' Lana Del Rey’s performance was Glastonbury at its finest'

25 June 2023 , 19:15

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The singer took so long getting ready she was more than half an hour late to stage (Image: WireImage)

The singer took so long getting ready she was more than half an hour late to stage - she had her hair and makeup sorted during her set - and festivalgoers pulled the plug while she continued singing her biggest hit a capella.

And it’s only heightened tensions between Lana and the festival bosses.

Lana was “fuming” that her billing was listed too far down on the poster for the event, prompting organisers to redraw it to give her more prominence. She even considered pulling out altogether.

But Saturday night saw her arrive on stage to boos for being late, with festival bosses demanding she stick to their strict curfews and ending the set mid way through.

A source said: “There were chaotic scenes backstage - Lana’s team were desperately pleading for her to be allowed to go on later, as she still had six songs to perform. It’s happened before with Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney so it seemed a harsh decision to them, but the festival wouldn’t budge.

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Festival bosses demanded she stick to their strict curfews (WireImage)

“She was so nervous before the show and she desperately wanted it to be perfect so she was really frustrated.

“It’s heightened tensions between Lana and the festival.”

Michael Eavis was fined £3,000 in 2009 for Bruce’s late set.

The BBC only ran selected tracks from the performance on iPlayer (Getty Images)

Lana attempted to get through her final set anyway (WireImage)

Lana attempted to get through her final set anyway, and lead the crowd through a rendition of Video Games while stage hands packed up her equipment and security ordered her off stage.

She had told the crowd: “I was so f***ing livid that I am about to rush this set today.

“If they cut power, they cut power, I’m super f***ing sorry.

The BBC only ran selected tracks from the performance on iPlayer, rather than what Lana performed in full like other headline acts.

A spokesperson said: “Lana Del Rey’s set was broadcast in full on Saturday night and we are delighted that we can include selected tracks as part of our on-demand offer on BBC iPlayer, as agreed with the artist.”

Ashleigh Rainbird