I was so excited to get my ticket back in November, for only my second ever visit to the festival (my first being over 20 years ago). Going on my own, so have complete freedom to wander around to my heart’s content. But oh dear, the line-up. There’s *no one* I want to see. Just a load of uninspiring or totally unfamiliar names.
Actually that’s not quite true – I have a handful of acts in my itinerary, but it’s slim pickings over four days. And yes, yes, I know the joy of Glastonbury is in stumbling upon bands rather than seeking them out, but it would be nice to seek at least a few.
Anyway, below are the acts I DO plan to see, to give you an idea of my tastes.
The Bootleg Beatles
Bernard Butler
Haircut 100
The Feeling
Arooj Aftab
The Go! Team
Two Door Cinema Club
Jamie XX
I like melodies and big choruses. Not a huge folk fan but can manage it in small doses. Vaguely metallic I can dig, provided you can sing and dance to it. Not keen on long guitar solos.
Who should I add? Or – regardless of my tastes – who would YOU see?
https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/glastonbury-2024-line-up-so-far/
Baby Queen is on the Avalon Stage just before the Go! Team (*runs off cackling to self*)..
Off piste, but how must Jacqui Abbott feel? Heaton and Abbott, who had a record out to some acclaim, couldn’t get near any of the tv stages, but PH sans Jacqui and sans album? – this way to the Pyramid Stage sir!
Not seen the like since Bjork left Einar behind at the petrol station..
How well you express the end of the Sugarcubes ,Sewer.
But that’s a little unfair on Paul. I’m sure she’d be there with him if she was well and able to sing.
Oh man, you’re not going to tell me she’s unwell. Is my light-hearted remark going to bite me in the ass?
Sorry @Sewer Robot. I had no intention to create dismay and disaster,
I may be completely wrong on this but the last time I read about this wonderful duo , she was having some problems with her voice.
https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/23481965.jacqui-abbott-pulls-paul-heaton-summer-shows/
I hope she makes a thorough recovery soon.
Strong rumour that Bodger & Badger are playing The Kidz Field.
Professor Elemental at The Big Top.
I am glad to see that Arooj Aftab is on your list. She is wonderfully charismatic.
I’m curious who will be in her band.
I hope to catch when she comes to Uppsala in August.
If you enjoy a big, exciting show, I would go and see Burna Boy on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday. I saw him on the Orange Stage at Roskilde and the crowd were going bonkers.
Lots of dancers, musicians and charisma by the bucketload.
Prepare for disappointment and sore legs.
Something my ex wife said frequently.
Here’s a combo who are playing at Glastonbury.
I’m really looking forward to seeing them at Roskilde in July.
As we all know, the AW is full of keen dancers, so Jungle’s videos always go down a treat here.
I’m at the point where I’ve heard of less and less so I would choose a spot away from the main stage for a couple of hours and see who turns up. But I would def make an effort for Yard Act I predict they will steal the show. Sleaford Mods and Billy no Mates too. The latter will get a massive welcome given recent issues and should be a great atmos.
I realise that makes me a total lad. Chuck in the Manfreds and a couple of Namibian bongo orchestras so you’ll be able to tailor your post Glastonbury conversation with a maximum number of your mates.
Whatever you do, don’t miss the Bootles – I’ve seen them at Glastonbury myself and they will bring a huge smile to your face and delight to your ears. I highly recommend that you circle their name on your programme with red ink and make darn sure to be there. If the sun shines too, as it did for me, you’ll remember their performance for a very long time and wonder and grin at the splendidness of it all.
I share your lack of enthusiasm for the list of performers, but bow to the inevitability of it, given that I first went to the festival before the average Glasto-goer’s parents were born.
Plenty of female dancey pop if that does it for you. It does it for me. I think Avlvays are worth catching with their shoegazey groove. Also Michael Kiwanuka with his rocking soul. Romy and Jamie xx will very much ensure a good time.
Some great tips there @Diddley Farquar. I’d never heard of Canadian shoegazers, Alvvays, who are also playing Roskilde. I gave them a listen and was very pleasantly surprised.
Usually if there’s not much on (or if its hammering down) I make my way to the Cabaret tent. There’s usually loads of good comedy on, or some other random stuff. The Avalon stage also can be a good place to just base yourself and see what happens.
There’s not a lot on the pyramid stage, but I’d go and see PJ Harvey and I believe that Janelle Monae gives a performance. I hope that for Arooj Aftab you don’t have a couple standing next to you having a natter. This does rather spoil the magic.
Janelle Monae puts on one hell of a show. Strongly recommended.
LCD Soundsystem are really good live, despite only having one song I really like.
I think Bombay Bicycle Club are probably your kind of thing.
Jessie Ware does good festival (she was here last weekend).
Steel Pulse if the weather’s nice.
