Suzanne Vega: The Police “Recommended” That I Avoid Playing the Glastonbury Header

Police Advice to Suzanne Vega

Suzanne Vega revealed that the police “advised” her against performing as the headliner at Glastonbury in 1989.

The iconic singer-songwriter was the first woman to headline the Somerset festival, taking the stage at the pyramid, but as she recounted in a recent interview with I. she faced death threats prior to her performance.

Threats and Bulletproof Vests

“Scotland Yard sat me down and said: ‘We advise you not to go on with the show.’ I responded, ‘Are you kidding me?'” she recalled. Both Vega and her touring bassist were victims of death threats, the last of which arrived the morning of the concert.

When she made it clear that she would indeed perform, she remembered the officer offering her a bulletproof vest, which she agreed to wear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q0ycepny0s

“A man from the Scottish court handed it to me and said, ‘You will have to wear it.’ It was oversized, so I ended up wearing this giant bulletproof vest under a denim jacket,” she continued. “Each song felt like it lasted 20 minutes. It was uncomfortable. We were all nervous.”

Nonetheless, the performance went smoothly, and Vega now fondly reflects on that historic moment. “I am proud to be the first woman to headline,” she stated. “There’s nothing diminished in that.”

Recent Work and Glastonbury’s Evolution

Vega is best known for hits such as “Tom’s Diner” and “Luka.” Recently, on May 2, she released her first album in a decade titled “Flying with Angels.” She is also scheduled to tour the UK in October and November—check the full list of dates and find tickets here.

Female headliners have become increasingly common in recent years, with artists like Beyoncé, Florence + the Machine, Adele, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and SZA all headlining the pyramid stage since 2011.

This year, Glastonbury is set to return to Worthy Farm from June 25 to June 29, featuring another female headliner, Olivia Rodrigo, alongside headliners Nila Yang and The 1975.

Other notable acts across the weekend will include Biffy Clyro, The Maccabees, Lucy Dacus, Father John Misty, Ray, Wolf Alice, The Prodigy, Doechii, St. Vincent, Deftones, The Libertines, Wet Leg, Weezer, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Future Islands, JID, Radiohead, Self-Esteem, CMAT, Blossoms, and Turnstile.

Numerous newcomers will grace Glasto this year, including Alanis Morissette, Noah Kahan, Lola Young, Maisie Smith (winner of the Brits Rising Star Prize), Busta Rhymes, Brandi Carlile, and Gary Numan.