The best Glastonbury sets to watch on iPlayer

Glastonbury FOMO each year is real and the only thing we can do to remotely cheer ourselves up (or make ourselves worse) is to watch it live on the BBC. It's just like being there, right? No, it isn't, but we still get to experience sets from some of the best artists on the planet right now, with song debuts, special guests and anthemic moments that we can still feel a part of.

We've put together a list of our highlights from this year, which we thoroughly enjoyed from the comfort of home and you can still watch them over on iPlayer now.

 

LCD Soundsystem

One of the first sets on the Pyramid Stage to really take off this year, LCD Soundsystem brought dancing to a huge crowd. Bringing out classics like 'All My Friends' and 'Dance Yrself Clean', they allowed their compositions to evolve gradually, keeping the crowd on their toes throughout. Finishing with 'All My Friends' was the crowning moments, cementing its status as one of the best songs of all time with its simple melody that grows and grows in intensity before a final, euphoric outburst of the chorus.

 

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Jessie Ware

For one night only, the West Holts stage became 'Club Pearl' and Ware herself took on the role of 'Mother Pearl'. Ware's last two albums have tastefully been odes to the queer history of dance music and she has gained a huge LGBTQ+ following with her authentic love for the community and its impact on clubbing culture.

Showing a genuine appreciation for the opportunity to headline West Holts, she debuted a new song with Romy called 'Lift You Up'. Glastonbury seems to be the place for Ware to debut songs as the last time she performed, she debuted 'Free Yourself', a house anthem so popular it is now her set closer.

 

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Confidence Man

There was little doubt that Confidence Man wouldn't be a roaring success. Back in 2002 they were one of Glastonbury's bug breakthrough acts with a set full of acrobatics that made them one of the defining acts to watch. The same story could be said for 2024 too, as the set came with all the usual creative choreography and costume changes, only this time the band were armed with even more bangers from their upcoming album '3AM (La La La)'.

Appearing to a big crowd at the Other stage, they brought everything you need for the perfect festival set but fundamentally at their core, they just emphasise fun. 

 

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Justice

An audiovisual delight, Justice made sure that every ounce of energy left in the tanks of revellers at their Sunday set was squeezed out. The crowd looked constantly whipped into a frenzy, in arguably the most energetic set of the weekend. Iconic numbers from the French duo including 'We Are Your Friends' faded in and out alongised some of the duo's newer material.

The Kevin Parker featuring tracks 'One/Night' and 'Nevereneder' brought creeping melodies which burst into anthemic, danceable moments. They ended this year's festival on a high.

 

 

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Alvvays

Releasing arguably the best album of 2022 with 'Blue Rev', dream pop band Alvvays delivered a swooning set of anthems that delighted Worthy Farm. 'Archie, Marry Me' is always the vocal pinnacle of their set, with its fluttering beautiful melodies transforming into an easily chantable chorus. 

 

With heavily textured songs, it's like being wrapped up in a warm blanket of guitar riffs, as Alvvays have some of the most expressive and beautiful tracks around. The band have grown hugely in confidence since the release of 'Blue Rev'.

 

 

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Jamie XX

A mesmeric composition of tracks from one of the country's best groove-inducers; Jamie XX’s headline set on the Woodsies Stage at Glastonbury was as special as they come. With a set that impeccably mixed the soulful electronic tracks of his first record and upcoming sophomore release, with some finely selected tracks like Joy Orbisons inescapable banger ‘Flight FM’ and Caribou’s latest ‘Broke My Heart’ the lucky lot who got to witness this were royally treated.

Not only were they musically treated, however, but those at the Woodsies got to witness the first onstage XX reunion since 2018. Romy and Oliver Sim joined Jamie, smashing through an iconic rendition of ‘You’ve Got the Love’, and capping it off with a big ol’ heart-warming hug. A true spectacle, and what Glasto is all about.

 

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Little Simz

The last time Simbi aka Little Simz played Glastonbury, she promised to see a packed-out West Holts crowd back on the Pyramid stage. Such manifestations came to a head this year, and Simbi truly planted her flag. Simbi’s hour felt like a cementation of her status as the Queen of the modern rap scene. Bopping and weaving through the biggest tracks from her frankly prodigious run of recent albums, from the hard to the mellifluous, she came, saw, and conquered.

She said; “I’m having the best time of my life up here, I swear,” and you could see it, and the confidence she oozed was as infecting as it was deserving. There’s no stopping Little Simz right now, and a headline slot at one of the stages next year is more than needed.

 

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Disclosure

Worthy headliners on The Other Stage, Dance duo Disclosure showcased to all in attendance, in the grooviest way possible, why they are one of the UK's biggest dance exports of the modern day.
From tracks like their epic new hit, ‘She’s Gone, Dance On’ to a rendition of Faithless ‘Insomnia’ the set was wall-to-wall bangers. Following the Faithless rendition, they also stated how they “would not be up here if it was not for bands like Faithless, people like Maxi Jazz, Orbital, The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy, you name it, the UK has the best fucking dance music culture in the world.” We couldn't agree more guys.

Of course, with such a spot on the bill, Disclosure had to play their hit breakout track, ‘Latch’ for which they only went and bloody brought original vocalist Sam Smith out for; their set was pure dance magic.

 

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Romy

Having Romy perform at Glastonbury on the last day of Pride, felt too perfect to be true. A sentiment that The XX vocalist-turned-house icon shared as she exclaimed mid-set; “This is for all my queers in the crowd… Let’s go lesbians!” Mainly performing tracks from her wicked new record Mid-Air, the energy that she brings to the stage is nearly incomparable, and it looked like an insanely good time for all inside the tent.

Alongside the bangers from her record, Romy played her remix of Ariana Grande‘s ‘Into You’, Romy also covered The XX’s ‘Angels’, and even closed out with her Fred again… collab, and verified stomper ‘Strong’. Some of the purest vibes we saw all weekend, a Romy set never disappoints.

 

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Fontaines D.C.

Searing, swaggering, stirring; the kilt-clad Grian Chatten and his band of Irishmen otherwise known as Fontaines D.C. absolutely blew their headline slot at the Park Stage was a ferocious foray that saw them more than live up to the occasion, and prove they could easily surpass it.

From the opening sombre notes of ‘Romance’ to the rip-roaring heights of ‘Big’ to the double closer fo their new singles ‘Favourite’ and Starburster’ the Dubliners - who have adopted a wild new cyberpunk-esque style - were as assured on stage as ever and came armed with a cast-iron collection of bangers.
With many talking about their clash with Idles, judging by the crowds, it seems that the Irish won this battle. We reckon it’s only a matter of time before Fontaines D.C. headline this festival, and this set was them showcasing just how ready they are.

 

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For more live music events on Skiddle, check out our UK Gig Guide Inspire Me page.

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.