Lana Del Rey, the American singer-songwriter, has suggested that she may boycott the 2023 Glastonbury Festival over concerns about the festival’s lineup debacle. In a statement posted on social media, the artist expressed disappointment at the festival’s lack of diversity and the perception that it is becoming increasingly commercialized. In doing so, Lana Del Rey joins a growing list of artists who have voiced their dissatisfaction with the festival’s programming in recent years.
Del Rey, who was scheduled to appear at Glastonbury Festival in 2020 before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, wrote in her statement that she had “deep reservations” about performing at the festival again. She criticized the festival for not booking enough female artists and artists of color, saying that it was “time for Glastonbury to get with the program and start booking more diverse acts.”
The comments came in response to the controversy surrounding the festival’s headliner choices for 2022. Last month, the festival announced that Coldplay, Billie Eilish, and Kendrick Lamar would be the main acts for next year’s event. While many fans were excited about the lineup, others criticized the festival for not including enough female performers or artists of color. Some even accused the festival of being “out of touch” with contemporary music trends.
In her statement, Del Rey highlighted the need for festivals to reflect the diversity of the music industry as a whole. She wrote: “I have always been proud to be a part of the music industry, which has always been a platform for people of all backgrounds and cultures to come together and celebrate their differences. But when festivals like Glastonbury fail to reflect that diversity, it really makes you question whether they are still relevant in the 21st century.”
Del Rey is not the first artist to voice concerns about Glastonbury’s lineup choices. In 2019, the festival faced criticism for booking only four female artists as headliners, compared to 20 male artists. The following year, Taylor Swift became the first female artist to headline the festival solo in more than a decade. The lack of diversity in the festival’s programming has been an ongoing issue for many years, with many fans and artists calling for change.
Despite the criticism, the festival’s organizers have defended their choices, arguing that they try to book the best and most popular artists regardless of gender or ethnicity. In a statement, they said: “We are committed to diversity and inclusivity, both in our programming and in the way we run our festival. We take feedback from fans and artists seriously, and we will do everything we can to ensure that our events are inclusive and representative of all communities.”
However, the controversy surrounding the festival’s lineup choices could have serious consequences for its future. Many fans have threatened to boycott the festival if it does not change its programming, while some artists have already withdrawn from performing. If more high-profile artists like Lana Del Rey follow suit, it could damage the festival’s reputation and lead to a decline in ticket sales.
It remains to be seen whether Glastonbury Festival will heed the concerns of fans and artists and make changes to its lineup choices. In the meantime, artists like Lana Del Rey will continue to speak out and demand greater diversity and inclusivity in the music industry as a whole. As Del Rey wrote in her statement: “We all have a responsibility to use our platforms to promote positive change and to ensure that the music industry is a more welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.”