Sign up for Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter, Now Hear This, for the inside scoop on all things music
Get our free Listen to this Email Now
The crowd at SZA’s Glastonbury set on Sunday was unusually sparse for the festival headliner, as the Grammy-nominated artist’s performance was joined by performances from a number of other major acts A conflict occurred.
Following headlines with Dua Lipa and Coldplay on Friday and Saturday, the 34-year-old R&B star stepped out at Somerset Wall on Sunday night (June 30). Worthy Farm closes out the festival.
SZA’s Glastonbury debut clashed with other big-name artists on the line-up, including Justice on the West Holts Stage, James Blake on the Woodsies, London Grammar on the Park Stage and The National on other stages.
The Independent Louis Chilton reported that “a surprising number of people” left the Worthy Farm festival site before the show began, presumably to avoid traffic.
Meanwhile, viewers watching the BBC coverage also questioned the reduced number of people on the Pyramid Stage: “Did you see the crowd on the Pyramid Stage?” one fan wrote on X/Twitter.
Ahead of SZA’s first performance at Glastonbury, some festival-goers questioned the decision to make her the headline artist, with many claiming they had never heard of her before she was announced.
One user on , I had never heard of her or even heard of her.
SZA began her music career in 2011 after co-writing hits including “Consideration” for Rihanna’s 2016 album be opposed to.
The musician gained further recognition in 2017 for his critically acclaimed debut studio album control keys. Her next album, Please help, Topping the Billboard 200 chart and winning the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album, it also played four sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena last year.
Get unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
Sign up
Get unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
Sign up
woolHer next album is expected to be released later this year.
Although SZA’s Sunday headlining show was attended by a smaller crowd than expected amid multiple major clashes, questions remain about placing other artists on smaller stages.
The Independent Adam White reports that West Holt’s Sugababes was packed on Friday night, with large crowds crowding into another stage to try to catch a glimpse of Avril Lavigne Lavigne’s style.
He wrote: “Like the crowded Sugababes scene, grumpy, nostalgic pop-punk queen Avril Lavigne was one of the must-see acts at the festival, but was shoved onto a stage that was too small, facing ”
