Glastonbury 2024: Yard Act look ahead to Worthy Farm return
Before Yard Act make their return to Glastonbury Festival with a performance on the Woodsies Stage, they have spoken exclusively with Far Out about their relationship with Worthy Farm.
Back in 2022, when Yard Act made their Glastonbury debut, they performed on William’s Green, which sadly no longer exists. Unsurprisingly, they have been moved up the line-up and towards the top of the billing of the Woodsies Stage with their set being broadcast live on BBC iPlayer.
Woodsies is the place to be on June 29th, not only is it likely to feature Kasabian as special guests before Yard Act, but Gossip, Fat White Family, Sleaford Mods and High Vis are among the other names who are appearing.
This year has been a smooth ride for Yard Act to date following the release of their second album, Where’s My Utopia, in March. Later this summer, they are set to play more festivals, and also the biggest headline show of their career at Millennium Square in Leeds. But first, they have Glastonbury to conquer.
In a four-and-a-half-star review of their latest album, Far Out wrote: “It is, in many ways, a concept album that examines the social science of the so-called ‘tricky second album syndrome’. Musically, they avoid this mythical syndrome’s clutches, but they know that’s not enough.”
The review continued: “That’s never been what the accursed syndrome is about—they know that their day of derision will come…and it will come. Yard Act are almost definitely a band soon to be relegated to the ash heap of history. They’ll be cast there by a coterie of cool people vaccinated from the appeal of collective fun.”
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.
Yard Act’s favourite memories of Glastonbury:
Far Out: It’s been two years since Yard Act commenced the Glastonbury stage for the first time. What were your expectations of Glastonbury ahead of the festival and did those feelings change after experiencing the magic of Worthy Farm?
Sam Shipstone: “We made some wicked, unexpected connections at the last one, and met some wonderful people.. Glastonbury has got a proper welcoming communal air that is unlike any other festival, and it started some unlikely conversations!”
Far Out: Which set, apart from yourselves, was the highlight of your weekend last time?
Sam Shipstone: “Olivia Rodrigo was probably my surprise one. A massive and fairly heavy sound, a genuinely strong Roe v Wade speech, and a huge sea of young kids in purple having (for many) a germinal music experience. Dug it!”
Far Out: What’s Glastonbury’s best-kept-secret?
Sam Shipstone: “The micro venues up at Shangri-La were pretty weird last time. We were convinced a band was singing “oh my god, it’s the church” and just put it down to 4am intoxication, but no, there was definitely a band singing, “oh my god, it’s the church.”
Far Out: On this year’s line-up, who are the five acts everybody should see?
Sam Shipstone: “I’m going to say Little Simz, Confidence Man, Brittany Howard, English Teacher and Corinne Bailey Rae.”
Far Out: 2024 has been a year to remember following the success of ‘Where’s My Utopia’, and the huge show in Leeds is still to come, too. How does it feel to be returning to Glastonbury, and how will this year’s show be bigger and better than last time out?
James Smith: “It feels ace, top, mint, boss, class, sweet, deece. Yeah, not bad. Good! This year will be better because we aren’t as knackered as last time. And it will be bigger too because there are seven of us on stage now.”
Yard Act play the Woodsies Stage at 7:30pm and their set is available to stream live on BBC iPlayer.
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