The lineup for Glastonbury 2025 is out

This morning, the official accounts of Glastonbury – the legendary music festival in the United Kingdom – announced the lineup for the upcoming edition, taking place from June 25 to 29, across all social media platforms. The extensive list of international artists features The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo as headliners, alongside other stars of the moment such as Charli XCX, Doechii, Noah Kahan, Japanese Breakfast, and even The Libertines. The selection of main artists is undoubtedly diverse, spanning multiple generations: at 79 years old, Neil Young will take the stage at the peak of the evening, despite having attempted to boycott the festival last year, calling it a «corporate machine.» For The 1975, this marks their first time as headliners but their third appearance at Glastonbury; notably, coinciding with the festival’s announcement, the band changed their identity on social media, signaling the beginning of a new era. On the other hand, Olivia Rodrigo will be the second youngest artist to headline Glastonbury in the festival’s history, following Billie Eilish. At first glance, the lineup appears quite varied, covering all the historically dominant genres of the festival, but it has not been well received on social media.

The comments under the official Instagram post reveal a wave of criticism and negative reactions, not only regarding the chosen artists for the 2025 edition of what is often considered "the greatest festival of all time" but also lamenting notable absences. One comment, with over 400 likes, asks, "Where’s Chappell??", referring to Chappell Roan, one of last year’s breakout artists. Similarly, other users question the absence of artists like Lady Gaga, FKA Twigs, and Hozier, who have released new music in recent months or are about to. On X, the reactions are even harsher, with many users accusing the lineup of having "possibly the worst headliners of all time". At the center of the controversy is The 1975, particularly frontman Matty Healy, who has been criticized for his controversial behavior over the past two years. One tweet reads, "Absolutely absurd that The 1975 are headliners, a terrible band." Others have criticized Glastonbury for poor management, particularly in relegating Charli XCX to a smaller stage instead of the main stage. According to many, this decision could lead to overcrowding issues, considering that her set will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated performances of the festival. Despite the widespread criticism, this year's festival numbers remain solid, as proven by the fact that tickets sold out within minutes. The crisis affecting major festivals, which has severely impacted even Coachella, seems to have left Glastonbury unscathed, reaffirming its status as one of the most highly anticipated music events worldwide. Perhaps the heightened reactions this year are also fueled by the fact that this will be the last edition of Glastonbury before its scheduled hiatus in 2026, after which it will return in full business in 2027.