has also announced Queens of the Stone Age, Girl in Red, Khruangbin, Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg, The Mary Wallopers, Kneecap, Anna of the North, Nilüfer Yanya, MJ Lenderman and the Wind, The Impossible Green and Anna Lille.
Pinkpop will be topped by Justin Timberlake, Olivia Rodrigo and Muse
Dutch institution Pinkpop (20-22 June) in Megaland, Landgraaf, will be topped by Justin Timberlake, Olivia Rodrigo and Muse. Also on the bill are the likes of Oscar and the Wolf, The Last Dinner Party, Korn, Biffy Clyro, Weezer, Bad Nerves, Girl in Red, Kaiser Chiefs, Confidence Man, Mika, Cypress Hill, Purple Disco Machine and The Warning.
Elsewhere in the Netherlands, Paaspop will host Faithless, Loreen, Son Mieux, UB40, Joost, Frenna & the Gang, Goldband and The Kooks, among others.
Pohoda (10-12 July) in Slovakia boasts Iggy Pop, Queens of the Stone Age and Fontaines D.C., alongside acts such as JPEGMAFIA, Deadletter, JME, Joey Valence & Brae, Blondshell, Bambie Thug, BSÍ, Barcelona Gipsy BalKan Orchestra and Maruja.
Back in the UK, Kasabian, Courteeners, Nothing But Thieves and Bloc Party head Truck Festival‘s 2025 edition at Hill Farm, Oxfordshire, from 24-27 July. The Last Dinner Party, Blossoms, Franz Ferdinand, Wunderhorse, Reytons, Hard Life, CMAT, Sports Team and Natasha Bedingfield are also on the bill.
Tramlines (25-27 July) in Hillsborough Park, Sheffield, will be headed by hometown favourites Pulp, who will also curate the opening day, Reytons and Kasabian. Other acts include Spiritualized, Franz Ferdinand, The Last Dinner Party, Baxter Dury, John Grant, Rizzle Kicks, Natasha Bedingfield, Jake Bugg, The Lathums, Sigrid and CMAT.
The team behind the UK’s oldest independent festival Towersey, which came to an end this year, are planning a new chapter with the launch of a boutique event Found Festival (22-24 August) at Claydon Estate, Buckingham. Billed as a place to discover “head-turners not headliners” the soon-to-be-released programme will comprise Americana, folk, country, roots, blues and world music.
Meanwhile, new one-day festival Rock the Castle (19 July) will showcase Welsh music at Cardiff Castle, featuring Funeral For A Friend, The Blackout, Punk Rock Factory, Casey, Dream State and Kill The Lights.
And Ireland’s All Together Now (31 July-3 August) returns to Curraghmore Estate, Co. Waterford for its sixth edition, with acts including Fontaines D.C., Bicep present Chroma, CMAT, Wet Leg, Michael Kiwanuka, Leftfield, John Grant and English Teacher.
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Blockbuster tours and fests boost UK music tourism
UK music tourism increased by 33% in 2023 thanks to concerts from the likes of Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Harry Styles and Blur and festivals including Glastonbury, Boomtown and TRNSMT.
Around 19.2 million music tourists (national and international) attended live music events across the UK last year, up from 14.4 million in 2022, according to new research from UK Music.
This figure includes 1.014 million foreign music tourists (roughly in line with 1.053m in 2022) and 18.2m domestic music tourists (an increase of 36% from 2022 when the total was 13.3m).
London saw a 40% rise in music tourists from 4.9 million in 2022 to 6.9 million in 2023, while the South West saw an 86% increase from one million in 2022 to two million in 2023, and the North East enjoyed a 29% increase from 352,000 in 2022 to 489,000 in 2023.
“The UK’s thriving music industry continues to be one of our most powerful global exports”
Music tourism spending in 2023 also surged to £8 billion, a 21% increase from 2022 when the figure was £6.6bn.
