The Five Biggest Acts Never To Play Glastonbury

The Five Biggest Acts Never To Play Glastonbury

Elton John is getting set play Glastonbury Festival for the first time in his long and glittering career, together with The Arctic Monkeys and Guns N’ Roses for its 2023 edition.

However, the Worthy Farm event has yet to play host to some of the biggest names in music.

There can be no doubt that Glastonbury has huge star pulling power, having welcomed the likes of Jay Z, David Bowie, Radiohead and Bruce Springsteen to the Pyramid Stage during more than 50 years of fun in the (often muddy) fields of Somerset.

Festival organiser Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily have earned a reputation for putting together festival line-ups that reflect the very best of pop, rock, world music, and more latterly comedians. Along with the many thousands who attend the festival in person, the acts are enjoyed by a television audience of millions around the globe.

But some music fans will wonder why their favourite acts have never performed on the Pyramid Stage, and as Glastonbury Festival 2023 approaches, we’re taking a look at five of the very biggest acts who have never played at Worthy Farm. Later in the piece we will also review some of the other big names that have successfully filled the Glastonbury legends slot and are unlikely to be forgotten.

Advertiser Disclosure: When you use WhichBingo, there are never any hidden fees or costs. To help fund our work we may earn a referral commission if you create an account via our site. This commission never impacts the impartiality of our reviews and ratings.
Welcome Bonus up to £50
Our Score
3.8

New UK customers only. 100% Match Bonus up to £50 on 1st deposit of £10+. 10x wagering & game weighting applies. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+. GambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full Terms Apply

Led Zeppelin

What we now know as Glastonbury Festival first began in 1970, when English rockers Led Zeppelin were at the peak of their powers, and yet the Eavis family never managed to persuade the mighty Zep to play at Worthy Farm. It seems hard to believe that two British institutions so seemingly well suited to each other as Glastonbury and Led Zeppelin never formed a partnership and, alas, it seems unlikely to ever happen with the band making no plans to play together again.

Image source: https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1475608/Led-Zeppelin-reunion-Robert-Plant-Jimmy-Page-John-Paul-Jones-Dee-Snider-Twisted-Sister
Image credit: Getty
Get 10 Days of Free Spins – up to 500 in Total!
Our Score
4.5

#ad. Casino at bet365 – New Player Offer: 10 Days of Free Spins – Get up to 500 Free Spins when you sign up and deposit a minimum of £10. Min. £10 in lifetime deposits required. Offer must be claimed within 30 days of registering a bet365 account. Select prizes of 5, 10, 20 or 50 Free Spins; 10 selections available within 20 days, 24 hours between each selection. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.

Kate Bush

Hits like Running Up That Hill have stood the test of time and Kate Bush has even enjoyed a surge in popularity among young music fans thanks to her songs being used on the Stranger Things soundtrack, and she would surely go down a storm at Glastonbury. But the 64-year-old singer suffers with anxiety about performing on stage and very rarely makes live appearances. Her only tour took place in 1979, taking her around the UK and Europe for six weeks, but it ended in May of that year and she never made it to Glastonbury to perform at the festival.

Image source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37924894

Queen

The sound of We Are The Champions or We Will Rock You booming out of the Pyramid Stage speakers and out across the rolling hills of Somerset would be a highlight of any English summer, but Queen guitarist Brian May has said that Queen will never play Glastonbury Festival. The reason for Queen’s reluctance to play at Worthy Farm is that May holds strong views on badger culling, having been an ardent campaigner against culls for many years. Meanwhile, dairy farmer and Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis has said he is in favour of culling “in certain circumstances”. Ever heard of a load of badgers getting in the way of a rock concert? You have now.

Image source: https://www.nme.com/news/music/brian-may-launches-new-badger-smelling-fragrance-help-save-wildlife-2853881
Image credit: Getty
No Wagering
Get 80 Wager Free Spins on your 1st Deposit
Our Score
4.9

First deposit only. This offer is only available for first time depositors. Min deposit is £10. 80 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Spin Value: £0.10. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. This offer is only available for specific players that have been selected by PlayOJO. If you have arrived on this page not via the designated offer via PlayOJO you will not be eligible for the offer. Irregular play may lead to removal of reward. OJO’s Rewards and Game policy applies. Full T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly. GambleAware.org. #AD

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift was announced to be headlining Glasto in 2020, but we all know why that year didn’t go ahead. Rumours were circulating that Taylor Swift was being pursued for a headline performance at Glastonbury Festival 2024. Unfortunately for Swifties, she did not end up performing, and still hasn’t as of 2026.

