From Kylie to Miley: Sunday at Glastonbury

The world’s greatest music festival closed out with a hits-packed Cure set – plus choirs, cones and cutesy metal

Hangovers, fatigue and accumulated sweat were put aside for one more day in the sun, with the Cure delivering an epic final headlining set.

Robert Smith. The Cure
Robert Smith. The Cure Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Miley Cyrus proved her rockstar worth, with a set that featured everything from Old Town Road to Nine Inch Nails, via a lot of swearing.

Miley Cyrus performs on The Pyramid Stage
Miley Cyrus performs on The Pyramid Stage Photograph: Harry Durrant/Getty Images

Opening the day were the Langa Methodist Church Choir, a Cape Town choir whose grace and beauty soothed many a sore head first thing in the morning.

Langa Methodist Church Choir
Langa Methodist Church Choir Photograph: Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock

It was a moving performance for Kylie Minogue, who was forced to cancel in 2005 due to a breast cancer diagnosis, and had never returned until now. “Never mind the legends slot; next stop, headliner,” said the Guardian’s deputy music editor Laura Snapes.

Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue Photograph: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Janelle Monáe and Billie Eilish tore up the West Holts and Other stages respectively.

Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish Photograph: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Looking down over the Shangri-La area: Glastonbury’s far eastern corner where activists, ravers and the very, very lost congregate for mind-spinning happenings.

Shangri-La on Friday night, looking out across Truth Stage during The Idles set
Shangri-La on Friday night, looking out across Truth Stage during The Idles set Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
Revellers dance at sunset
Revellers dance at sunset Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Cutesy-slash-terrifying Japanese band Babymetal astonished on the Other stage, with their high-intensity, high-glucose take on metal.

Babymetal perform on The Other Stage
Babymetal perform on The Other Stage Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Dave, who made one audience member’s dreams come true with a chance to guest on the mic; and Years & Years, who brought pure pop and queer energy to the Pyramid stage.

Dave Performs at Glastonbury Festival 2019 Sunday - Worthy Farm, Pilton
Dave Performs at Glastonbury Festival 2019 Sunday - Worthy Farm, Pilton
English rapper Dave (born David Orobosa Omoregie) performs on The Other Stage at Glastonbury Festival, Worthy Farm, Pilton, England, UK on Sunday 30 June 2019. Picture by Justin Ng/Retna/Avalon.
Photograph: Justin Ng/Retna/Avalon
Years and Years on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival 2019. Sunday 30 June 2019
Years and Years on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival 2019. Sunday 30 June 2019 Photograph: Alicia Canter/The Guardian
Festival goers watch Slaves
Festival goers watch Slaves Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Mark Ronson brought his Club Heartbreak concept to the Stonebridge Bar: melancholy yet uplifting dancefloor bangers to – paradoxically? – cure you of a broken heart.

Mark Ronson at Stonebridge Bar. The Park
Mark Ronson at Stonebridge Bar. The Park Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Come the morning, Glastonbury was back to its usual self: sitting thoroughly outside of mainstream life, and always for the better.

Mike Feingold poses for a photograph outside the £300 eco-friendly Roundhouse in the Permaculture area on day five of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 30, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. Glastonbury is the largest greenfield festival in the world, and is attended by around 175,000 people.
Mike Feingold poses for a photograph outside the £300 eco-friendly Roundhouse in the Permaculture area on day five of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 30, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. Glastonbury is the largest greenfield festival in the world, and is attended by around 175,000 people. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

As everyone was contemplating their first cider of the day, the Guardian’s very own Kate Hutchinson played an early set at the Beat Hotel.

Kate Hutchinson plays at Beat Hotel with Hannah Ellis-Petersen looking/dancing on
Kate Hutchinson plays at Beat Hotel with Hannah Ellis-Petersen looking/dancing on Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
Rubbish collection
Rubbish collection Photograph: Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock
Glastonbury Festival flags. Photograph by David Levene 29/6/19
Glastonbury Festival flags. Photograph by David Levene 29/6/19 Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

As you read this, the tent city is being dismantled for another year – but ready to rise again for Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary. See you down the front for – we hope – Madonna, Elton John and Fleetwood Mac?

Glastonbury Festival. Photograph by David Levene 28/6/19
Glastonbury Festival. Photograph by David Levene 28/6/19 Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
Revellers help a man crowdsurf as they watch The Slaves perform on The Other Stage at the Glastonbury Festival
Revellers help a man crowdsurf as they watch the Slaves perform on The Other Stage at the Glastonbury Festival Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Contributors

Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Karin Andreasson

The GuardianTramp

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