That figure includes £4.2bn spent directly by music tourists attending concerts and festivals in the UK, including the cost of a ticket, on-site spend, travel, accommodation, and meals while travelling to events. A further £3.8bn was spent indirectly through the value chain, including costs such as fencing and security or a restaurant paying for ingredients.
Total employment sustained by music tourism increased too, surging 17% from 53,000 in 2022 to 62,000 in 2023.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is likely to give a further significant boost to figures for 2024, making the UK one of the global touring centres, says umbrella association UK Music.
“The UK’s thriving music industry continues to be one of our most powerful global exports and an important driver of economic growth,” says UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy.
“In towns and cities across the country, the music industry provides entertainment, employment and inspiration to millions. This government will work hard to ensure our creative industries get the support they need to flourish, driving opportunity and economic growth into every community and inspiring the next generation of performers.”
“We’re looking forward to working with the new Government to ensure that all our towns and cities have thriving music ecosystems”
Despite the growth in UK music tourism, independent festivals and grassroots music venues are still struggling with rising costs and changes in ticket-buying habits.
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) reported that 50 UK festivals have completely closed or been postponed or cancelled for 2024, while the Music Venue Trust (MVT) reports that 125 venues in 2023 either shut or stopped live music.
“While music generates huge benefits for our local areas, beyond a handful of very successful musicians the opportunities for many artists are becoming increasingly squeezed,” says UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl.
“Grassroots music venues and festivals, studios and rehearsal spaces are facing tough economic pressures and it’s vital that the music ecosystem that enables musicians and artists to perform is supported to ensure that everyone – no matter where they live – can have access to music.
“We’re looking forward to working with the new Government to ensure that all our towns and cities have thriving music ecosystems that support the growth of the industry – generating thousands more jobs, boosting economic growth and making their areas even more attractive to visitors.”
Last week, live music business organisations in the UK delivered their verdicts on the King’s Speech, which outlined the new Labour government’s legislative priorities.
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Glastonbury confirms next fallow year
Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis has praised this year’s edition as “special”, while confirming that 2026 will be a fallow year for the 140,000-cap festival.
Held from 26-30 June at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA were this year’s Pyramid Stage headliners, with Shania Twain taking the traditional Sunday “legend slot”.
Other acts included Avril Lavigne, LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Little Simz, Burna Boy, Janelle Monáe, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Kiwanuka, Camila Cabello, Seventeen, Paul Heaton, Keane, Seasick Steve, Disclosure, The National, Paloma Faith, Justice and Olivia Dean.
“I really would like to say thank you to everyone who’s made this year so special,” Eavis told the Glastonbury Free Press. “It’s got to be the best one yet. Every single one of our vast, incredible crew is crucial to making this event work. And, of course, it simply wouldn’t exist without the participation of the kind, brilliant, respectful festival-goers. I think people here show a better way to live, and that they do take a little bit of that back to the outside world with them. It honestly restores your faith in humanity.”
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s finale, she added: “I absolutely loved Dua’s set. She’s a Glastonbury-goer through and through, so she really gets it. You can bring anybody to the stage, but you can’t make them understand where they’re playing and what it means to people. So to have headliners like Dua and Coldplay – who both have such a personal connection to the event – makes all the difference.”
Coldplay won near universal acclaim for their record fifth Pyramid Stage headline performance, which saw them joined by special guests Little Simz, Femi Kuti, Victoria Canal, Laura Mvula and actor Michael J Fox. Dua Lipa’s turn was also widely praised, but SZA received a mixed response, with her set attracting a relatively sparse crowd.
“A fallow year is always a fun one to plan, because you almost have to fit two years into one”
Also on the bill were the likes of The Streets, Sugababes, Anne-Marie, Confidence Man, Jungle, Idles, D-Block Europe, Two Door Cinema Club, James, Bloc Party, Ayra Starr and – as a surprise act on the Woodsies stage – Kasabian.
