In 5 days, Worthy Farm in Somerset will open its legendary gates yet again for the 2014 edition of Glastonbury Festival. Highly regarded as the best music festival in the world, Glastonbury (which this year is headlined by Arcade Fire, Metallica and Kasabian) plays host to 120,000+ visitors every year, as well as thousands of acts over hundreds of stages. For the 5 days that Glastonbury takes place, its population is bigger than the population of your average English town. All Things Loud is going to be at Glastonbury this year, taking in as many performances as possible and bringing you exclusive interviews with, amongst others, the legendary hip hop group Jurassic 5. Read on to find out which acts are our 10 most anticipated performances of Glastonbury 2014.
TEMPLES – Friday, John Peel Stage, 15:00-15:45 / Saturday, William’s Green Stage, 20:00-20:40
The magnificent psychedelic rock of Temples is slowly making its way around the world, with the four-pieces’ popularity rising ever so gradually with every festival stage they take to. Glastonbury see’s the band perform twice, with their Friday afternoon show on the John Peel Stage being followed by a more intimate show at William’s Green on Saturday evening. This means you can either breathe a sigh of relief at the fact that you have two chances to see the Sun Structures quartet, or that you can just go see them twice. We’re opting for the latter, and we highly recommend that you do the same.
CHVRCHES – Friday, John Peel Stage, 19:45-20:45
Scottish trio Chvrches have, just like Temples, spent the last year slowly gaining more prominence. The Lauren Mayberry-fronted group, however, have taken America by storm by selling out large venues nationwide. It’s much the same in Europe, with their electronic synth-pop taking everyone by storm. If you’re not sure whether to choose between Chvrches, Elbow or Interpol, we highly suggest that Chvrches is the place to be. One day in the near future, hits such as Gun, Recover and The Mother We Share will be massive festival anthems, so get yourself down to the John Peel Stage on Friday to hear these songs in a slightly more intimate setting.
ARCADE FIRE – Friday, Pyramid Stage, 22:00-23:45
Arcade Fire, just like fellow headliners Metallica and Kasabian, are topping the Pyramid Stage for the first time in their career. Their most recent album, 2013’s Reflektor, topped charts worldwide with its eclectic mix of funk, disco, carnival rhythms, Rock’n’Roll and traditional Caribbean elements. The double disc album, which features the likes of Reflektor, Here Comes the Night Time and Afterlife, sounds rather different to the baroque indie rock of Arcade Fire’s past, but the songs are sure to go down just as well with the crowd as the likes of Wake Up, Ready to Start and No Cars Go. Expect plenty of confetti, chanting and epic moments on the Pyramid Stage this year.
ROYAL BLOOD – Saturday, John Peel Stage, 14:00-14:40
The last few months have been a whirlwind period for rock duo Royal Blood. Without even having an album to their name, Royal Blood have already supported Arctic Monkeys, performed shows the world over and been tipped for success by many. All this hype becomes evident when you listen to the likes of sprawling rock monster Out Of the Black, or riff-laden Little Monster. It’s crazy to think that all these songs are made with just bass and drums, making it even more worthwhile to check these guys out on Saturday.
IMAGINE DRAGONS – Saturday, Other Stage, 18:00-19:00
Nestled just behind the Pyramid Stage, the Other Stage provides another stage for upcoming acts and established mainstream bands to play. It’s a world away from the obscure small areas of the festival, with the likes of Blondie, Interpol, Haim and Imagine Dragons all appearing on it this year. The latter of these four, Las Vegas rockers Imagine Dragons, are expected to pull one of the largest crowds of the weekend to the Other Stage, with smash hits such as Radioactive, Demons and It’s Time. Be prepared for large anthems, plenty of power and tons of mayhem. If there’s one set this weekend which could go down as a weekend highlight, it’s going to be Imagine Dragons.
JACK WHITE – Saturday, Pyramid Stage, 19:30-20:45
Jack White needs no introduction. The American musician’s claim to fame as one half of The White Stripes was the catalyst for many fantastic endeavours, including bands such as The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs, as well as two solo albums of his own. His 75-minute set on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday is sure to feature hits from all aspects of his career, including White Stripes classics such as Seven Nation Army and Hotel Yorba, as well as solo hits Love Interruption, Freedom at 21 and Lazaretto. White is the perfect sub-headliner for Metallica, with his set sure to get the crowd ready for the metal legends.
