Glastonbury 2024: Emily Eavis names her dream headliner

Although the upcoming edition of Glastonbury Festival is only around the corner, organiser Emily Eavis is always looking toward the future, and has now revealed Kate Bush as her ultimate headliner.

While the chances of bringing Bush to Worthy Farm is ambitious, stranger things have previously occurred and nothing can be ruled out of the realms of possibility. In 1979, Bush took the decision to focus on her recording career, and didn’t take to the stage again for 35 years.

In 2014, Bush made her long-awaited return to performing when she graced the stage at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, the same venue where she had bowed out in 1979. The singer-songwriter sold out 22 shows at the iconic venue, and if she had wanted to, Bush could have sold out another 22 nights with ease.

Over the last decade, despite not releasing any new material, Bush is as popular as ever before. In 2021, her iconic track, ‘Running Up That Hill’, was included in the Netflix series Stranger Things and unexpectedly topped the charts across the globe, despite being released over 30 years prior.

Now, during a new appearance on the BBC Sounds podcast, Sidetracked with Annie and Nick, Eavis revealed Bush’s name sits at the top of her wish list. She told hosts Annie Macmanus and Nick Grimshaw when asked about her dream headliner, “Do you know who I would like to get who haven’t had… Is Kate Bush. I’d love to have her.”

When asked about whether they’ve reached out to Bush’s team, Eavis replied: “I’ve put it out there that I’d love to have her. I hope one day.”

The festival organiser then used Elton John as an example of how miracles can occur, noting, “But you never know. I mean, Elton was a pipe dream, and it happened. But I think you’ve also got to create these new headliners like Dua Lipa. We’re creating this moment for her and that’s really as exciting as anything.”

Elsewhere in the podcast, Eavis spoke about the 2025 event and revealed she has “a vague idea of who might be headlining next year”. However, she refused to provide any more details about potential plans, but did reveal Glastonbury will be taking a fallow year in 2026.

Explaining the decision, she said, “I think it’s important it just gives everybody a little time to just switch off. And the public as well. I know we’re in the middle of it but it is a lot isn’t it. And they you go away for a bit and it feels lovely when you come back.”

Glastonbury Festival is set to run from June 28th until June 30th and Far Out will be on the ground at Worthy Farm to provide coverage directly from the event. This year’s event will be headlined by Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA.

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