Most Iconic Moments in Music Festival History

Music festivals can often be the defining moment in an artist’s career. Whether it is where they first get noticed by the masses or storm their way into the history books, these are the moments that people stand up and take notice. With the festival season fast approaching, I thought it right to reminisce on the most iconic moments in music festival history.

The Rolling Stones – Glastonbury Festival 2013

In 2013 Glastonbury was the site of one of the most well-attended headline acts to grace the festival scene. The Rolling Stones made their eagerly awaited return to the stage and did not disappoint. For once, this was a headline act which was not criticised by fans. Jagger performed 20 of the greats with all of the energy that had once made his act so famous. Festival organiser Michael Eavis called the performance “the high spot of 43 years of Glastonbury”.

Jay Z – Glastonbury Festival 2008

It had been one of the most talked about headline acts in years. Jay Z, the American Hip Hop artist was to headline Glastonbury, the predominantly rock festival. This decision had many critics, most notable of which Noel Gallagher who had spoken publicly of his distaste for the rapper. When Jay Z stepped on stage, microphone in hand, he was not fazed by the storm of criticism that had gone before. Jay Z opened his set with a crude rendition of Oasis’ Wonderwall to spite Gallagher. What ensued was the moment that Glastonbury rocked to the sound of Hip Hop.

Otis Redding – Monterey Festival 1967

The Monterey Festival in 1967 was one of the most influential that there has ever been, featuring life changing performances by some incredible acts. This festival was the first real time that Otis Redding had played for a large, predominantly white, audience. Racial stigmatisation and prejudice was high, black musicians had a very difficult journey to achieve stardom. Yet when Redding produced a historic set, the audience of 50,000 rose to their feet and took notice. Four encores later Redding reluctantly had to end his performance, clearly moved, feeling the love from such a positive crowd.

“Brothers and Sisters, Come on Now” The Rolling Stones – Altamont Speedway 1969

Iconic for all of the wrong reasons, this is an event that will be remembered as the end of an era and the day the hippy movement fell from grace spectacularly. This was a free concert put on by The Rolling Stones and was policed by infamous biker gang The Hell’s Angels. Intoxicated and drugged up, the Angel’s policing strategies were called into question as they dished out random beatings to the festival goers. The rendition of ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ was stopped repeatedly due to the violence as Mick Jagger famously said “Brothers and sisters, come on now... everybody just cool out”. Minutes after the set had begun again, 18 year old Meredith hunter had been stabbed and killed. This was a dark day for music.

Ozzy Osbourne – Des Moines 1982

During the dizzying heights of his fame, tainted with a bubbling drug addiction, Ozzy Osbourne was known as the bad guy of rock. His devilish image was becoming increasingly popular through his solo tour in 1982. On stage whilst performing at Des Moines, Ozzy had planned to bite the head off a rubber bat and spit it out in a display of demonic showmanship. What Ozzy didn’t know was that a fan had thrown a live bat at his feet. The bat lay dazed by the lights and was picked up by the star who then proceeded to bite its head clean off. The moment shocked the world including Ozzy himself who was later treated in hospital for rabies.

Jimi Hendrix – Monterey 1967

The infamous brilliance of Jimi Hendrix was already a recognised phenomenon in the UK by 1967 though he was yet to take the US by storm. Jimi’s return to Monterey, a small town he was stationed in whilst serving in the army, was seen as the perfect occasion to showcase his devastatingly unique sound. What happened when Hendrix began to play has taken its place in history. Hendrix blew the crowd away with his set then laid his guitar upon the stage, knelt above it, sprayed it with lighter fluid and ignited it. Hendrix then smashed the flaming guitar into pieces as an offering to the gods of rock.

Tupac – Coachella 2012

At 2012’s Coachella festival, Dr Dre and Snoop Dog sent the world into a frenzy as they “raised Tupac from the dead” for one final performance. Using a high-tech hologram effect, Tupac Shakur appeared on stage following a tribute of his hit ‘California Love’. The performance was powerful but received mixed reviews with some claiming it was distasteful and tacky.

Queen – Live Aid 1985

Live Aid has been hailed by many as the greatest concert that the world has ever seen. Not only because of the vast array of talent that was on display but also for the genuine difference it made to those in need. The sheer number of headline worthy acts on display was inconceivable, with performances by: The Who, Status Quo, Dire Straits, U2, David Bowie, Elton John, Black Sabbath, Run DMC, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and many, many more. No one stole the show in quite the same way as Queen did. At 6pm local time Freddy Mercury picked up the microphone in Wembley stadium and sang the world into submission. If you haven’t seen the performance for yourself then it is well worth a watch, never before has a crowd been so in awe of a performance.

Nirvana – Reading Festival 1992

By 1992 Nirvana appeared to be on the decline, Kurt Cobain was labelled a drug addict and many claimed him to not live up to the hype surrounding the band. In response to these accusations Kurt Cobain appeared on stage in a wheelchair, surgical gown and wig before entering into one of the greatest live performances of all time. This was a truly pivotal moment for the band that hit back at the attacks from the media and negative publicity they had been receiving.