Last night saw Glastonbury in full swing with Stormzy’s set on the Pyramid Stage, kicking off a weekend which looks set to exceed expectations as well as average temperatures. While we’re not jealous of the super heatwave sweeping Europe, we must admit to feeling a little short-changed by rain and grey skies the last couple of weeks – but the weather deities seem to be smiling on the UK’s most famous music festival. The gods of entertainment look to be on side, too – Stormzy’s appearance featured everything from pyrotechnics to a gospel choir, a ballet interlude to BMX tricks, blowing audiences away with a remix of Ed Sheeran’s The State of You, as well as a cover of Shanks and Bigfoot’s Sweet Like Chocolate, besides his own material.
For a musician of only 25, and with only one album released to date, the rapper’s headline spot might seem an unusual decision – describing it as ‘the greatest night of my life’, it sounds like Stormzy’s audience were as thrilled as the man himself. Charlene White was amongst attendees touched by his sharing the limelight, tweeting, ‘...look at Stormzy bringing out the talent like Dave so they too can have their Glastonbury moment. Look at letting others have their time to shine too. Love it #stormzy #glasto.’ Stormzy’s choice of costume didn’t go unnoticed, either – as knifecrime in London continues to dominate front pages, Steve Carroll tweeted, ‘Stormzy killing it at Glastonbury , Union Jack Stab proof vest 👍what a message that is #stormzy’. Even Jeremy Corbyn was on board, noting that Stormzy 'made history by being the first black solo British headliner at Glastonbury'.
While festival organisers are reportedly ready to hand out sun cream to revellers, there’s plenty to stand in the sun for yet; Neneh Cherry and Janet Jackson perform today before a headline set from The Killers, while tomorrow promises Janelle Monae, Vampire Weekend and The Cure to close the Pyramid Stage. If I suggested everyone drink lots of water, would they listen? Have fun.