Charli XCX Set the Stage Ablaze with “Brat” at Glastonbury 2023
During her electrifying performance at Glastonbury on Saturday night, Charli XCX turned heads and ignited excitement with her hit song “Brat”—quite literally! As the headliner for the Other Stage, the avant-garde pop sensation kicked off her set in style, starting with the Shygirl remix of “365” followed by an energetic rendition of “360.”
Things took a dramatic turn when the neon green “Brat” backdrop caught fire before she launched into “Von Dutch.” Charli embraced the fiery spectacle, delighting the audience as the stage lights shifted to a vivid red, adding a touch of theatricality to her performance. Despite the fiery backdrop, Charli’s set flowed seamlessly, featuring her signature all-black ensemble accented with playful pink elements and striking red boots.
As the night progressed, Charli invited fellow Glastonbury artist Gracie Abrams to join her for the TikTok-famous dance during “Apple,” sending the crowd into a frenzy. “I’m known to have the heart of a stone, but this is very fucking emotional right now,” Charli expressed, reflecting on her memorable headline performance—especially with Neil Young headlining the Pyramid Stage. “I feel incredibly grateful. Thank you so much; you’re cool as fuck—just not as cool as me, bitch.”
Later in the set, tracks like “Party 4 U” and “Vroom Vroom” had the crowd dancing, including excited fans like Harry Styles and Eddie Redmayne spotted in the VIP area. Charli continued to wow the audience with a stunning performance of “Track 10,” dancing in the (fake) rain, before concluding her set with the iconic anthem “I Love It.” Surprisingly, she didn’t bring out any special guests this time, despite her collaborator Lorde performing a secret set the day before.
As attendees exited, Charli’s outro message on the screens revealed that the burning of the “Brat” backdrop was all part of the show. “We had to do it, and it looked cool,” the message read. “I think you all have proven to me that ‘Brat’ is forever.”
This summer, Charli has been making waves at festivals, recently performing at Primavera Sound in Spain, where Chappell Roan played the role of the “Apple Girl.” She also curated her own lineup at London’s Lido Festival, featuring her collaborator Bladee. Back in April at Coachella, she surprised fans by bringing out Billie Eilish, Lorde, and Troye Sivan for a few unforgettable moments.
At Lido, Charli declared that “Brat” summer would last indefinitely, sharing a heartfelt message at the end of her performance: “‘Brat’ summer is over. But actually… I don’t think it is. So tell me the truth: Will you hate me if I stick around? Because honestly, I don’t know who I am if it’s over. And so… I’ve decided I want this to last forever. It wasn’t just a summer thing; it’s a forever thing. Please don’t let it be over.”
Charli’s fiancé and collaborator, George Daniel, also made headlines by headlining the Pyramid Stage the night before with his band, The 1975.
Catch all the excitement and unforgettable moments from Charli XCX’s Glastonbury set, and keep an eye on her as she continues to redefine the pop music landscape this summer!
