WEEKEND AT GLASTONBURYAN ELECTRIC HOMECOMING FOR THE MUSICAL GIANTS
"Bet you never thought you'd see us here!" Billy Khan quips with a sly smirk as soon as the famous five-piece take to the stage before a mere syllable has been sung. Yes, all five, Scott Wellington included.
Back in 2012, the sheer hypothetical suggestion that Weekend would be playing Glastonbury would have called the obdurate "music bros" to arms. Add headlining and playing to a record-breaking crowd in excess of 100,000 on the Pyramid Stage to your statement and you'd have avid NME consumers targeting ever member of your family. That's not to say that Weekend never had the pulling power. They pretty much always have. The early 2010's just weren't so kind. Times have changed, however, and the court of public opinion hangs heavily in the pop juggernaut's favour. Boyfriends and fathers are equally fighting their way to the front rather than wishing they were receiving root canal treatment instead. Anywhere is better than a Weekend gig, right? Well, it appears that sentiment is long since a thing of the past. The avid fans were ecstatic. The drunken stereotypes were bombastic. Weekend were electric. Even the most uppity and atrabilious of musos hit the roof when "Smile About It" erupted over the field.
Khan's opening statement also held weight in a completely different regard. Aside from achieving worldwide household name status through their string of chart-topping hit singles and albums, Weekend are also known for a drama or two. Having not performed together since pre-covid in 2019 and Billy going on to launch a highly successful solo career, it has often been speculated that a split is just around the corner. Alleged internal conflict between Khan and Oscar Ward has also kept the gossip columns afloat for the past decade. Let's not forget Dustyn's recent turmoil with estranged and seemingly splenetic ex-boyfriend, Blake Williams, spiking chatter of security concerns. Further adding fuel to the ever-burning fire, it was heavily rumoured that Scott had decided not to participate in the monumental career moment. A screenshot of a FaceTime call minus Wellington being uploaded to Instagram only fanned the flames. Yet, there they all were. What was the catch?
Many people on the front row had reportedly been camping out since midnight, yearning to bask in the stardust of arguably Britain and Ireland's biggest export of the last 10 years. The pressure was on and rumours were rife. Due to their dominant presence within the industry, multiple connections and very own high-profile marriages and relationships, talk of special guest stars went stratospheric in the build up to showtime. Ultimately, Weekend proved they only needed themselves to make history. That's not to say this was a mere "turn up, sing the hits, then leave" affair for them. Nothing was simple in regards to their slot. Older pop recordings had been reworked to grittier, meatier live arrangements. Some vocal line redistribution went on, allowing other members who never got a chance to shine on earlier hits to have more moments on stage. Although albeit very light and minimum, there was even some choreography. Work really went into this set, dropping jaws of sceptics and allowing those familiar with the band's often flippant ways to breathe a sigh of relief as they watched all five execute it all with precision and professionalism.
[Brotherly Love: Billy Khan & Oscar Ward shared the stage for 80 minutes without killing each other] Dustyn Blue-Conners, Billy Khan, Oscar Ward, Riley Hamilton and Scott Wellington portrayed a united front, not only as friends but as a well-oiled and perfectly polished musical machine. The seismic, 20 song strong set went without hitch. From the bombastic opening in the form of their latest release to date, "Pucker", to the rockier reinterpretation of their debut single "Everything About You" closing out the show, the fivesome owned every square inch of their stage, oozing charisma and snarling with their musical chops as they went. Despite suffering from vocal issues in the past, Oscar sounded and presented himself more confident and commanding as ever. Dustyn was rarely seen without one of his beloved guitars, absolutely shredding at points during some heavier rearrangements of their classic hits. Riley's crowd interaction and general "favourite cousin" demeanour bridged the gap from stage to crowd. Scott held his own, showing belief in himself and performing assuredly as part of a unit for the first time in years. Billy's ego also remained in check and he appeared to work with his bandmates rather than against. This was a moment for Weekend, not a part of The Billy Show, and he appeared to understand that. Nobody faltered. No one gave the Twittersphere a reason to persecute them. On the flip side, if you're looking to pick out the standout star of the show, you'd be in for an incredible challenge.
Of course, being a Weekend show, it wasn't all just about meticulous musical prowess. The crowds both at Glastonbury and watching from home equitably relished in their on-stage banter and crowd interaction. Being transmitted live on the BBC, the famous five jokingly reminded themselves not to use colourful language throughout the set. Billy Khan couldn't help but highlight the irony of being warned by a broadcaster with "those initials!". Riley Hamilton's interaction with a zealous front row fan sporting a handmade "I'LL LEAVE MY BOYFRIEND FOR YOU!" sign also provided a much-loved comedy moment in between songs, only further propelled by Dustyn's infectious giggle down the microphone relaying out to the 100k strong crowd, resulting in a sea of glorious and warming cackles. Blue-Conners also received a flurry of supportive cheers and whistles after explaining to the crowd how "overwhelmed" he felt in regards to "all the love" he and the band were experiencing on the Pyramid Stage, slightly welling up in the process.
From being the industry's punching bag and the "uncool" band your little sister loves, to revered pop culture icons and respected musicians, the love and growth witnessed could have brought a tear to a glass eye. Weekend did what they did best and, finally, the crowd were on their side.
