FEATURE:
With Two Names Remaining…
IN THIS PHOTO: Taylor Swift is a favourite to fill one of the remaining two Glastonbury headline slots for next year/PHOTO CREDIT: Taylor Swift
Which Artists Will Take the Last Headline Slots for Glastonbury 2020?
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IT might appear set in stone…
IN THIS PHOTO: Paul McCartney (who was joined on stage by Ringo Starr during McCartney’s Freshen Up tour) is already confirmed as a Glastonbury headliner/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
but we are still waiting to hear which two artists will take the remaining headline slots for Glastonbury next year. We know that Paul McCartney will take the Saturday slot on 27th June. You can keep abreast of all the Glasto happenings on the official website, but there is a lot of speculation and excitement regarding the remaining two headliners. I know Glastonbury is not just about the headline acts: every artist on the bill is worth watching and has their place. Of course, the headline acts are the ones who draw the most attention and hype. I speculated who might headline Glastonbury 2020 earlier in the year, but a few things have changed in the few months since that piece came out. I put Madonna as my lead image because, I feel, she would make a perfect headliner - even though she has had to cancel a few upcoming gigs due to pain issues . Bookies are making their predictions, and this website seems to be the most up-to-date regarding headliner odds. We know Macca is confirmed, but people have tipped Fleetwood Mac; they are not playing as they asked for too much money. I thought that was a way of throwing people off of the scent, given even Mick Fleetwood was suggesting he would love to play the festival. Emily Eavis has recently stated how the remaining headliners will consist of one female and one male – meaning there will be no bands and, with that, there goes Fleetwood Mac. NME take up the story:
"It's their first time at Glastonbury, and we've got one male and one female"
Emily Eavis has heightened speculation that Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar will top the bill at Glastonbury 2020 after confirming that the two remaining headlining acts have never played the festival before.
IN THIS PHOTO: Kendrick Lamar is another name suggested as a possible Glastonbury headliner/PHOTO CREDIT: Kendrick Lamar
Despite the fact that neither artist has made their Worthy Farm debut yet, the pair are currently leading the bookies’ odds for a top slot at Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary event next year.
Eavis told Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2: “Interestingly, for the other two headliners it’s their first time at Glastonbury and we’ve got one male and one female – so there’s a couple of clues there. I’m sure people will guess, so don’t put them to me!”
It comes a week after Paul McCartney was confirmed as the first headliner for Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary – marking his first appearance at the festival since 2004.
While it’s yet to be confirmed when the rest of the line-up will arrive, Eavis hinted that the identity of a second headliner could be revealed “this side of Christmas”.
“Most of it will be [announced in] the beginning of 2020. Everyone needs their moment,” she explained.
At the time of writing, Swift is receiving bookies odds as low as 3/10, followed by Kendrick Lamar at 4/11.
I would still like to see Madonna play because, although she is another legend, she would be a guaranteed hit. I do think the headliners for next year need to have that sense of uplift; songs that can get us all together and singing along. Whereas last year’s headliners – The Cure, Stormzy and The Killers – were well-received, I do feel there was a sense of pop and singalong missing; it was provided by non-headline acts like Lizzo and Kylie Minogue. Madonna would play, I assume, a career-spanning set that would be full of classics and some of her newer tracks.
Maybe, as I have speculated before, she would be too expensive, and she would go the same way as Fleetwood Mac. I am surprised Taylor Swift has not played Glastonbury before. With a huge year that includes award wins, a smash album (Lover) and a lot of attention, there is so much momentum in her camp. Maybe this is the time for Swift to headline. She is the bookies’ favourite and would prove popular to many. Prior to last year’s Glastonbury, Ed Sheeran was quoted in an article where he cast doubts about Swift’s Glastonbury readiness:
“Taylor is amongst the favourites to headline the festival along with Coldplay and Rihanna, but close friend Ed Sheeran has denied that she will perform.
He told Digital Spy, "Taylor doesn't like festivals, so for any bookies reading... I think Taylor likes doing her own show because she's in control..."
The headlines are expected to be announced in the New Year, Lionel Richie is the only 'big' act to be confirmed as a performer at the Festival in June.
If she does end up performing, hopefully she will drag Ed on stage to perform their 2013 hit 'Everything Has Changed'”.
