Glastonbury 2024: Watch Brian Cox reunite with D:Ream to perform ‘Things Can Only Get Better’
Amid the most unlikely of unlikely surprise guest at Glastonbury Festival was the appearance of Brian Cox as the astrophysicist reunited with his old pop band D:Ream to perform their classic track ‘Things Can Only Get Better’.
The galactic geek known for shows such as Wonders of the Universe left the band in 1997, three years after ‘Things Can Only Get Better’. His exit coincided with the moment that the track became part of Tony Blair’s election campaign.
In 2024, the pop anthem has once again been politicised as protestors have plagued Rishi Sunak’s public speaking appearances by blaring out the optimistic song ahead of the July 4th election. The election has also proved a focal point for the festival so far with the likes of Idles and Damon Albarn pressing the need to vote.
So, Cox was more than happy to play into the song’s renaissance. The scientist might have proclaimed, “I haven’t done this song since 1997”, but he looked right at home on one of Glastonbury’s smaller stages over at the Glade.
Speaking to Sky News, Cox spoke about the reunion with glowing enthusiasm, explaining that it was a no brainer to get back in the band for the one-off performance. “It’s a long time ago, but I’ve tremendously happy memories of the early ’90s,” Cox said. He calls ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ a “joyous song about change”.
He has been far from the only special guest to crop up so far this weekend. On June 28th, Bombay Bicycle Club brought out Damon Albarn who delivered a political oration alongside his brief performance, Dua Lipa brought Kevin Parker out onto the Pyramid Stage, and Idles teamed-up with Danny Brown for a track, to name but a few.
Tonight, June 29th, sees Coldplay take to the Pyramid Stage with armbands already dished out for their set which promises a pretty lights show if nothing more. Little Simz, The Streets, Gossip and Disclosure are among the other names set to play across the various stage this evening.
Furthermore, after much speculation over recent weeks, Kasabian have confirmed they will be appearing on the Woodsies Stage on June 29th at 6:00pm. Notably, Kasabian headlined the Pyramid Stage in 2014, and a decade later, they have finally made their long-awaited return to Worthy Farm ahead of the release of their new album, Happenings, on July 5th. The set will act as the perfect reminder of Kasabian’s quality as a live act, as well as showing that Serge Pizzorno is more than equipped to carry the mantle.
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