After two years absence it’s great to see a lineup announced for this year’s Glastonbury Festival. The summer just hasn’t been the same without it – while it was great to see some festivals coming back last year there really wasn’t the diversity in the acts that you’re treated to at Glastonbury. First things first then, the headliners. It’s great to see Billie Eilish headlining the Friday night; the excitement around her Other Stage set in 2019 was electric, one of the most talked about sets of the weekend before it even happened. With an excellent new album behind her it’ll be interesting to see how her performance has changed. Saturday night is headed up by Paul McCartney, who was originally billed for 2020 – I’m sure there’ll be plenty of singalong opportunities. The Pyramid Stage is closed on the Sunday night by Kendrick Lamar. Of all the 2020 announcements Kendrick was the artist I hoped would be carried over the most; he’s one of rap’s most creative performers at the moment and I reckon this set will be unmissable.

Further down the lineup there’s a good mix of artists. Amyl and The Sniffers are always highly rated as a live band and should bring a bit of energy to the bill. Both Bonobo and Caribou will bring an interesting mix of electronic music, hopefully to the wonderful West Holts stage. Pop music is well covered with performances from the likes of Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, Declan Mckenna, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde and Sigrid. I’m excited to see Self Esteem again, one of the standout performances from last years Latitude festival who’ new album is fantastic. Sets from Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion should keep things interesting too – after her MTV Music Awards performance I’m really interested to see what Doja Cat brings to a live show. I’m also very much looking forward to seeing Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski live – incredible songwriters who will both be excellent in a festival setting.

The full first announcement contains: Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney, Kendrick Lamar, Diana Ross, Amyl and the Sniffers, Angelique Kidjo, Arlo Parks, The Avalanches, Beabadoobee, Bicep, Big Thief, Black Midi, Blossoms, Bonobo, Burna Boy, Caribou, Caroline Polachek, Cate Le Bon, Celeste, Charli XCX, Clairo, Confidence Man, Courtney Barnett, Crowded House, Declan Mckenna, Doja Cat, Dry Cleaning, Easy Life, Elbow, Emma-Jean Thackray, First Aid Kit, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Four Tet, Gabriels, Ghetts, Girl In Red, Glass Animals, Greentea Peng, Griff, Haim, Herbie Hancock, Holly Humberstone, Idles, Inhaler, Jarv Is…, Jessie Ware, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Joy Crookes, Kacey Musgraves, Khruangbin, Koffee, Leon Bridges, Lianne La Havas, Little Simz, Lorde, Megan Thee Stallion, Metronomy, Mitski, Nightmare on Wax, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Nubya Garcia, Olivia Rodrigo, Pet Shop Boys, Phoebe Bridgers, Primal Scream, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Róisín Murphy, Rufus Wainwright, Sam Fender, Sampa The Great, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Self Esteem, Sigrid, Skunk Anansie, Sleaford Mods, Snarky Puppy, Squid, St. Vincent, Supergrass, Tems, TLC, Turnstile, Warmduscher, The Waterboys, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, Years & Years, Yves Tumor.