2027 Headliners

[NorthernSoul52]

My fear with Madonna would be a setlist that botches the assignment, to be fair. 

[incident]

44 minutes ago, MEGABOWL said:

I always thought it distinctly likely she meant BST anyway

 

Yeah, that was always a possibility.

 

We're obviously obsessed with Glastonbury and so assumptions are made when something like that is said. It's unlikely Madonna feels quite as strongly about the festival and so her being excited about something big in the UK next year (or however she phrased it) should really be taken as carrying a lot more possibilities.

[foolee]

To an American that’s not obsessed with festivals Hyde park / London is arguably a bigger deal. Her reason for not previously playing means she probably doesn’t get it or understand the significance either which would explain why she probably hasn’t done it yet too. 

[The Nal]

8 minutes ago, incident said:

 

Yeah, that was always a possibility.

 

We're obviously obsessed with Glastonbury and so assumptions are made when something like that is said. It's unlikely Madonna feels quite as strongly about the festival and so her being excited about something big in the UK next year (or however she phrased it) should really be taken as carrying a lot more possibilities.

 

Madge 100% knows the importance of even hinting at that. They've been trying to get her to play since the mid 90s. 

[incident]

7 minutes ago, The Nal said:

Madge 100% knows the importance of even hinting at that. They've been trying to get her to play since the mid 90s. 

 

I'm not convinced she even thought she was hinting at that, let alone the importance.

[Johndenis]

On 02/08/2026 at 00:39, Superscally said:

Was a vibe. Kylie came on too! 

I Was There the last time Kyie appeared to do this - 2018ish at APE.  What a treat.  What do you think of the current setlist? Am seeing him next Friday, all being well.

[Nestacres]

I personally think Glasto big slots mean more to British artists that American ones don't (except Rodrigo, Killers, Foo Fighters) - in recent years anyway. The chance to pay (for a lot more money) to more of her own fans for 3 nights at BST must be more appealing to Madonna.

[NorthernSoul52]

Law unto herself, Madge. But I think, for a certain generation, Hyde Park still has a touch of mystery and magic - that and Wembley Stadium.

[NorthernSoul52]

Just now, Nestacres said:

I personally think Glasto big slots mean more to British artists that American ones don't (except Rodrigo, Killers, Foo Fighters) - in recent years anyway. The chance to pay (for a lot more money) to more of her own fans for 3 nights at BST must be more appealing to Madonna.

You've certainly got a bunch of American acts who absolutely adore the festival and are willing to bring peanuts for it. You can never discount The Killers on that basis.

[mufcok]

1 hour ago, incident said:

 

I'm not convinced she even thought she was hinting at that, let alone the importance.

 

There is a chance that Norton's reaction was very much like our reaction, because people in this country tend to think 'big = Glastonbury'.

 

Having said that, though, I'm fairly sure they've gone for her again this time, and it's broken down. Whether it's only just broken down or not, I'm not sure, but I'd air on the side of - they thought they had her, up to a certain point.

[CaledonianGonzo]

9 minutes ago, Nestacres said:

I personally think Glasto big slots mean more to British artists that American ones don't (except Rodrigo, Killers, Foo Fighters) - in recent years anyway. 

 

Madonna lived in the UK for absolutely ages and I think is still largely London-based at the moment.  I'm sure she'll be well aware.

 

10 minutes ago, Nestacres said:

The chance to pay (for a lot more money) to more of her own fans for 3 nights at BST must be more appealing to Madonna.

 

But it wouldn't need to be either / or.  Lots of acts do both  - Glastonbury for the hype and BST for the pay.

 

[xxialac]

5 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

Madonna lived in the UK for absolutely ages and I think is still largely London-based at the moment.  I'm sure she'll be well aware.

 

Exactly! And was even married to a Brit for all of the 00s.

[Looother]

If they're regularly losing out on major artists because of production limitations, or if they're just monitoring the kind of stages other festivals and major concerts are able to come up with, Glasto could do with seriously upgrading their ambitions when it comes to the Pyramid stage, at the very least (probably Other also). I think, with the benefit of complete ignorance about anything remotely practical and relevant, they could pretty easily do this around the current permanent structure (though they should probably upgrade this also at some point), and obviously while retaining their shape-based idiosyncrasy. 

[NorthernSoul52]

Would still love to see Gaga do it - aware some would suggest that's the cut-price Madonna, but a festival run could be generational stuff.