The weather remained dry throughout, but certain programming decisions – including booking Avril Lavigne and the Sugababes on the smaller Other Stage and West Holts, respectively – attracted criticism after both acts attracted massive crowds. The BBC estimated Lavigne’s crowd as around 70,000 and said fans were “packed together like sardines in a crushed tin can”. There were also complaints of sound issues during some sets.
Meanwhile, Eavis has confirmed that next year’s festival will be its last until 2027, with the gathering set to take 2026 off. The event has a history of taking fallow years to allow the ground at Worthy Farm to recover, most recently taking a break in 2018, although the 2020 and 2021 festivals were cancelled due to the pandemic.
“We’re taking a fallow year in 2026 to give the land a rest, and the festival before a fallow year is always a fun one to plan, because you almost have to fit two years into one,” added Eavis. “We’re already in talks with some acts for it. It’s exciting!”
And asked what she hoped the 2024 festival stood for, Eavis responded by saying “peace”.
“This is a peace festival,” she said. “It always has been. And I think, more than ever, we need to be reminded that peace is an option.”
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Glastonbury ‘going from strength to strength’
Glastonbury Festival founder Sir Michael Eavis says the UK event is “going from strength to strength” after the doors were opened for its 38th edition yesterday.
Running from 26-30 June at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, performances on its main music stages kick off tomorrow. Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA are this year’s Pyramid Stage headliners, with further acts including LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Little Simz, Burna Boy, Janelle Monáe, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Kiwanuka, Paul Heaton, Keane, Paloma Faith, Oliva Dean, Ayra Starr and Seventeen, who will become the first K-pop act to perform on the stage. Shania Twain will occupy the coveted Sunday teatime “legend slot”.
Speaking to the Glastonbury Free Press, Eavis, who launched the now 140,000-cap festival 54 years ago, said: “It’s all going from strength to strength… you have to see everything. Get out there and explore. I recommend going around in the middle of the night. That’s the best way to catch all the exciting things that are really going on. You need to stay up until five in the morning. Then you’ll see all sorts of incredible stuff!”
The recently knighted 88-year-old highlighted the positive weather forecast and the Arcadia stage’s new dragonfly installation as reasons for cheer, as well as the new Terminal 1 venue in Williams Green.
“It’s dealing with the issue of immigration,” he said. “They’re taking the approach that we can solve it. We can be friendly to these unfortunate people in the boats. It’s demonstrating – the whole festival is, really – that you can get on with your neighbour. And they’re putting all of that into a show.
“It’s so important that this festival stands for something,” he added. “That’s the guts of the event, really. It’s why we’ve backed the CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) since 1981.”
The Other Stage, meanwhile, will be headlined by Idles, Disclosure and The National, and will also host the likes of D-Block Europe, The Streets, Two Door Cinema Club, Anne-Marie, Camila Cabello, Avril Lavigne, Bombay Bicycle Club, Bloc Party, The Last Dinner Party, Nothing but Thieves, Confidence Man and Headie One.
“We wanted to create a space that not only showcases the incredible talent within our community but also fosters a sense of belonging”
The largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world, Glastonbury will also unveil its first-ever dedicated South Asian stage this year, operated by South Asian cultural organisations, Dialled In, Daytimers and Going South.
The stage, named Arrivals, will be part of the Shangri-La area and feature the likes of Anish Kumar, Baalti, Nabihah Iqbal, Gracie T, Nikki Nair, Bobby Friction and Raji Rags. Its debut follows rising calls for greater representation of British Asian music and artists.
“We wanted to create a space that not only showcases the incredible talent within our community but also fosters a sense of belonging,” said Dialled In curator Dhruva Balram.
For the first time, the BBC will globally livestream headline Glastonbury performances, with Dua Lipa (28 June) and Coldplay’s (29 June) Pyramid Stage sets available to view on the recently relaunched BBC.com. Lipa will be making Pyramid Stage bow, while Coldplay will be headlining the festival for a record fifth time, and for the first time since 2016.
