Nile Rodgers & Chic Bring Disco Delight to Glastonbury’s Exhausted Masses

The annual Glastonbury Festival is a marathon, not a sprint. By Sunday evening, the sun-soaked revelers crave a musical oasis of pure, reliable joy. This year, Nile Rodgers and Chic delivered exactly that: a timeless performance of disco hits, perfectly calibrated for weary but enthusiastic crowds.

A Reliable Glastonbury Staple

For those enduring the final day’s heat and the festival’s unique “amenities,” Rodgers and Chic offered dependable entertainment. The band has become a familiar and welcome presence in Britain, offering audiences the same set they’ve perfected over the years. The familiar repertoire of hits like “Everybody Dance,” and “I’m Coming Out” continue to resonate.

While some might argue that the set’s speed and medleys, along with the vocal interludes, detract from the core material, there is no denying the power of their music. The band’s performance is more than a concert; it is a celebration of some of the most enduring pop ever made.

“You may not know that I also produced records for other people including Diana Ross, Madonna and David Bowie”: you’re joking, why have you never mentioned this before etc etc.

—Nile Rodgers

The ability of Chic to elicit such a response is undeniable. The act’s appearance, following Rod Stewart on the bill, may have been a strategic move to extend the joyous atmosphere. The global music market for disco and funk is estimated to be worth over $500 million USD (Statista, 2024).

The Hits Keep Coming

The setlist, packed with hits, rendered some omissions, like “Lost in Music” or “My Forbidden Lover,” nearly unnoticeable. Even including a Daft Punk track, “Lose Yourself to Dance,” felt like a deep cut. The sheer number of hit songs ensures a party atmosphere.

In a festival demanding reliability, Nile Rodgers and Chic delivered. They proved they are more than capable of providing pure entertainment.