Image source: https://www.nme.com/news/music/indiana-man-arrested-for-stalking-and-harassing-taylor-swift-3454097
Image credit: Terence Rushin/Getty

Elton John

Emily Eavis says that she wrote Elton John “quite a long letter” to persuade him to play at Glastonbury Festival, and the Rocket Man singer admitted he is “a little intimidated” by the prospect of playing at Worthy Farm. But a deal was struck for the 76-year-old singer to incorporate a Glastonbury headline slot in 2023, and attendees and viewers around the world got a real treat.

Image source: https://www.aberdeenlive.news/whats-on/music-nightlife/elton-john-coming-aberdeen-everything-8511769
Image credit: Getty Images

Of all these acts I think Queen surprised me the most – what about you?

Biggest Star Headliners of the Glastonbury Legends Slot

Each year one of the biggest questions on everybody’s lips is ‘who will appear on the Legends stage?’

There have been some incredible acts perform over the years, and we picked some of the best Legends Slot headliners and these are names that do epitomise the word ‘legend’.

Tom Jones – 2009

Tom Jones – 2009
Picture source: Alamy Licensed Account

Kylie Minogue -2019

Kylie Minogue -2019
Picture source: Alamy Licensed Account

Lionel Richie – 2015

Lionel Richie - 2015
Picture source: Alamy Licensed Account

David Bowie – 2000

David Bowie - 2000
Picture source: Alamy Licensed Account

Stevie Wonder – 2010

Stevie Wonder - 2010
Picture source: Alamy Licensed Account

Paul McCartney – 2022

Paul McCartney - 2022
Picture source: Alamy Licensed Account

Top Bingo Offers:

RankBrandRatingReviewWelcome bonusPlayT&C
1
4.8 Read Review
Play £10 and Get £60 on Bingo or 100 Free Spins

Disclaimer: 18+ New Customers. Opt in. Deposit & play £10 in any Bingo Room within 7 days. Get £60 on Bingo. Advertised £60 Bingo based on 10p tickets. Rewards expire after 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

2
4.8 Read Review
Play £10 and Get £60 Bingo Bonus

18+. New customers only. Deposit & Spend £10, get £60 Bingo Bonus (4x wagering). Claim & use within 7 days. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. gambleaware.org #AD

3
4.7 Read Review
Spend £10, Get a £40 Bingo bonus or £20 Slots bonus + 50 Free Spins

New players. Dep (exc. PayPal&Paysafe) & spend £10 on select slots for bonus & spins or in select bingo rooms for bingo bonus. Wagering, max wins & individual promo. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs Apply.

4
4.3 Read Review
Play £10 and Get 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza

18+ New players only. Min deposit £10 and £10 stake on slot games required. 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza credited automatically. Free Spins value: £0.10 each. Free Spins expire 48 hours after crediting. No wagering on Free Spins; winnings paid as cash. Full T&C’s apply.

No Wagering
5
4.7 Read Review
Play £10, Get £40 in Bingo Bonuses

1st deposit only. Stake £10 on bingo for £40 bingo bonus (£30 online & 2 x £5 Club vouchers). 4x wagering requirements on online bingo bonus. Full T&Cs apply.

6
3.6 Read Review
Deposit £10, Get £30 Bingo Cash

18+. New Players Only. GambleAware.org. Take time to think. Minimum Deposit £10. 10x wagering in 7 days. Max bet £5. Max win applies. For Casino offer Spin Value £0.1. Bingo offer Bonus Cash to be used on Bingo only.

7
4.1 Read Review
Get £35 Bingo Bonus Or 100 Spins When You Deposit & Stake £10

New players. Dep (exc. PayPal & Paysafe) & spend min £10 on a selected slot for spins or in Main Event Bingo for bonus. Wagering & max wins apply. Individual promo T&Cs Apply. Full T&Cs Apply.

