Sean Dyche praises ‘top form’ atmosphere for Kasabian Glastonbury surprise set

Glastonbury Festival 2024

Football manager Sean Dyche said Kasabian were on “top form” with an atmosphere as “big” as he has seen it after their surprise performance at Glastonbury Festival.

The indie rockers, who headlined on the Pyramid Stage in 2014, performed at a packed Woodsies stage following days of speculation they were the “secret show” listed as TBA on the stage line-up.

Everton manager Dyche, who was backstage watching the performance alongside Manchester Mayor and Toffees fan Andy Burnham, told the PA news agency he feels Sergio Pizzorno has brought a “new energy” to the band since the departure of former frontman Tom Meighan.

“I thought they were on top form, Serg has brought a new energy to it a different energy,” Dyche said.

“Respect to Tom, but Serg has brought a different feel to it I think… I know him personally and I think he’s been amazing.

“(The atmosphere was) as big as I’ve seen it – the energy in the crowd, that performance, the level of performance – awesome.”

The band from Leicester’s set ended with their 2009 hit Fire, which was met with rapturous cheers as flares set off by members of the crowd burned over the throng of thousands gathered in the tent in the south-east corner of Worthy Farm.

“Fire in there was as big as I’ve seen it played, and I’ve seen it lots,” Dyche said.

“That’s all credit to the band for bringing that energy.”

England’s football game with Slovakia in the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Sunday will not be shown at Glastonbury, but when asked for a message he would like to share with Gareth Southgate’s team, Dyche said: “Just dig in and win.”

Many fans waited at the Woodsies stage for hours so they could be at the front, after the rumours of Kasabian’s secret set were confirmed by the band on social media.

Kelly Watson, from Belper, Derbyshire, was waiting for three hours so she could be at the front of the crowd with her friends.

“We got here early and saw the band before they weren’t our cup of tea but they were dead good – we’ve sat here three hours but it was so worth it,” the 38-year-old told PA.

Asked what she would say to Pizzorno if she could speak to him after the set, she added: “I’d ask him to marry me.”

Ms Watson was joined by her friend Robyn Hixon, 38, who is also from Belper originally but had flown from her home in Australia to be at the concert.

“They’re the best band in the world and I dragged all my friends to see them because they’re my favourite band ever,” she told PA.

“I’m so glad that they just witnessed what I’ve seen.”

In their set the band sampled songs such as Praise You by Fatboy Slim and The Prodigy’s Firestarter as they played hits including L.S.F and You’re In Love With A Psycho.

Register now for one of the Evening Standard’s newsletters. From a daily news briefing to Homes & Property insights, plus lifestyle, going out, offers and more. For the best stories in your inbox, click here.