SZA’s striking set failed to set Glastonbury alight
Picture credit, Getty Images
SZA's performance on Sunday received a variety of reactions.
Following Dua Lipa and Coldplay's polished and effective performances, the Sunday night headliner at Glastonbury faced a challenging task.
Following speculation that Madonna would be making an appearance, it was ultimately US R&B artist SZA who took the slot.
She is one of the most popular musicians globally, known for her energetic and self-assured stage presence. Her thought-provoking exploration of contemporary relationships has resonated with young fans, making her highly beloved among millennials.
However, their enthusiasm did not manage to create any enchantment on the Pyramid Stage.
The celebrity had the fewest number of people in the audience that I have ever witnessed at a Glastonbury headlining show, in over two decades of attending the festival.
She had a hard time at the beginning because her microphone was making her voice sound unclear and quiet. This was especially challenging because her music relies on the exactness of her words and the smoothness of her jazzy singing.
The 33-year-old also made a mistake at the festival by not speaking to the audience. The only time she talked during the show's first half was when she asked if any of her long-time fans were there.
"Can you feel how much I rely on you?" she asked, recognizing that these may not be the people she typically interacts with.
When she finally performed her most popular song, the darkly humorous murder fantasy Kill Bill, which has 1.9 billion Spotify streams, the audience had already moved on to see other artists like The National, James Blake, and London Grammar at different stages of the festival site.
The American singer's show did not attract a large audience, despite delivering an excellent performance.
This doesn't mean that SZA did not deliver a great performance, or that the audience who remained until the end of her set were let down.
She has impressive control over her voice, being able to project to the farthest reaches of the audience without losing any sense of closeness.
In the middle of her performance, she sang Nobody Gets Me - a heartbreaking song about her difficulty in moving on from her ex-fiancé. It was definitely the most emotional and powerful moment I witnessed from a headliner on the Pyramid Stage all weekend.
The youthful spectators in the crowd held their hands close to their heart and silently mouthed the words.
Other notable performances were the edgy, rock-inspired F2F and the infectious pop hit Kiss Me More with a touch of 80s influence, where she incorporated elements from Prince's hit song Kiss.
The blog post was also a treat for the eyes, split into three clearly defined parts that outlined the journey of healing from a broken heart.
She began in a dark and dreary cave, which symbolized her isolation, with stalactites all around her. She was acting like Drew Barrymore while sitting on a large ant.
In the next part of the blog, called "robot world", she was torn between mixed feelings. She felt a strong desire for her ex while also wanting him to suffer, which she expressed in songs like Snooze, Kill Bill, and I Hate U.
The last part of the performance was called "Returning Home". SZA, metaphorically flew with wings, climbed a tree, and performed some of her more uplifting and happy songs - such as Saturn (which is about leaving the ordinary life for something better) and the straightforwardly named Good Days.
Picture credit: Getty Images
SZA finished her set with "20 Something," her song about turning thirty.
The last song she performed was "20 Something," a message of support for those experiencing the challenges of their 30s. She descended from the intricate stage and sang side by side with her supporters in the front row.
"I was really anxious about today at Glastonbury," she expressed. "I appreciate all of you so much. I have immense love and respect for you. I hope you all have a safe journey home. God bless you."
SZA's performance was flawless and captivating, but unfortunately, it didn't quite match the vibe of the venue at Glastonbury. This issue has been a recurring problem throughout the festival this year.
Popular artists such as Sugababes, Fred Again, and Avril Lavigne were scheduled to perform in venues that were not able to accommodate their large fan base. On the other hand, the Pyramid Stage faced challenges in drawing in enough audience members for energetic performances by PJ Harvey and Janelle Monae.
Following the performance, the vocalist shared a post that appeared to recognize the unfavorable feedback.
"The courage needed to exist in a public setting is truly extraordinary," she posted on X (previously known as Twitter).
"I'm tired of everyone behaving in that disrespectful manner."
Let's talk about gardens and how they make us feel.
Spirits within the Technology
Wealthy Father Figure (Drake song)
Avril Lavigne performed all of her popular songs on Sunday night
On another day of the week, Shania Twain performed in the highly sought-after Legends slot, singing powerful, energetic songs like That Don't Impress Me Much and Man! I Feel Like A Woman! She seemed surprised and excited by the large number of people in the audience.
"I really believe that moments like this can have a profound impact on your life," she said, holding back tears as she finished her performance.
On the Other Stage, Avril Lavigne drew a large crowd and caused congestion as fans rushed to listen to her iconic pop-punk songs like Complicated and Sk8r Boi.
She started the performance with the sarcastic and sassy song "Girlfriend," keeping a cheeky expression on her face for the rest of the hour.
"I'm shocked that it has taken me 22 years to finally perform at Glastonbury," she exclaimed. "It's long overdue."
Picture credit, Getty Images
Burna Boy got the crowd hyped up before SZA's performance by performing popular songs like Ye and Last Last.
Janelle Monae gave an energetic and stylish performance on the Pyramid Stage, rocking several different outfits that even included a Michael Jackson inspired suit.
Flexible and agile, she expressed her sexual liberation through songs such as Pink, Yoga, Lipstick Lover, and Make Me Feel, while paying tribute to the LGBTQ+ community during the last moments of Pride month.
Afterward, she extended that commitment to support other marginalized and oppressed communities worldwide.
"I am honored to support you as you resist genocide," she stated. "As you resist the criminalization of those experiencing homelessness. As lawmakers introduce legislation to control our physical autonomy."
She spoke out against the violence in Palestine, Sudan and the Congo, and also denounced anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
"These individuals are part of our community. Therefore, when we witness wrongdoing, we understand," she stated.
The blog section brought a powerful moment, beautifully articulated in a way that surpassed many of the protests that took place on stage over the weekend.
Next up on the stage was the Nigerian sensation Burna Boy, who had the crowd energized and dancing with his Afro-fusion hits such as Sittin’ On Top Of The World, Ye, and Last Last.
Teasing the crowd playfully, he eventually took off his shirt and encouraged others to do the same. If the weather had been hotter, they may have done so.
Top performances were delivered by the French DJs Justice on the West Holts stage and the indie-pop band London Grammar on the Park Stage. London Grammar attracted a large audience to the hillside stage, even though lead singer Hannah Reid had concerns about performing at the same time as SZA.
However, the main attraction that drew the largest audience numbers was the American indie group The National, who captivated The Other Stage with powerful guitars, bold horns, and Matt Berninger's emotionally vulnerable lyrics.
From the heartfelt Light Years, to the energetic Abel, their mature sound and passionate performance marked the end of a varied Sunday, as Glastonbury got ready to close for the year.
The festival is set to come back in 2025, as confirmed by Emily Eavis, but will then be taking a break in 2026.