The festival’s exclusive broadcast partner is providing six weeks of build-up and coverage of Glastonbury 2024, running content from 3 June to 14 July, in its longest celebration of the festival yet.
“At the BBC, we bring Glastonbury to you, and we’re incredibly proud of our coverage,” says BBC director of music Lorna Clarke. “It enables millions of people to access the magic of Emily and Michael Eavis’ festival each year. The global streams of Dua Lipa and Coldplay’s performances are another exciting addition to our offer, allowing us not only to unite music fans across the country, but across the world with the opportunity to experience these world class performances as they happen.”
Glastonbury organiser recently told the BBC’s Sidetracked podcast that the festival is likely to to take a year off in 2026 to allow the ground to recover on the Worthy Farm site. It most recently took a fallow year in 2018, although the 2020 and 2021 festivals were cancelled due to the pandemic.
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Glastonbury could take fallow year in 2026
Glastonbury Festival is likely to take a year off in 2026, according to organiser Emily Eavis.
The event, which takes place at Worthy Farm, Somerset, has a history of taking fallow years to allow the ground to recover and most recently took a break in 2018, although the 2020 and 2021 festivals were cancelled due to the pandemic.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sidetracked podcast, Eavis said: “We are due a fallow year. The fallow year is important because it gives the land a rest, and it gives the cows a chance to stay out for longer and reclaim their land.
“I think it’s important, I think it gives everybody time to just switch off and the public as well. Then you kind of go away for a bit and it feels lovely when you come back. And I think it’s quite good not to be seen to be cashing in.”
Glastonbury dropped its full 2024 lineup last week, complete with stage times. Late additions to the 26-30 June programme include James, Tems, Femi Kuti, Seasick Steve, Jamie Webster, the Staves, the Skatalites, Jalen Ngonda, the Vaccines, Johnny Flynn, Soft Play, Rachel Chinouriri, The Zutons and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
“It’s great to see so many new features in this year’s Glastonbury app, and I hope it will enhance everyone’s experience of the festival”
Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA are this year’s Pyramid Stage headliners, with further acts including LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Little Simz, Burna Boy, Janelle Monáe, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Kiwanuka, Seventeen, Paul Heaton, Keane, Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean, Ayra Starr and Shania Twain, who will occupy the coveted Sunday teatime “legend slot”.
Vodafone has launched the new Official Glastonbury Festival App for 2024, which includes Spotify integration for the first time. Fans will be able to link their Spotify account to the app, which will provide them with personalised recommendations on artists performing at the festival based on their listening habits.
When connecting to their Spotify, users will be served with their top 10 artists from the bill, in addition to a wider selection of recommendations via the Discover More option.
The app also includes several major upgrades to the Line-up feature, offering the ability for fans to pin their favourite stages to the top, show performances grouped by stage, as well as Map Pinning, which lets festivalgoers drop pins anywhere on their festival map and share them with their friends.
“It’s great to see so many new features in this year’s Glastonbury app, and I hope it will enhance everyone’s experience of the festival, whether they’re watching at home or joining us at the farm,” adds Eavis.
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Festivals update: Rock en Seine, Roskilde, Open’er
Some of Europe’s biggest festivals have added to their lineups as the 2024 summer season gets underway.
Notable events taking place across the continent this weekend include Best Kept Secret in the Netherlands, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Germany, Primavera Porto in Portugal, Sweden Rock Festival, Orange Warsaw Festival in Poland and Parklife in the UK.
Meanwhile, France’s Rock en Seine, which is set for 21-25 August at Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, outside Paris, has announced 38 new acts, joining headliners Lana Del Rey, Fred again.., LCD Soundsystem, Måneskin, Massive Attack, PJ Harvey, The Offspring and The Smile.
Del Rey, who headlines the opening night, will top a 100% female line-up, supported by Rori, Towa Bird and Pomme. Other fresh additions include Kae Tempest, Venna, Sofie Royer, CVC, Joy (Anonymous), Loverman, New West, Rachel Chinouriri, Nell Mescal, BINA, Soft Launch, Monobloc, Vox Low and Yoa.
Also featuring are Durry, Emily Jeffri, Aili, Dynamite Shakers, Martha Da’ro, The Scratch, Astral Bakers, Merryn Jeann, Rallye, Dog Park, Madam, Nina Versyp, Clara Kimera, 135, Please, Geagea, Menades, Past Life Romeo, Bada-Bada, Lisa Ducasse and Joe la panic.
Elsewhere, there has been a change at the top at Denmark’s Roskilde, which runs from 29 June to 6 July, with Charli XCX stepping in to replace Kali Uchis on 5 July. SZA, Doja Cat, Foo Fighters, J Hus, PinkPantheress, 21 Savage and Skrillex are among this year’s headliners.
“Charli XCX sets new standards for hyperpop, and we are pleased to add an international name of such high calibre”
“Charli XCX sets new standards for hyperpop, and we are pleased to add an international name of such high calibre,” says Roskilde programme director Anders Wahrén.
Charli XCX has also joined the bill at Poland’s Open’er alongside Don Toliver and Hozier, who has been confirmed as the 3-6 July event’s final headliner. Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa and Doja Cat also top the lineup, with other acts including Måneskin, Disclosure, Ashnikko, 21 Savage, Ice Spice, Air, Loyle Carner, Michael Kiwanuka, Floating Points, Kim Gordon, Tom Morello, Sampha and Slowdive.
Croatia’s biggest open-air music festival InMusic, which was forced to cancel last year’s edition, has released the full lineup for its 2024 return from 24-26 June. The Zagreb event will be topped by The National, Hozier, Paolo Nutini and the Smashing Pumpkins. Also set to perform are Röyksopp, Gossip, Viagra Boys, Dogstar, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Gaslight Anthem, Squid and Sleaford Mods, among others.
The legendary Montreux Jazz Festival has unveiled the free programme for its 58th edition, which will take place on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, between 5-20 July 2024.
With more than 500 activities on 15 stages, the free programme is largely dedicated to promoting emerging artists and represents more than 80% of the festival’s total offering. Highlight include Kenya Grace, Good Neighbours, Sid Sriram, Marcel Dettman, Jazzbois, Venna, Dargz, Elmiene and Black Coffee.
“After careful consideration and evaluation of various factors, we have decided that this is the right time to close this chapter”
In addition, daily workshops will include members of Deep Purple and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason sharing their memories of Montreux in the 70s, as well as jazz artists such as Lakecia Benjamin, Faraj Suleiman and Roni Kaspi, while a workshop and four events will be dedicated to iconic French artist Serge Gainsbourg on 14 July.
The free events will run alongside the main festival lineup, which will star the likes of Raye, Sting, Massive Attack, Kraftwerk, Janelle Monáe, PJ Harvey, Smashing Pumpkins, Jungle, Duran Duran, Rag’n’Bone Man, Yussef Dayes, André 3000 and Alice Cooper.
Also in Switzerland, hip-hop festival Openair Frauenfield, scheduled for 11-13 July, will feature acts including Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Offset, Don Toliver, Apache 207, Gunna, Ice Spice, Skepta, Shirin David and D-Block Europe.
However, Weihern Openair has come to an end after 10 years. The Swiss festival traditionally took place in St Gallen in mid-September, after the main season.
“This decision was not easy for us, but after careful consideration and evaluation of various factors, we have decided that this is the right time to close this chapter,” says a statement.
Glastonbury has dropped its full 2024 lineup, complete with stage times
The association behind the event had reportedly run into deficits over the past two years due to declining visitor numbers.
“One of the main reasons is that at the end of the festival season we were unable to motivate enough people or visitors to come to the Weihern to enjoy music,” says Kajo Bischof, organising committee member of the Weihern Openair Association, as per FM1 Today. “We noticed that the demand to go to festivals at this time of year has dropped significantly.”
