26 Jun Glastonbury 202bury: Stars, Beats & Festival Highlights
1:54 min read
Three years without Glastonbury. Then this: Paul McCartney at 80 on the Pyramid Stage, Kendrick Lamar as the first solo rap headliner in festival history, and a sea of 200,000 people who knew exactly what they had almost lost forever.
Key Takeaways
- Paul McCartney performed at 80-oldest Glastonbury headliner ever
- Kendrick Lamar became the first solo rap act to headline the Pyramid Stage
- Billie Eilish headlined Friday night and shattered last year’s age record
- The festival returned for the first time since 2019-at full capacity
Paul McCartney: 80 Years and Not a Beat Less
What you can say about Paul McCartney’s set without resorting to superlatives: he played for two and a half hours straight, no breaks. The setlist spanned Beatles classics, Wings material, and tracks from his 2021 album McCartney III. Dave Grohl joined him onstage for an impromptu session-weeks after Grohl’s daughter Violet had performed with McCartney. The moment that went viral: a holographic collaboration with the late John Lennon, who accompanied McCartney via archival footage on a rendition of “I’ve Got a Feeling.” The crowd froze.
Kendrick Lamar: Mr. Morale on Sunday
Kendrick Lamar’s headlining slot wasn’t just another concert night. He took the stage wearing a thorn-crowned circlet-a visual nod to his recently released double album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The set was political, razor-sharp, and technically flawless. The surprise twist: a brief snippet of “Humble” reimagined as drum-and-bass, leaving the crowd in collective awe. Kendrick did what he always does: delivered a show you only fully grasp weeks later.
Billie Eilish on Friday
Billie Eilish kicked off the headlining run and, in doing so, broke her own age record set at Coachella. Twenty years old, two albums, one Glastonbury main stage. Her set closed with a statement on abortion rights following the U.S. Supreme Court decision-met with a standing ovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who headlined Glastonbury 2022?
The headliners were Billie Eilish (Friday), Paul McCartney (Saturday), and Kendrick Lamar (Sunday). McCartney, at 80, became the oldest headliner in festival history, while Kendrick was the first solo rap headliner of the Pyramid Stage.
What was the most emotional moment at Glastonbury 2022?
Paul McCartney’s holographic duet with the late John Lennon on “I’ve Got a Feeling” is widely regarded as the festival’s emotional peak, with a crowd of 100,000 people utterly still.
Which surprise guests appeared at Glastonbury 2022?
Dave Grohl joined Paul McCartney onstage. Kendrick Lamar delivered several surprises through reworked tracks. Bruce Springsteen also performed with McCartney.