I am not a fan of Taylor Swift and, whilst she has a particular demographic that is not necessarily universal, she is a massively popular artist and could put on a great set. A few Pop artists have headlined the past few years, yet there has been a diversification of the headliners. Stormzy’s set last year brought Grime to the forefront, so many would not be shocked if Rap artist Kendrick Lamar was booked for 2020 – he is the other favourite to take the headline slot.
I think Kendrick Lamar makes sense, considering he is another huge artist and would put on an amazing show. Following Stormzy’s set this year, I wonder whether another artist of a similar ilk is a good choice. I think the fiftieth anniversary next year is this rare event that should be marked by music that makes us united and has that more anthemic tone. I would love to see Lamar headline another year but, when it comes to male artists, there are others that people are tipping. I would personally love to see Stevie Wonder headline but, as he has appeared before, that is not going to happen. Elton John is another name in the hat, but there have been so many articles saying he will not play either. Emily Eavis has confirmed both headliners are first-timers, so it limits the field. In terms of men who have never played before, there are a lot more options, but I wonder whether Emily and Michael Eavis want to keep a similar balance to this year’s Glastonbury. I have seen a lot of speculation that Kate Bush could appear but, whilst she is on Emily Eavis’ dream list (as well as everyone else’s!), that is extremely unlikely. Kate Bush has never played a festival like Glastonbury and has often talked about her nerves playing gigs. The fact that she performs so rarely live and is not a Glastonbury act rules her firmly out.
IN THIS PHOTO: Ariana Grande is a possible headliner choice/PHOTO CREDIT: Ariana Grande
The thing is, when it comes to guessing names, one can never make easy predictions and there are always surprises! Ariana Grande is another artist who is in the running and, like Taylor Swift, she has a mighty fanbase. It seems like a Glastonbury date might fit into Taylor Swift’s diary:
“Swift is due to perform at a string of European festivals next summer on her Lover world tour, including in France, Germany and Portugal, but has yet to announce any UK performances.
Fans have noticed that the 29-year-old singer has a gap in her schedule which could allow her to travel to Glastonbury, which is taking place between June 24 and 28.
Other female artists rumoured to be headlining include Madonna, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, with SkyBet offering odds of 8/1, 14/1 and 18/1 respectively.
The festival has been criticised by some for a lack of female headliners in recent years, with co-organiser Emily Eavis pledging to “work towards” a 50/50 gender balance in future lineups”.
The only other artist that comes to mind when considering female headliners is the Spice Girls. I know Emily Eavis intimated it would be a solo female artist, but the Spice Girls were rumoured last year; they were approached but wanted to see how their U.K. tour went, considering they had not long reunited. One can never rule out the Spice Girls. They themselves have practically confirmed it:
“The Spice girls are planning to make a full line-up return with a headline slot at Glastonbury Festival 2020.
Having recently reunited a series of comeback shows without original member Victoria Beckham, the ’90s pop group have claimed that discussions are underway for Posh Spice to return to the band for a one-off show at Glastonbury next year.
It is thought that festival organisers Michael and Emily Eavis are planning major surprises for the 2020 edition of Glastonbury, a year which will mark the event’s 50th anniversary.
Now, while speaking to fans at as part of a Q&A session titled ‘A Brutally Honest Evening with Mel B’, Scary Spice hinted that a festival performance is a major possibility: “I think if you are just going to do Glastonbury then let’s just go on tour and do the rest of Europe,” she said as part of the book show at London’s Savoy Theatre.
She added: “We are definitely signed on board to do that. All five of us, yes.”
The difficult decision to play a series of UK shows as a four-piece has been a tricky logistical problem for the band, but Mel B has heaped praise on Beckham and her career: “Victoria is Victoria,” she said according to NME. “She’s made an amazing career based on the Spice Girls. She’s got a fashion empire and she’s done amazingly well. But you can’t beat being Posh Spice in the Spice Girls, can you? You can’t beat that.”
She finalised: “My plan is for all five of us to do Glastonbury next year for the 50th anniversary. I’m in the process of persuading Victoria to do it. And I will make it happen”.
As Diana Ross is confirmed in the legend slot for next year, that means the Spice Girls do not have many other opportunities remaining. It is tantalising to suggest which artists could make headliners and, as Emily Eavis suggested we may get another name prior to Christmas, many people are getting their guesses in. Many people though they had the Glastonbury headliners figured days before the names were announced last year so, as we await the two remaining headliners for 2020, it seems things…
IN THIS PHOTO: Glastonbury’s Emily Eavis/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC
AREN’T set in stone just yet.