Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Glastonbury, Celebrity, Music, Weird
Tom Wood
Fans were left more than a little bit confused after Cate Blanchett appeared on stage at the UK’s biggest music festival and performed a dance on stage.
The Tár star is clearly a big fan of avant-garde art-rock band Sparks, who you might probably remember best for their 1974 hit ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us’.
If not, then don’t worry, you won’t be alone.
It’s a great song, though.
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Anyway, Blanchett was an unexpected guest on the stage at Glastonbury Festival in Somerset this weekend, dancing her way through a song called ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’.
That’s the name of Sparks’ latest album, by the way.
Blanchett turned out to bust a couple of moves and throw a couple of shapes as the two-piece did their thing on the stage around her.
She was wearing a yellow suit and a pair of metallic red headphones, which may or may not have actually been connected to anything.
And she set off the rest of this hardly-understated outfit with a pair of green glasses.
Of course, there is actually some reason behind this, as Blanchett appears in the actual music video for the song, which is why she joined brothers Ron and Russell Mael on stage.
The American act have had success for around five decades though, but remain firmly on the fringe of most people’s musical world.
Judging by the crowd they were able to command at Glasto, those who know, really know.
The band was opened up to a wider audience after a 2021 documentary called The Sparks Brothers, directed by Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Baby Driver director Edgar Wright.
Speaking to NME about that film, Wright said: “It was pure pleasure.
“I didn’t really have any plans to make a documentary or a music documentary but it came up organically.”
When they were asked how they managed to bag Blanchett for their video – and Glasto performance – Russell Mael confirmed that they asked her at a film festival at which they were receiving an award for their film Annette, which won a César Award, the highest award in French cinema.
Mael sarcastically explained: “If you want Cate Blanchett in your video, here’s how you do it.
“Win a César award for your film Annette.
“Go to the ceremony in Paris, where Cate Blanchett is also there to receive a lifetime achievement award."
And people online have been quick to comment on Blanchett appearing with the band.
Comedian Adam Hills said: “I just saw Cate Blanchett dance live on stage with Sparks at Glastonbury and it might just be the best thing I’ve ever seen.”
Another comment read: “Cate Blanchett performing at Glastonbury festival was NOT on anybody's bingo card but here we are!”
A third said: “Bonkers at Park Stage where Sparks brought on Cate Blanchett!!”
What else can we expect to see this weekend?
Honestly, after that it’s anyone’s guess.