[NorthernSoul52]

On 10/10/2024 at 13:18, NorthernSoul52 said:

Sam Fender, The 1975, Lady Gaga.

Was off the money with one suggestion, at the very least 😁

[henry bear]

1 hour ago, Looother said:

If they're regularly losing out on major artists because of production limitations, or if they're just monitoring the kind of stages other festivals and major concerts are able to come up with, Glasto could do with seriously upgrading their ambitions when it comes to the Pyramid stage, at the very least (probably Other also). I think, with the benefit of complete ignorance about anything remotely practical and relevant, they could pretty easily do this around the current permanent structure (though they should probably upgrade this also at some point), and obviously while retaining their shape-based idiosyncrasy. 

The Pyramid is long overdue a rethink. It looks archaic in this day and age 

[ghostdancer1]

2 hours ago, incident said:

 

I'm not convinced she even thought she was hinting at that, let alone the importance.

Agreed.

She was in self-promotion mode. Something big could be anything to an artist who already knows what's planned.

People have just applied Glastonbury to it, even though the artist might not have been thinking about Glastonbury at all. 
She never hinted at it being Glastonbury in any way shape or form. 

[NorthernSoul52]

14 minutes ago, henry bear said:

The Pyramid is long overdue a rethink. It looks archaic in this day and age 

I'd suggest that's part of the appeal. You thinking more the aesthetics or the set-up?

[ghostdancer1]

1 hour ago, Looother said:

If they're regularly losing out on major artists because of production limitations, or if they're just monitoring the kind of stages other festivals and major concerts are able to come up with, Glasto could do with seriously upgrading their ambitions when it comes to the Pyramid stage, at the very least (probably Other also). I think, with the benefit of complete ignorance about anything remotely practical and relevant, they could pretty easily do this around the current permanent structure (though they should probably upgrade this also at some point), and obviously while retaining their shape-based idiosyncrasy. 

Pretty much all festivals lose out on major artists because of production limitations though. Glastonbury is no different to most other festivals. 

Lots of acts can/will adapt their tour production to suit festival stages if they want to play them, but some acts with stage designs and routines just don't want to adapt, and would rather just stick with a rigid, well-rehearsed production and take the money for their own gigs, whether that's a lot more than playing Glastonbury, or slightly less than playing some other festivals (but with added complications).

Trying to adapt the stage, layout, access to b-stages etc to accommodate a single headliner on a Friday and then having to change it all around for a Saturday headliner isn't really a goer when most headliners can just easily adapt their show to stay on a main stage, if they're so inclined.
They have a year to figure out how to perform a song on a main stage and ditch a few dance routines out on a b-stage if they really put their mind to it. It's not that difficult......

[dotdash79]

In 2024, Dua and Coldplay had B stages and they were dismantled and rebuilt overnight to suit both acts. 

[Crazyfool01]

1 hour ago, Looother said:

If they're regularly losing out on major artists because of production limitations, or if they're just monitoring the kind of stages other festivals and major concerts are able to come up with, Glasto could do with seriously upgrading their ambitions when it comes to the Pyramid stage, at the very least (probably Other also). I think, with the benefit of complete ignorance about anything remotely practical and relevant, they could pretty easily do this around the current permanent structure (though they should probably upgrade this also at some point), and obviously while retaining their shape-based idiosyncrasy. 

its getting bigger next year its thought ... Other is fine its massive  

[Nestacres]

2 hours ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

Madonna lived in the UK for absolutely ages and I think is still largely London-based at the moment.  I'm sure she'll be well aware.

 

 

But it wouldn't need to be either / or.  Lots of acts do both  - Glastonbury for the hype and BST for the pay.

 

I didn't say she wasn't aware, I just don't think she's particluarly bothered. 

[Quark]

1 hour ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Would still love to see Gaga do it - aware some would suggest that's the cut-price Madonna, but a festival run could be generational stuff.

 

I'd rather see Gaga then Madge

[Colorblindjames]

1 hour ago, henry bear said:

The Pyramid is long overdue a rethink. It looks archaic in this day and age 

It’s a stage. If an artist can’t come up with something original or their set requires a runway to maintain attention of an audience then they aren’t much of an artist. 

[mufcok]

Can someone remind me, on Harry Styles specifically - have we had any concrete info on him?

 

I don't personally remember saying much/anything on him, though I have just been away for a month, so could be forgetting something.