8
4.3 Read Review
Deposit & Spend £10 on Bingo and get a £35 Bingo Bonus

New players. Dep (exc. PayPal & Paysafe) & spend min £10 on a selected slot for spins or in Main Event Bingo for bonus. Wagering & max wins apply. Individual promo T&C’s apply. Full T&Cs Apply.

9
4.9 Read Review
Play £10, Get £30 Bingo Tickets

Required Significant Terms:* New members only, must opt in. Min £10 deposit & wager within 30 days from registration. Advertised ticket value based on £1 tickets. Game availability & restrictions apply. 18+ GambleAware.org #AD

10
4.6 Read Review
Deposit £10 and Get £50 Bingo Bonus + Daily Free Bingo

18+. New customers only. Register today, deposit & spend £10 on Bingo tickets to receive £50 Bingo bonus (accept & wager 4x within 7 days). Only completed games can be credited. Access to Free Bingo (available daily 11am-11pm) available after registration. Free Bingo games are part of the ongoing bingo schedule. To take part, players can be in the Free Bingo room during the session. Prize and winners advertised are minimum guarantees per session. Debit cards only. Offer Ends 31.07.26. T&Cs Apply. GamCare.org.uk

Only On WhichBingo

More Bingo News:

19. Jun 2026 09:15
A Leicester bingo player won a massive £250,000 jackpot and says they’ll be sharing every penny with their friend.  The lucky winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, landed the quarter-of-a-million-pound prize whilst playing on the National Bingo Game at Mecca Bingo Leicester last month.  A regular at the club, he was introduced to bingo by his friend many years ago, and the pair have been attending sessions together at Mecca’s…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 3min
Read this news
12. Jun 2026 09:18
The rules of the game are evolving, and the UK’s biggest bingo and casino brands are responding by putting players first. We spoke to the WhichBingo Awards winners to get their thoughts on success, what makes them stand out, and what UK players can expect next.  Foxy, Coral, Ladbrokes: Giving Back to the Player Entain, the company who run Ladbrokes, Coral – and Best Promotions winner Foxy Games emphasised their commitment to…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 4min
Read this news
29. May 2026 12:26
Pride is here, and what better way to celebrate than with some drag bingo! We’re experts when it comes to a bingo night, so we’ve compiled a guide to the UK’s best drag bingo events. Here are my top 5 drag bingo events so you can celebrate in style: 1. Fanny Galore’s Big Bingo Party (London/Essex) She’s an Essex Queen. She’s the tart with a heart. Fanny Galore is a…
by
Charles Shakespeare
Charlie Shakespeare
Time to read 4min
Read this news
19. May 2026 15:26
Nearly half a million votes were cast by real players in WhichBingo Awards 2026 – and with so many votes cast its crazy how close it was. One category was decided by just 18 votes. We’ve gone behind the numbers to reveal the other interesting statistics and stories that went into voting. The Race Decided By Just 18 Votes Thousands of votes were cast but Best Promotions was decided by…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 4min
Read this news
Spinner
Charles Shakespeare
Charlie Shakespeare
Social Media Manager
Charlie Shakespeare is the creative mind behind WhichBingo’s social media presence and entertainment content. As host of the WhichBingo Awards, producer of Dabbing Out (1.5M+ views) and Inside Buzz Bingo (250K+ views), and the brand’s go-to personality for bingo collaborations, events, and interactive features, he brings fun, engagement, and storytelling to the world of bingo.

Reader comments

Share your experience
Share your experience
Health Way
March 27th, 2026, 17:11
This is such an informative and well-written post! I learned a lot from reading it and will definitely be implementing some of these tips in my own life
Gary
July 1st, 2023, 00:13
There seems a quite a number I cannot recall. Madonna, Kate Bush, Erasure, Iron Maiden, AC/DC and maybe most surprising of all Bon Jovi.
Mark
June 28th, 2023, 11:23
I think Rammstein should headline Glastonbury. They would set the festival on fire. I saw them last year with a stage set like an oil rig and fame throwing towers shooting fire into the air.
Philip
June 23rd, 2023, 09:48
Since when has Taylor swift been an enormous act