Awkward moment musician Michael Kiwanuka suffers 'worst nightmare' (2024)

Soul musician Michael Kiwanuka told Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage crowd that he was having his 'worst nightmare' amid technical issues during his set.

The British singer-songwriter, 37, appeared to struggle while performing Solid Ground and took breaks before abandoning the track.

He told festival goers to 'hold on' before adding 'sorry, this is out of tune', referring to his keyboard.

'I'm sorry, like this is my worst nightmare,' Kiwanuka said as the crowds cheered him on.

He explained that there was supposed to be 'a synth thing' and then go 'seamlessly' into the next track. He tried again before going back to play his guitar and the song Cold Little Heart.

Soul musician Michael Kiwanuka told Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage crowd that he was having his 'worst nightmare' amid technical issues during his set

He told festival goers to 'hold on' before adding 'sorry, this is out of tune', referring to his keyboard

The British singer-songwriter, 37, appeared to struggle while performing Solid Ground and took breaks before abandoning the track

It comes afterCyndi Lauper's Glastonbury performanceon Saturday was hit with criticism after major sound problems disrupted the set.

Festival goers were left struggling to hear the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun singer's vocals as her voice was drowned out by rumbling bass.

After a few songs, Cyndi, 71, performed Rocking Chair and she seemed to struggle with her pitch and timing.

The sound issues appeared to have been resolved by the time she got to her hit I Drove All Night.

But Cyndi faltered again on her1984 track Time After Time as she lagged behind the band - suggesting she was having trouble with her in-ear monitors.

The popular festival has had other noticeable moments too, including Friday night's set, where Banksy let loose aninflatable boat with dummy migrants which was launched onto the crowd during a performance by the Idles.

The Saturday edition of the event at Worthy Farm also marks Coldplay's first Pyramid Stage appearance since 2016, and will see them overtake The Cure, who have headlined the slot four times.

Frontman Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, drummer Will Champion and bassist Guy Berryman will follow pop superstar Dua Lipa, who headlined the festival on Friday.

Cyndi Lauper's Glastonbury performance on Saturday was hit with criticism after major sound problems disrupted the set

Festival goers were left struggling to hear the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun singers vocals as her voice was drowned out by rumbling bass

A look at the enormous crowds in attendance at Glastonbury festival for Lauper

Founded by Michael Eavis in 1970, Glastonbury Festival features around 3,000 performances across over 80 stages

A festival-goer using an umbrella and a fan to try to cool down

Music goers during day four of Glastonbury Festival 2024 at Worthy Farm

A festival goer pictured before the Cyndi Lauper performance

Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and iconic Pyramid Stage, the festival offers a diverse lineup of music and arts, embodying a spirit of community, creativity, and environmental consciousness

The Last Dinner Party pictured performing on the Pyramid Stage earlier today

Performs walk through the Theatre and Circus area on the fourth day

Lauper, who is set for what is 'billed' as a farewell tour in the UK next year, wore a jacket with a blue train, a silver bodice and silver pants on the Pyramid Stage.

She opened with her 1980s track The Goonies 'R' Good Enough while dealing with mic issues. But the technical problems appeared to be improving when she performed her biggest hits Time After Time, Money Changes Everything, True Colours and I Drove All Night.

During her performance of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Lauper's audio improved and she made reference to feminist marches, that in 2017 saw US women wear lots of pink 'Pussyhats'.

To cheers, Lauper told the crowd: 'I was watching TV and I saw all these women all over the world marching, with some pink hats and... my friend called me up and said 'to get the hell out there (Cyndi)' so I did I went out and I saw the signs that said Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights, that's right.'

She added that she was 'partnering-up' with her Girls Just Want To Have Fundamental Rights Fund on Saturday, which 'funds organisations all around the world to help young women, older women, women (who want) reproductive rights, autonomy over their own bodies'.

Lauper also highlighted the maternal health organisation White Ribbon Alliance, who she said were at the front, before saying: 'It is time that the world leaders understand that women are half the population of the world and we deserve to be treated equally, no matter where we're from or what we look like.'

She also made several references to the UK, including mentioning the West End production of Kinky Boots ahead of My Father's Son and her Change Of Heart music video that saw her dancing in London's Leicester Square.

