Lil Nas X is here, heâs queer, and he owned it on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival, where the rapper wowed fans and critics alike with the queerest show the festival has probably ever seen.Â
Lil Nas X is arguably the worldâs most prominent, queer Black artist today, and he wears that title proudly, as seen by the captivating theatrical performance on Sunday night where he thrilled fans and reviewers who announced the âwatershed moment for queer popâ would âgo down in Glastonbury history.â
âGlastonbury, this is my first time here since 2019,â Nas said, addressing the thousands in the crowd. âIâm happy to be back. This is a big-a** crowd. Are yâall ready to have some fun?â
Lil Nas X performing âMONTERO (CMBYN)â at Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/ACmuKe80xg
— đđźđ đđ (@lilnasxmajor) June 25, 2023
Nas gave an âiconic,â hourlong performance on the Pyramid stage ahead of Elton Johnâs headline slot, sweeping through some of his biggest hits, from 2021 opener âMontero (Call Me By Your Name)â through âScoop,â âDead Right Nowâ and âThatâs What I Want.â
Lil Nas X performing Thats What I Want at The Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/5jTvyjJRMu
— Montero Updates | đ đđ§ đđđ đ (@Monterobr_) June 25, 2023
The elaborate set included numerous extravagant costume changes, gyrating dancers (one of whom Nas even shared a quick kiss), equally entertaining props (including a substantial mechanical horse) and even a surprise appearance from fellow rapper Jack Harlow for Nasâs closing song, âIndustry Baby.â
Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow performing âINDUSTRY BABYâ at Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/jC5m4qBfIm
— đđźđ đđ (@lilnasxmajor) June 25, 2023
The Georgia-born rapper previously surprised fans when he appeared during Miley Cyrusâ set in 2019 alongside her father, Billy Ray Cyrus.Â
Lil Nas X talking about Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus At the Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/StLZFofJRz
— Montero Updates | đ đđ§ đđđ đ (@Monterobr_) June 26, 2023
Now it was Lil Nas Xâs turn to command the stage as the lead artist. And upon the conclusion of the stellar performance, fans rushed to social media to fawn over it.
âLil Nas X delivering an iconic master class in Black queer excellence on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury. We love to see it,â one fan wrote.
âA pure expression of self and star still on the rise. I love it for us, and I love it for him. This will go down in Glastonbury history!â another said.
Lil Nas X #Glastonbury2023 set is unashamedly Gay. Unashamedly sexy. Unashamedly youthful. Unashamedly Black. Unashamedly ICONIC. A pure expression of self and star still on the rise. I love it for us and I love it for him! This will go down in Glastonbury history! pic.twitter.com/HUFWIOOw0I
— Mr Padam R đ (@MrAdamR) June 25, 2023
âLil Nas is an absolute breath of fresh air for Glastonbury. This whole performance is iconic,â another added.
âLil Nas X is putting on a *SHOW*. My kids are absolutely glued to the TV. And what a voice,â someone shared.
Lil Nas X is putting on a *SHOW*. My kids are absolutely glued to the TV. And what a voice. #Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/wDF9q2iqFz
— Alice Allen (@AliOtter) June 25, 2023
âOh mate, Lil Nas X is killing his set, design, dancers, vocals, energy YES, SIR,â one viewer commented.
“This is one of the best performances I’ve seen. The staging and the dancers are incredible! Lil Nas X, you will ALWAYS be famous,” one person said.
This is one of the best performances I've seen. The staging and the dancers are incredible! Lil Nas X you will ALWAYS be famous #Glastonbury
— Ryan âď¸ (@RyanS_UK) June 25, 2023
âJust watching the energy of Lil Nas X owning The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury like itâs his own show is INSANE. Heâs giving Sunday evening life. What an artistâŚincredible performance,â another viewer tweeted.
Just watching the energy of Lil Nas X owning The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury like itâs his own show is INSANE. Heâs giving Sunday evening life. What an artistâŚincredible performance #glastonbury2023
— SiobhĂĄnđđťđ´ó §ó ˘ó ˇó Źó łó ż (@She_Ra_Rocks) June 25, 2023
âDEFINITION OF AN ICON,â one person tweeted.
Glastonbury is goated for a reason, only goats perform there @LilNasX stole the show, gagged everyone at home and everyone who attended
DEFINITION OF AN ICON
— GhastlyLNX đŚâď¸ (@GhastlyLNX) June 25, 2023
Reviewers were just as fascinated by the set, with The Guardian calling it âthe most openly, ostentatiously queer show ever staged on the Pyramid.â At the same time, The Independent praised the star for bringing âridiculously high energyâ to an âexciting and inventiveâ stage show.
â¨Lil Nas X Glastonbury Reviewsâ¨
The Independent – âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
NME – âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸âď¸
âundoubtedly a watershed moment for queer popâThe Guardian – âThis must have been the most openly, ostentatiously queer show ever staged on the Pyramidâ pic.twitter.com/iu8nGzPVjR
— LiL Nas X Live (@LNXLive) June 26, 2023
The 24-year-old made Billboard chart history with his 2019 hit âOld Town Road.â He has since racked up over 40 awards, including two Grammys.
The consensus, it would seem, is that on Sunday night, Lil Nas X came out swinging with banger after banger in a performance that will surely last in everyoneâs memories as âone of the best performancesâ Glastonbury has ever seen.