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Credit: Instagram @chvrches
The Glastonbury festival came at an inconvenient time this year, given Thursday’s outrageous Brexit result. And while the outcome is not only triggering irreversible global consequences and “bregret” amongst those who voted to leave the EU, Scotland (whose majority voted to remain) is now warning they could remove themselves from the UK.
Scottish electro-pop band Chvrches, who were performing at the Pilton-based festival in England, echoed this uncertain political sentiment. “We were slightly worried, given our nationality, that people might not like us,” said front-woman Lauren Mayberry referencing the divide between Scotland and England and Wales who voted to leave the EU. “But you guys look smart, thoughtful people who don’t want your lives ruined by fear and hatred. So I’m kind of hoping that over the course of the Glastonbury weekend, we can figure out a way to fix the whole thing. I don’t know how – but maybe after a few more pints an idea will come to me.”
Credit: Instagram @elliegoulding
Chvurches weren’t the only musicians to use the stage as a platform to speak out against the disastrous result. Ellie Goulding remarked that it was an understatement to say things had been “a little weird” these last few days. “It is so nice to be in a place where there is so much unity and where everyone is so happy and friendly and dancing together and laughing together and loving each other,” she said.
“I really hope now for this lovely country that I live in and you live in that that sentiment, that spirit of Glastonbury, happens all over the country still, because I know some really terrible things have been happening and I really hope that when you go home that you guys will take that spirit with you. And if you see that that spirit is not happening wherever you live, wherever you are, to other people… We are all one person, we are all human beings. I just want to say I really hope that we can all carry the spirit of Glastonbury home with us, because that would make me very happy.”
Known for having a lot to say, The 1975 frontman Matt Healy said he felt he had a responsibility to speak out for young people. “What I feel, what a lot of young people feel, is that there’s a sentiment among older people who have voted in a future that we don’t f**king want. Glastonbury stands for everything our generation wants – compassion, social responsibility, community, loving each other.”
And then there was this particularly moving piece from the Glastonbury organisers.
What Glastonbury has to say about Brexit #EU #Glasto2016 pic.twitter.com/1WGUyorHb0
— Indy Music (@IndyMusic) June 24, 2016
