Janet Jackson, The Cure and The Killers will headline as the festival returns to Worthy Farm.
Glastonbury have revealed the first wave of acts set to appear at the long-standing festival in 2019.
Returning to Worthy Farm in June following the festival’s fallow year, The Killers and The Cure will join the previously announced Stormzy as headliners of the Pyramid stage across three days.
Also featuring high on the bill are the likes of Janet Jackson, Tame Impala, Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang Clan and Janelle Monae.
Elsewhere, Pond, Fat White Family and slowthai join the lineup to perform sets in support of new albums arriving in 2019.
The first artist reveal validates the festival’s recently vocalised efforts to achieve gender parity as 42% of those announced are female.
View the full lineup to date above and read our summarisation of why you shouldn’t miss the festival as it makes its triumphant return to Somerset in June below.
3. Contemporary jazz will be represented in a big way.
American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington is a force to be reckoned with. In addition to two sprawling major label releases, his credits include collaborations with Thundercat, Flying Lotus and mostly notably Kendrick Lamar whose socially and politically conscious 2015 album To Pimp A Butterfly featured a number of string and horn arrangements from the sax titan. Elsewhere, London’s vehement jazz scene will be represented by the propulsive rhythms of Sons of Kemet and psychedelic soul explorations of The Comet Is Coming.
2. Wu-Tang Clan’s appearance aligns with the 25th anniversary of their seminal debut album.
2018 marked the 25th anniversary of Staten Island hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan’s seminal debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). To celebrate the milestone RZA and co. have been performing internationally and with the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s son in tow to assume his father’s position, the group’s on-stage chemistry has become its most fervent in recent years.
1. Janet Jackson’s appearance marks her Glastonbury debut and furthermore, her first UK performance in eight years.
The reveal of R&B luminary Janet Jackson’s appearance pricked many ears across the country including our own. Not only does her appearance mark her Glastonbury debut, but also her first live date in the UK in eight years. With over fifteen UK top 10 singles to her name including ‘All For You’, ‘Any Time, Any Place’ and ‘Got ’til It’s Gone’, her set is sure to be one of the most memorable of the weekend.
More acts will be announced as the festival – which takes place between June 26th and 30th – draws closer. Artists speculated to join the lineup in future announcements include Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Mac DeMarco and Foals.
All tickets for the festival sold out within 30 minutes of general release, however there will be a resale for unwanted tickets in Spring. Stay updated on all information regarding the festival through Glastonbury’s official website.
Words by Sam Wilkinson.
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Fruit and Grooves Collective 