Freddie Mercury – Queen at Live Aid tops Brit poll of greatest festival moments

Live Aid: Freddie Mercury warms up the crowd in 1985 Once again the summer is here and with the sunny weather also comes festival season. Over the last 50 years, there have been some iconic live music moments, including at this year’s Glastonbury. In fact, Sir Elton John’s last UK gig at Worthy Farm last month has been voted the second most iconic festival moment ever, according to 2000 Brits polled by Specsavers. Yet Rocketman’s 29 per cent of the vote couldn’t be beaten by the 35 per cent for Freddie Mercury and Queen’s monumental Live Aid set, which was recreated for their biopic Bohemian Rhapsody a few years ago. During that incredible performance at Wembley Stadium back in 1985, the band performed Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, Hammer to Fall, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions. Sir Elton John’s Glastonbury set last month came in at No 2 According to the new poll, 83 per cent of Brits think that festivals are the greatest way to see live music and over half say it is one of the main things they like to do in the summer. Alongside Queen and Elton John in the Top 30 most iconic festival moments ever are the likes of Adele, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix. However, not every moment is a musical performance, with Greta Thunberg’s 2022 Glastonbury speech making the list alongside others. Check out the full list of results below. Nothing could beat Queen’s 1985 set THE TOP 30 MOST ICONIC FESTIVAL MOMENTS EVER ACCORDING TO BRITS: 1. Queen’s Live Aid in 1985 – 35% 2. Elton John’s last UK gig headlining Sunday night at Glastonbury 2023 – 29% 3. Adele’s show-stopping Glastonbury performance in 2016 – 15% 4. Oasis’s first Glastonbury performance in 1994 – 12% 5. Bob Marley performing two days after being shot at Smile Jamaica in 1976 – 12% 6. The Rolling Stones Glastonbury debut in 2013 – 11% 7. Beyonce being the first black, female solo artist to headline Glastonbury in 2011 – 11% 8. Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar at Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 – 10% 9. Jimi Hendrix singing ‘Star Spangled Banner’ at Woodstock in 1969 – 10% 10. Kylie Minogue’s Sunday Legends set at Glastonbury 2019 14 years after she was originally set to appear – 9% 11. The Foo Fighters making a surprise appearance at the 2023 Glastonbury as ‘The Churn Ups’ – 9% 12. Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain taking to the stage in a wheelchair and hospital gown at Reading in 1992, in what would be their last performance in the UK – 8% 13. Eminem and Rihanna duetting at V Festival in 2011 – 8% 14. Stevie Wonder wishing Glastonbury a happy 40th birthday in 2010 – 8% 15. Beyonce bringing out Destiny’s Child at Coachella in 2018 – 7% SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Queen perform Bohemian Rhapsody at Live Aid in 1985 Trending