Glastonbury is over for another year. The clean-up is underway (physical and political), sunburns are peeling, and proper showers finally had. The colleagues lucky enough to snag tickets are back in the office, voices hoarse as the regale us with the truly life-changing experience they had.
But with so many set clashes and over-subscribed stages, there’s no way everyone saw everything they wanted. Plus there will be no Glastonbury 2026 — next year is a fallow year — so the only way to relive the glory is to watch all the bests sets back on iPlayer.
Those of us who rode out the heatwave at home with Glasto on the telly have the advantage here. Here are the best sets currently available on catch-up (and the ones that are MIA):
CMAT
CMAT’s Pyramid Stage set on Saturday was one for the ages. High energy joyful pop with the kind of crowd work that will have you two-stepping in your living room. Our correspondent on the ground gave it five stars and, from my sofa vantage point, I fully agreed.
Alanis Morrissette
It’s wild to think that Alanis Morrissette released her first album when she was 16 in 1991. That may have been before some of us were even born, but I defy you not to have all the lyrics come rushing back. Her voice is just as powerful and distinctive, and she throws herself around the stage with more energy than her younger counterparts.
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters were the victims of some truly brutal clashes - Charli xcx, Doechii, and Neil Young — and some technical issues with the Livestream. So the playback is the perfect way to watch them and fully enjoy their truly excellent special guest. Ian McKellen, holding back the tears as he gave the monologue to their 2010 track Invisible Light. Legend.
Lorde
Everyone and their mum wanted to be at Lorde’s secret 11.30am set at Woodsies on Friday. But frankly, that’s very early for a festival, and the tent was full to capacity well before she kicked off anyway. Even her Instagram livestream kept cutting out. Better to enjoy the maiden voyage of her new album, Virgin, with some room to breathe.
Jade
Jade’s solo career has been an absolute joy to behold. Her debut album — That’s Showbiz Baby! — isn’t out until September but she already draws huge crowds. Ncuti Gatwa introduces her, Confidence Man are special guests, and there’s a banging mega-mix to be enjoyed for the Little Mixers. Plus, she has the best costume-change gag of the whole festival. One to watch on repeat.
Charli xcx
Kudos to the BBC camera people for capturing the feral energy of Charli xcx as she finally burned the whole Brat banner down. Ignore the boomers moaning about her using autotune (that’s, like, her whole thing), this is a vintage Brat set complete with lots of thrashing, stomping and stage-licking. Warning — the strobe light effects are not to be taken lightly.
Brandi Carlile
London Standard cover star Brandi Carlile closed out her micro UK tour with a heartfelt set. Queer-friendly country music might be having a moment right now, but she’s always been the OG. While the crowd work sections are very American in their sincerity, Carlile revealse herself to be a real wifeguy, which is adorable.
Skepta
Skepta’s set was another surprise one, in that he stepped in after Deftones pulled out due to illness at the eleventh hour. It was a cracking set regardless (only half an hour, but it felt longer), but all the more incredible that he pulled it out of the bag with next to know prep. What a hero.
Watch on iPlayer here.
Kneecap
If you didn’t catch Helen from Wales daring to Livestream where the BBC feared to tread, worry not. The rap trio did eventually make it on to iPlayer, where you can see what all the fuss is about/ see how many chants of “f*** Keir Starmer” got bleeped out.
Watch on iPlayer here.
AWOL: Doechii
Enquiring minds need to know — why is Doechii’s set not on iPlayer yet?
