Secrets and delights

From Lewis Capaldi to Pulp via Lorde, this year's mystery acts were easily guessed - but it was Olivia Rodrigo who saved one of the best surprises for last

- By Alexis Petridis

Last Wednesday morning, as Glastonbury opened its gates, the Guardian canvassed the opinions of early arrivals as to which act they were most looking forward to seeing.

Several suggested singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, who wasn't listed on the festival's bill. His appearance - a reentry into public life after two years away, dealing with poor mental health and Tourette syndrome - was meant to be a secret, but everyone already seemed to know when and where he was playing.

Such is the peculiar conceit of the Glastonbury “secret set”: ostensibly a closely guarded surprise, but this year seemingly a matter of public record, only moderately less discussed than the controversial appearance of Belfast rap trio Kneecap, whose set even the prime minister apparently had an opinion on. So it was that Lorde's “secret” set was so oversubscribed that the entire area around it had to be closed off.