Glastonbury First Artist of 2015 Is ... Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Lionel Richie. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Glastonbury First Artist of 2015 Is … Lionel Richie

by Roger Wink, VVN Music on December 1, 2014

in Live,News

Lionel Richie is the first artist officially announced for the 2015 Glastonbury Festival in Britain.

Glastonbury has been putting veteran artists on its main stage for a number of years, giving a showcase spot to singers like Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond and, last year, Dolly Parton who was the surprise hit of the festival. For Parton, it propelled her into her biggest year ever in the U.K. with the number 2 album Blue Smoke which continues to sell well almost six months after release.

Glastonbury organizer Emily Eavis said in a statement “We are over the moon. We’ve had some amazing performances in the Sunday teatime slot over the years, from Neil Diamond, Shirley Bassey, Paul Simon and many others. And, of course, Dolly Parton played an incredible set this year. So we felt very lucky to get the call from a true Motown legend asking to play next year. He’s got so many amazing songs, to see him perform here on the farm is just going to be wonderful.”

Richie said “I’m really excited to play Glastonbury next year as it’s one of the most iconic festivals in the world. It has a phenomenal history and the alumni of artists who have previously played is incredible so I’m honored to be joining that club. It will be a really special moment for me and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. I can now say ‘Yes, I’m playing Glastonbury.’”

The Glastonbury Festival is, arguably, the biggest festival of the year in England with this year’s event scheduled from June 24 to 28.

more from vvnmusic.com

Related Posts

Liam and Noel Gallagher reform Oasis for 2025 dates
Oasis Confirm They Are Not Playing Glastonbury 2025

Oasis have told fans they will not be headlining Glastonbury in 2025.

August 29, 2024
Glastonbury 2013, music news, noise11.com
Music Business Attracted 19.2 Million Tourists To UK in 2023

UK Music, the collective voice of the UK music industry, today unveils new research into the value of gigs, concerts and festivals to local economies.

July 23, 2024
Coldplay perform at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Friday 9 December 2016. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Michael J Fox Appears With Coldplay At Glastonbury

Coldplay were joined on stage by Michael J. Fox for their Glastonbury gig.

July 2, 2024
Coldplay perform at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Friday 9 December 2016. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
BBC To Livestream Coldplay and Dua Lipa Glastonbury Concerts

For the first time, the BBC will livestream headline Glastonbury performances to a global audience, with Dua Lipa and Coldplay’s 2024 Pyramid Stage sets available to view on the recently relaunched BBC.com.

June 25, 2024
Glastonbury
Glastonbury To Take 2026 Off

Glastonbury festival fans might be disappointed to hear that the annual event will have a year off in 2026.

June 11, 2024
Paul McCartney at AAMI Park Melbourne on Tuesday 5 December 2017. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Paul McCartney Watches Guns N’ Roses Perform ‘Live And Let Live’ At Glastonbury

Paul McCartney watched Guns N’ Roses perform his song ‘Live And Let Die’ at Glastonbury on the weekend and seemed to be enjoying it.

June 27, 2023
Rick Astley photo by Ros O'Gorman
Rick Astley Performs A Complete Setlist of Smiths At Glastonbury

Rick Astley performed an entire set of Smiths covers with The Blossoms at Glastonbury on the weekend and quite frankly … it was very good.

June 27, 2023