Let’s Talk About Glastonbury
A designer’s take on the visuals, emotions, and unforgettable moments of Glastonbury 2025 — livestreamed from home.
I wasn’t lucky enough to attend Glastonbury this year (though to be honest, camping isn’t reallllly my thing). But still, it consumed my entire weekend. Not only was my favorite band headlining one of the nights (I love you, The 1975), but there were so many other triumphant moments and visuals that needed to be noted.
Just want to start by saying: I didn’t watch everything, and I’ll probably miss something. So if I do, drop your thoughts in the comments! I’d love to hear what stood out to you.
I’ve always been really into music. At one point, I dreamed of starting my own record label (which I talk more about in the post below). Rocky Ledge could still become something someday… but until then, here we are.
I always knew I wouldn’t be the one performing, but I’ve long been obsessed with the behind-the-scenes, especially when it comes to concerts. I think that’s why designers like Es Devlin have always caught my attention. Being able to create a space that connects the artist to their music and their audience is such a gift. Concerts always evoke big emotions for me. And the visuals that accompany them? I can’t look away. I spend hours dissecting, researching, admiring them long after the curtain closes.
I love going to concerts not just to connect with others who love the same music (screaming and singing along with people who feel the same way about a band as you do is a feeling), but also to admire the stage design and visuals. It's always amazing to see how a creative team translates the emotion of an album into a visual language. I love when it’s simple. I love when it’s complex and delicate. Honestly, it’s all amazing. I don’t feel like I’m articulating this perfectly, but if you take anything from this: just know I adore stage design and live music deeply.
Festivals are especially fascinating to me because artists face more constraints. They can’t fully customize the stage the way they might on tour, and still, they manage to make it feel completely their own.
Starting with my favorite: The 1975
I was expecting a hell of a show from them (I’ve seen them live many times over the years), but dang, they did not disappoint. The stage was so intentionally them and I loved it.
The treadmill from the “Sincerity Is Scary” era (2019) made a return, which felt like a lovely nod to longtime fans.
Example below if you’re not sure what I’m referring to.
I also loved their ode to the debut album, with the iconic box design sprinkled throughout the visuals. It felt so nostalgic, especially for fans who’ve been around since 2013.
And I have to mention the car from the “Somebody Else” music video, it felt like they transported us into the video itself.
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One thing that really stood out was how intentional and nostalgic the whole performance felt. So much humor and personality throughout, and every detail was clearly planned and executed with care. They somehow managed to blend all of their album “eras” into one cohesive show. The only one with less attention was Being Funny in a Foreign Language, which made sense, since that was the most recent tour.
The whole show felt like a love letter to the fans. I loved every second of it. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cry, especially when Matty broke down at the end. Such an incredible performance. If you missed it, go watch it!
Although I could keep going, let’s highlight a few more favorites...
Lewis Capaldi’s Comeback
His emotional return was so powerful. He was a surprise performer and debuted a new song, “Survive.” When he sang “Someone You Loved,” you could feel the entire crowd of 100,000+ people singing along. The visuals were simple and that made it even more impactful. His voice was the star. After everything he’s gone through since 2023, it was impossible not to cry watching him on that stage.
Charli XCX: Always the Moment
Charli always puts on a show, and this one was no different. The visuals were incredible.
There’s a GIF at the start of her set that flashes “Charli XCX” in a bunch of different fonts and styles, and I loved the variety of aesthetics.
One of my favorite moments was when the Brat banner caught fire. It looked SO cool. She’s been teasing the end of the Brat era on this tour, but at Glastonbury, she thanked the crowd for showing her it’s forever.
Watching her move through her set: the lights, the energy, the visuals, the movement, it was just electric. I can only imagine how it felt in person… but I definitely enjoyed watching from my couch, lol.
Beabadoobee’s Whimsical World
Beabadoobee was another standout for me. The cherry blossom trees onstage were the first thing I noticed. They made everything feel so dreamy and soft. I loved how the camera would sometimes shoot through the branches, making it feel like we were at an intimate picnic. And her voice? Stunning.
There were so many other amazing performances I didn’t get to dive into, but here are a few more worth checking out:
Lorde (playing the album start to finish was iconic)
Alanis Morissette
Noah Kahan
Olivia Rodrigo
Gracie Abrams
Franz Ferdinand
Wet Leg
Inhaler
Weezer
Wolf Alice
and many more…
To mark the occasion (especially The 1975’s set), I spent Friday listening to the livestream and designing this poster.
I shared the process over on TikTok:
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I just love live music, designing for bands, and connecting with others over music. It’s such a special feeling.
If you tuned into Glastonbury (or were lucky enough to be there), I’d love to hear your thoughts!!
Until next time,
Bailey