Plus, the UK’s Glastonbury festival has dropped its full 2024 lineup, complete with stage times. Late additions to the 26-30 June programme include James, Tems, Femi Kuti, Seasick Steve, Jamie Webster, the Staves, the Skatalites, Jalen Ngonda, the Vaccines, Johnny Flynn, Soft Play, Rachel Chinouriri, The Zutons and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA are this year’s Pyramid Stage headliners.
Lastly, London concert series BST Hyde Park has fleshed out this year’s supporting cast, with Hans Zimmer, Seal, Zucchero, Katherine Jenkins and Matteo Bocelli joining headliner Andrea Bocelli on 5 July.
In addition, Gary Clark Jr, Cannons, Somebody’s Child, Red Rum Club, Keo, The Meffs, Daydreamers and Nieve Ella bolster Kings of Leon’s 30 June show with previously announced special guests Paolo Nutini and The Vaccines. Plus, MARINA, Anitta and ALTÉGO will perform before Kylie Minogue’s headline set on 13 July, and Maisie Peters, Alec Benjamin, NMIXX, and KIRE will support Stray Kids on 14 July.
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BBC plans longest Glastonbury celebration yet
The BBC is to provide six weeks of build-up and coverage of Glastonbury 2024 in its longest celebration of the festival yet.
The festival’s exclusive broadcast partner has announced it will run content from 3 June to 14 July across TV, BBC iPlayer, radio and BBC Sounds.
New additions for this year include Glastonbury Channel II, BBC iPlayer’s new companion stream to The Glastonbury Channel Live, which will round-up highlights from each day of the festival. Plus, BBC Sounds’ Sidetracked will present a series of weekly Glastonbury specials ahead of the festival, as well as a bonus episode after the event, while Dua Lipa, Coldplay and others will share their Glastonbury stories with viewers in new 30-minute specials for BBC Two.
Coldplay, Dua Lipa and SZA will headline Glastonbury’s 2024 edition, which will take place at Worthy Farm, Somerset, from 26-30 June.
“The BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury is one of the biggest jewels in the BBC’s pop crown and we’re evolving our programming to bring audiences many ways to enjoy the festival across our platforms – it’s their Glastonbury on the BBC.” says BBC director of music Lorna Clarke.
“We’re incredibly proud of our ongoing partnership with the BBC and always look forward to hearing about the exciting developments in their coverage each year”
“This year will see the debut of Glastonbury Channel II, a welcome addition to our multiple BBC iPlayer streams, giving viewers a rolling round-up of the key moments from each day. We’re also proud that for the second year, Pyramid Stage – Signed returns, with performances from Glastonbury’s most iconic stage in British Sign Language, bringing the Glastonbury experience closer to all viewers.
“This is in addition to over 90 hours of live performances from the five main stages on BBC iPlayer, extensive coverage on TV, 90 hours of radio broadcasts live from the festival, plus much more to discover on BBC Sounds – including Sidetracked by Glastonbury, presented by Annie Macmanus and Nick Grimshaw, which will also be available on BBC iPlayer from the first week of June.”
Shania Twain will occupy the coveted Sunday teatime “legend slot” at this year’s festival, which will also include the likes of LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Little Simz, Burna Boy, Janelle Monáe, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Kiwanuka and Seventeen, who will become the first K-pop act to perform on the Pyramid Stage.
“We’re incredibly proud of our ongoing partnership with the BBC and always look forward to hearing about the exciting developments in their coverage each year,” adds Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis. “I’d like to thank Lorna Clarke, Alison Howe and their team for celebrating our festival so brilliantly and for sharing the special spirit of Glastonbury with an audience far beyond these fields. We’re so looking forward to welcoming them back to Worthy Farm in June.”
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Festivals ’24 update: Glastonbury, Primavera, Flow
As the 2024 festival season draws closer, a host of leading events have offered updates on what’s in store this summer.
