It turns out that David Bowie at his worst is still a spiritual experience. Bowie admitted he was “very fearful” onstage at his second and final Glastonbury appearance in 2000. Bowie told fans in a croaky voice that he was “struck down by laryngitis” and implored fans to help him make it through the set, saying, “If I give out, if any of you know any of the words, for God’s sake, join in.”
Fans were gobsmacked to watch the Duke go on to flawlessly sing his 1971 classic “Life on Mars”. He might have sounded more husky than usual, but there was not a bad note to be heard in the whole thing. The emotive high note at the two-minute mark might just leave you weak. Bowie’s 2000 Glastonbury set is considered by many to be one of the greatest in the history of the festival, and The Music Man has to say that reputation is well deserved!
When BBC Music uploaded Bowie’s cut of “Life on Mars” at Glastonbury, three million fans tuned in. Viewers gave plenty of love to the legendary British rocker, adding comments such as “David Bowie: says he has laryngitis. Also David Bowie: nails the song 10000000%” and “The man’s vocal range was astonishing (with laryngitis). Absolutely irreplaceable. Rest in peace, Sir.”
Bowie always knew how to deliver the goods when the big moments came. Another classic Bowie live cut came when he performed his banger “Heroes” at Live Aid in 1985. He’s in absolute fiery vocal form here, and the way he effortlessly holds 72,000 people in the palm of his hand is a beautiful thing to watch. The vibe of the performance is so uplifting, it’s impossible not to crack a smile watching it. The Music Man also has to give it up for Bowie’s band, who cut an absolutely cracking groove throughout.
Bowie performed twice at Glastonbury. He first appeared at the event in 1971, just one year after the festival was founded. It would take another 29 years before he’d return to Glastonbury in 2000, although it has to be said that it was certainly worth the wait. Bowie’s set at the later event was issued in 2018 as a live album titled Glastonbury 2000. He performed in front of an estimated 250,000 people that night. Bowie’s Glastonbury set in 2000 really made a mark on the history of the event. Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis said that she often gets asked what she considers to be the greatest set ever at Glastonbury, and that “Bowie’s 2000 performance is always one which I think of first. It was spellbinding; he had an absolutely enormous crowd transfixed. It really was a very special and emotional show.”