11 Of The Worst Performances Ever At Glastonbury

Glastonbury is the UK’s premier music festival and has played host to a number of legendary performances and headliners over the years. However, not every act has gone done well with the Somerset crowd.

Headliners such as David Bowie, Radiohead and The Rolling Stones have wowed audiences at Glastonbury, but not everyone who has been invited to play the historic summer festival can say the same. In fact, some have been downright dismal. Culture Trip brings you Glastonbury’s worst performances.

Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band – 2014

Yoko Ono made her Glastonbury debut with Yo La Tengo as her backing band. She certainly made an impression. It just wasn’t the right one. Letting rip with a cacophony of howls, grunts and primal screams, Ono tried to wail the crowd into submission in what has been described as one of the worst Glasto performances ever.

Yoko Ono performed with Yo La Tengo at Glastonbury in 2014

OK, so Glastonbury caters to all kinds of music fans. Even the little ones or those who are seriously nostalgic about their childhood and need their fictional heroes to be resurrected in real life to perform for them on stage. These furry critters from Wimbledon Common were… interesting. Actually, that’s not the right word, they were rubbish.

The Wombles had a number one song in the UK in 1998

Dogstar – 1999

In 1999, Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves performed at the festival with his band Dogstar. Keeping any banter to a minimum, he mumbled a few incoherent words on stage and ended up being pelted with fruit. Bet he wished he’d taken the blue pill.

Keanu Reeves brought his band Dogstar to the festival in 1999

Evan Dando – 1995

The Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando faced the full wrath of peeved off revellers when he rocked up two hours late and then launched into an impromptu acoustic set in front of a crowd, who were now waiting for Portishead to come on. The musician had to be led off stage for his own safety.

The Lemonheads frontman had to be led off stage for his own safety

Mansun – 1997

Rockers Mansun marked the release of their debut album Attack of the Grey Lantern with a set at Glastonbury – except sound problems and a stage that was fast sinking into a deluge of mud meant they weren’t able to play a single song.

Mansun didn’t actually play a single song during their ill-fated Glastonbury set

Shakin’ Stevens – 2008

Welsh rock’n’roll singer Shakin’ Stevens failed to shake things up when he performed at Glastonbury, despite a set crammed full of ’80s hits. What could possibly go wrong with getting a performer known for a Christmas classic to go on stage at a summer festival?

Shakin’ Stevens is best known for the festive hit ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’

Morrissey – 2011

The former frontman of The Smiths gave the general impression that he didn’t really want to be there – and knew his audience didn’t want to be there either. “I’ll try to sing as fast as I can as I know you’re here to see U2,” he told the crowd.

Morrissey rushed through his 2011 Glastonbury performance

Rod Stewart – 2002

The crooner managed to win the crowd over with ‘Maggie May’ and ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’, but it was hard not to cringe a bit at all his try-hard ’80s strut and swagger.

The Somerset crowd wasn’t impressed with Rod Stewart

Skunk Anansie – 1999

“I can’t believe we’re headlining the last Glastonbury of the 20th century!” singer Skin cried as she walked onto the Pyramid Stage. Neither could the crowd. Sure, they had a huge hit with ‘Weak’ back in 1996, but by 1999 they were hardly headline material.

Skunk Anansie headlined the festival in 1999

Chas ’n’ Dave – 2005

Rockney legends Chas ’n’ Dave surprisingly went down a treat, with one music critic claiming they were even better than that year’s headliners Coldplay. Come on now…

Some critics praised Chas ’n’ Dave’s 2005 Glastonbury set

The Wurzels – 2000

The West Country ‘scrumpy and western’ band have a long track record at Glastonbury, having played in 2000, 2008 and 2010, but their music seemed more suited to the local pub.

The Wurzels have a number of Glastonbury appearances under their belt

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.