Glastonbury Festival 2024: 9 Asian artists to see, from Charli XCX to Peggy Gou

Balming Tiger is a South Korean hip-hop and rap collective known for their unique blend of experimental sounds, energetic performances and boundary-pushing music. The 11-member group was formed in 2019 and quickly gained attention following the release of their debut eponymous album for their distinct style and captivating stage presence, which resulted in the group working with BTS’s RM. In 2023 they played at Fuji Rock in Japan and Clockenflap in Hong Kong, and this year will be their first time at the Glastonbury Festival.

Stage: West Holts Stage
Date: Sunday 30 June, 2-3pm

The South Korean DJ, who went viral for her 2023 summer hit (It Goes Like) Nanana, has been making the rounds in various cultural scenes, from playing a set at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix and the second weekend of Coachella 2024, to walking the red carpet at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and attending the Bottega Veneta fall-winter 2024 fashion show in Milan. Her style blends techno, house and electro sensibilities, and is perfect for dancing into the night.

Stage: The Park Stage
Date: Saturday 29 June, 11pm-12:15am

Yung Singh is a British Indian DJ who blends his Punjabi roots with hip-hop, rap and everything in between. Since winning DJ Mag’s Breakthrough DJ of the Year award in 2021, he has gained recognition in the industry for his eclectic mixes which have resulted in landing two Boiler Room sets, London in 2022 and Melbourne in 2023, the latter gaining over one million views on YouTube.

Stage: Stonebridge Bar
Date: Saturday 27 June, 5-7pm

Voice of Baceprot, also known as VoB, is an Indonesian all-female metal band that was formed in 2014 and includes Firdda Kurnia, Widi Rahmawati and Euis Siti Aisyah. VoB combines traditional Indonesian music, specifically Sundanese music, with heavy metal elements and incorporates messages of empowerment, social issues and challenging stereotypes in their lyrics. Some of their biggest hits include God, Allow Me (Please) To Play Music and School Revolution, as well as their cover of Metallica’s Enter Sandman. 

Stage: Woodsies
Date: Friday 28 June, 11:30-12:15pm

Arooj Aftab is notably the first Pakistani artist to win a Grammy award—for her 2021 song Mohabbat—and is known for her unique blend of classical and contemporary music that incorporates elements of jazz and minimalism resulting in a genre-defying sound. She has released four albums since her debut in 2015, with her most recent being Night Reign (2024). Her lyrics are poetic and meditative, occasionally revolving around grief and longing. Aftab’s music promises to cast a spell on the Glastonbury Festival-goers.

Stage: The Park Stage
Date: Saturday 29 June, 4:30-5:30pm

Otoboke Beaver is an all-female Japanese punk rock band consisting of Accorinrin, Yoyoyoshie, Hiro-chan and Kahokiss. Founded in 2009, they’ve gained a reputation for their fast-paced, aggressive style with catchy melodies and lyrics that incorporate English phrases. Their music often tackles topics such as gender roles, societal pressures and personal experiences, as heard in Pardon? and Love is Short.

Stage: The Park Stage
Date: Saturday 29 June, 3:15-4pm

Nitin Sawhney is a British Indian musician, composer, producer and DJ who has been releasing music since 1994. His music is characterised by its fusion of different genres and cultural influences. The multi-instrumentalist often incorporates a range of instruments in his compositions such as guitar, piano, tabla and others, creating a unique and eclectic sound. He has collaborated with the likes of Paul McCartney, Anoushka Shankar, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Joss Stone, and has earned critical acclaim for his work including a Mercury Prize for his 1999 album Beyond Skin.

Stage: West Holts Stage
Date: Saturday 29 June, 5:30-6:30pm

Tanita Tikaram is a British, Indo-Fijian and Malay singer-songwriter who gained international fame in the late 1980s with her debut album Ancient Heart and its hit single Twist in My Sobriety. Her distinctive deep voice, introspective lyrics and a fusion of folk, pop and acoustic elements have resonated with audiences worldwide. Tikaram’s poetic lyrics often explore themes of love, loss and self-reflection. Expect a soul-touching performance at the Glastonbury Festival.

Stage: Acoustic Stage
Date: Friday 28 June, 6:30-7:30pm

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