Glastonbury 2024: Sleaford Mods criticise the crowd during their performance
As the Glastonbury Festival weekend garners further momentum, Nottingham’s acclaimed post-punk duo Sleaford Mods took to the stage but were left unamused by the crowd.
Celebrating their extensive career, Sleaford Mods delivered an intense set on the Woodsies stage on Saturday evening, which received a positive reception from their fans. However, the band did not view it in the same light.
Vocalist Jason Williamson, who was annoyed by the less-than-impressive numbers in the audience during their slot, hit out at the festival for the arrangement. “There’s too many fucking people here. Not at our gig, I might add,” he said. “We played this stage ten years ago, and it’s still the fucking same. Glastonbury, fuck off.”
Since their set clashed with those from The Streets and Orbital, the scheduling might have had a big role to play in that. Furthermore, with Coldplay set to play on the Pyramid Stage later that evening, many of those at the festival had already flocked to see the Chris Martin-fronted band.
Williamson also used their performance to address the band’s views on the Israel-Palestine conflict following their concert in Madrid last year, which was ended after a Palestinian scarf was thrown onto the stage.
While this was done through a lyrical adjustment of ‘Stick in a Five and Go’, the band had also previously released a statement about the situation.
“I’m angry about the manipulation of human grief and rage by politicians, the media, agitators, and social media platforms to stoke the fire of separation, dehumanisation, division and hate,” it read.
“In Madrid, the show was repeatedly interrupted by someone in the audience shouting and throwing a flag/scarf on stage,” Williamson added. “I stopped the show to make comment, condemned civilian deaths and called for no more killing.”
Last year, Sleaford Mods released their 12th album, UK Grim. In a three-and-a-half star review, Far Out said of the record: “UK Grim is another well-produced album packed with important political messages, setting an excellent example for aspiring songwriters. However, a lack of characterising texture and lyrical variation risks banishing much of the album to a desert of obscurity. Fortunately, moments of quenching redemption make it a worthwhile listen, but perhaps not all in one bite.”
Sleaford Mods also snapped their experience at this year’s festival exclusively for Far Out, so keep your eyes peeled for our coverage of that. It appears it might be rather interesting.
Glastonbury Festival runs from June 26th until June 30th, and Far Out is on the ground at Worthy Farm to provide coverage directly. This year’s event is headlined by Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA.
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