Belfast band ready for big Glastonbury 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.

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.

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.

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.