Blab Music
Olivia Rodrigo Reveals Near Anxiety Attack Before Glastonbury Headlining Set
Olivia Rodrigo admitted she almost had an anxiety attack just before stepping onto the Pyramid Stage, a revelation that surfaced in a BBC interview released Thursday. The 22‑year‑old singer‑songwriter, who first appeared on Glastonbury’s smaller stage in 2022, described a moment of panic in a bathroom before her 2025 headlining set.
"I remember having a near‑anxiety attack… How am I going to do this? I don’t know if I’m ready," Rodrigo said, recalling the swirl of nerves that washed over her as she entered the dressing room. She added that the pressure eased the instant she crossed the threshold onto the stage, describing the experience as a sense of calm and a feeling that music was "magical." The singer clarified she is not religious, but the moment reinforced her belief that live performance can create a transcendent atmosphere.
The 2025 Glastonbury Festival ran from 25 to 29 June at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, and drew an estimated 200,000 attendees. Three acts shared the headline slot: The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo. Rodrigo’s set was widely reported as the best weekend of her career, in part because she shared the stage with Robert Smith of The Cure. Smith, who had influenced the new album, performed a duet with Rodrigo on "What's Wrong With Me," a highlight that underscored the festival’s cross‑generational appeal.
Earlier in the year, Rodrigo performed at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, a festival that takes place in late May and early June. There she debuted the single "What's Wrong With Me," a duet with Smith, and performed the opening track "Drop Dead." The track references The Cure’s 1987 hit "Just Like Heaven," while a second single from the album, titled "The Cure," pays tribute to the band. The Primavera appearance was described by Rodrigo as a "surprise set" that helped set the tone for her upcoming album, which includes the singles "Drop Dead" and "Vampire."
The album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, is scheduled for release on Friday, the same day as the BBC interview. It follows Rodrigo’s debut album Sour (2021) and her 2023 follow‑up Guts. The new record continues her pattern of chart‑topper singles, with "Drop Dead" already reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The album’s title and lyrical content suggest a continuation of the introspective themes that have defined Rodrigo’s work.
Industry observers note that the album’s release aligns with the peak of festival season, potentially boosting streaming numbers and radio play. Rodrigo’s candid remarks about pre‑performance anxiety and her experience at Glastonbury highlight the pressures faced by high‑profile artists. The festival’s role as a platform for both established and emerging acts remains evident, as does the influence of legacy musicians like Robert Smith on contemporary pop.
The upcoming album release and its promotion through festival appearances position Rodrigo for continued commercial success in 2026. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how the new material performs on streaming charts and how the artist leverages her Glastonbury headline slot to reach wider audiences.
As the music world turns its attention to the new record, the narrative of a young star confronting stage‑fright and finding solace in the power of live music adds depth to the conversation about mental health and performance. The intersection of personal vulnerability and public spectacle will likely resonate with listeners beyond the festival grounds.
In sum, Rodrigo’s near‑panic before Glastonbury, her collaboration with a legendary guitarist, and the imminent release of You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love paint a portrait of an artist navigating the heights of contemporary pop while staying grounded in the raw emotions that first drew her to music.
"I remember having a near‑anxiety attack… How am I going to do this? I don’t know if I’m ready," Rodrigo said, recalling the swirl of nerves that washed over her as she entered the dressing room. She added that the pressure eased the instant she crossed the threshold onto the stage, describing the experience as a sense of calm and a feeling that music was "magical." The singer clarified she is not religious, but the moment reinforced her belief that live performance can create a transcendent atmosphere.
The 2025 Glastonbury Festival ran from 25 to 29 June at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, and drew an estimated 200,000 attendees. Three acts shared the headline slot: The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo. Rodrigo’s set was widely reported as the best weekend of her career, in part because she shared the stage with Robert Smith of The Cure. Smith, who had influenced the new album, performed a duet with Rodrigo on "What's Wrong With Me," a highlight that underscored the festival’s cross‑generational appeal.
Earlier in the year, Rodrigo performed at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, a festival that takes place in late May and early June. There she debuted the single "What's Wrong With Me," a duet with Smith, and performed the opening track "Drop Dead." The track references The Cure’s 1987 hit "Just Like Heaven," while a second single from the album, titled "The Cure," pays tribute to the band. The Primavera appearance was described by Rodrigo as a "surprise set" that helped set the tone for her upcoming album, which includes the singles "Drop Dead" and "Vampire."
The album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, is scheduled for release on Friday, the same day as the BBC interview. It follows Rodrigo’s debut album Sour (2021) and her 2023 follow‑up Guts. The new record continues her pattern of chart‑topper singles, with "Drop Dead" already reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The album’s title and lyrical content suggest a continuation of the introspective themes that have defined Rodrigo’s work.
Industry observers note that the album’s release aligns with the peak of festival season, potentially boosting streaming numbers and radio play. Rodrigo’s candid remarks about pre‑performance anxiety and her experience at Glastonbury highlight the pressures faced by high‑profile artists. The festival’s role as a platform for both established and emerging acts remains evident, as does the influence of legacy musicians like Robert Smith on contemporary pop.
The upcoming album release and its promotion through festival appearances position Rodrigo for continued commercial success in 2026. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how the new material performs on streaming charts and how the artist leverages her Glastonbury headline slot to reach wider audiences.
As the music world turns its attention to the new record, the narrative of a young star confronting stage‑fright and finding solace in the power of live music adds depth to the conversation about mental health and performance. The intersection of personal vulnerability and public spectacle will likely resonate with listeners beyond the festival grounds.
In sum, Rodrigo’s near‑panic before Glastonbury, her collaboration with a legendary guitarist, and the imminent release of You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love paint a portrait of an artist navigating the heights of contemporary pop while staying grounded in the raw emotions that first drew her to music.
