Glastonbury’s most dramatic on-stage disasters from broken bones to star thrown off by festival bosses
GLASTONBURY Festival is back and thousands have descended to Somerset for the ultimate summer music fest.
Running for 54 years, the weekender has always promised to be not one to miss, for better or for worse.
From broken bones, technical difficulties and on-stage rants, there is never a quiet moment – and we’re not just saying that because of the non-stop music.
Here are some of the most dramatic and disastrous moments Glastonbury has suffered in its run, as this year’s line-up tries to avoid a similar fate.
Lewis Capaldi’s flare-up
This may have felt like a disaster to Capaldi at the time, but has become one of the most enduring, heartwarming viral moments the festival has ever produced.
The singer, who suffers from anxiety and Tourette’s syndrome, started ticking and stimming, as the pressure of the moment became too much during his set on the 2023 main stage.
However, when Lewis struggled to perform, the entire crowd came to his rescue – singing his hit track Someone You Loved note perfect in an act of unity.
While Lewis later removed himself from the spotlight in order to focus on his mental and physical health, the emotional video spread around the world.
Lana Del Rey cut off mid-performance
Lana Del Rey fans were left less than impressed in 2023 when they arrived for her headline performance.
Arriving onto the stage an hour and a half late, the star’s show was eventually cut short.
Lana still had six songs to go when bosses pulled the plug, adhering to a strict curfew.
She begged for the sound to be restored but to no avail.
Blur’s Damon Albarn suffers nasty fall
When performing at Glastonbury in 1992, the high-energy Blur got a bit too into things.
In particular, lead singer Damon Albarn ran into a speaker, which then fell and landed on his foot.
He told The Telegraph: “I was quite energetic in those days, and I did it so fast and hard that it toppled over and caught my leg and fractured bones in my foot.”
Despite his painful injury, he completed the set and even went back on for an encore before getting medical attention.
Horrifying shooting
Before Jah Wobble appeared on the Jazz World stage in 1994, they believed they heard fireworks going off in the crowd.
In fact, someone had started shooting a semi-automatic pistol at horrified revellers, tarnishing the peace and love atmosphere the event promotes.
Five people were injured in the attack, with event runner Michael Eavis later confirming it was drugs related.
It’s believed the incident happened between two drugs dealers, who were also on drugs at the time.
Despite the incident, Eavis opted to continue on with the festival.
Flying into Darkness
In 2003, The Darkness were inches away from the big time thanks to their hit I Believe In A Thing Called Love – and wanted to make sure they cemented their status as one to watch.
So they decided to fly into Glastonbury Festival by helicopter – and quickly lived to regret it.
Lead singer Justin Hawkins later explained they had little budget for the publicity stunt, so were left with a “rickety” helicopter that had been left unused and dusty.
To make matters worse they then landed in the wrong field, leaving the band being forced to walk to the venue themselves instead.
Justin said: “The whole thing was a complete waste of time. Fantastic gig, though.”
Trouble in the Castle
Crystal Castles had their set temporarily suspended in 2008 when lead singer Alice Glass took their stunts too far.
While performing their song Alice Practice, the singer – who would also dive into the crowd and throw herself around stage – climbed on top of a speaker stack.
Considering it a safety risk, the tech team pulled the lights and sound, grinding the show to a halt.
With the entire crowd booing, the show was allowed to continue once Alice was back on firm ground.
Access All Areas
Skunk Anansie made their debut at Glasto in 1995.
While they would go on to headline the entire festival four years later, their beginnings were slightly more humble.
In fact, two of the band members had a fight on their hands when it came to security.
Lead singer Skin and bass player Cass came face-to-face with a security guard who wouldn’t let them on stage.
Guitarist Ace later told The Telegraph: “The crowd were shouting ‘Come on! Get on with it!’ All the crew and the stage manager were screaming at me, ‘Where the f**k is your band? Time’s running out.”
They eventually were allowed on and had to cut short their set, only performing four songs.
Thankfully they became so big they made a triumphant return in 1999.