Glastonbury has seen some incredible headliners over the years (Picture: Getty Images)
Glastonbury Festival is legendary, pulling in some of the biggest names in music throughout its 52-year legacy from David Bowie to Sir Elton John.
Last year’s epic, two-hour set from the Rocket Man pulled in a massive audience at Worthy Farm – and in TV viewers at home.
Looking back at the incredible headliners the festival has seen, it’s no surprise even icons have to wait their turn – unless you’re Coldplay who has played five times and now holds the record for most times as headliner.
Come rain or shine, Glasto is usually held annually in June except for the occasional fallow year to let the ground recover (or during a global pandemic).
Ever since the Somerset music festival opened its doors in 1970, it’s pulled in some massive names, especially for a gig that only cost £1 to get into originally.
While fans at Worthy Farm are set to hear Sza, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay, those of us missing out are looking fondly back at the headliners who’ve come before…
Crowds flock to see who’s on the legendary Pyramid Stage (Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
The full list of Glastonbury headliners from 1970 to 2023
1970 – T. Rex
Tyrannosaurus Rex (soon to be T.Rex) took the first-ever top spot for the launch of Glastonbury Festival after The Kinks pulled out.
1971 – David Bowie
Ziggy Stardust became a headliner after Pink Floyd cancelled and, despite his icon status, he would only headline one more time.
1972 to 1977 – No Glasto!
1978 – No headliner
This one is known as the ‘impromptu’ festival with no headliners as such.
1979 – Tim Blake and Peter Gabriel
1981 – Ginger Baker, Hawkwind, and Taj Mahal
1982 – Van Morrison, Jackson Browne
1983 – Curtis Mayfield, UB40
1984 – Weather Report, Black Uhuru and The Smiths
1985 – Echo & The Bunnymen, Joe Cocker and The Boomtown Rats
The Style Council and The Pogues also performed but didn’t get the top spot.
The Cure have headlined four times since 1986 (Picture: EPA)
1986 – The Psychedelic Furs, Level 42, and The Cure
Festival goers could also see Madness and Simply Red, with tickets costing less than £20.
1987 – The Communards, Elvis Costello and Van Morrison
1989 – Suzanne Vega, Elvis Costello and Van Morrison
This year saw some firsts with the first consecutive headliners, as the festival skipped 1988, plus Suzanne Vega as the first-ever female headliner 12 Glastos in!
1990 – The Cure, Happy Mondays and Sinead O’Connor
1992 – Carter USM, Youssou N’Dour and Shakespeare’s Sister
1993 – The Black Crowes, Christy Moore and Lenny Kravitz
Red Hot Chilli Peppers were set in the headline slot but decided to drop out of the then £58 festival.
1994 – Levellers, Peter Gabriel and Elvis Costello
Lower on the listing were some truly incredible talents and future headliners with Johnny Cash, Rage Against the Machine, Radiohead, Blur, Oasis, and Bjork all performing at the festival.
1995 – Pulp, Oasis, and The Cure
1997 – Ash, The Prodigy, and Radiohead
The Prodigy played in 1995 and then headlined in 1997 (Picture: Duncan Bryceland/REX/Shutterstock)
1998 – Primal Scream, Pulp and Blur
1999 – Skunk Anansie, REM, and Manic Street Preachers
This year saw two Glastonbury debuts from future Pyramid Stage headliners Muse and Coldplay.
2000 – Travis, The Chemical Brothers and David Bowie
2002 – Rod Stewart, Stereophonics and Coldplay
2003 – Moby, REM, and Radiohead
2004 – Muse, Oasis, and Sir Paul McCartney
Bellamy, Muse’s guitarist, gave the band’s headlining performance some extra spark when he smashed his guitar on stage.
Coldplay are tied with The Cure for most times as headliner (Picture: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
2005 – Basement Jaxx, The White Stripes, and Coldplay
Way before we were all singing Padam Padam, Kylie Minogue was set to headline but cancelled last minute. This year also saw The Killers perform and the return of Elvis Costello.
2006 – Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and The Who
All first-time headliners this year but elsewhere icon Adele was chasing pavements, 10 years before taking the headline spot.
2008 – Kings of Leon, The Verve and (a controversial choice) Jay Z
2009 – Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Blur
2010 – Muse, Stevie Wonder and Gorillaz
Beyonce had all the single ladies dancing in 2011 (Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
2011 – Coldplay, U2 and Beyonce
While Coldplay returned to the festival for the umpteenth time, U2 managed to nab a headline after dropping out the year before (replaced by Gorillaz). Beyonce was the first solo female headliner since Sinead O’Connor and only the third solo female ever.
2013 – Mumford & Sons, Arctic Monkeys and The Rolling Stones
2014 – Arcade Fire, Kasabian and Metallica
Dolly Parton was also here this year and pulled in a massive crowd despite not headlining.
2015 – Kanye West, Florence & The Machine, and The Who
Florence only took the top spot after the Foo Fighters dropped out and Ye proved another controversial choice.
2016 – Muse, Coldplay and Adele
Adele won over crowds with her stunning voice(Picture: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
2017 – Radiohead, Foo Fighters and Ed Sheeran
2019 – Stormzy, The Killers and The Cure
2020 – Kendrick Lamar, Sir Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift
Only it never happened because as we all remember, the world was put on pause in the global pandemic.
Sir Paul and Taylor have reunited though, at her Eras Tour in London while Kendrick featured on her track Bad Blood. This lineup would have been legendary though.
2022 – Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Sir Paul McCartney
In a slight switch-up of the promised 2020 headliners, Billie became the youngest-ever Glasto headliner while Sir Paul took the title of oldest-ever headliner.
2023 – Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses, and Sir Elton John
A double debut from two icons here – both Guns N’ Roses and Sir Elton had never headlined before.
2024 – Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Sza
Yes, Coldplay again. It’s no secret that this year’s line-up caused a little controversy with fans complaining.
However, it is also one for the history books as it marks the first time two headline slots have been taken up by female performers – it only took 54 years!
And that’s everything right up to this year, fingers crossed the weekend goes well and both Dua Lipa and Sza can make their iconic Pyramid Stage debuts.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.