Glastonbury 2024: Your ultimate guide
The 2024 year’s Glastonbury line-up has been announced… and in its 54th year the festival has gone a bit Radio 1. Or should that be Kiss? The venerable music festival – creaking into its 54th year – has decided that, with its bus pass fast approaching, it’s time to get down with the yoff.
2024’s headliners include Gen-Z-beloved disco sensation Dua Lipa, Coldplay – the bouncy golden retrievers of stadium rock – RnB singer SZA and, bringing it home on Sunday’s “legend” slot, Shania Twain. It is, as our music critic Neil McCormick puts it, more “children’s birthday party” than the bleeding edge of the rock and alternate music scene.
In fairness, it’s been this way for a while. Elton John – last year’s Sunday night headliner – brought the house down, and he’s been going strong for the past half century. Likewise, the Pyramid stage has played host to many big names, such as Stormzy, Kanye West and Billie Eilish, who might not have fitted into Michael Eavis’s original hippie-fest-in-a-cow-field vision. But que sera, sera: Glastonbury grows. Glastonbury changes. We all get a little older.
Nonetheless, if you haven’t already sold your ticket in despair, here’s what you need to know. (If you have, read on to find out where to do so.)
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When is Glastonbury?
This year’s Glastonbury festival runs from June 26-30, 2024.
But many festival goers will be arriving from the evening of Tuesday 25th to set up tents and get a head start on partying. And, of course, many will be dragging themselves bedraggled back to work in the first week of August.
Who is headlining Glastonbury?
This year, the Pyramid stage will host Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA, as well as other stars, including Little Simz, Burna Boy and PJ Harvey. It’s Dua Lipa third time at the festival – but her first on the Pyramid stage, having served her time on the smaller Other and Woodsie’s stages in 2016 and 2017; the 28-year-old British-Albanian singer just announced her third album.
SZA, meanwhile, will be making her Glastonbury debut. As of yet, she’s a relatively under-the-radar talent, though her mega-hit Kill Bill sparked a devoted UK following on its release last year. By contrast, Chris Martin’s Coldplay are old stagers: this will be their fifth Pyramid stage performance, with their first more than 20 years ago.
Nigerian star Burna Boy is probably Africa’s biggest artist – and certainly the one with most name recognition over here. His set is sure to introduce many more Brits to his winning combination of sunny Afrobeats and soulful lyricism. Little Simz is also a bona fide star: the British rapper’s fourth album won the 2022 Brit award for Best New Artist as well as that year’s Mercury prize for Best Album.
Elsewhere, on the Other stage, Glastonbury’s alternate roots will be upheld with sets by Bristolian rockers The Idlers and the kings of “sad dad” music-making, The National. Jessie Ware will be holding fort on West Holts, while James Blake and Sampha will be taking the lead on the Woodsies – formerly, John Peel – stage.
Glastonbury 2024 rumours
Prior to the official announcement, the big discussion points were whether the two Stevies – Wonder and Nicks – would appear.
But last week, it was reported that talks had broken down between Emily Eavis and Stevie Wonder over a struggle to fit in his appearance during a busy summer of shows. Similarly, late last year Madonna pulled out, reportedly over being heavy-handed in her demands. The absence of Stevie Nicks, meanwhile, is best explained by another unexpected appearance – SZA who, while undoubtedly talented, is a rather out-there choice for the main stage.
Taylor Swift was also apparently in the running, but the announcement of her third Dublin tour date ruled her out. In all fairness, she hardly needs the Pyramid stage exposure.
Where and how to watch Glastonbury at home?
As usual, the BBC will be covering the festival, broadcasting live performances on TV and radio, alongside live-streaming on iPlayer and Sounds, which will be available on-demand.
Where is Glastonbury?
The festival takes place on a dairy farm in Somerset, near the village of Pilton. Confusingly, it’s about 20 miles from Glastonbury town with its famous Tor.
The closest train station is Castle Cary.
When is Glastonbury resale?
The Glastonbury resale will be held on Thursday 18 April, 6pm and coach tickets will be available on Sunday 21 April at 9am. You will need to have registered in advance to be eligible for resale tickets.
How to travel to Glastonbury
There is on-site parking for those driving to the festival, with car sharing being encouraged by the event organisers.
National Express will be running services from 70 locations across the country directly to the Farm. For those travelling by train, there is a free shuttle-bus service to the festival from the nearest station, Castle Cary. Additionally, there are regular buses running back and forth to the farm.
For those who can cycle to the festival, this is also being encouraged by the event organisers.
How much are Glastonbury tickets?
Tickets cost ￡355 + ￡5 booking fee (plus coach fare if booking a ticket + coach travel option).
How to get Glastonbury tickets late?
If you were unlucky in the sales, you can also look into volunteering options. Search the full list of affiliated charities here – or apply through the organisation’s individual websites.
Glastonbury full line up – so far
Pyramid stage
Dua Lipa
Coldplay
SZA
Shania Twain
LCD Soundsystem
Little Simz
Burna Boy
PJ Harvey
Cyndi Lauper
Michael Kiwanuka
Janelle Monáe
Seventeen
Paul Heaton
Keane
Paloma Faith
Olivia Dean
Ayra Starr
Other stage
Idles
Disclosure
The National
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
Headie One
West Holts stage
Jungle
Jessie Ware
Justice
Heilung
Masego
Nia Archives
Danny Brown
Black Pumas
Brittany Howard
Sugababes
Nitin Sawhney
Jordan Rakei
Asha Puthli
Noname
Corinne Bailey Rae
Steel Pulse
Squid
Sofia Kourtesis
Woodsies stage
Jamie xx
Gossip
James Blake
Sampha
Sleaford Mods
Romy
Declan McKenna
Yard Act
Arlo Parks
Alvvays
Fat White Family
Blondshell
Kenya Grace
Soccer Mommy
Remi Wolf
Mannequin Pussy
Newdad
High Vis
Kneecap
The Park stage
Fontaines D.C.
Peggy Gou
London Grammar
King Krule
Orbital
Ghetts
Aurora
The Breeders
Mount Kimbie
Dexys
Lankum
Baxter Dury
This Is the Kit
Arooj Aftab
Mdou Moctar
The Mary Wallopers
Otoboke Beaver
Barry Can’t Swim
Bar Italia
Avalon Stage
Baby Queen
The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican
BC Camplight
Billie Marten
Caity Baser
The Cat Empire
Cut Capers
The Deep Blue
Elles Bailey
The Feeling
Flyte
Frank Turner
The GO! Team
Haircut 100
Kate Nash
Kingfisher
Lucy Spraggan
Lulu
The Magic Numbers
New Model Army
Old Time Sailors
The Scratch
Shaznay Lewis
Skindred
Toyah & Robert
Best UK music festivals for 2024
Acoustic Stage
The Bootleg Beatles
Scouting for Girls
Tanita Tikram
Dervish
Stornoway
Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Josh Rouse
Angie McMahon
John Smith
The Burma
Ocean Colour Scene
Ralph McTELL
Russell Crowe’s Indoor Garden Party
The Manfreds
Albert Lee
Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers
Paul Casey
Jessie Reid
Ryan McMullan
Jada Star
Gipsy Kings
Judy Collins
London Community Gospel Choir
Songwriters Arc
Bernard Butler
Michele Stodart
Grace Petrie
ETC Finalist
Frankie Archer
Toby Lee
Also announced
Honey Dijon
DJ Spen
Eliza Rose
Bonobo
Skream & Benga
Faithless
Flowerovlove
