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We’re back, unpacked and showered. Are our bodies recovered? Not yet. But our minds are still buzzing from another life-changing Glastonbury weekend. 

Boiling down everything we saw into the highlights is hard, but here are the stand out sets from 2023’s Glastonbury Festival.

Phoenix (Woodies, Sunday) 

Stumbling away from the huge crowds at Elton, back towards the tent, we happened upon Phoenix’s set. With fewer than 250 people in the space, the French, indie legends certainly drew the short straw with their clash. The silver lining? Everyone who was there in that tent was a true fan, not following the crowds, but determined to see the band that saw them through the 90s, 00s and beyond. With showmanship, an odd (but hilarious) onstage battle with a mysterious highwayman and finishing it all the absolute indie pop classic, 1901, what began as an accident ended up being one of the best things we did the whole weekend. - Megan Walder

Lana Del Rey (The Other Stage, Saturday)

Before the plug was pulled, Lana Del Rey put on a career traversing performance that absolutely stunned me. Surrounded with dancers, littered with artsy interludes and providing a vocal perfomance sure to silence any critics, Lana's UK comeback show was breath-taking. Playing cuts from every one of her albums, moving between different eras and energies with cinematic ease; it was a deeply special show worthy of the headline slot and deserving of the time to finish it. - Lucy Harbron

Panic Shack (Truth Stage, Sunday)

Local to me, the Cardiff band have been on an incredible trajectory these past couple of years and their humongous crowd in Shangri-La was a testament to the live force they’ve become. Whether it was the rowdy mosh pit or an elderly welsh lady screaming them on, it was a show for everyone and proof they’re the band you need to be watching right now.  - Philip Giouras

Kid Kapichi (Left Field, Saturday)

Coming from Hastings, Kid Kapichi have been on my radar for years, so their Glasto debut felt like one of those moments where it was clear to see that hard graft really does pay off. They do not miss. Highlights included an old punk (sporting a cheetah print buzzcut, may I add) surfing through the crowd on a giant inflatable hamburger and the moment frontman Jack Wilson began throwing their leftover rider out to the crowd, auctioning off pot noodles and bananas. Saved a few people queuing for lunch I suppose. - Briony Graham-Rudd

Los Bitchos (Park Stage, Friday)

Kicking off Glasto as the perfect 2pm Friday slot, Los Bitchos got the party started. In the crowd, you could hear new fans be made as more and more hands joined the clapping, and the pit of dancers grew bigger and bigger. Finishing off with a rendition of 'Tequila!', the four girls were beaming from ear to ear and so were we as their masterful instrumentals set the standards high. - Lucy Harbron

The Last Dinner Party (Woodsies, Saturday)

On the big stage in the new Woodsies area, there was no doubt in anyones mind that The Last Dinner Party belonged there. With only one track out, this was their Glasto debut but in terms of stage presence and sound, and even details light lighting and choreography, the band absolutely dominated the stage - 100x bigger than their last London show at Oslo. They’re going to rise quick, like insanely quick, so get on board asap. - Lucy Harbron

CMAT (Woodsies, Sunday)

CMAT was where I had my Sunday morning cry. After an emotional speech about her journey from pub singer to Glasto tent packer, the entire crowd seemed to be weeping as we two-stepped to ‘I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby’. CMAT has star power, plain and simple. She had us laughing, jumping, dancing, singing along, screaming ‘silly bitch’ as if we hadn’t been in a sun-stroke induced daze for 4 days now. Out of my entire weekend, I think this was my most fun hour. - Lucy Harbron

Katy J Pearson (Crows Nest, Thursday)

Up at the peak of the park, Katy J Pearson soothed us into a big weekend. Accompanied by her brother on guitar and a trumpet player, her voice was like honey in the comfort of the little crows nest. Reminding me of how stunning her 2022 album Sound Of The Morning is, this was the perfect start to the weekend and exactly what glasto is about when it comes to flawless acoustic moments. - Lucy Harbron

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