Soul icon Smokey Robinson is reportedly in talks to headline his first-ever Glastonbury festival this summer. It has been revealed that big-name acts have dropped out of performing on the Pyramid Stage, opening up the opportunity for the 84-year-old singer to take the spotlight.
During Sir Elton John’s Oscars party in Los Angeles, Smokey mentioned that discussions have been ongoing for the past two weeks about his possible appearance at Glastonbury. He expressed his excitement about the prospect, stating his love for the UK and reminiscing about the great times he has had performing there.
Despite his impressive 70-year career, Smokey has never graced the Glastonbury stage before. There were previous talks in 2007 about his potential appearance, but it never came to fruition. Known for hits like ‘The Tears of a Clown’ and ‘The Tracks of My Tears,’ Smokey started his career as a songwriter for Motown before moving on to a successful solo career.
If confirmed for Glastonbury, this would be Smokey’s first UK performance since 2013. The lineup for the 2024 festival is expected to feature Coldplay and Dua Lipa as headliners, with country star Shania Twain lined up for the traditional Sunday afternoon legends’ slot. Last year’s legends’ spot was filled by prominent artists such as Cat Stevens, Kylie Minogue, Barry Gibb, and Jeff Lynne with his ELO group.
