Olivia Dean has reportedly turned down the chance to headline Glastonbury Festival next year to focus on making new music. The BRIT Award-winning star, whose debut album Messy was released three years ago, has achieved global fame but is said to be concentrating on her back catalogue.
Headline slot declined
Despite having headlined BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend this year and performed at the BRITs, the 27-year-old is said to have declined an offer to play the iconic Pyramid Stage when Glastonbury returns in 2027. However, she is hoping to perform at the festival in 2028, with sources claiming her decision to reject talks for next year has "nothing to do" with reports that Harry Styles, with whom she is rumoured to have had a string of dates, is also reported to be headlining.
A source told The Sun: "Olivia's team had conversations with Glastonbury about headlining in 2027, and she was extremely flattered. But after some reflection, she said she wants to take some time to work on new music next year, with a rough plan to return when her third album is ready. Of course, if she did it next year, her name would be right next to Harry's, and she just wants to move on from that now. She's happy for him to have his moment, but she doesn't feel like next year is hers."
Chart history with Sam Fender
The news comes just days after Rein Me In by Sam Fender, featuring Olivia, broke a 73-year-old record for the longest-running UK Number 1 song in chart history. The track surpassed I Believe by Frankie Laine, released in 1953, when Sir Winston Churchill was still Prime Minister. Rein Me In, released in June last year, has spent 19 weeks at the top of the charts.
Sam was lost for words when he was handed his record-breaking award by the Official Charts Company last week. He told them: "Completely lost for words. Thank you so much to Olivia Dean and the fans for making this song the juggernaut that it is. Can't believe we broke the UK record!" Speaking to Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1, he added: "Well, personally, I want to thank Olivia, by the way, as well, just while we're here, because it wouldn't have happened without Olivia, obviously. Kind of, I feel like it belongs to the fans, you know? They've made it."
Impact and recent performances
The song, which took home Song of the Year at the BRIT Awards in February, recently made history as the longest-running number one single by a British act. It also spearheaded Dean's rise to international stardom, culminating in her winning Grammys, MOBOs and BRIT Awards. Just days ago, the pair performed the song live in the United States for the first time, with Sam joining Dean during her headline slot at Lollapalooza.
The Mirror has approached Olivia's spokespeople and Glastonbury for comment.
