Jewish artists wowed at Glasto, it’s shame they won’t be the focus

On Friday night, I found myself saying kiddush in a far-flung corner of Glastonbury. Beyond several layers of security, about twenty Jews from Britain, Australia and Israel gathered. Connected by word of mouth, and sworn to secrecy about our location on Worthy Farm, we shared stories about our experiences as Jews at the festival, the nervousness was palpable.

We lit candles, ate challah and drank wine as one man blew the shofar. Down the hill, a DJ’s pounding set threatened to drown out the bracha. A metaphor, perhaps, for Jewishness almost erased in this part of Somerset.

The kiddush was a welcome respite from the heat of the festival, which rapidly turned into yet another front-page story about the Jewish experience in the UK.

Although this year’s Glasto will be remembered most for the uproar over a few anti-Zionist performances, it’s important not to let that completely overshadow the outstanding sets by so many brilliant artists – including many Jewish acts. From the Pyramid Stage to smaller bars, Jewish stars filled the dusty air with immense tunes, as well as Friday night prayers.

The JC started our weekend on the farm with German-Jewish artist Shantel, aka Stefan Hantel, who led a DJ set at Shangri-La on Thursday afternoon. The set saw him remixing traditional Balkan music with electronic beats and included him diving across the stage and dancing into the audience while a live band swung a groove behind him. His exuberant energy opened the festival with a bang and left the audience panting. A weekend highlight for JC staff.

Shantel’s set at Shangri La was one of the festival's highlights for JC staff (Photo: R Coussins)[Missing Credit]

Later, former Immanuel College head boy Bertie Green wowed crowds with two performances on the Bread and Roses stage. Raised in Hendon, the 27-year-old – who performs as Bertie – said he loves “leaving the audience with full hearts and feeling energised”. He certainly achieved that with his catchy bop, I’m Gonna Dance Till the Day That I Die.

Playing Glastonbury was a “real dream come true, it is the centre of the musical world every year” Green told the JC, crediting Jewish-American musician Matisyahu as an inspiration – as well as the Jewish tunes of his childhood spent singing in the Lauderdale Road Synagogue choir and at Shabbat dinners. His new EP, Kin, is “a love letter to my family”.

Self-described "nice Jewish boy," Bertie, had two joyful sets at the Bread and Roses pub (Photo: J Prinsley)[Missing Credit]

Bertie’s set was followed by another rising Jewish talent. North London’s Natsuma – real name Nathalie De Leuw – brought her indie punk vibes to the same stage, drawing a good crowd for her powerful tunes.

But Jewish artists also stunned the larger stages. Noah Kahan – dubbed the “Jewish Ed Sheeran” – took to the Pyramid Stage just before the festival’s Sunday night headliner. The Vermont-born singer-songwriter, whose father is Jewish, has said that his Judaism is “big part of my identity”.

Endearing, funny, and with a buttery rasp of a voice, Kahan, 28, swept the crowd away. Special guests Laufey and Brandi Carlile added extra magic to memorable songs. It was clear how important this gig was for the American singer.

Gracie Abrams performing during Glastonbury (Photo: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy)Alamy Stock Photo

On Friday, fellow American and paternally Jewish singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams appeared on the Other Stage. Her pared-back, barefoot set was blissful in the sunshine and her climactic crescendo of Normal Thing, Free Now and Close To You dazzled. Abrams, 25, made another Glastonbury appearance when she performed the viral “Apple dance” on the big screens during Charli XCX’s headline slot.

Meanwhile, The Scissor Sisters shut down the Woodsies stage on Friday evening, so huge was the crowd who rushed in for their nostalgic anthems. The band – including Jewish member Scott Hoffman (aka Babydaddy) – brought out famous faces Sir Ian McKellen and Jewish singer and podcast host Jessie Ware, who strutted through I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’. Ware later posted: “Woodsies was shaking! The loudest most incredible crowd… what an honour to share the stage with these absolute legends.”

Este Haim of Haim performs on the Pyramid Stage during the 2013 Glastonbury Festival. The band returned for a secret show this year (Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)Getty Images

Rock’s favourite Jewish sisters, Haim, had one of the not-so-secret surprise sets of the festival. They announced their performance, which was not on the official lineup, one hour before storming the Park Stage to cheers from thousands. For their fifth time performing at the farm, LA-born Danielle, Este and Alana mixed new hits like I Quit with their older records, including The Wire, Days Are Gone and Want You Back. The audience (and team JC) sang along with elation.

Topping my Jewish-bury charts this year, though, was Alanis Morissette. Her Pyramid set on Saturday evening was a Glastonbury debut like no other. The 51-year-old, whose mother was the child of Holocaust survivors, let rip in sequins and leather trousers. The crowd sang along to iconic hits like Ironic and Jagged Little Pill, as the sun set behind Worthy Farm. In that moment, I thought: this is what it’s all about, singing and dancing to world-class acts.

Alanis Morissette let rip on Pyramid Stage (Photo: J Prinsley)[Missing Credit]

Sure, the headlines were full of artists with anti-Israel messages and hotly politicised controversy. But don’t forget the other story – Jewish artists are thriving at Glastonbury, and Jewish revellers are dancing along to every beat.

Given the nightmare of the last 20 months began with young people murdered at Nova music festival, being at Glastonbury and celebrating life, music and art feels more important than ever.

With a few welcome gatherings, like Shabbat, as well as the exquisite Jewish stars taking the stage, the Jewish community at Glastonbury ensured they lived up to the Nova slogan: we will dance again.