After Dua Lipa and Coldplay’s sleek and efficient performances, Sunday night headliner SZA faced a tough act to follow at Glastonbury. Initially rumored to be filled by Madonna, the slot went to the US R&B star SZA, one of the most-streamed artists worldwide. Despite her vibrant and confident stage presence, her set did not resonate with the Pyramid Stage audience.
SZA, known for her complex and raw depictions of modern relationships, drew the smallest audience seen for a Glastonbury headliner in over two decades. The beginning of her set was marred by distorted and muffled microphone issues, detracting from her precise lyrics and jazzy vocal runs. Additionally, her lack of crowd engagement, only asking if any “day one” fans were present, left the audience feeling disconnected.
Her biggest hit, “Kill Bill,” came too late to retain the audience, many of whom drifted away to other performances by The National, James Blake, and London Grammar. Despite the dwindling crowd, those who stayed witnessed her spectacular vocal command, especially during “Nobody Gets Me,” a poignant ballad that moved many in the audience.
SZA’s visually stunning set was divided into three sections, reflecting the journey of healing from a broken heart. Starting in a cave with “Drew Barrymore,” moving through a “robot world” with hits like “Snooze” and “I Hate U,” and concluding with the liberating “Coming Home” segment, SZA’s performance was a visual feast. Her final song, “20 Something,” saw her descend from the elaborate set to connect directly with her fans.
Despite her compelling stage presence and sinuous choreography, SZA’s set felt mismatched for the Pyramid Stage, a recurring issue at this year’s Glastonbury. Beloved acts like Sugababes, Fred Again, and Avril Lavigne were also booked into areas too small for their fans, while the Pyramid Stage struggled to draw crowds for other notable acts like PJ Harvey and Janelle Monae.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Shania Twain captivated the Legends slot with her big, brassy anthems, while Avril Lavigne caused traffic jams with her pop-punk hits. Janelle Monae delivered a powerful set on the Pyramid Stage, and Burna Boy kept the party going with his Afro-fusion hits.
As Glastonbury prepared to close for another year, Emily Eavis confirmed the festival will return in 2025 before taking a fallow year in 2026.