The Breeders, Baxter Dury, and Dexys (a bit Marmite, I know) at the Park.
It might be the year to explore the comedy & circus tents, and the green fields.
Very sadly discovered that the former Steel Pulse drummer who lived opposite me Conrad Kelly died recently. Though not their original drummer still a very sad thing. For me those first two albums are a complete high water in British reggae, perhaps only equalled by Misty In Roots’ Live at the Counteurovison.
I see they’ve just released a live at the Jazz Café album with the late Drummie Zeb on the kit.
My cynicism notwithstanding, The Park and Avalon tend to be riper pickings for those who aren’t just there for a substandard view of the televised bands. True last year, and looks true this. The Acoustic tent is a place of refuge, in the heat, but has a bizarre sense of folk.
‘Twas ever thus. My last visit was 2000 and I don’t think I saw a single act on the Pyramid, including the Dame (because I had to leave early, grumble, grumble).
I’m 99% sure that A Certain Ratio are playing somewhere (I get their FB notifications).
Dua Lipa does a great show and has a strong voice; however, although I’m pleased that she has reached headliner status, I’m not entirely sure whether she can fulfil the attendant level of expectation.
However, many outraged people said the same about Beyoncé.
Sleaford Mods, then find some enhancements, and wander. Not necessarily in that order. Doesn’t look a great line up to me, but you’ve got to remain open-minded, and it’s good to be surprised.
That line up is vast. Presumably most on only once.
If it were me
Jarvis Cocker
Steel Pulse
Femi Kuti
Ross Wilson. Aussie legend/ veteran. This band have been touring for yonks. Great artist. Pop rock bit of blues
Luke Howard Aussie piano based trio in an ECM style.
Femi Kuti: seconded. I last saw him at the “Jazz World” stage as was, one of the highlights of Glasto 2000 for me.
You couldn’t pay me enough to go to Glasto (I can’t do camping or massive crowds), but if I was suddenly transported there, Mr Benn style, this year I would definitely be watching Shania Twain. More catchy tunes than you can count, doesn’t take herself too seriously, and will undoubtedly have a red-hot band, as so many country (or country-lite) artists do.
Her voice troubles are well documented, and her latest album didn’t wow me, but her back catalogue is full of bangers, and she really puts the work in. Hello, Legends Stage!
Failing that, I’d probably be found watching Arooj Aftab. Never heard of her outside this site, but she sounds great.
@Captain Darling, This Tiny Desk session is a good introduction to Arooj.
I’ve just discovered this more recent Tiny Desk session. Wonderfully atmospheric.
Arooj is deffo top of my hopelist for decent BBC coverage, along with Mdou in blistering Jimitrance form.
Having decided some while back not to bother with the ticket malarky any more, and knowing my luck, this may turn out to be another scorcher year, in which case both of these artists will be the perfect accompaniment to some serious chilling.
If you spot a girl in a pink tutu selling hash brownies, I’d invest if I were you.
Is the hot cider bus still there?
Surely with your list of preferences you’d be up for Squeeze opening on the main stage.
And I second the suggestion above of Bombay Bicycle Club.
Peak early with Squeeze opening the Pyramid stage and work your way downwards from there.
melodies, big choruses, metallic….you need to go see Skindred who are, I believe, headlining the Avalon Stage one night. Ragga metal from South Wales may not sound like anyone’s cup of tea but they are an incredible live act with one of the most charismatic and hard working frontmen I’ve ever seen. Guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.
The two other acts that would be must sees for me don’t exactly fit your criteria but I’ll leave them here anyway. for the benefit of anyone else who might be interested
Heilung are a Northern European act who play music that evokes shamanic times long long past, lots of banging on bones with elaborate headdresses and smoke and fire. You might not like them all that much, but you won’t see anything else like it
Mdou Moctar is a Hendrix influenced guitarist from Niger who is simply stunning
Thanks @Kid Dynamite. Both Heilung and Mdou are playing Roskilde so I’ll try and get along to see them.
Heilung are a perfect band for my favourite Danish mudbath. Late at night ín an enormous, very crowded, strangely mysterious tent with thousands of young Scandinavians who haven’t seen sleep or soap for several days. The air will be full of the smell of sweat, joss sticks, juicy farts and jazz tobacco.
The pagans are gathered. Let the ritual begin!
Skindred looked and sounded good.
Lots of good acts but some woefully down the bill (Johnny Flynn!)
Id go for..
Squeeze, Kiwanuka, Janelle Monae (she’ll be great!)
Last Dinner Party, James, The Staves, This is the Kit, The Mary Wallopers, Stornoway, OCS (yes, really- they are great live), Albert Lee, Bernard Butler, Michelle Stodart AND The Magic Numbers, BC Camplight….