METALLICA – Saturday, Pyramid Stage, 21:45-23:45
Heavy metal and Glastonbury is a combination which has never gone hand-in-hand. Next weekend, however, that will all change with metal legends Metallica heading up the Pyramid Stage. It’s the first time that a heavy metal band has ever headlined the Somerset festival, with its announcement courting plenty of controversy in the last weeks. The band is busy touring the world with their new By Request Tour this summer, yet for Glastonbury the James Hetfield-fronted band have promised nothing less than a greatest hits set. Expect Nothing Else Matters to get everyone swaying along, whilst Enter Sandman, Master of Puppets and Fuel do the dirty work by encouraging plenty of rowdy crowd action. Seeing Metallica live is not just like any old metal concert, it’s an experience. James Hetfield makes you feel like you’re part of Metallica with his crowd interaction. Controversial or not, Metallica at Glastonbury is happening, and it’s something you can’t miss.
DOLLY PARTON – Sunday, Pyramid Stage, 16:20-17:30
Country legend Dolly Parton fills this year’s classic “Sunday afternoon legends slot” on the Pyramid Stage, with a 70-minute set. Highly regarded as one of the biggest artists of the last few decades, hits such as Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You are sure to get the crowd either reeling in nostalgia or wondering why they never listened to Parton before. You might love her, you might hate her, but Dolly Parton is an artist who has been influential to tons of today’s big stars. If you’ve got an hour or so spare on Sunday afternoon, go down to the Pyramid Stage and watch history being made. Legends like Parton don’t come to Glastonbury often, and probably never will again, making the “legend’s slot” such a grand occasion every year.
THE BLACK KEYS – Sunday, Pyramid Stage, 19:45-21:00
Blues rockers The Black Keys are massive, with good reason. The Dan Auerbach-fronted duo saw tracks like Tighten Up, Lonely Boy and Gold on the Ceiling propel them to the rock stratosphere all over the world, with massive shows and festival headline sets everywhere and anywhere. Live, they’re electrifying and powerful, even more so than on record. With the end of Glastonbury just around the corner, there’s no better way to spend your early evening than watching these two mavericks at work, doing exactly what they do best.
KASABIAN – Sunday, Pyramid Stage, 21:45-23:15
Perhaps as unorthodox a headliner choice as Metallica, Leicester-quarter Kasabian’s dreams are finally coming true with a Pyramid Stage slot closing the whole weekend. It’ll be a tough job, but the band is determined and ready to do it. By the time the show starts, they’ll have plenty of experience to help them power through the show, with a homecoming show at Leicester’s Victoria Park the week before. New album 48:13 was released last week, and features the likes of rave-anthem Eez-Eh, heavy monolith Bumblebeee and party anthem Doomsday. Pair this with old classics like L.S.F., Fire, Shoot the Runner and Vlad the Impaler and you’ve got a legendary set on your hands. Kasabian have slowly worked their way up the festival ladder, and Glastonbury will see them live up to all the expectations and pull of one of the most astounding sets the Pyramid Stage will have ever seen. Be there.
Alongside these 10 acts, though, there is plenty else to see around the massive festival site. Is Arcade Fire not your cup of tea? Then you can choose between Metronomy, Kaiser Chiefs and MIA. Are you not particularly looking forward to Metallica? Then you’ve got choice between MGMT, Mogwai and Jake Bugg. And do you feel Kasabian just aren’t ready to headline? Then there’s choice between Massive Attack, Disclosure, James Blake or even London Grammar.
With at least five things on at the same time at Glastonbury you’re not only spoilt for choice, but you’re also dealt with five potential nightmares at the same time. Every year we’re dealt with a handful of horrible clashed, and this year is no exception. Friday night’s battle between Arcade Fire, Metronomy, Kaiser Chiefs, Skrillex and MIA is hard enough, let alone Jack White vs. Temples vs. Manic Street Preachers vs. Little Dragon on Saturday evening! Click here for a handy Clashfinder, which really helps if you’re not sure what to see!
All Things Loud will be bringing you full coverage of the whole festival, via the website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
