Jamie Webster Keeps It Political With Billy Bragg At Glastonbury 2024

by | Jul 3, 2024

IDLES frontman Joe Talbot requests the BBC turn their cameras around and instructs his Glastonbury audience to chant “Fuck the King!” Herd mentality dictates they all do it, but even staunch republicans could be left feeling slightly squeamish. The wealth and privilege might be unearned, but telling a cancer sufferer to fuck off en masse seems, shall we say, a bit mean?

Jamie Webster @ Glastonbury Festival 2024

Jamie Webster @ Glastonbury Festival 2024 (Kalpesh Patel)
Jamie Webster @ Glastonbury Festival 2024 (Kalpesh Patel)

Around thirteen hours later, Jamie Webster and his audience have no such qualms when, in the febrile political atmosphere a few days before a general election, everybody within a quarter mile of his lunchtime Other Stage set chant “Fuck the Tories!” to the tune of Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag. It happens as a set-piece to a tom tom shuffle following the sublime protest song Something’s Gotta Give, but fucking the Tories is such an established part of Webster’s stage persona that the crowd spontaneously chant it between songs anyway, there’s even a child at the very front wearing a cap emblazoned with the statement.

Webster, an ex-electrician from the red half of Merseyside who made his name singing anthems from the Kop at music events hosted by the Liverpool FC fanzine BOSSMag, wears his heart (and his politics) on his sleeve. These days, he leaves his association with the football behind in favour of protest and tales of the everyday lives of everyday folk. His latest album 10 For The People has plenty of both. He opens with Voice Of The Voiceless (protest). He’s joined by the inspirational figure of Billy Bragg on Fickle Fran (a tale of the everyday life of everyday folk).

But it’s the end of the set when it really comes alive. This Place and Weekend In Paradise, a pair of tunes from debut album We Get By has Webster sharing the words with every member of the audience and smoke from flares of many hues dances with the sky.

For a brief period during this otherwise unassuming lunchtime slot there’s magic in the air and the atmosphere matches anything you’ll find across the entirety of Worthy Farm. Jamie Webster has further festival appearances through the summer including a massive hometown appearance at Sefton Park on 12th July. By then, his audience might need to find another chant between songs.

Review of Jamie Webster at Glastonbury Festival 2024 by Simon Reed, photos by Kalpesh Patel

Squeeze Are Cool For Cats As Pyramid Stage Openers At Glastonbury 2024

Skunk Anansie @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)

Skunk Anansie Unveil Powerful Visual For Deeply Personal New Single ‘Shame’

British rock legends Skunk Anansie have released a striking new video for their latest single Shame, a raw and emotional track that sees frontwoman Skin dive deep into her own past, confronting complex family dynamics and personal identity with unflinching honesty.

Sabrina Carpenter @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Jordan Curtis Hughes / Alfredo Flores)

An Explosive Sabrina Carpenter Show Keeps Drenched London Warm At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Hey London, how you doing? My name’s Sabrina — what’s your name?”. There is a daft cacophony of replies, that shows...
Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

Paris Paloma @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Paris Paloma Brings Barefoot Magic To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival rich with soaring choruses and star power, it was Paris Paloma’s barefoot grace and gothic romanticism that carved out one of the day’s most mesmerising sets. Taking to The Rainbow Stage on a golden midsummer afternoon, the Derbyshire singer-songwriter captivated her growing legion of fans with an intimate, emotionally charged performance that felt part séance, part storybook.

FINNEAS @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

FINNEAS Warms Up London With Heart And Humour Before Noah Kahan’s Headline Set At BST Hyde Park 2025

It’s not every day that a support slot feels like a moment of main event magic, but FINNEAS — the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter, producer, and solo artist — brought just that to the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on Friday. Performing ahead of headliner Noah Kahan and main support Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old delivered a slick, emotionally charged set that balanced heartfelt sincerity with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Northern Attitude In London: Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams & Friends Light Up BST Hyde Park 2025

It was, as the name requires, the perfect summer's day for British Summer Time Hyde Park on Friday. The sun was...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing