Stevie Wonder in Talks to Headline Glastonbury, Filling Madonna’s Vacated Slot
Stevie Wonder is in discussions to close this year’s Glastonbury Festival, stepping in after negotiations with Madonna fell through due to financial disagreements.
The iconic ‘Superstition’ singer, who previously headlined the festival in 2010, is being considered to take the stage on the final night of the event, set to run from June 26 to June 30. Sources close to the festival organizers revealed to the Mail on Sunday that securing Wonder would be a significant achievement, considering his legendary status and the memorable performance he delivered in 2010.
Madonna was initially slated to headline Glastonbury’s final night, but talks collapsed over financial terms. Reports indicate that Madonna’s ‘Celebration’ live show came with a hefty price tag that organizers Michael and Emily Eavis were unwilling to meet. Despite Emily Eavis expressing enthusiasm for Madonna after witnessing her tour in London last October, negotiations failed to reach a favorable outcome.
An insider shared, “To be honest, it’s been a real blow not being able to nail down a deal with Madonna… But everyone knows that after last year, and the criticism over the gender balance, we’ve got to have big-name females heading the lineup. Dua Lipa is a real catch. Now we need another.”
Coldplay, who have headlined Glastonbury multiple times in the past, and Dua Lipa, making her first appearance as a headline act, are also slated to perform at the festival. Emily Eavis had hinted at Madonna’s potential participation, but with those plans dashed, attention has turned to securing another high-profile artist.
Emily Eavis explained the delay in finalizing the lineup, noting a recent call from a representative of a prominent American artist becoming available. While she didn’t explicitly name Stevie Wonder, the timing of the call aligns with reports of his potential involvement.
If negotiations are successful, Stevie Wonder’s performance would undoubtedly be a highlight of this year’s Glastonbury Festival, offering attendees a chance to witness another iconic moment in music history on the famous Pyramid Stage.
