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Glastonbury sets are a big moment for Belfast band Chalk

Adam Mandeville
BBC News NI
Roberto Panucci - Corbis/ Getty Images A man crouches on stage. He is holding a microphone and wearing all black. He has long, dark hair. His upper-body is parallel to the ground, and he is illuminated by two spotlights from above. Roberto Panucci - Corbis/ Getty Images
Ross Cullen said playing Glastonbury is a "bucket list moment"

Belfast band Chalk are in no doubt - "Glastonbury is the biggest festival in the world".

Despite this, however, the post-punk/techno trio aren't nervous.

Benedict Goddard, Chalk's guitarist, said he had deliberately "not thought" about the upcoming sets.

The band will play the BBC Introducing stage on Friday at 13:30 BST, as well as the Strummerville stage at 23:30 on Saturday.

Ross Cullen, Chalk's vocalist, told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that playing the festival was a "bucket list moment".

"It's what you always watch on TV with your family," he said.

Mr Goddard said playing Glastonbury, which will see about 200,000 people descend on Worthy Farm in Somerset, was a "really big moment" for the band.

"We're on the right track", he said.

Inspiration from Belfast and Dublin

Chalk formed during the Covid-19 pandemic, and drew on inspiration from the rich music scenes of both Belfast and Dublin.

"We wanted to take something from what was happening in the Belfast electronic scene, and also the Dublin guitar scene that's been rising the past 10 years", said Mr Cullen.

Numerous Dublin-based bands have seen success in recent years, including Fontaines D.C. who won Best International Group at the 2025 BRITs.

The Belfast electronic scene has also thrived, with groups such as Bicep performing around the world.

Roberto Panucci - Corbis/ Getty Images A band performing on stage. The photo is taken from behind the band, and in the distance you can see the audience. On the right, there is a man standing by a keyboard. On the left, there is a man sitting at a drum-set. In the middle, and further away, is a man standing, holding a microphone. All three are dressed all in black. Roberto Panucci - Corbis/ Getty Images
Chalk formed during the Covid-19 pandemic

Chalk will be joined at Glastonbury by a number of other artists from Northern Ireland - including Kneecap, an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has appeared in court charged with a terror offence, relating to allegedly displaying a flag at a gig in November in support of Hezbollah, which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh, charged under the name Liam O'Hanna, was released on unconditional bail after a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he did not think Kneecap's planned Glastonbury Festival performance was "appropriate".

Asked about groups such as Kneecap sharing political messages at concerts and festivals, Mr Goddard said Chalk believed artists "should be free to speak out against injustices and atrocities".

"Glastonbury has always been a very politically active space," he said.

Three women, all with dark hair, stand side by side and are smiling.
The Henry Girls last played Glastonbury in 2014

County Donegal folk trio The Henry Girls are returning to Glastonbury on Sunday for the first time since 2014.

"We were really excited to get the news," Karen McLaughlin told BBC Radio Foyle.

"It is an amazing place to be, like a big huge town that's created, there is so much going on."

Karen, along with her sisters Lorna and Joleen, will play the festival's Acoustic Stage.

"It's a brilliant stage," she said, and "very different to the rest of the stages".

She, her sisters and the wider family contingent making their way to Worthy Farm, hope to take in as much of the festival's atmosphere as they can.

"There is a great vibe," she said.

"One of the great things about Glastonbury is just wandering around, there is so much more going on than what's on the stages.

"It is an amazing place to be."

CMAT, a woman with auburn hair plays a guitar on stage. She is wearing a red dress. Behind her out of focus, a drummer can be seen playing.
Irish artist CMAT will play the Pyramid Stage on Friday

Other bands from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland performing at Glastonbury include CMAT, Inhaler, Snow Patrol, The Script, The Mary Wallopers and Orla Gartland.

The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo will headline the Pyramid Stage, with other highlights including Charli XCX, Doechii, Rod Stewart, Loyle Carner, The Prodigy and Wolf Alice.

There will be more than 90 hours of coverage across BBC radio, television and iPlayer.

There are also some surprises in store - more than 50 slots are marked "TBA", with rumoured guests including festival stalwarts like Haim and Pulp alongside more far-fetched options such as Lady Gaga and Radiohead.