The Prodigy at Glastonbury 2025: The rave gods are elemental

The Prodigy and Glastonbury is a connection that runs deep. The legendary rave outfit were the first dance music act to headline the festival's main stage in 1997, which was also the first year the BBC took over the broadcast rights. It was an historic performance. Primarily for the raucous tear up they transformed the sprawling field into, and also because it signified a landmark moment in a broader shift of the festival embracing dance music and nightlife as a major programming point, following a pivotal Orbital set in 1994 and the launch of the Dance Tent in 1995, which has since been eclipsed by the numerous dance-focused areas which are now the main draw for many.

This year's headline performance on the Other Stage was emotional, with late front man and force of nature Keith Flintat the front of mind. The Prodigy had been booked to play this same slot back in 2019 but had to pull out. "We are so saddened to hear about the passing of Keith Flint," commented Emily Eavis at the time. "What an incredible frontman ... they were the first dance band to headline Glastonbury - a huge, unforgettable moment."

The loss was monumental and time out was needed. They returned to playing live in 2022, and tonight they comeback to the hallowed turf of Worthy Farm and fulfil the postponed booking, asserting that they can still cause a rave ruckus like no other act on the planet. The combination of big beats, industrial rock influence, and rabble rousing MCing is dynamite and hits as hard as ever.

Just before their stage time the field is full of weary legs feeling the effects of five days partying in a field. But as soon as The Prodigy storm out at 9:45PM, just as dusk begins to fall, everyone leaps to attention, instantly enraptured and bouncing. This is elemental music, and though a key member is no longer with us, what The Prodigy bring to the world feels eternal.

"This is the fourth time we've played Glastonbury. It was supposed to be five times but six years ago we lost our brother. This show is dedicated to Mr Fucking Flint," booms vocalist Maxim. Flint's legacy courses through the energy they unleash. 'Voodoo People' is a ferocious opener and things only escalate as they fire into 'Omen' amid a blistering start. The age range in the crowd is broad, from the rave dads reliving glory years to the gun fingering teens discovering the same intoxication with The Prodigy's full throttle anthems as generations prior. We also spot Tilda Swinton front left. The Prodigy's genre-busting sound that pulls from a cross-section of chaos brings the crowds out and unites them in the shared experience of letting loose. Classics such as 'Breathe', 'No Good' and 'Smack My Bitch Up' deliver, sparking delirium in the days-deep festival crowd who happily submit to losing their minds again for the climactic push. Flares are set off across the field with thick, coloured smoke pouring into the air, mixing with the neon lasers that cut through the sky above.

The loss of Flint naturally hangs heavy. The version of 'Firestarter' played is missing his deranged lyricism, losing some of its incendiary spark — though Maxim's choice to stand stoically and silent as the unruly instrumental plays out is poignant. A laser outline of Flint's unmistakable image and horned hairstyle is displayed on the big screens and Maxim takes the moment to pay respects. "He is here with us," Maxim asserts in a salute to the heavens, as Liam Howlett's beats make the earth shake.

Before closing track 'Out Of Space', Maxim makes another dedication to Jamaican artist Max Romeo who died in April. His track 'Chase the Devil' is heavily sampled in the reggae-infused rave cut which brings the set to a euphoric, stirring conclusion. While the sadness of loss is felt, it mirrors the cherishing of life that comes symbiotically. We all have to enjoy the time we have — and getting in amongst it watching The Prodigy slamming out boisterous beats to an unhinged crowd ranks high among the top ways to achieve that.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Editor & Digital Director, follow him on Twitter