Glastonbury Festival 2024: Women lead the line-up for the first time
Glastonbury Festival has announced its line-up for this year's event, with female acts leading the way.
For the first time in the event's history, women have taken two of the three headline slots.
British singer Dua Lipa, country pop superstar Shania Twain, rock band Coldplay and American singer SZA are among the first major acts announced for Glastonbury 2024.
Canadian singer Twain, known for hits including Man! I Feel Like A Woman!, You’re Still The One and That Don’t Impress Me Much, will perform on Sunday afternoon at the Worthy Farm festival in Somerset – which is being held from June 26 to 30.
The five-time Grammy award-winner has sold more than 100 million records, making her one of the most successful musicians.
Twain told Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show: “I really am so excited. I mean, the best part of it is being able to share it now. It’s just so exciting. It’s been hard to keep it to myself, to be honest. So I’m really glad that this is announced. And I’m just buzzing.
“There’s like a stamp that comes with this slot and I feel like I’m there, I’ve arrived at this slot. It’s going to be gorgeous, at sunset time, it is stunning. I’ve watched some of the other performances and I’m already planning what I’m going to wear. You know, all that exciting stuff.”
For 15 years, Twain did not release new music following a bout of Lyme disease that caused her to lose her voice, but then returned from hiatus with the album Now.
In 2018, she underwent open throat surgery after her voice was damaged by the effects of the debilitating illness and this year will also kick off her third Las Vegas residency, being held at the Bakkt Theatre at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in May.
Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis had previously revealed she had booked a major female artist for the slot.
Also taking to the Pyramid Stage will be US rock band LCD Soundsystem, British rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, 80s chart-topper singer Cyndi Lauper and British soul star Olivia Dean.
Hidden Figures star and US singer Janelle Monae, Mercury Prize winner Michael Kiwanuka, British singer-songwriter Paul Heaton, UK rock band Keane, British singer Paloma Faith and Nigerian singer Ayra Starr are also among those performing on the main stage.
Before Dua Lipa was announced for the first day of the festival, which marks her Pyramid Stage debut, she revealed her first album in four years would be titled Radical Optimism on Wednesday.
On Instagram, she wrote: “I have dreamt of this moment all my life. Something that lived only in my wildest dreams and highest manifestations!!!
“I am so excited to see you all in my favourite place on earth and make it a night to remember!!”
Her third studio album, which will arrive on May 3, will feature 11 tracks including hit singles Houdini and Training Season, and comes after she won the best pop act award at the Brits earlier this month.
Coldplay will make their first Pyramid Stage appearance since 2016 on the Saturday night, becoming the first act to headline Glastonbury five times.
They move ahead of The Cure, who have taken a headline slot four times.
The Sunday night headliner is Grammy and Brit winner Sza, real name Solana Imani Rowe, known for the songs Snooze and Ghost In The Machine featuring Phoebe Bridgers.
On the Other Stage are US rock band The National, Canadian singer Avril Lavigne, former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello, Brit Rising Star winners The Last Dinner Party, singer-songwriter Anne-Marie, Dry Your Eyes singer The Streets and Northern Ireland band Two Door Cinema Club.
On Instagram, Eavis wrote: “I’m so happy to be able to bring you the first shortlist of artists for Glastonbury 2024.
“There is even more to come over the coming weeks, when we will be bringing you the full line ups for each area.”
Jungle and drum and bass musician Nia Archives, Brazil singer Declan McKenna, K-pop stars Seventeen, indie pop band London Grammar and Irish rock band Fontaines DC are also among the acts for the festival.