Glastonbury 2024: Fans react as Gossip call out US government during their set

30 June, 2024

Fans have been sharing their love for Gossip following their eruptive set at Glastonbury 2024 – which saw them call out the US government.

The indie icons took to the stage at Worthy Farm last night (June 29), for what proved to be an explosive set in the Woodsies area. During the gig, they broke out various fan favourites including ‘Standing In The Way Of Control’, ‘Heavy Cross’ and ‘Move In The Right Direction’, as well as tracks from their latest album ‘Real Power’.

It also saw frontwoman Beth Ditto look back at her first time playing at the site in 2008, two years after they released their huge studio album ‘Standing In The Way Of Control’. Recalling the moment, she revealed that she had “no fucking idea what Glastonbury was” before she played there. “I will never forget how fucking crazy it was, and it didn’t sink in until after.”

However, it was later in the set that the singer got audience members talking, when she reflected on the recent US Presidential debate and encouraged the crowd to push back against oppressors.

“We had that shit show going on the other day, I don’t know what’s going on with that,” she said, referring to the debate. “I didn’t even watch it – I watched Bob’s Burgers instead because it’s fucking hilarious.”

The singer Beth Ditto performs on stage with Gossip.
The singer Beth Ditto performs on stage with Gossip. CREDIT: Valeria Magri/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

She also recalled what it was like to see Trump win his campaign for US President back in 2016, adding that seeing the news made her “want to bite my own tongue off”. From there, she encouraged the crowd to help her chant “There are more of us than there are of them” and dedicated ‘Move In The Right Direction’ to those facing oppression.

“This is for the queers, of course it is. This is for the feminists, of course it is. This is for the working people, of course it is,” she exclaimed as the song began. Before closing the set, she also launched into the band’s biggest hit ‘Standing In The Way Of Control’ by exclaiming “Free Palestine and fuck TERFs”.

Following the set, fans were quick to take to social media to share their thoughts. “I literally could not love her MORE that’s how it’s done,” one wrote on Twitter/X, while another added: “Man this weekend has made me love Beth Ditto so much more”.

“Beth Ditto said Free Palestine, Fuck Terfs and now I need this on some merchandise,” a third shared. “The crowd chanting more of us than there are of them, too. Queen.” Find more fan responses to the set below.

Shortly before the set, Ditto caught up with NME backstage at Glasto, and recalled what it was like to see the massive positive response to ‘Real Power’.

She also recalled how, although the LP came 12 years after its predecessor, it felt as if the band had never taken any time apart. “It’s been really cool and really interesting to see, because it’s like riding a bicycle,” she said.

“When we did the record it felt exactly the same as ever. People ask us what the response has been like, but I’m like ‘I don’t know, it’s the same!’ It’s all been really fun [and] we’re still in this moment of being like ‘Oh, we’re playing festivals again?’”.

Still set to come this weekend at Glastonbury 2024 are performances from SZA, Shania Twain, Janelle Monae, The National, Two Door Cinema Club, Avril Lavigne, Justice, Nia Archives, James Blake, Alvvays, Romy and more.

Camila Cabello’s chaotic set scored a three-star rating from NME, while Dua Lipa’s Friday headlining performance earned her four stars. IDLES and Fontaines D.C nabbed perfect five-star ratings as did the festival’s first K-pop performers SEVENTEEN.

Check back at NME here for the latest news, reviews, interviews, photos, rumours and more from Glastonbury 2024. Follow the NME liveblog for all the action as it happens.

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