Stormzy pulled out all the stops to deliver a dynamic headlining performance and bring the first day of Glastonbury to a close with a bang on Friday night.
It’s advice that Stormzy, real name Michael Omari Owuo, Jr., evidently took to heart, incorporating political and social messages into a thrilling, raucous and highly confident performance that saw him bound onstage wearing a Union Jack stab vest accompanied by huge pyrotechnic explosions.
Opening with an incendiary version of “Know Me From,” the 25-year-old rapper was soon dripping in sweat as he led the Glastonbury crowd through his relatively small back catalog (2017 debut album Gang Signs & Prayer and a handful of EP and single releases) with charismatic swagger and authority.
Highlights included his recent U.K. number one single “Vossi Bop" (where he was joined by circling BMX riders), a hard-hitting, Boris Johnson-baiting “Cold,” the scathing “Shut Up” and stirring, soulful “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. II,” which was backed by a gospel choir.
Coldplay singer Chris Martin made a previously unannounced guest appearance, duetting with Stormzy on “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 1,” while fellow British rap stars Dave and Fredo later joined him for a lively run through of their U.K. chart topping single “Funky Friday.”
An earlier interlude, meanwhile, saw two ballet dancers gracefully take to the stage as onscreen messages informed the crowd that ballet shoes have only recently become available in different skin tones.
“This is the greatest night of my entire life,” a visibly moved Stormzy, by then topless, told the crowd on more than one occasion before ending his set with a bombastic “Big For Your Boots.”
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