Top 5 Iconic Glastonbury Sets to listen to for Reliving Festival Glory on Weekends - Goh Ling Yong
The mud-caked wellies are back in the shed, the faint shimmer of glitter has finally washed away, and the only ringing in your ears is the sound of a quiet weekend. For many of us, the weeks following the Glastonbury festival can feel a little... empty. The post-festival blues are a very real phenomenon, a strange longing for the communal energy, the random encounters, and the earth-shaking sound of a band hitting their stride on the Pyramid Stage.
But what if you could recapture a slice of that Worthy Farm magic without leaving your living room? Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that great music is a time machine. The right live recording can transport you straight back to that field, sun on your face (or rain, let's be honest), with thousands of fellow music lovers singing in unison. It’s the perfect antidote to a quiet weekend, a way to turn your home into your very own festival stage.
So, grab your best headphones, pour yourself a cider, and get ready to dive into the archives. We’ve curated a list of five truly iconic Glastonbury sets that are essential listening. These aren’t just great gigs; they are moments in music history—performances that defined artists, shifted cultural conversations, and perfectly captured the wild, unpredictable spirit of the world's greatest festival.
1. David Bowie, Pyramid Stage (2000)
The Context: By the turn of the millennium, David Bowie was already a living legend, but his relationship with Glastonbury was a story 30 years in the making. He had played the second-ever festival in 1971 to a small crowd of hippies at dawn. His return in 2000 was more than just a headline slot; it was a coronation. After a decade focused on more experimental, avant-garde work, this was Bowie reconnecting with his monumental back catalogue, and the anticipation on the farm was electric.
The Performance: From the moment he walked out, resplendent in a long Alexander McQueen coat, and launched into a gorgeous cover of "Wild Is the Wind," it was clear this would be special. What followed was a masterclass in stage presence and artistic command. This wasn't a rock star going through the motions; this was an artist joyfully inhabiting his own creations. The setlist was a fan’s dream, a relentless parade of era-defining hits: "Changes," "Life on Mars?," "Ashes to Ashes," "Rebel Rebel." The emotional peak came during a soaring, transcendent performance of "Heroes," where the camera pans across a sea of faces, all singing along, many with tears in their eyes. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated musical communion.
How to Relive It: This set is perfect for a Sunday afternoon. It’s a performance to be savored, not just thrown on in the background. To get the full effect, find the official film of the set. Watch Bowie’s knowing smiles to the crowd and the sheer quality of his band. Pay attention to the beautiful vocal harmonies from his long-time collaborator, Gail Ann Dorsey, especially on "Under Pressure." This isn't just a nostalgia trip; it's a lesson in what makes a true icon.
2. Pulp, Pyramid Stage (1995)
The Context: The story of Pulp’s 1995 headline set is the ultimate Glastonbury fairytale. The Stone Roses, one of the biggest bands in the country, were forced to pull out at the last minute due to an injury. With just a few weeks' notice, the call went out to the Sheffield band Pulp. At the time, they were beloved indie darlings on the cusp of greatness, but they were by no means a guaranteed Pyramid Stage headliner. It was a massive gamble for both the festival and the band.
The Performance: What happened next is written into festival folklore. Frontman Jarvis Cocker, all gangly limbs and witty charm, seized the moment with both hands. He wasn't just a singer; he was a conductor, a storyteller, and a master of ceremonies for the biggest party in the country. The band was tight and ferocious, ripping through songs that would soon become anthems of a generation, like "Disco 2000" and "Sorted for E's & Wizz." The defining moment, however, was "Common People." As Cocker dedicated the song to everyone at the festival, the crowd erupted. It was more than a song; it was an anthem for every single person standing in that field. It was the instant a great band became legends.
How to Relive It: This is your ultimate Saturday night kitchen disco starter pack. The recording crackles with a raw, unpredictable energy that polished live albums often lack. The sound isn't perfect, but the feeling is. Crank it up and listen for the crowd noise—it’s a crucial part of the experience. You can hear the exact moment of collective realisation that they are witnessing something truly special. This set is a reminder that sometimes, the most legendary moments are the ones that happen against all odds.
3. Radiohead, Pyramid Stage (1997)
The Context: Fresh off the release of OK Computer, an album that would go on to redefine modern rock music, Radiohead arrived at Glastonbury as the most critically acclaimed band on the planet. But the stage was set for disaster. The weather was biblical, turning the site into a quagmire. On stage, technical gremlins plagued the band from the start. Monitors failed, lights malfunctioned, and Thom Yorke couldn't hear himself sing. By all accounts, the band was miserable and on the verge of walking off.
