By Jessica Sansome
Olivia Rodrigo expressed her “love” for England as she closed the latest Glastonbury Festival. The 22-year-old pop star walked onto the Pyramid Stage on Sunday (June 29) wearing a white lace dress before she started singing Obsessed, which featured on her 2023 Guts album. Olivia subsequently turned to the crowd and said: “How are we doing tonight, Glastonbury? Holy f****** s***, I don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever seen so many people in my life. Guys, it鈥檚 the last night of the festival. Are you ready to have some fun?” The chart-topping star’s set also featured performances of Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl, Vampire and Drivers Licence, the 2021 single that proved to be a turning point in Olivia’s music career. The singer was later joined on stage by Robert Smith from The Cure. Before her guest appeared on stage, Olivia said: “I鈥檓 so wildly excited about this next guest. “He is perhaps the best songwriter to come out of England, he is a Glastonbury legend and a personal hero of mine.” The duo then joined forces to perform a rendition of Friday I鈥檓 in Love, which appeared on The Cure’s 1992 album Wish. Olivia – who previously appeared at Glastonbury in 2022, when she performed on the Other Stage – also expressed her love for England and “English boys”, in reference to her boyfriend Louis Partridge. The singer – who was seen dancing with Louis during Pulp’s surprise set on Saturday – said: “I love England so f****** much. It鈥檚 bands like The Cure that first got me acquainted with England鈥 have so many things I love about England. I love pop culture, I love how nobody judges you for having a pint at noon, it鈥檚 the best. “I love English sweets, all the sweets from Marks and Spencer – Colin the Caterpillar, specifically. True story: I have had three sticky toffee puddings since coming to Glastonbury. And as luck would have it, I love English boys.” But it was Olivia’s comments about The Cure frontman that actually sparked a ‘debate’ among fans. @nevilearl_1982 said: “Best songwriter to come out of England?? When there’s literally Paul McCartney.” @neiledwardbad.too commented: “I love Robert Smith 鈥 but as far as 鈥渂est songwriter to come out of England,鈥 he鈥檚 got some stiff competition!” @lordbellon wrote: “Great moment and yes Robert Smith is fantastic, but he鈥檚 not even in the debate of the best songwriters to come out of England.” But @nikilasa.music argued: “Robert Smith has written countless albums and songs that are masterpieces. So for me he absolutely deserves being heralded as one of the best songwriters out of England.” @luis_altgelt added: “The best? Who knows? One of the best, for sure. Hail Robert Smith, a true rock legend and awesome song writer.” Olivia’s encore featured performances of So American, All-American B****, good 4 u, and get him back!. The pop star – who changed into a pair of Union Jack-themed shorts for her encore – said at the end of her set: “Thank you so much, Glasto. This really is a dream come true! I’m so very grateful. Thank you!”