Glastonbury is no stranger to a secret set or a surprise performance and 2025 more than delivered.
Compared to last year, when Kasabian was the most notable surprise, we were gifted no end of treats in 2025, no doubt in a bid to tide us over during next year’s fallow year (when the festival won’t be on).
Who played a secret set at Glastonbury 2025?
Lorde
We were thrilled to see that the rumours were true and Lorde appeared to play a Friday morning Woodsies stage set. We arrived in the field at about 10am to join the hordes of people already trying to bag prime position. As the barriers to the tent were lifted, the excitement was palpable as fans ran to grab a spot. Waiting for 90 mins in the blistering heat was not our favourite part of the weekend but it was worth it to see Ella Yelich-O’Connor play new album ‘Virgin’ front-to-back on record release day, treating us to ‘Ribs’ and ‘Green Light’ to close out her industrial, ravey set.
Pulp
Pulp have just dropped a new album – ‘More’ – and are in the midst of a (spectacular) UK tour. So when Patchwork were announced on an early-evening Pyramid Stage slot, the rumour mills started turning. Luckily, fans were spot on, with Jarvis & Co appearing to play their first Glastonbury set since they were subbed in to headline the festival 30 years ago. Opening with ‘E’s & Whizz’, it was a perfect Glastonbury moment from the enigmatic frontman and his band.
Haim
Those Haim sisters love Glastonbury – as they told us in 2023 – and they were The Park’s big surprise set over the weekend.
Lewis Capaldi
Finishing what he couldn’t at Glastonbury 2023 (Capaldi had to leave the stage after being overcome during what was the start of a difficult couple of years of mental health battles), Lewis played an emotional set to a packed Pyramid Stage field who propelled him along by singing every word back at him. There were more than a few tears after he thanked the crowd for sticking with him.
Special guests
Alongside the secret sets, Glastonbury performers are known for bringing out a few special guests. Here’s who popped up like a Jack in the box in 2025.
Lily Allen
Lily Allen popped up to perform with Shy FX at his late-night slot at The Temple. The two teamed up to perform their 2018 collaboration ‘Roll The Dice’, taken from the DJ’s album ‘Raggamuffin SoundTape’. Watch a clip of the performance below.
Sir. Ian McKellan
Not on anyone’s Glasto bingo card was seeing Gandalf pop up with Scissor Sisters, the crowd leading chants of “Ohhhh, Ian McKellan’, much to the beloved actor’s surprise. Jessie Ware also joined the band on stage to sing ‘Take Your Mama’.
Peter Capaldi
Franz Ferdinand brought out fellow Scot, Peter Capaldi to sing ‘Take Me Out’. “One of the things I love about Glastonbury is the rumours,” said Kapranos towards the end of the set, when Capaldi’s neighbouring show had finished shortly before. “You know, all the gossip that goes around.
“You may have heard a rumour that a fellow Glaswegian who goes by the name of Capaldi [is playing]. Well, Glastonbury, it gives me great joy to say that these rumours are true. He is here with us tonight. The original Capaldi – Peter Capaldi!”
Master Peace also joined Franz Ferdinand to perform ‘Hooked’
Robert Smith
A perfect surprise – following a run of bringing out indie songwriters of yore on stage with her (David Byrne, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Knicks and Lily Allen amongst them) 21-year-old Olivia Rodrigo chose to share the stage with Robert Smith of The Cure to sing ‘Friday I’m In Love’ and ‘Just Like Heaven’ during her 2025 Sunday night headline set. You’ve got to feel for the guests at Rodrigo’s BST set, who got Ed Sheeran instead.
Ronnie Wood & Lulu
Rod Stewart brought out Ronnie Wood and Lulu to join him for his Sunday afternoon Legends set. Do legends vote Reform? We say not.
How do you find out about secret sets?
If you’re on-site, pick up a copy of the Glastonbury Free Press each morning. The on-site newspaper often hints at the day’s secret sets.
Download the official Glastonbury app – a pop-up notification will often tell you ahead of time on the day.
Follow the SecretGlasto Twitter account. It has been spot-on at predicting secret sets in the past.
Read more about Glastonbury 2025 in our live blog.
