Glastonbury’s ‘forgotten’ first female headliner looks unrecognisable 36 years after game-changing performance

Glastonbury‘s ‘forgotten’ first female headliner looks unrecognisable 36 years on from her game-changing performance. 

In 1989 Suzanne Vega became the first woman to take the headlining slot at the festival’s esteemed Pyramid Stage. 

Taking to the stage with her band she rocked a cropped hair style with an oversized denim jacket. 

In photos shared to her Instagram, Suzanne looks almost unrecognisable, with her long blonde hair and smart style. 

Hailing from New York, the musician earned recognition when four of her singles entered the UK top 40 in the mid-80s. 

Following the success of her second studio album, Solitude Standing, in 1987 she was then asked to perform at Worthy Farm. 

Glastonbury ‘s ‘forgotten’ first female headliner looks unrecognisable 36 years on from her game-changing performance, (pictured in 1989)

Suzanne Vega, (pictured), became the first woman to take the headlining slot at the festival’s esteemed Pyramid Stage – but had to wear a bulletroof vest after the band received threats from a stalker

However Suzanne’s performance very nearly did not go ahead after the bass player in her band received threats from a stalker. 

Speaking in an interview with The i Paper last month, she recalled: ‘They had included me in the threats. 

‘Scotland Yard sat me down and said, “We advise you not to do the show.” I was like, “Are you kidding me?”‘

‘I had to gaffer tape myself into this giant bulletproof vest, and then put a denim jacket over it. It felt like every song was 20 minutes long. It was not comfortable. 

‘We were all nervous. I’m proud of being the first woman to headline. There’s nothing diminished about that.’ 

In May this year, Suzanne released her latest album Flying With Angels, which came ten years after her last record. 

Speaking to Forbes about her new music, Suzanne explained: ‘They’re at the opposite ends of the spectrum. That’s just how I work, though. I have different moods. 

‘It’s not like I have periods where I’m like, “Oh, in a folky period,” and then I slowly transition. No, it’s more like a mood. Okay, today we’d be in a punk rock mood. Then the next time it might not be, so it changes pretty quickly.’

In photos shared to her Instagram, Suzanne looks almost unrecognisable, with her long blonde hair and smart style as she poses with her record Flying With Angels 

Hailing from New York, the musician earned recognition when four of her singles entered the UK top 40 in the mid-80s

Glastonbury 2025 is set to be another star-studded affair with Rod Stewart, Olivia Rodrigo, Neil Young, The 1975, Nile Rodgers and Noah Kahan all set to perform.

Lewis Capaldi is also rumoured to be taking to the stage at Glastonbury for a secret set after releasing his brand new single, Survive.

The powerful track is the Scottish singer’s first offering following a two-year career hiatus due to his battle with Tourettes.

There have been reports that Lewis’ new song will coincide with his big stage return at Glastonbury, two years after he broke down on-stage at the festival.