Worthy Farm has once again transformed from a quiet dairy pasture into the sparkling epicenter of the cultural universe. Glastonbury 2025 will be remembered not just for its earth-shaking performances, but as the year the “Pop Girlies” officially took the crown. With Olivia Rodrigo delivering a career-defining headline set and Gracie Abrams making a triumphant debut, the festival felt like a victory lap for a new generation of icons. But the magic of Glasto always lies in the unplanned: the high-profile PDAs in the VIP hospitality areas, the unexpected guest appearances, and the muddy-yet-meticulous fashion that defined the weekend. From Harry Styles’ quiet presence in the crowds to the “hard-launching” of Hollywood’s newest power couples, Glastonbury 2025 was a masterclass in the art of the festival spectacle.
Olivia Rodrigo: The Pyramid Stage’s New Royalty
On Sunday, June 29, Olivia Rodrigo closed out the festival with a performance that cemented her status as a global titan. Returning to Worthy Farm after her 2022 debut on the Other Stage, Rodrigo took the Pyramid Stage by storm, blending her signature pop-punk angst with a newfound theatrical grandeur. The “pièce de résistance” was her wardrobe: a grunge-inspired homage to the Spice Girls. She channeled Geri Halliwell-Horner’s 1997 Brit Awards look, donning sequined Union Jack hot pants custom-made by Danielle Guizio, paired with a graphic baby tee.
The setlist was a high-octane journey through SOUR and GUTS, but the night’s most viral moment arrived when she welcomed a surprise guest: Robert Smith of The Cure. Together, they performed a hauntingly beautiful cover of “Friday I’m In Love,” a moment that bridged the gap between 80s post-punk and Gen Z pop. For the thousands of fans watching in the mud, it was a reminder that Rodrigo isn’t just a pop star; she is a student of rock history, capable of holding her own alongside legends.
Gracie Abrams: A Debut to Remember
While Rodrigo closed the show, Gracie Abrams owned the weekend’s earlier narrative with her stunning Glastonbury debut on the Other Stage. Wearing a crimson silk chiffon Rodarte gown and a matching red bandana, Abrams looked every bit the “lady in red” as she serenaded a massive crowd with hits like “I Love You, I’m Sorry” and “That’s So True.” In a moment of pure festival magic, she even previewed a moody new track titled “Out Of Nowhere,” admitting she was still “working on it in real time.”
[Image: Gracie Abrams performing on the Other Stage in her flowy red Rodarte dress, barefoot and wearing a red bandana]
Beyond her performance, Abrams seemed to have the “best weekend ever.” She was spotted in the crowd during Charli XCX’s late-night set, where she was bestowed the honor of becoming the next “Apple Girl,” performing the viral dance for 60,000 people. By the time the festival ended, Abrams had earned the coveted “follow back” from Harry Styles and solidified her place as the industry’s most beloved new songwriter.
Love in the Mud: The Year of the “Hard Launch”
Glastonbury 2025 will go down in history as the “Rom-Com Edition” of the festival. The VIP areas were buzzing with high-profile couples who chose the Somerset fields to go public with their relationships. Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal effectively “hard-launched” their romance when Abrams shared an Instagram Story of herself sitting on the Gladiator II star’s shoulders during Olivia Rodrigo’s set. The duo was later spotted sharing a quiet moment (and a few makeout sessions) near the Rabbit Hole, much to the delight of eagle-eyed fans.
[Image: A candid shot of Gracie Abrams on Paul Mescal’s shoulders in the Glastonbury crowd, both laughing and singing along]
They weren’t the only ones. Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Partridge were seen dancing and singing along to Pulp’s “Common People,” with Partridge later posting a heartfelt tribute to his girlfriend’s headlining set. Even Harry Styles made a rare appearance, spotted with producer Ella Kenny, while Daisy Edgar-Jones and Ben Seed were seen navigating the mud in matching Hunter wellies. In 2026, these “Glasto launches” have become the gold standard for celebrity relationship reveals.
Festival Fashion: Barbour, Boots, and Y2K
Despite the sweltering temperatures and clear skies, the “Glastonbury uniform” of boots and heritage brands remained undefeated. Milly Alcock and Lily James led the “Barbour Brigade,” sporting the iconic wax jackets over summer dresses. Meanwhile, Daisy Edgar-Jones opted for a more bohemian look, pairing a cream lace-trimmed cami with denim shorts and knee-high Hunter boots. The fashion of 2025 was a mix of practical British heritage and early 2000s nostalgia.
[Image: A montage of celebrity looks: Margot Robbie in a khaki mini dress, Charli XCX in a McQueen skull scarf top, and Alexa Chung in a yellow slip dress]
Margot Robbie made a rare and highly anticipated public appearance following the birth of her first child, looking effortless in a khaki mini dress and black leather boots. Charli XCX also turned heads, bringing back the Alexander McQueen skull scarf as a top, paired with leather hot pants for her Saturday night headline set. The message from the 2025 fashionistas was clear: whether you’re a headliner or a guest, the key to a great Glasto look is a pair of sturdy boots and an unapologetic sense of style.
The Legends and the Surprises
Beyond the pop starlets, Glastonbury 2025 stayed true to its eclectic roots. Rod Stewart delivered a sparkling Sunday Legends set, proving that “Sailing” still has the power to move a crowd of 200,000 to tears. Neil Young brought a heavy dose of grit to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, while The 1975 made history with their first-ever headline appearance on Friday night.
[Image: A wide shot of the Pyramid Stage crowd during the “Sunday Legends” slot, with a sea of flags waving under the Somerset sun]
As always, the “secret sets” provided the weekend’s biggest thrills. Lorde shocked fans by appearing on the Woodsies stage for a surprise Friday set, and Lewis Capaldi made a triumphant, unannounced return to the Pyramid Stage that left the audience in awe. As the festival closed its doors for a fallow year in 2026, the memories of these five days on Worthy Farm remain the definitive soundtrack of the decade so far.