Glastonbury, which will be headlined by Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA, has begun releasing its full lineup, stage-by-stage.
This week, it unveiled the bill for The Glade, including live performances from Faithless, Goldie, D:REAM, Eva Lazarus, Nubiyan Twist, K-Klass, Henge and Afriquoi, alongside DJ sets from Fatboy Slim, Camelphat, Layla Benitez, Groove Armada, Gok Wan, Carlita, Chris Stussy, Mall Grab and Desiree.
Set for Worthy Farm, Somerset, from 26-30 June, the UK festival, whose founder Michael Eavis received a knighthood for services to charity and music at Windsor Castle yesterday (23 April), sold out its final resale – comprising a “very limited” number of tickets for which the balance was not paid – in 22 minutes on Sunday. Remaining coach packages were snapped up in just 18 minutes three days earlier.
In addition, Amazon Music has announced it will return to Barcelona for a third year to exclusively livestream select performances from the 22nd edition of Primavera Sound from 30 May-1 June at Parc del Forum. The streaming service will provide access to a weekend full of live music on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channels on Twitch.
The festival will be broadcast in both Spanish and English across two channels of original content, and a third channel which will be simulcast with subtitles, from 6.30pm BST each day. Acts will include Pulp, Vampire Weekend, Justice, Lana Del Rey, The National, Disclosure, SZA, PJ Harvey, Mitski, FKA Twigs and Charli XCX. New for 2024, Amazon Music has also created an exclusive viewing deck overlooking the Amazon Music Stage.
“The public will have the opportunity to experience an incredible journey through music”
Elsewhere, the latest additions to Rock in Rio Brazil’s 40th anniversary, slated for 13-15 & 19-22 September, include James, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Penélope and Pato Fu. The artists will perform on 14 September, which will be headlined by NX Zero.
“It will be a day for varied tastes on the Sunset Stage. Pop rock, blues, indie rock and emo rock will set the tone for the space’s curated narrative on this date,” says Zé Ricardo, artistic VP of Rock World, the company behind Rock in Rio and The Town.
“The public will have the opportunity to experience an incredible journey through music, from the emotional return of the band Penélope alongside Pato Fu, to the energy and powerful sound of Kingfish’s blues. We will also go through James’ greatest hits, who is a true alternative rock institution, and close the night with a wonderful show full of NX Zero hits. It will be an unforgettable day.”
Elsewhere, the third wave of acts for Flow Festival Helsinki‘s 20th anniversary features Halsey, Janelle Monáe, Vince Staples, Auruora, Barry Can’t Swim, Amaarae and Yves Tumor, who join a lineup headed by Fred Again.., Raye, Pulp, Idles, The Smile and PJ Harvey from 9-11 August.
Pitchfork Music Festival London, scheduled for 5-10 November, has released the first wave of artists set to perform throughout the week, including Tierra Whack, Arooj Aftab, CASISDEAD, Sega Bodega, Kae Tempest, Empress Of, Billy Woods, Moor Mother, Drugdealer, Snow Strippers, Shame, Marika Hackman, Pom Pom Squad, Friko and Chanel Beads.
EFG London Jazz Festival has also announced the first names for its 2024 edition, set to take place from 15-24 November. Performers will include the likes of Pat Metheny, Anouar Brahem, the LSO x Cassie Kinoshi’s seed., Jazz Voice, Marisa Monte, Rumer, Jamie Cullum, Dawn Richard x Spencer Zahn, Veronica Swift and Robert Glasper across various London venues.
“We are very excited to return with the 32nd edition of the EFG London Jazz Festival once again presenting a diverse lineup of brilliant artists, projects and exciting performances showcasing the dynamism and creativity of the music we love,” says festival director Pelin Opcin. “This first lineup announcement is only a portion of the festival and the overall programme will continue being the platform for creative music, new work, unique collaborations and showcasing the strength of UK’s jazz community.”
