Cyndi Lauper’s Glasto set was a celebratory reminder of a career well spent - review
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Every year at Glastonbury, there is a moment when a famous musician takes the stage and reminds everyone of their incredible list of hit songs. You can see the crowd slowly start to pay attention, going from not really caring to starting to nod along to finally getting really excited.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor had a career resurgence last year with help from Saltburn. She impressed the crowd at the Pyramid Stage with her energetic Noughties pop performance. This year, Cyndi Lauper has taken on a similar role. She is a seasoned pop veteran with a distinctive New York accent and the lively spirit of a punk rocker.
Maybe because of the hot weather, the audience is slow to get excited about Lauper, and there is a quiet atmosphere in the air. At first, there are some sound problems, with Lauper adjusting her earpiece during "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough," her theme song from the 1985 movie — but not many in the crowd seem to be familiar with the song.
The energy increases when Lauper transitions into "I Drove All Night", a fantastic and intense power ballad from the 1980s. Lauper’s voice may be rougher now, but she still nails the high notes with perfection.
At 71 years old, she is now wearing shiny slim jeans, a loose metallic corset, and a blue layered dress reminiscent of a wedding cake. Her hair is messy and as white as ice, and she moves with a charming, unpolished swagger. She reminds us of a bygone era that is slowly fading away - Brooklyn accents, punk rock clubs, and eccentric artists blending pop culture with performance art.
The popular songs from the 1980s demand the audience's focus. "Change of Heart" is an energetic electronic hit, while the hectic "Money Changes Everything" has hints of Springsteen in it, with Lauper's band creating a loud, chaotic sound as she encourages them to go even harder. The lovely "Time After Time" creates a feeling of happiness, with the crowd singing and moving together in harmony.
Clearly, Lauper is best known for one timeless hit. She is aware of this fact. Walking around the stage, she playfully asks the audience, "Are you all prepared to have a good time... you know..."
There is a certain spiritual essence to the song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", which is often seen as a light-hearted party anthem but actually holds deep emotions and struggles within its lyrics. The song reflects the desire for independence and freedom, with lines like "Some boys take a beautiful girl and hide her away from the rest of the world." It speaks to the yearning to break free from societal expectations and simply enjoy life.
It is very sad, as Lauper divides the song into two parts to talk about rights related to reproduction and fair pay. She also promotes her fundraising initiative called Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights.
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She finishes with "True Colors", the emotional torch song that has always been well-received, leaving the audience captivated.
Lauper is getting ready for a final tour, and Glastonbury might be her biggest farewell show in the UK. It would be a great goodbye: full of celebration, catchy tunes, and a look back on a successful career.