And obviously, Toyah and Fripp!
Nah, it’s gone downhill since Stackridge opened it.
Thanks for the suggestions, all. I’m not going to attempt to fill the time finding different bands on different stages – I know that way madness lies (not to mention exhaustion). I have some good books and a camping chair and I’m planning to settle myself in one place for long periods. But you’ve given me some interesting names to investigate, even at home if not at the festival itself.
And I will try to check out a couple of acts that aren’t in my usual wheelhouse. Arooj Aftab was already one of those, on the strength of what I’ve read here. Skindred will be another.
I’d already looked into Heilung, thinking they were some misspelt Teenage Fanclub-esque tribute to the Heart of Gold
hitmaker, and of course they are nothing of the sort but I can see myself really enjoying them at Glasto.
The Bootleg Beatles were already on my Do Not Miss Under Any Circumstances list – they are headlining the Acoustic Stage, I don’t know if that means they’re playing the whole set Esher Demos style or if the definition of ‘acoustic’ has been loosened to accommodate them. This does mean I’ll miss Dua Lipa, headlining the Pyramid at the same time – and I would be kind of interested to see what she does – but it wasn’t that hard a decision in the end, and I kind of agree that this might not be her year after all.
Ocean Colour Scene, I’m tempted by. I used to DESPISE them – that whole bandy legged tambourine playing muso faux mod retro thing – while, deep down, trying not to be thrilled by 100 Mile High City. I think I just bought into the whole music press contempt of them. There doesn’t seem to be anything else in that slot so will attempt to listen with an open mind.
And good shout about Squeeze – that might be one of my very few ventures to the Pyramid Stage.
Will report back!
I think you are being very wise,@joe robert.
Best to make decision about those difficult program clashes in advance.
But I must say a word or two in defence of Dua Lipa. I haven’t slightest doubt about her ability to wow the Pyramid Stage. Charisma by the bucketload. Wonderful showmanship. And a great back catalogue.
You’d have to be a curmudgeon of the first water to not like her- ¨
I saw her conquer the enormous Orange Stage at Roskilde. The audience loved her.
I’m quite possibly talking out of my backside re. Lipa – my flip judgment about it not being her year based largely on the lukewarm critical response to her third album, and the general buzz around this headlining slot. But I hope she proves ‘em all wrong, as I think the world of pop is vastly improved by having Dua Lipa in it.
Nothing’s dragging me away from the Bootlegs on Friday night though.
@kaisfatdad – I wasn’t attacking Dua in my comment – far from it, I think she’s ace – but just wondered whether her relative lack of impact on the zeitgeist this year, as opposed to 2020, would mean that she may struggle to capture the interest of such a huge audience. Your account of her storming Roskilde is reassuring. She’ll be better than faaarking Adele, that’s for sure.
Bravo @Black Type and @joe robert!!
It’s heartening to realise that everyone’ s favourite pop princess has so many loyal fans here.
I just notice when she releases a new song.But I’m sure that in the UK she is under constant media scrutiny. And those who build a star up, are always all too ready to knock them down again.
As Harold Wilson once reputedly said “A week is a long time in pop music.”
@Salwarpe was the one who put Dua on the AW map for me when he posted the video for New Rules.
She came across as a kind of bouncy girl-next-door who might invite me to her next Albanian pyjama party…
Word is that she started her new tour playing more songs from Future Nostalgia than the new album..
I think the new album is at least the equal of FN. I realise that I may be in the minority.
Another vote for Squeeze, great live act and Glenn Tilbrook’s voice as sweet as ever.
saw Haircut One Hundred in Dublin last October
do not miss them
“Get yer bloody Haircut (100)!”
Having downloaded and exceled the line up – some 3000+ acts, there are probably loads that are worth checking out. Arooj Aftab on the Park Stage no doubt being one of them. Otoboke Beaver, (who play on the same stage just before), look and sound like they will be great fun
What a find!! Nice work @Salwarpe. Quite magnificent!
I was curious what their videos are like…..
Bananas!!
To my enormous delight, I’ve just discovered they are playing Roskilde 2024.
A Seven Nation Army of Deranged Samurai could not stop me from being there!
I’d be getting up early to listen to:
Friday: Squeeze at midday @ Pyramid
Saturday: The Skatalites at 1pm at West Holts
Sunday: Jalen Ngonda at 12:30 (West Holts again)
After that I might wander around aimlessly or have a nap until:
Friday: Haircut 100, Bootleg Beatles, Dua Lipa
Saturday: Black Pumas, Orbital
Sunday: Janelle Monae, The Feeling
I would also try to catch Sister Suzie (playing three nights at the Rocket Lounge), as a friend of mine plays guitar for them – and he’s really quite good.
Other than that I can’t help thinking that there’s way too much music on.