Get ready for a history-making Glastonbury this year! The festival lineup is finally here, and it's packed with big names and a record-breaking female presence.
Dua Lipa, SZA, and Coldplay are topping the bill, with Shania Twain taking the coveted Legends slot on Sunday. This marks the first time Glastonbury has had two out of three female headliners, a major shift after the all-male lineup in 2023.
Dua Lipa returns to Glastonbury after a seven-year absence, this time gracing the prestigious Pyramid Stage. Fresh off her electrifying performances at the Brits and Grammys, Lipa is set to deliver a night to remember, drawing from her highly anticipated new album "Radical Optimism." Remember the name - "Radical Optimism" is set to be a genre-bending record inspired by psychedelia, trip-hop, and Britpop.
SZA (Photo: Getty images)
SZA, the "hottest hip-hop/ R&B act on the planet" according to organisers, is also making her Pyramid Stage debut. Having dominated the charts with her album "SOS" and the smash hit "Kill Bill," SZA is a rising star with momentum on her side. Don't miss her set - it could be a show-stealer!
Coldplay, Glastonbury veterans with four previous headline slots under their belt, will return to break the record for most Glastonbury headline performances. While frontman Chris Martin previously expressed reservations due to online criticism, Glastonbury is their only European stop on their record-breaking world tour.
Coldplay band (Photo: Getty images)
Shania Twain, the legendary country music icon, brings her Las Vegas residency magic to Glastonbury. Known for hits like "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" and "You're Still The One," Twain promises a high-energy sing-along party in the legends slot.
But Glastonbury isn't just about the headliners! The lineup boasts a stellar selection of artists across various genres. Here are some must-see acts:
Pyramid Stage: Look out for LCD Soundsystem, PJ Harvey, Cyndi Lauper, Janelle Monae, Michael Kiwanuka, and Olivia Dean.
Other Stage: Get ready to move with D-Block Europe, The Streets, Anne-Marie, The Last Dinner Party, Headie One, and Bloc Party.
West Holts: Don't miss Jungle, Jessie Ware, Justice, Brittany Howard, Nia Archives, and Jamie xx.
Woodsies: Catch Gossip, Sampha, Sleaford Mods, Declan McKenna, and Romy.
The Park: Check out Fontaines DC, Peggy Gou, London Grammar, King Krule, Orbital, and The Breeders.
Glastonbury festival-2024 lineup dated from 26th-30th June, 2024 (Photo credit: @glastonbury)
And there's more to come! Festival organiser Emily Eavis teased "even more acts in the coming weeks," hinting at potential surprise appearances that Glastonbury is famous for.
Tickets for Glastonbury, happening from June 26th to 30th, sold out in under an hour. A resale of returned tickets is expected in April. Don't miss your chance to be part of this history-making festival!
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.