Arctic Monkeys and Guns N’ Roses will join Elton John in headlining this year’s event
Glastonbury Festival has announced the first line-up for its 2023 edition, with Arctic Monkeys and Guns N’ Roses named as the final two headliners.
Arctic Monkeys are set to top the Pyramid Stage for the third time on Friday, June 23 ahead of Guns N’ Roses making their Worthy Farm debut the following night (June 24). The two bands will join previously announced Elton John in headlining this year’s event.
Lil Nas X will play in the slot immediately before John, with Lana Del Rey and Wizkid both set to deliver headline performances on the Other Stage.
Other confirmed acts include Nova Twins, Blondie, Alt-J, CHVRCHES, Lizzo, Lewis Capaldi and Royal Blood.
After the reveal, Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis spoke about this year’s all-male headliners (although female musician Melissa Reese joined Guns N’ Roses in 2016).
She described the situation as a “pipeline” issue, saying to The Guardian, “We’re trying our best so the pipeline needs to be developed. This starts way back with the record companies, radio. I can shout as loud as I like but we need to get everyone on board.” She added, “It’s top of our agenda, and it probably makes it a bit harder because we’ve decided to make that important to us. To be honest, sometimes it’s easier to keep your head down.”
She explained that Guns N’ Roses were booked after a previously-confirmed female headliner cancelled because she “changed her touring plans”. While she didn’t disclose the act’s name, Eavis said she hoped to secure them within the next five years.
Taylor Swift, who was scheduled to headline the axed Glasto 2020, had been rumoured for this year’s festival before the pop star’s conflicting North American ‘Eras Tour’ ruled her out.
Forty-six percent of the 54 acts confirmed for this summer’s event are non-white, or feature non-white members.
“[We’re] entirely focused on balancing our bill. It’s not just about gender, it’s about every aspect of diversity,” Eavis said. “We’re probably one of the only big shows that’s really focused on this.”
Tickets for Glastonbury 2023 sold out last November.
A resale of any returned tickets is expected to take place in the spring.
Check out the full list of confirmed artists for Glastonbury 2023 below:
Arctic Monkeys
Guns N’ Roses
Elton John
Lizzo
Aitch
Alison Goldfrapp
Alt-J
Amadou and Mariam
Becky Hill
Blondie
Candi Staton
Carly Rae Jepsen
Cat Burns
Central Cee
Christine And The Queens
Chvrches
Ezra Collective
Fatboy Slim
Fever Ray
Flo
Fred Again
Hot Chip
Joey Bada$$
Kelis
Lana Del Rey
Leftfield
Lewis Capaldi
Lil Nas X
Loyle Carner
Maggie Rogers
Mahalia
Måneskin
Manic Street Preachers
Nova Twins
Phoenix
Raye
Rina Sawayama
Royal Blood
Rudimental
Shygirl
Slowthai
Sparks
Stefflon Don
Sudan Archives
Texas
The Chicks
The War on Drugs
Thundercat
Tinariwen
Warpaint
Weyes Blood
Wizkid
Young Fathers
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
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