Are these the best Glastonbury headliners of all time?

27 June 2024, 10:00

Playing the Pyramid Stage is something only the biggest bands and performers are lucky enough to do. Here's the very best of them.

By Radio X

@RadioX

1. Arctic Monkeys, 2013

   They first headlined back in 2007 but 2013 saw the Monkeys really prove their mettle on the Pyramid Stage. They opened with Do I Wanna Know, the first time the track had been played live in the UK. Now that was a moment.

   

   Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know? [HD] (Live Glastonbury 2013)

2. Radiohead, 1997

   OK Computer had only been released a month before the band played the Pyramid Stage, but this was a band at the height of their powers and they performed a spellbinding set in front of a crowd that had suffered through torrential rain. Twenty years later, the band have returned to the site of their triumph in somewhat better weather.

   

   Radiohead - Glastonbury 1997 - Creep

3. Coldplay, 2016

   Chris Martin and co have headlined the Pyramid Stage a record five times, but it was 2016's appearance that triumphed over the others - unless something tops it in 2024, of course. Flashing wristbands! Confetti cannons! Barry Gibb! Staying Alive! Michael Eavis singing My Way!

   But it was the band's heartfelt tribute to Viola Beach that hit home. The young band died in a car crash earlier in the year and Coldplay allowed them to "headline Glastonbury for one night" by covering their track Boys That Sing.

   

   Coldplay - Boys That Sing (Viola Beach Cover) HD

4. Adele, 2016

   One of the greatest British success stories of the Millennium, Adele Adkins strolled onto the Pyramid Stage like she owned the place. And she pretty much did.

   

   ADELE Set Fire To The Rain Glastonbury 2016 Full HD

5. David Bowie, 2000

   Bowie headlined the second ever Glastonbury Fayre, back in 1971. He returned in 2000, having completed his transformation into a superstar with a set that saw him embrace his back catalogue and take command of the Pyramid Stage.

   

   David Bowie - Starman - LIVE Glastonbury 2000

6. Foo Fighters, 2017

   Dave Grohl’s broken leg caused a cancellation in 2015, but the Foos returned two years later to tear down the place. Probably the most hyperactive headline set ever seen at Glastonbury, and they even covered Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie with the much-missed Taylor Hawkins on vocals.

   

   Foo Fighters - Times Like These (Live At Glastonbury Festival) | sub Español + lyrics

7. Metallica, 2014

   Was Glatonbury ready for a heavy metal headliner? The answer during Enter Sandman was a resounding yyyyyyyyeeearrrrrrrgh! (That's yes in metalspeak.)

   

   Metallica - One at Glastonbury 2014

8. Pulp, 1995

   When the Stone Roses were forced to pull out of their headline slot, the organisers gave Pulp a chance and Jarvis didn't disappoint. Great jacket too.

   

   Pulp - Sorted For E's and Wizz (Glastonbury 1995)

9. Beyonce, 2011

   Another sign of the times - as Glastonbury got bigger and more famous, US stars found the headline slot an attractive proposition. And nobody owned the stage more than the former Destiny’s Child singer when she headlined in 2011. An amazing, show-stopping performance. Showbiz finally made it to Worthy Farm.

   

   Beyoncé performs Irreplaceable | Glastonbury 2011 - BBC

10. Paul McCartney, 2004

    The Beatle legend seemed a bit out of his depth among the "Glastonburgers", but he soon pulled out ever Fabs and solo hit he could think off, which only the most cynical festival-goer could deny. The highlight was the firework spectacular during Live And Let Die.

    

    Paul McCartney - Live and Let Die (Live)