Glastonbury Festival is set to make a spectacular return in 2027 after a planned fallow year, and speculation is mounting that pop superstar Harry Styles will be the act to bring the iconic Pyramid Stage back to life.
The Perfect Headliner for a Grand Return
With the festival taking a break in 2026 to allow the land at Worthy Farm in Somerset to recover, all eyes are on who will top the bill for its grand comeback. Industry insiders and betting markets now point squarely at the former One Direction star, whose highly anticipated return to music could perfectly align with the festival's revival.
The 31-year-old singer recently sent fans into a frenzy by teasing his comeback with cryptic messages, culminating in the announcement of his fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. The record is scheduled for release on March 6, 2026.
Ollie Ring, an expert at Casino Beats, told Metro that a Styles headline set would be "hugely popular with the British public." He stated, "He's one of the few modern pop stars who arguably feels built for the Pyramid Stage. His odds of 3/1 reflect that this looks like a realistic next step if new music is imminent."
Ring emphasised the significance of the slot, calling it a "defining career moment" that would cement Styles's evolution from pop star to major festival headliner. He also noted Styles's cross-generational appeal and extensive catalogue as ideal fits for Glastonbury, adding that it could attract a younger demographic to Worthy Farm without alienating the festival's core audience.
Rumours and Strategic Planning
This is not the first time Styles has been linked to the coveted top spot. The speculation gained further traction on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, hosted by Richard Osman and Marina Hyde. They suggested that the gap between his album releases might be strategically extended to align with a future Glastonbury headline opportunity.
Hyde referenced the chatter, saying, "Oh, but they've had to really push it even further than they'd like to because they want him to headline Glastonbury that year."
A source previously told The Daily Mail that Harry was 'gutted' not to perform at the last festival and was considered 'near certain to play at the next one.'
Life After the Record-Breaking Tour
Since concluding his monumental Love On Tour in Reggio Emilia – a venture that grossed a staggering $617.3 million (£457.3m) and sold five million tickets – Styles has kept himself in the public eye through varied pursuits.
He has developed a notable passion for marathon running, posting impressive times in Tokyo and Berlin, where he finished in under three hours. His travels have also included a baffling yet headline-grabbing appearance at the Vatican City for the announcement of the new Pope.
On the personal front, Styles has been linked romantically with actress and singer Zoe Kravitz, 37, since his split from Canadian actress Taylor Russell. Reports suggest the relationship has become serious, with the couple spending Christmas together and becoming acquainted with each other's families.
Why is Glastonbury Taking a Break in 2026?
The festival's organisers implement a 'fallow year' periodically to allow the farmland at Worthy Farm to rejuvenate. This planned break for 2026 follows a long-standing tradition.
Key fallow years in Glastonbury's history include:
- 1988: The first ever break to let the grass recover.
- 1991: A pause following crowd trouble in 1990.
- 1996, 2001, 2006: The start of a planned five-to-six-year cycle.
- 2012: A break taken instead of 2011 due to the London Olympics.
- 2018: The last planned break before the pandemic.
The cancellations in 2020 and 2021 were forced due to the Covid-19 pandemic and are separate from the scheduled fallow years.
As the music world eagerly awaits both Harry Styles's new album and the return of Glastonbury, the stars seem to be aligning for what could be one of the most talked-about musical moments of 2027.