“The epic scale and quality of product C3 produces will elevate our entire music landscape”
Plus, Festival2Funky, the annual three-day celebration of Black music and arts, returns for its 11th year across 24-26 May in Leicester’s West End, topped by Lady Leshurr, Natasha Watts, Pressure Busspipe, The Beatnuts, Children of Zeus and DJ Day Day.
“We are delighted to be bringing Festival2Funky back for its 11th outing and are proud to present a diverse and inclusive festival with cross-genre collaborations, experimental fusions, a vibrant network of artists, and dedicated LGBTQIA+ event,” says Vijay Mistry, MD of 2Funky Arts. “There are events for all ages and interests, from those familiar with the music scene to those who want to learn and discover something new. It’s a great opportunity to see some world-class artists whilst supporting new and emerging talent in the area.”
And Dot To Dot Festival has released the third wave of artists for this year’s lineup with 28 new names for the multi-city event in Bristol and Nottingham on 25-26 May, respectively. The artists include Len, Saya Gray and Charlotte Plank, who are set to join festival headliners Jockstrap and Wunderhorse, alongside the likes of The Magic Gang, Antony Szmierek, The Bug Club, Hovvdy, Infinity Song, Jgrrey, Panic Shack and Picture Parlour.
In the US, meanwhile, Huntsville, Alabama will welcome the inaugural South Star Festival to John Hunt Park on 28-29 September. The event featuring 20 artists across two stages, with headliners Blink-182 and Gwen Stefani alongside Shinedown, Beck, Jane’s Addiction, Sublime, Goo Goo Dolls, Jimmy Eat World, TLC, Ludacris, Juvenile and the 400 Degreez Band, Big Boi, Gin Blossoms, Pete Yorn, Candlebox, Vanessa Carlton, Winona Fighter, Bully, Dexter & Moonrocks, and Billy Allen + The Pollies.
“The fact that C3 Presents is jumping headfirst into the development of our music ecosystem and the investment they’re making into Huntsville speaks volumes about our current reputation and trajectory towards being a world class music city,” says City of Huntsville music officer Matt Mandrella. “Year one of the South Star Festival boasts a mind-blowing array of superstar talent that is sure to appeal to a broad audience and inject millions of dollars into our local economy.
“The epic scale and quality of product C3 produces will elevate our entire music landscape. Artists talk to each other about their experiences, and it’s obvious these artists have all heard good things about Huntsville.”
“We get to programme a festival that is not only multigenerational but shows an incredible range of genres and musical subcultures”
Now in its 16th year, San Francisco’s Outside Lands, the largest independently owned festival in the United States, is slated for Golden Gate Park between August 9-11. Produced by Another Planet Entertainment and Superfly, its 2024 headliners include Tyler, The Creator, The Killers, Sturgill Simpson and Post Malone.
Other artists include The Postal Service, Grace Jones, KAYTRANADA, JUNGLE, Snoh Aalegra, Gryffin, Young The Giant, ScHoolboy Q, Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp, Victoria Monét and The Last Dinner Party.
“Every year we start with a blank canvas and because of the diverse and sophisticated palette of Bay Area music fans, we get to programme a festival that is not only multigenerational but shows an incredible range of genres and musical subcultures,” says Allen Scott, co-founder of Outside Lands and head of concerts and festivals at Another Planet Entertainment.
Finally, Brunch Electronik will launch its debut American edition at Exposition Park in Los Angeles on 6 July. Acts include DJ Harvey, Maya Jane Coles, Colyn, Will Clarke, Stavroz, and Manics. Brunch Los Angeles will be held in partnership with LA-based underground event collectives Minimal Effort and SBCLTR.
Established in 2013 as a Sunday afternoon weekly party in Barcelona, Brunch Electronik has since hosted events in cities such as Madrid, Paris, Lisbon, Lima and São Paulo, as well as launching its debut festival in Barcelona last year.
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