5 ways Kylie can conquer Glastonbury's Legends slot
Glastonbury's Sunday afternoon on the Pyramid Stage, very affectionately known as the 'Legend slot', is always something to look forward to. After two or more days of a proper warm-up, it usually finds the crowd in jubilant spirit, with young and old coming together to witness a masterclass from a music icon.
This year's Legends slow is particularly exciting, with genuine national treasure Kylie Minogue gracing the stage. It's going to be an occasion that's equally meaningful for the star too, who has said: "I’m so thrilled... It will be 14 years since I was originally meant to appear there and so much has happened up to now. I can’t wait to see you all there to share this special show."
Ahead of what looks to be a massively memorable affair, let's take a look at the legends that have come before and how Kylie can follow in their footsteps to deliver a show-stopping set...
1. Give the crowd a good ol’ singalong
Lionel Richie
Highlights of Lionel Richie's set at Glastonbury 2015
Glastonbury is all about moments when hundreds of thousands are united in song, swaying and waving their flags all to the same tune. And it's often the Legends slot that provides these glorious singalongs. After all, you don't become a legend without having a classic or 10 in your repertoire.
In the past we've had everyone belting out Sweet Caroline with Neil Diamond in 2008, Dolly Parton putting everyone's voices to work with 9 To 5 in 2014, and let's not forget Lionel Richie’s iconic Dancing On The Ceiling in 2015, which prompted the star to ask the crowd: "Glastonbury, what the hell is going on?"
Richie later described it as "a crowd’s best performance ever," saying: "I haven’t had that much fun onstage in I don’t know how long. The crowd just took over the show… Not only singing back my songs, but in between they decided to sing a song all by themselves."
Kylie has plenty of hits to her name, but which is going to be the one that sends the masses into frenzy? Spinning Around? Can't Get You Out of My Head? I Should Be So Lucky? There's just too many to predict!
2. Bring along famous friends
Glastonbury is all about the iconic team-ups. In 2017, we saw Coldplay and Barry Gibb perform together. In 2010, U2’s The Edge joined Muse for the night, while in 2016 Patti Smith invited the actual Dalai Lama onstage for the crowd to sing him Happy Birthday.
The Legends slot has inspired the odd surprise guests over the years too, most notably Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora joining Dolly Parton in 2014, but we think it could do with more of them.
Kylie’s made a guest appearance of her own at Glastonbury in the past, joining Scissor Sisters in 2010, so could we see Kylie herself opening up her set to some special cameos? Well, her career has seen duets with everyone from Nick Cave and Robbie Williams to James Corden and Shaggy, so there’s plenty to choose from. She even treated us to a reunion with Jason Donovan at last year’s Radio 2 In Hyde Park.
3. Provide some big fashion moments
Dolly Parton on the Pyramid stage
Highlights of Dolly Parton's set on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury 2014
Kylie has been responsible for some classic looks during her career. Her Charlene perm remains an iconic 80s image, while the gold hotpants from her Spinning Around video made for such an iconic outfit that they have been .
We're hoping for some equally great fashion choices during her Legends set, and perhaps she could take some pointers from some of her predecessors. Al Green was the epitome of cool in a sharp all-white suit back in 1999, while Dolly Parton duly delivered on the glitz and glam in 2014.
Shirley Bassey's the one to beat though, arriving at Worthy Farm in a helicopter in 2007 whilst ... Try topping that!
4. Take on Glastonbury's 'unofficial anthem'
Barry Gibb
Highlights of Barry Gibb's set at Glastonbury 2017
There's one song that has been performed during Glastonbury's Legends slot more than any other and that's the irresistible Islands In The Stream. The track has been belted out by both of the artists who originally recorded it (Kenny Rogers in 2013 and Dolly Parton a year later) as well as the man who penned the hit (Bee Gees' Barry Gibb in 2017). It's pretty much the unofficial anthem of Glastonbury by this point.
Kylie herself is no stranger to covers: her first single was a take on The Loco-Motion, while she's also breathed new life into songs by artists as wide-ranging as Olivia Newton-John and Bob Dylan. She even recently released an album of Christmas songs! Could she carry on this Glastonbury tradition and treat the crowd to a rendition of this classic duet? Well, we'd certainly love to see it happen.
5. Embrace the Glastonbury spirit
What really makes Glastonbury truly unique is its sense of unpredictability. We've learned to expect the unexpected, and some of the best Legends slot moments come from the artist connecting with that Glastonbury spirit.
There was the time that Dolly Parton wrote and performed a song on the spot (all about mud!) The moment when a group in fancy dress chucked Barry Gibb a Bee Gees-esque gold jacket and he proceeded to wear it (despite it being a little on the small side...) while performing Tragedy. And the time that Lionel spotted a nude doll of himself in the crowd. Frankly, these are the sort of things that stars simply never forget.
Knowing Kylie, she'll take Glastonbury entirely in her stride and get involved with the sheer unexpected nature of it all. And we can't wait to see what that involves...
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Watch Kylie Minogue's Glastonbury Legends set on the Pyramid Stage live stream on Sunday
Keep up with all the action from Glastonbury 2019...
You can keep up with all the Glastonbury action via our six streams on ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer. We'll be bringing you live sets from five key stages (Pyramid, Other, West Holts, John Peel and Park), plus all the best bits on our Must Watch stream.
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds has you covered too. We've launched ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Glastonbury, which broadcasts 24 hours a day over the course of the weekend. ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1, Radio 2, 6 Music and ´óÏó´«Ã½ 5 Live will all be there too so you can enjoy all this from the comfort of your own front room or bedroom or even at the gym!