Glastonbury Festival has officially announced their headline acts for 2023.
After months of anticipation, Glasto fans can rejoice in the first major line-up announcement for this year's festival.
And while this first batch of acts already looks phenomenal, some have already pointed out that all three headliners are male artists.
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Of course, ticket-holders already knew that Elton John would be closing out the festival on Sunday night, for his final ever UK date.
But now we know for sure and certain that Arctic Monkeys will be returning to play on the Friday, followed by Guns n' Roses on the Saturday slot.
Co-organiser Emily Eavis has said that Guns N' Roses weren't the first choice as Saturday's headline act, confirming that the rock band were replacing a female singer who 'changed her touring plans', The Guardian reports.
While Eavis didn't name anyone in particular, there had been heavy speculation that Taylor Swift, who is about to embark on her 'Eras' tour, was going to headline the festival.
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Swift had originally been announced as a 2020 headliner before the festival was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
So, that leaves us with an all-male headliner line-up this year.
Not only that, but 53% of the performers named in this first wave of acts are men, including major names like Aitch, Fred Again.., Lewis Capaldi, Lil Nas X, and Thundercat.
Responding to this observation, Eavis commented: "We are entirely focused on balancing our bill.
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"It’s not just about gender, it’s about every aspect of diversity."
Plus, Eavis' father and co-organiser Micheal Eavis has said that a female headliner (again, not naming names) has already been confirmed for Glasto 2024, and they're close to confirming another - both of whom will be first timers.
Other acts confirmed for this year's festival include Slowthai, Rina Sawayama, Raye, Loyle Carner, Manic Street Preachers, Lana Del Rey, Blondie, and Lizzo.
Eavis has also promised that secret sets hidden throughout the festival this year, but confirmed that the biggest surprises of the festival are going to happen on the main stages.
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One of the biggest gets for the Eavis', though, was Elton John, who 'immediately said yes' after she wrote him a personal letter to ask him to consider performing at the infamous festival.
"People assume that because we’re the ‘Christmas of music’ we can breezily book whoever," said Eavis.
"But to get Elton doesn’t happen easily, so that’s a really big moment for us."
Well... it's time to start testing out the camping equipment, I think.
Topics: Festivals, Glastonbury, Music, Aitch
Ali Condon