Alright, fellow culture sleuths, grab your trench coats and magnifying glasses — we’re diving into the mystery of Glastonbury headliners through the years, piecing together this iconic festival’s legendary lineup. Seriously, figuring out who ruled the Glastonbury stage in which year is like tracking a rare vinyl – gotta get the details tight and the timeline tight too.

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First up: The 1970s — The Humble Beginnings

Back in 1970, the festival was a much smaller beast, with only about 1,500 attendees, and headliners were still finding their footing. The original plan had The Kinks and Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders slated to play, but plot twist — they were swapped out last minute for Tyrannosaurus Rex (who would later become T. Rex). That’s basically the first “breaking news” moment in Glasto history.

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Fast-forward: 2000s and First Decade of the New Millennium

Here’s where the festival grows into a colossal beast with stars like:

– Arcade Fire — headlining in 2011.
– Stormzy — took the main stage in 2019.
– The legendary Foo Fighters — cm’mon, they blasted through the 2000s, headlining in 2008 and 2017.
– The Rolling Stones — they rocked the Pyramid stage in 2013.

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The Recent Era, 2020s Lineup Highlights

– Neil Young made a grand return for the first time in 23 years leading the Sunday “legend slot” in 2025 — that’s some serious throwback mixed with a fresh spotlight.
– Olivia Rodrigo debuted in the mid-2020s, bringing the youthful pop-punk vibe to Glasto 2025.
– The 1975, the British pop-rock darlings, are headlining in 2025 as well.
– And of course, the evergreen Rod Stewart is back in 2025 too, delighting fans after 23 years away.

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Bonus tidbit: Secret performances and the under-the-radar delight

Besides the official headline acts, the festival thrives on secret gems like Pulp and Haim, who usually do those surprise sets that keep audiences buzzing. These mystery gigs are part of the allure that makes Glastonbury not just a festival but an ongoing cultural treasure hunt.

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In sum, matching headliners to their years isn’t just a trivia game — it’s a narrative of musical evolution, reflecting cultural shifts and storytelling through sound. I bet now you’re ready to drop some Glasto lineup knowledge at your next party — seriously, you’ll sound like a bona fide festival insider.

Dude, anyone got a ticket for 2025?