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

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
Blondie, Rod Laver Arena Melbourne on Thursday 6 April 2017. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Debbie Harry Gives Glastonbury 2023 The Blondie Experience

Debbie Harry was billed as Blondie at Glastonbury even through these days its just Debbie and Clem Burke left.

June 27, 2023
Elton John at Mt Duneed Winery 7 Dec 2019 photo by Jackson
Elton John Breaks BBC Glastonbury Viewing Record

Record overnight audiences tuned into the BBC’s live Glastonbury TV coverage this weekend, with Elton John’s epic performance watched by a peak audience of 7.6 million on BBC One.

June 27, 2023
Elton John photo by Ros O'Gorman
Elton John Throws Away The Farewell Setlist For Something Completely Different At Glastonbury

Elton John has played his last ever UK show for the people at Glastonbury and diverted from the setlist he has been playing around the world for the last five years.

June 26, 2023
Yusaf - Cat Stevens at Rod Laver Arena Melbourne on Monday 27 November 2017. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Cat Stevens Channels George Harrison At Glastonbury

Cat Stevens used his stage time at Glastonbury to pay tribute to George Harrison with his version of ‘Here Comes The Sun’.

June 26, 2023
Cate Blanchett and Sparks Noise11
Cate Blanchett Joins On Stage At Glastonbury

Australian actress Cate Blanchett was a surprise dancer for Sparks at their Glastonbury show on the weekend.

June 25, 2023