This year's festival, which will run from 26 to 30 June, will mark the first time in Glastonbury history that two of the three top headliners are female artists - a turnaround from last year's all-male trio of Arctic Monkeys, Guns N' Roses and Elton John.
Those bookings were criticised in some quarters, though the organiser Emily Eavis defended them as a "pipeline problem" across the music industry and said she was dedicated to diversity - close to half of the overall initial lineup announcement featured female acts.
Much loved by Glastonbury's founder, Michael Eavis - who once said they could "call in and do the milking any time" on his Worthy Farm site - Coldplay continue their relationship with the festival, becoming the first act to headline the Pyramid stage five times.
They launched themselves into pop-rock's big leagues with their first headline performance in 2002, when they had only released one album, and have since headlined in 2005, 2011 and 2016, as well as doing a live streamed performance to an empty Pyramid stage field in lieu of the 2021 festival, which was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.
This story is from the March 15, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 15, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Labour Party lines up leader's allies to fill safe seats
Labour has opened applications for a string of safe seats after seven MPs announced last-minute retirements, with allies of party leader Keir Starmer expected to be lined up to take their places.
Labour vows to clear NHS waiting lists in five years
Labour has pledged to clear the NHS waiting list backlog within five years, with Wes Streeting warning the health service risks becoming \"a poor service for poor people\" while the wealthy shift to using private care.
News of the World paid women 'to shag celebrities', says Blunt
James Blunt claims the News of the World paid women to sleep with celebrities in order to get stories about their sexual performance.
Evans leaves in a flap after Rune defeat is punctuated by pigeons
British No 3 distracted by birds and argues with umpire during 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 loss
Nadal's mind has not reached the end, but will his body let him go on?
Despite physical ailments the Spanish great, 38 next week, feels he is making progress and is targeting the Olympics
Cricket ready to strike gold in the land of opportunity
Investors who made fortunes in Silicon Valley are behind latest attempt to put the sport into US mainstream
Farrell fires Saracens as he looks up to sign off in style
Talismanic captain targets the two victories that would lead his boyhood club to glory
Bright ready for long-awaited return after 'hardest' spell out
Millie Bright admits her recent spell on the sidelines was the most challenging period of her career as she prepares for her long-awaited England return.
Shareholders wait for bids to close on Royal Mail and Anglo American
Shareholders in Royal Mail's owner and the mining company Anglo American are waiting for the final deadline to pass today for firm offers that could see two of the UK's most prominent companies fall into foreign ownership.
'Pony up' The dinner that raised £73,000 to sway MPs
'You've sold concert tickets, you've sold sports tickets, you've sold football tickets, you've sold theatre tickets ... You've made money or you wouldn't be in this room.\"