Lauper also had a solo moment with the recorder, during her second track, the controversial She Bop.

Indie rockers Kasabian, who headlined at the Pyramid Stage in 2014, confirmed they will be one of the secret shows, following them not originally being announced as part of the festival's line-up.

There was a 'TBA' slot on the Woodsies Stage, formerly the John Peel Stage, for 6pm, before the band told fans on social media that 'they will see' them in the evening.

The Pyramid Stage kicked off at 12pm with musician Femi Kuti before seeing fellow Nigerian musician Ayra Starr deliver a triumphant Afrobeat performance, featuring plenty of crowd work.

Anya Taylor-Joy and Cara Delevingne watch The Last Dinner Party perform

Broadcaster Ros Atkins plays a drum and bass Set at The Stonebridge Bar

A member of pit security handing out water to the crowd watching Femi Kuti on the Pyramid Stage,

Festivalgoers stand in the crowd as US singer Cyndi Lauper performs on the Pyramid stage

estival goers listen to British band The Last Dinner Party

Members of the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band perform in the Theatre and Circus area

A costumed festival goer listens to Nigerian musician Femi Kuti

Next up on the main stage is Cyndi Lauper, who is set to hold what is billed as her final series of live shows with the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour next year.

A total of 71 alleged offences inside and outside the perimeter at Glastonbury have been reported since Wednesday, according to Avon and Somerset Police.

This includes one sexual offence, 22 cases of theft and 11 drug offences.

A police spokesperson told PA that 13 arrests have been made between Wednesday and Saturday morning, some of which have included people being arrested for multiple offences.

Eight of the arrests have been on suspicion of at least one drug-related offence and four of those eight have also been arrests on suspicion of theft.

Among the acts gracing the Pyramid Stage on Saturday is indie band Keane who are playing at 4pm.

The band's frontman Tom Chaplin told PA they will be keeping their set 'quite simple'.

Read More Glastonbury hosts woke new stage celebrating immigration to UK and declaring 'no human is illegal'

He also revealed they will be playing hits from their debut studio album Hopes And Fears, which turned 20 this year.

Also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year is cult horror comedy Shaun Of The Dead.

At a Q&A event Simon Pegg spoke about the film's impact and reflected on his time at Glastonbury so far, calling Idles' Friday night set 'literally one of the greatest performances I've ever seen at Glastonbury'.

Dua Lipa described her Glastonbury experience as 'the maddest night of my life' when she took to the stage on Friday and treated revellers to a selection of her popular tracks, including These Walls, Break My Heart, Hallucinate, Electricity, Physical and Don't Start Now.

'This has been a massive dream come true,' Dua Lipa said before adding, 'Glastonbury, I love you.'

Earlier on the Pyramid Stage, Paul Heaton and Norman Cook reunited to perform a Housemartins classic.

Heaton surprised festival-goers by bringing out his former bandmate Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, to perform their 1986 hit Happy Hour.

Damon Albarn also made a surprise appearance at the festival, asking the crowd whether the war in Gaza was 'unfair' and suggesting Joe Biden was too old to be US president when he was invited on stage by Bombay Bicycle Club's Jack Steadman.

Neo-soul singer Olivia Dean dedicated her song Carmen to her grandmother and other members of the Windrush generation while wearing a T-shirt with her grandmother's face on it.

The festival also saw British actress Florence Pugh reveal she is 'tiptoeing' towards directing and producing films, as she appeared during a Dune: Part Two Q&A.

Elsewhere, Lady Bird actress Saoirse Ronan made a surprise appearance during a Q&A for Andrew Haigh-directed film All Of Us Strangers at indoor cinema space Pilton Palais where she interviewed the filmmaker and stars Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal.

Festival goers listen to British band The Last Dinner Party

Notting Hill Carnival performers dance with the public at the Carhenge area

Festival-goers sit amongst rubbish on day three of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm near Pilton, Somerset

Meanwhile, Charlotte Church sang 'Free Palestine' with a crowd of hundreds as she led an improvised number during an intimate and politically charged appearance at Glastonbury.

The Welsh singer's performance at Worthy Farm comes months after she needed police protection after attending a pro-Palestine march in London, with her family also threatened.

Other festivities have included a tribute to the late DJ Annie Nightingale, the first female presenter on BBC Radio 1, who died in January at the age of 83.