The Performance: This is what makes the set so iconic. Out of that chaos, frustration, and technical failure, Radiohead delivered one of the most intense, cathartic, and powerful performances in Glastonbury history. The tension they felt on stage translated into raw, visceral energy that poured into the music. Songs like "Paranoid Android" and "Karma Police" took on a new, desperate edge. Yorke, isolated and unable to hear, channeled his frustration into a vocal performance of breathtaking vulnerability and power. The crowd, soaked and muddy, refused to let the band fail, singing every word back at them and providing the connection the technology couldn't.
How to Relive It: This is a late-night, headphones-on, lights-down kind of listen. It’s not an easy or comfortable experience, but it is a profoundly moving one. You can hear the struggle in the recording, but you can also hear the band’s sheer musical genius triumphing over it. As my colleague Goh Ling Yong would say, "True art is often forged in fire." Listen for the moment in "Let Down" where the crowd's singing becomes a pillar of support for the band. It's a testament to the unique bond between an artist and their audience.
4. Jay-Z, Pyramid Stage (2008)
The Context: When Jay-Z was announced as a headliner, the backlash was immediate and intense. Noel Gallagher of Oasis famously grumbled, "I'm not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong." It kicked off a tedious culture war debate about what kind of music "belonged" at the festival. For Jay-Z, it was no longer just a gig; it was a statement. He had to prove not just that he was a worthy headliner, but that hip-hop had a place at the very top of the bill.
The Performance: He opened with a tongue-in-cheek video montage of the controversy, before walking on stage with a guitar and launching into a wonderfully shambolic cover of Oasis's "Wonderwall." The entire crowd sang along, and in that single moment, Jay-Z disarmed his critics, won over the crowd, and silenced the debate. What followed was a masterclass in showmanship. He delivered a blistering set of his biggest hits, from "99 Problems" to "Hard Knock Life," proving that charisma, lyrical genius, and massive beats could unite a festival field just as effectively as any guitar band.
How to Relive It: This is pure weekend energy. It’s a set filled with confidence, swagger, and undeniable tunes. It's perfect for a pre-going-out playlist or for blasting during a weekend workout. Listen for the sheer power and clarity of his delivery. Even without the visuals, his command of the stage is palpable. This performance didn't just justify his headline slot; it blew the doors wide open for future diverse headliners like Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Stormzy.
5. Stormzy, Pyramid Stage (2019)
The Context: If Jay-Z opened the door, Stormzy kicked it off its hinges and built a new one. As the first Black British solo artist to headline the Pyramid Stage, the weight of cultural and historical significance on his shoulders was immense. This wasn't just another performance; it was a landmark moment for British music and culture. He knew he had to deliver something more than just a collection of songs.
The Performance: It was, in a word, cinematic. From the Banksy-designed stab-proof vest he wore to the ballet dancers during "Don't Cry For Me," every single second was meticulously planned for maximum impact. It was a celebration of Black British culture, with guest appearances from Dave and Fredo, and powerful samples from politician David Lammy. But beyond the incredible production, Stormzy himself was a force of nature. He radiated charisma, humility, and raw talent, holding 100,000 people in the palm of his hand. The joyous, gospel-inflected performance of "Blinded by Your Grace, Pt. 2" was a moment of pure, uplifting unity.
How to Relive It: Watch the full performance if you can. The visual spectacle is a huge part of its power. This set is a journey—it’s confrontational, joyful, political, and deeply personal. It’s perfect for when you want to feel inspired and witness an artist operating at the absolute peak of their powers. It’s a history lesson and a massive party all rolled into one, and it cemented Glastonbury's status as a festival that doesn't just reflect culture—it shapes it.
Your Weekend Playlist is Set
These five performances are more than just amazing live sets; they are sonic time capsules. They capture the magic, the chaos, the joy, and the history of Glastonbury. They are a potent reminder of how music can unite us, challenge us, and provide the ultimate escape.
So next time the weekend feels a little too quiet, you know what to do. Dive into the archives, turn up the volume, and let the sounds of Worthy Farm fill your home.
What are your go-to Glastonbury sets for reliving the glory? Did we miss a personal favorite that gets you through the festival-free weekends? Share your iconic moments and must-listen performances in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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