Main content

8 really quite well-known acts that have never played Glastonbury - until now

Amazingly, this list of legends are all playing the festival for the first time in 2015

Glastonbury is a million different things to the 175,000 people who get to go each year, but top of most people's list is the opportunity to see a massive variety of music, from established bands to newbies caught in the midst of blog hype. Each year, scores of new artists play and there are always plenty of returning legends, like , and , who are all performing in 2015 and have clocked up a staggering number of appearance betweem them.

And then there are those who you just assume have played before, but haven't. Here's a shout out to them, and a warm welcome to Worthy Farm...

1. Kanye West

Kanye West. Zane Lowe. Part 1

Kanye West. Zane Lowe. Part 1

He's the biggest star in the world" - Emily Eavis

You wouldn't imagine that having, , "the biggest star in the world" make his Glastonbury debut in 2015 would prove to be so controversial, but there's no accounting for taste. The last hip hop star to headline the festival - in 2008 - caused just as much fuss. Perhaps will consult Jay for tips, or maybe not - he's not exactly lacking in confidence, as you'll remember from his Zane interview.

2. Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams - New York, New York (Later Archive 2001)

Ryan Adams performs New York, New York on Later... with Jools Holland in 2001.

He's not quite the über-star that Kanye is, but in many ways it's far more surprising that has never played Glastonbury before - not even as the frontman of Whiskeytown, who released three albums between 1995 and 2001. Glastonbury anoraks will remember that Adams was billed in 2005, but forced to pull out because of an ear infection, later diagnosed as Ménière's disease. It's taken the Eavises another decade to book the prolific alt. country/rock singer-songwriter, who will be playing songs from his - count them! - 14 solo albums to date. Here he is back in 2001 on Jools.

3. Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach speaks to Jo Whiley

Legendary American pianist, composer & music producer Burt Bacharach speaks to Jo Whiley.

Another musician who was billed before (in 2000) and couldn't make it. In fact, scrap the word 'musician' - is a titan of popular music who's had 73 US Top 40 hits and 52 here in the UK. Walk on By, I Say a Little Prayer, Make It Easy on Yourself, Do You Know the Way to San Jose?, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, What’s New Pussycat? - all Bacharach songs (often with lyrics by his writing partner Hal David), and all recorded by the cream of 20th century singing talent, including , , , , , … Bet you he'll play Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head if it’s tipping down.

4. Motörhead

Lemmy Kilmister's previous band, , have a long history with Glastonbury, playing three times in the 70s and 80s. Also, a one-time member of the group, Thomas Crimble, was a part of the behind-the-scenes organisation of the festival from 1971 to 1999. - comprised of Lemmy, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee - have never played at Worthy Farm, though. Did Metallica, who headlined last year, open the floodgates for heavy bands? Let's hope so.

5. Death Cab for Cutie

Sorry, this clip is not currently available

Death Cab for Cutie in session for Lauren Laverne

Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie is live in session for 6 Music's Lauren Laverne.

April 14 and a simple annoucement on 's : "For the first time ever, Death Cab for Cutie will perform at one of the largest festivals in the world - Glastonbury." About time! Any why on earth did it take this most celebrated of American alternative rock bands, led by Ben Gibbard, so long? They're 18 years and 6 albums into their career. Catch them almost headlining (only FFS play after them) on the Park Stage on Sunday.

6. Lionel Richie

Preview of Lionel Richie: Dancing on the Ceiling

Preview of Lionel Richie: Dancing on the Ceiling documentary.

We felt very lucky to get the call from a Motown legend" - Emily Eavis

The Sunday teatime slot at Glastonbury has almost become a genre in itself - giving an established, very Radio 2-friendly music legend to chance lift tired spirits before the final push of Sunday night. They're usually debutantes, as indeed is , the first artist to be announced for Glastonbury 2015. Said Emily Eavis: "We’ve had some amazing performances in the Sunday teatime slot over the years, from , , and many others. And, of course, played an incredible set last year. So we felt very lucky to get the call from a true Motown legend asking to play this year."

7. Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige - No More Drama (Later Archive 2002)

Mary J. Blige performs No More Drama on Later... with Jools Holland in 2002.

Following a sensantional performance by another major-league US hip hop/RnB artist, Kelis, on the Pyramid Stage last year, Glastonbury has invited none other than the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, , to make her debut in 2015. We’ve always loved Mary in the UK, and she loves us. In February 2014, she added vocals to a remix of 's F for You, then dropped an entire album, The London Sessions, of collaborations with the cream of new British talent, including , and .

8. Death from Above 1979

Okay, so they went on hiatus between 2006 and 2011, but it still seems like a mistake that a band as suited to Glastonbury as Canadian dance-rock two-piece have never played the festival before. Good things come to those who wait, though: Sebastien Grainger (drums/vocals) and bassist Jesse F. Keeler (pictured above with Zane) are better players now that they're older and they at last have a second album, The Physical World, to batter Glastonbury with.

Related Links