In a sensational debut at Glastonbury, pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo took the iconic festival by storm with a surprise that no one saw coming. As the sun set on Sunday evening, Rodrigo, known for her chart-topping hits and emotional depth, introduced a legend in his own right to the stage: Robert Smith, the enigmatic frontman of The Cure.
The excitement in the air was palpable as Rodrigo, clearly reveling in the moment, praised Smith as “perhaps the best songwriter to come out of England” and a “personal hero.” The crowd erupted as Smith, a four-time Glastonbury headliner with The Cure, joined Rodrigo to perform two of the band’s most beloved tracks: “Friday I’m In Love” and “Just Like Heaven.” The pairing of Rodrigo’s youthful exuberance and Smith’s haunting vocals created a unique and unforgettable musical moment.
The Cure, known for their ethereal sound and outsider charm, have a long history with Glastonbury, having headlined the festival in 1986, 1990, 1995, and most recently, 2019. Reflecting on the band’s enduring appeal, Smith once told Rolling Stone, “One of the lovely things about the band is that we’re able to headline Glastonbury, play Hyde Park, and be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but we’re still considered to be slightly weird and outsider kind of band. It’s a perfect position to be in.”
This surprise collaboration at Glastonbury has sparked renewed interest in both artists, with fans eagerly discussing the chemistry between the pop star and the rock legend. As the festival came to a close, speculation swirled about the possibility of new music from The Cure. The band recently released Mixes of a Lost World, an expanded edition of their latest album, Songs of a Lost World. Last December, Smith hinted at more music on the horizon, describing a forthcoming project as “really kind of random stuff – like late-night studio stuff. But some of it is really good, actually. It’s just very, very different.”
For now, fans can relive the magic of Rodrigo and Smith’s unexpected duet through the concert footage making the rounds online, proving once again that Glastonbury is the ultimate stage for musical surprises and legendary performances.