And mere days after the birth of his fourth child, Joe Wicks led a mass fitness session on the Pyramid Stage.

On Sunday, American R&B singer SZA will headline the festival, with country music star Shania Twain to play the coveted Legends slot.

Awkward moment musician Michael Kiwanuka suffers 'worst nightmare' (2024)

FAQs

What is Michael Kiwanuka doing? ›

2020s. In 2024, Kiwanuka announced a co-headlining tour with American rock singer-songwriter Brittany Howard. In June 2024, Kiwanuka played a set on the Pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival. In July 2024, Kiwanuka released "Floating Parade"; his first new music in three years.

Who sang with Michael Kiwanuka at Glastonbury? ›

And the fact he can turn his struggles with anxiety and mental health into something as exquisitely spine-tingling as Rule The World – with Lianne La Havas guesting on vocals – testifies to the subtle power of his songwriting.

Is Michael Kiwanuka married? ›

Next March, he tours the UK with his critically acclaimed third album, Kiwanuka. He is married and lives in Southampton.

What kind of music does Michael Kiwanuka make? ›

With his acoustic sound and timelessly soulful voice, British singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka combines folk, indie rock, and R&B with traditions borrowed from his Ugandan heritage.

What happened to Michael Kiwanuka at Glastonbury? ›

Equipment malfunctions forced the songwriter to abandon 'Solid Ground' however – he coyly told the crowd “they don't make 'em like they used to”. Bathing in early evening sunlight, Michael Kiwanuka's golden hour set climaxed with 'Love & Hate'.

How did Michael Kiwanuka get famous? ›

Kiwanuka supported Adele on her Adele Live 2011 tour, as well at her iTunes Festival 2011 gig and played at the 2011 Hard Rock Calling. In 2011, he signed a deal with Polydor Records. He was included in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll and was named as the winner on 6 January 2012.

Who was on stage with Michael Kiwanuka? ›

Lianne La Havas joined Michael Kiwanuka on stage for 'Rule The World' and made a mark on the show.

Is Michael Kiwanuka playing Glastonbury in 2024? ›

Michael Kiwanuka @ Glastonbury Festival 2024

His band are focused and his backing singers amplify the soul exuding from the 37-year-old's voice. He brings out special guest, and Prince protege, Lianne La Havas for a breathtaking performance of 2016's Rule The World.

Who is Michael at Glastonbury 2024? ›

Sir Michael Eavis has made his first appearance at Glastonbury 2024. The 88-year-old co-founder of the festival was met with cheers by a crowd of thousands as he appeared in a wheelchair on the Park Stage at Worthy Farm.

Where is Michael Kiwanuka parents from? ›

Kiwanuka was born in Muswell Hill, London in 1987, to Ugandan parents who had fled Idi Amin's regime in the '70s.

Is Michael Kiwanuka R&B? ›

With his acoustic sound and timelessly soulful voice, British singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka emerged to acclaim in 2011 combining folk, indie rock, and R&B with traditions borrowed from his Ugandan heritage.

What movie is Cold Little Heart in? ›

It probably takes less than a second for Big Little Lies fans to recognize the warbling guitar and choral "ooooooh" of the theme song, "Cold Little Heart" by English singer Michael Kiwanuka.

Who is Michael Kiwanuka touring with? ›

The tour will kick off September 29 in Philadelphia. Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka have announced a co-headlining fall tour with support from Yasmin Williams. The tour will kick off September 29 in Philadelphia for a run of 14 shows across the US, wrapping in Paso Robles, CA, on October 19.

What guitar does Michael Kiwanuka play? ›

British bluesman Michael Kiwanuka grew up idolizing the great Jimi Hendrix, which is the main reason why he had to play a Stratocaster. And it's not just about playing the Strat for the Mercury Prize nominee. Kiwanuka believes the guitar is his main tool of expression and communication.

Who sings the theme song for Big Little Lies season 2? ›

It's impossible to not get sucked into Big Little Lies just from the opening credits alone. There are beautiful Northern California beaches, ocean waves, the green rolling hills from a car window, Reese Witherspoon, and of course, the gentle, soulful cooing of "Cold Little Heart" by British singer Michael Kiwanuka.

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