SZA Reflects on “Scared” and “Freaked Out” Glastonbury Headline Performance

American singer-songwriter SZA has revealed her feelings of being “scared” and “freaked out” during her headlining performance at the Glastonbury festival in June. Her performance was affected by technical difficulties, resulting in her vocals being muffled and distorted for a minimum of 30 minutes. Additionally, she attracted a visibly smaller audience compared to other artists who performed over the weekend, prompting online discussions that questioned her appropriateness as a headliner. In an interview with British Vogue, the artist reflected on the event, stating: “I just felt like nothing I could do would be enough for Glastonbury, no matter what I did.” She continued: “It scared me. I was like, well, I wish I wasn’t doing it, but I couldn’t walk away from it.” The singer also mentioned experiencing pressure due to being the “second black woman in history” to headline the festival. Beyoncé was the initial artist to achieve this in 2011, though Skin of the band Skunk Anansie also has a basis for this distinction, having headlined in 1999. “It’s such a tall order,” SZA conveyed to Vogue. “It’s like, no matter what you do here, you will be subject to criticism because of who you are. “But that’s life. That’s life, you know?” The artist, known for tracks such as Kill Bill, Kiss Me More, and Nobody Gets Me, was widely speculated to have been elevated on the lineup following the withdrawal of another American artist. Her performance was also scheduled concurrently with four other significant acts: French electronic music duo Justice on the West Holts stage, James Blake on Woodsies, London Grammar on the Park Stage, and The National on the Other Stage. Despite the modest attendance, SZA’s Glastonbury performance garnered positive reception. The highly theatrical show featured the 35-year-old artist performing within a mossy grotto, singing atop a massive mechanical beetle, and climbing a tree trunk adorned with fairy wings. The Guardian, in a five-star review, described the show as “peculiar” yet “hugely rewarding.” The Independent, awarding four stars, emphasized the star’s complex choreography, noting that the “melancholy, oddly intimate” performance “frequently leaves you breathless.” The BBC’s review commended her “spectacular vocal command” and “compelling stage presence,” but suggested that the Pyramid Stage was the “wrong venue.” Solána Imani Rowe, the singer’s birth name, informed Vogue that the difficulty in seeing the audience contributed to her feeling “freaked out,” as if she was “drowning on stage” and “failing.” Nevertheless, she found calm after perceiving what she characterized as a message from the African goddess Yemayá. She stated: “It was a reminder that your guardians are with you. Everyone’s here. Even beyond. Keep going,”. In another part of the interview, the singer, recognized as one of the world’s most-streamed artists, discussed the creation of her forthcoming third album, Lana. She noted that, in contrast to the anxiety-filled tracks of her previous two albums, the new compositions originated from a “more beautiful place.” “I’m not identifying with my brokenness. It’s not my identity. Yeah, I experienced cruelty [but] I have to put it down at some point. “Piece by piece, my music is shifting because of that, the lighter I get.” However, despite her achievements, which include four Grammy Awards and a Brit Award for best international artist, she admitted to “grappling” with fame. She informed interviewer Amel Mukhtar: “Maybe I’m just not meant to be famous – I’m crashing and burning and behaving erratically,”. She added: “It’s not for me because I have so much anxiety. But why would God put me in this position if I wasn’t supposed to be doing this? “So I just keep trying to rise to the occasion. But I’m also just like, ‘Please, the occasion is beating my ass’.” The current year’s Glastonbury festival marked the first occasion to present two female headliners, with Dua Lipa leading the lineup on Friday night. Coach tickets for the upcoming year’s event became available for purchase last night and were completely sold out within a mere 30 minutes. The general ticket sale is scheduled for Sunday, 17 September, commencing at 9am GMT. While no artists have been confirmed for the 2025 lineup, potential headliners reportedly include Eminem, Olivia Rodrigo, Sam Fender, and Fred Again. SZA is featured as the cover star for the newest issue of British Vogue, available for purchase starting 19 November. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.