What bands and artists have headlined Glastonbury festival the most?

Crowds have gone wild for these acts numerous times (Picture: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

Dua Lipa is today’s (June 28) opening headliner, with fans already speculating who the pop sensation could bring out as a surprise guest.

The weekend is set to be packed full of stellar performances across the enormous festival site, including headliners Coldplay and SZA as well as Shania Twain in the legend’s slot.

Follow the latest Glastonbury 2024 updates on our live blog

And there have already been plenty of iconic moments, including an actual wedding between two festivalgoers as well as a 10-week-old baby winning the hearts of attendees.

Glastonbury has seen tonnes of legendary acts hit the Pyramid Stage over the years – some more than others.

But who has headlined the festival the most? The answer might surprise you.

Who has headlined Glastonbury the most times?

With 2024 marking their fifth headline slot, Coldplay have headlined Glastonbury the most over the years.

Coldplay will make Glastonbury Festival history this year (Picture: Matt Jelonek/WireImage)

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They first took the top slot in 2002 after replacing The Strokes at the last minute.

Coldplay, fronted by Chris Martin, also headlined the main stage in 2005, 2011, and 2016. Before then, they played the New Tent in 1999 and The Other Stage in 2000, also making them one of the bands to play the festival the most times.

In second place are The Cure, who headlined Glastonbury in 1986, 1990, 1995, and 2019.

In joint second place, sort of, is Elvis Costello who also headlined the event four times – in 1984 as the Saturday night special guest, in 1987 and 1994 with his band The Attractions, and in 1989 with a solo set.

Who has played Glastonbury the most times?

Performing at the festival an impressive eight times, Northern Irish singer Van Morrison has performed at Glastonbury more than anyone else.

Van Morrison must know Glastonbury like the back of his hand (Picture: Ki Price/Getty Images)

Key set times for Glastonbury headliners

Friday Glastonbury set times

• Pyramid Stage
  • DUA LIPA 22:00 - 23:45
  • LCD SOUNDSYSTEM 19:45 - 21:00
• Other Stage
  • IDLES 22:15 - 23:30
  • D-BLOCK EUROPE 20:30 - 21:30
  • ANNE-MARIE 18:45 - 19:45
  • BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB 17:15 - 18:15
• Avalon Stage
  • KATE NASH 21:35 - 22:35
  • HAIRCUT 100 20:05 - 21:05
  • LULU 18:35 - 19:35
• Acoustic Stage
  • SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 20:00 - 21:00
• Park Stage
  • FONTAINES D.C. 23:00 - 00:15
  • DEXYS 18:00 - 19:00
  • BARRY CAN'T SWIM 14:00 - 14:45

Saturday Glastonbury set times

• Pyramid Stage
  • COLDPLAY 21:45 - 23:45
  • LITTLE SIMZ 19:45 - 20:45
  • KEANE 16:00 - 17:00
  • CYNDI LAUPER 14:30 - 15:30
• Other Stage
  • DISCLOSURE 22:30 - 23:45
  • THE STREETS 20:30 - 21:30
  • CAMILA CABELLO 18:45 - 19:45
• West Holts Stage
  • JESSIE WARE 22:15 - 23:45
  • MASEGO 20:30 - 21:30
• Stonebridge Bar
  • RUDIMENTAL B2B TODD EDWARDS 03:30 - 05:00
  • IDRIS ELBA 02:30 - 03:30
• Acoustic Stage
  • RUSSELL CROWE'S INDOOR GARDEN PARTY 18:30 - 19:30

Sunday Glastonbury set times

• Pyramid Stage
  • SZA 21:30 - 23:15
  • BURNA BOY 19:30 - 20:30
  • JANELLE MONAE 17:45 - 18:45
  • SHANIA TWAIN 15:45 - 17:00
  • PALOMA FAITH 13:45 - 14:45
  • SEASICK STEVE 12:30 - 13:15
• Other Stage
  • THE NATIONAL 21:45 - 23:15
  • TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB 19:45 - 20:45
  • AVRIL LAVIGNE 18:00 - 19:00
• Avalon Stage
  • THE FEELING 22:50 - 23:50
  • CAITY BASER 21:20 - 22:20
  • BABY QUEEN 18:20 - 19:20

Famous for hits like Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison’s first appearance at the iconic festival was in 1982.

He has since appeared in 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997 and 2005.

The second most appearances is Elvis Costello, and following close behind is Primal Scream, with the Scottish rockers appearing at the festival five times: 1992, 1998, 2005, 2013 and 2022.

Who headlined the first Glastonbury?

When Michael Eavis began the now-iconic festival in 1970, it was called the Worthy Farm Pop Festival.

T.Rex were the first headliners of what became Glastonbury Festival (Picture: Peter Sanders/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The Kinks were scheduled to headline – but pulled out. Instead, T.Rex, fronted by Marc Bolan, had the honour of headlining.

When the 1,500 festival-goers rocked up to Worthy Farm, all they paid was £1 which got them free camping and a free glass of milk.

Founders Michael and Jean Eavis were inspired by the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music, as well as the success of the Isle of Wight and Woodstock festivals.

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