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Beyoncé Brings Glastonbury to a Close With Historic Headline Set

Joel Ryan, AP/PA

Three years ago Beyoncé had the best seat in the house for a little masterclass in Glastonbury scene-stealing. Hubby Jay-Z was headlining -- an event that had caused consternation in some circle, notably Noel Gallagher's -- and stage-side Beyonce had a perfect position to see what it took to win over the Glasto crowd. On the evidence of Sunday night's set, she must have been taking notes.

With the biggest stadium band on the planet (U2) and the Pyramid Stage's "house band" (Coldplay) Beyoncé had enough to contend with without taking into account the fact she was the first woman to headline the festival since Sinead O'Connor in 1991.

Flanked by her all-female band and a quartet of dancers, Beyoncé appeared in a gold-sequinned jacket and little else, walking down a staircase to the strains of 'Crazy in Love.' No messing about -- she meant business, especially as the follow-up was 'Single Ladies.' Both signature hits so early?

There were clearly some big surprises waiting, and the first of these was Bristolian rapper Tricky joining her for 'Baby Boy,' one that caught the massive crowd completely off-guard.

TV cameras showed Gwyneth Paltrow down the front -- clearly the kind of celeb the likes of Kaiser Chiefs just can't compete with.

The pedal-to-the-metal energy levels dipped halfway through, no doubt to give Ms Knowles pause for breath, she returned to give the Kings of Leon's 'Sex on Fire' an astonishing reworking -- making the Tennessee Strokes' cringe-tastic anthem sound genuinely passionate. For that alone she deserved a 30-minute ovation.

Finishing with a medley of Destiny's Child hits -- 'Independent Woman,' 'Say My Name' and 'Survivor' -- this was a pop spectacle the likes of which Glastonbury has never seen.

Watch Beyoncé Perform 'Crazy in Love' at Glastonbury

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JAYE M. SMITH

Beyonce is my girl; the ultimate performer!

June 27 2011 at 12:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AlexandraV

She was the first African American woman, but I'm pretty sure Shakira headlined it last year. Gets the facts straight... it's bad enough the festival has become a HUGE sell-ou

June 27 2011 at 12:11 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
dheavenlyt

She is a baaaad chick!!!! Love her!!!

June 27 2011 at 11:42 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Michael Morgan

http://electricguitaronlinelessons.com/

June 27 2011 at 10:16 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Michael Morgan

It's been almost 9 years since the release of her first solo album "Dangerously In Love" and Beyonce isn't stopping anytime soon. Get her new album 4 on Tuesday featuring the new RADIO single "Best Thing I Never had"! So exited about it, got to pursue my rock guitar lessons for this one.

June 27 2011 at 10:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ann

that's a badd chick!!!!

June 27 2011 at 10:14 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
sandra

Beyonce is an amazing artist!

June 27 2011 at 10:06 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Shiela P. Kerr

This artist is amazing!!!!!!!

June 27 2011 at 7:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply