Glastonbury 2019: Saturday with the Killers, Janet Jackson and Liam Gallagher – as it happened (2024)

What better way to celebrate 15 years of Transgressive Records than burrowing down a rabbit hole? The forward-thinking indie label celebrated its milestone birthday at Glastonbury last night by taking over one of its most beloved and secretive areas, the Rabbit Hole, complete with a crawl-through entrance (seriously, you are not allowed to stand) and dancers dressed as playing cards. As well as the Transgressive DJs keeping up the birthday party vibes with R&B bangers and the occasional Fatboy Slim moment, there was an appearance from 18-year-old poet Arlo Parks, and a lively, very sweaty throwback set from the Mystery Jets. Unfortunately there was a slight dampener on proceedings, though, when at 3am a man dressed as a rabbit in sunglasses announced that the label’s most recent and compelling success story, the experimental freak-pop duo Let’s Eat Grandma, would no longer be performing. The weird and wonderful evening was a suitably joyful celebration of all that Transgressive have achieved in the past 15 years, though sadly missed an integral, shining part of their future.

Lauren Cochrane here – I’m a senior fashion writer at the Guardian, and have been going round the site to find the greatest outfits and people who are managing to stay chic in 30C weather. First up: Laura Murray, 25, who works for British Heart Foundation.

“This dress is from the 70s – when I scored it from eBay I did a little celebratory dance. I like things that are a bit retro, and I think the clown hat will help me blend in with the Circus field. This is an exaggerated version of what I wear away from Glastonbury, but I always like to reuse clothes – and save the planet that way.”

Next up is 27-year-old marine pilot Josh Clerk.

“The outfit felt natural today – I let my inner animal out. It’s very comfortable, too. Is leopard a trend? It’s one I am setting. I have never been to Glastonbury before. There is something for everyone, and you can be as weird as you like.”

More fabulousness to come later on the liveblog …

In a particularly low period in the late noughties, I had a pulled-pork burrito loaded up with guacamole and sour cream every Friday as a treat. Then I quit my job and gave up burritos for at least a decade. On the plus side, this vegan BBQ pulled-jackfruit number from Club Mexicana is unlikely to impede my recovery, because it tastes so healthy it’s almost like eating a salad wrap – but something a bit salty and spicy and fatty in there wouldn’t have gone amiss to balance that tangy, sweet BBQ sauce. Not pork though, obviously.

I’ve been down the front of the Pyramid stage, where people are planning to stay all day – in this heat! – to ensure a perfect view of their favourite artists. First up is Janet Jackson fan Matt.

“I’m here for Janet Jackson; I absolutely love her and have always listened to her music. I’ve been to Glastonbury many, many times and I try to get to the front a lot as nothing compares to being that close and personal with these superstars – you can almost touch them. I was here yesterday too and I’m pretty sure I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Christine

“This is my first Glastonbury and I’m so excited for the Killers and Janet Jackson. I used to listen to Janet when I was younger so her set will bring back some special memories I’m sure. The Killers are a fantastic band too – I’m here for the Mr Brightside singalong and then I have to go back to my job at the medical tent at midnight. At least with that in my head it’ll keep me energised!”

While the chief put sunshine on the Pyramid stage, the Reid twins knocked out a Joyful Kilmarnock Blues you could have heard in Ayrshire. There was some banter, but not too much; there were some solos but they didn’t overdo it. This was a slick, blast-through of the big numbers as the crowd sweltered, swayed, leapt and danced in the midday heat. I’m On My Way was an irresistible singalong, Sunshine on Leith was the heartbreaking highlight and I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) ended a knockout 45-minute slot. The Scottish fans were in raptures:

What could be more ideal at a baking Glastonbury than a nice trip to the beach? This year the festival’s unveiled a 70-metre-long pier called Glastonbury-on-Sea, only, well, there’s no water to cool down in and from a distance it looks a chance to show off some high-grade decking.

For non-wood enthusiasts, it also represents the opportunity to be transported to any gloriously tacky seaside town, apparently from the 1960s. (In the queue to get in I heard a “lifeguard” say: “Nice breasts, I mean breaststroke” at a passing punter.) So there’s a sweet shop selling Glasto rock, you can have your fortune told by a man wearing a halo of stuffed gloves, stock up on souvenirs (branded socks! Lighters! Tea towels!!), play in the amusem*nts, watch some Punch and Judy, and from the crowds of people perched on the end of the pier, it’s a great spot to update your Instagram.

In the central bandstand, animatronic robots reminiscent of the white lovers in Bjork’s All Is Full of Love video gyrate about, while a mechanical wheelie bin produces two boxing gloves at the touch of a button. And, if you’re keen to see your breakfast/lunch/dinner again, there’s some suitably rickety-looking bumper cars just outside soundtracked, like all good fun-fair rides should be, by Sean Paul.

There are also Redcoats dotted about. I spoke to Will and Jess, and both seemed to be adamant the Spice Girls will appear at some point tomorrow.

What are you doing exactly?
W: We are Redcoats, so we’re assisting people and making sure they have a lovely time.

Wearing really incredible hats.
J: Yes exactly. We’re meant to be emulating sort of 50s and 60s redcoats.
W: This is the first year and we’ve got it for the next five years at least. It’s an amazing feat of engineering. A lot of work has gone into it.

It would be lovely if there was some cool water underneath to cool off in.
J: Imagine. Even if it was just some cool mist spraying every now and then. I might propose that next year.

Have you been on the dodgems?
J: Not yet, but we’re going to later. I think they stop them at the right time, about six-ish, so before people are too pissed.

In honour of Janet Jackson and her seminal hit Control – which will get an airing on the Pyramid stage during her set at 5.45pm – we’ve been asking Glastonbury punters what they would do if they were in control of the festival. Here’s Ngaio, 29, from Bristol, giving her best Janet pose while she’s at it.

“I would make sure there were more stages making a 50/50 gender split and bring collectives of colour to run their own venues such as BBZ or gal-dem, or our collective which is called Booty Bass. I think the female run venue Sisterhood is a step in the right direction. It’s important for people to feel safe in a venue and not harassed.”

We’ve been asking Glastonbury punters what they would do if they were part of a people’s assembly on Brexit. Next up with her solutions it’s Emma, 22, from Bristol.

“I wouldn’t have made the Brexit vote during Glastonbury, I think that jinxed it. I don’t think it’s as common for young people to be aware of the postal vote and they could have done a postal area at Glastonbury or made it clearer if there was one. I think it was a strategic move to do it during the festival.”

Extreme shade-seeking measures: a lady is sitting inside the coffee sign. Don’t blame her.

Drake, Adele, Wiley and David Lammy are among those who have paid tribute to Stormzy’s performance last night – we’ve rounded up all the reaction here.