Glastonbury Gear Guide 2024

With 2024’s festival season well and truly off to a great start, here at PMT, we decided to look at the lineup for one of the most prestigious festivals in the UK, Glastonbury Festival.

In this blog, we’ll be going through some of the equipment this year’s lineup use on stage to create their unforgettable performances. From iconic guitars and amps to unique synths and drum kits, discover the gear that helps shape the sound of Glastonbury's biggest acts.

Held in Somerset, England, Glastonbury Festival is one of the world's largest and most iconic music and arts festivals. Founded in 1970, it encompasses a diverse lineup of music genres, from rock and pop to electronic and folk, attracting over 200,000 festival-goers every year. Renowned for its legendary performances and electric atmosphere, the festival features multiple stages as well as immersive art installations.

The band will headline the Saturday night at Glastonbury Festival 2024, making them the first act to headline on five occasions.

Coldplay, known for their melodic pop-rock sound and captivating performances, utilise a variety of musical equipment to create their distinctive sound. While their specific gear may vary over time, here's an overview of some of the equipment commonly associated with Coldplay:

Notably known for being an avid Fender player, Jonny Buckland, Coldplay's lead guitarist, often plays the Fender Telecaster Thinline, specifically a 1974 model he picked up many years ago. Jon expertly incorporates multiple versions of this guitar into his repertoire, showcasing its distinct features: a semi-hollow body adorned with f-holes and humbuckers. 

While Telecasters reign as a favoured choice among indie-rock ensembles presently, the Thinline Telecaster stands out as a less common selection, renowned for its richer tonal palette compared to traditional models. This exceptional instrument not only embodies superb craftsmanship but also serves as an integral element in shaping the unmistakable Coldplay sound.

As for the Bass department, Guy Berryman plays a variety of bass guitars, including models from Fender and Music Man.

While he has used various amplifiers throughout Coldplay's career, models from brands like Fender, Vox, and Marshall are frequently seen in his setup. An amp that’s been a consistent feature in Jonny’s live rig is the Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212 III 60W 2x12, which gives a versatility that delivers both glassy cleans and slick overdriven tones.

Check it out here: Fender Hot Rod Deville

Chris Martin uses a range of keyboards and synthesizers to create some of the atmospheric sounds and melodies featured in their singles over the years. Some of the brands frequently seen in his setup include Yamaha, Roland, and Korg.

Coldplay's drummer, Will Champion has played various drum kits over the years by brands such as Yamaha and Ludwig. In the cymbal department, Zildjian tend to be his go-to choice, using a 20″ K Heavy ride, Brilliant finish; an 18″ A Custom Medium crash (x2) and 14″ K Custom Dark hi-hats.

With this year marking the third time the Bristol band have graced the stage at Glasto, Idles have built up quite the following over the past few years with their untamed and raw signature sound. Since we’ve previously discussed the band’s rig rundown in a blog, you can read our more insightful low down of the gear they use.

Having played Glastonbury back in 2016 and 2017, the alternative rock Essex-based band are returning to the festival after the release of their new album “Dead Club City”. Over the four albums that they’ve released, their sound has expanded and with that so has the gear, here’s the rundown of what they use currently…

Originally bought to have a guitar with humbuckers for a few songs in live shows, the Gibson ES-335 delivers a meaty tone for songs like “I’m Not Made by Design” and “Sorry”. The premium-grade "Electro Spanish" semi-hollow electric guitar features a AAA Figured Maple/Poplar/Maple top, back, and sides, all finished in a striking Sixties Cherry. It’s engineered Maple centre block effectively eliminates unwanted feedback. 

The guitar also boasts a sleek Mahogany neck with a Rounded "C" profile shape and a bound Rosewood fingerboard with 22 Medium Jumbo frets and Acrylic Small Block inlays. It is equipped with two calibrated T-Type humbucker pickups and hand-wired electronics, ensuring top-tier sound quality and performance.

The Fender American Elite Tele features an Alder body that delivers a resonant, balanced tone with excellent clarity and depth. Fender has favoured Alder for their electric guitars since the 1950s due to its balanced response and subtle upper midrange definition, making it ideal for rock and blues. Combined with a modern 'C' to 'D' shaped Maple neck, the American Elite Telecaster provides iconic Fender playability.

Dom has installed a set of Fishman Fluence pickups to keep a consistent tone with all his Telecasters, along with 0.11 gauge strings.

Made from scratch by Dom’s next door neighbour, this Partscaster consists of a body and neck from Fender themselves, Fishman Fluence active pickups once again and a gold Bigsby bridge.

The AC30HWHD boasts a retro oxblood grill cover and vintage fawn-coloured vinyl, exuding classic style. This traditional 2-channel design includes a top boost channel with a HOT/COOL switch and a normal channel with a BRIGHT switch. 

At its core, the AC30HWHD features a meticulously hand-wired turret board assembly with three ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes, four EL84 power tubes, and a GZ34 rectifier tube—all matched Ruby Tubes, delivering impeccable tone and a wide dynamic range. The OP mode switch reduces the output power by half, allowing you to achieve classic tones at lower volume levels.

Originally released in 1969, the Les Paul Deluxe featured a pair of Mini Humbuckers—unseen before in Les Paul guitars—that maintain the hum-free performance of full-sized humbuckers while offering clearer tonality. Inspired by early 1970s models, this Les Paul 70s Deluxe provides an impeccable tone that’s the backbone of the Nothing But Thieves sound both live and in the studio.

Watch our rundown on PMTVUK

The Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro Bass is an authentic and meticulous recreation of the iconic 1960s model. Inspired by the classic car tail fins of the 1950s, its mahogany body wings boast sleek contours that provide both comfort and style. Crafted from high-quality tonewoods, this bass delivers a rich, textured sound and a durable build you can rely on.

Watch our video on PMTVUK 

See it in Action!

From well-informed amateurs to elite professionals, no bass amp boasts as passionate a fan base as the Ampeg SVT. For this new SVT model, Ampeg surveyed its loyal customers to ensure the design met and exceeded their wishlist. While each generation of the SVT has its devoted followers, Ampeg designed the Heritage 50th Anniversary SVT to satisfy even the most discerning SVT enthusiasts. 

Avril Lavigne

A Canadian singer-songwriter known for her punk-influenced pop-rock sound, Avril Lavigne rose to fame with her 2002 debut album Let Go, featuring hits like "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi”.

Announced as part of the first wave of artists to play this year’s festival, this will be the first time the Canadian pop-rock icon has played the legendary festival. The equipment she’s used over the past two decades has varied slightly over the years, but here’s what she’s currently using…

Fender Telecaster

Avril is probably most known for using Fender Telecasters during live shows, even having a stint of having her own signature Squier model, as the Telecaster offers a vast adaptability that makes it perfect for jumping to and from various tones. In Avril’s case, the pickups have remained the same on her 2004 model, but it’s received a neck replacement, changing it to an American standard telecaster neck. 

Fontaines D.C. is an Irish post-punk band formed in Dublin in 2017. Known for their gritty, poetic lyrics and energetic performances, they quickly gained acclaim with their debut album Dogrel in 2019, followed by A Hero’s Death in 2020 and Skinty Fia in 2022. 

Having already played at Glastonbury twice, first in 2019 and then returning to perform again in 2022, the band has solidified their reputation as a powerful live act.

Carlos O’Connell 

Fender 60’s Mustang

While recording 2022's Skinty Fia with producer Dan Carey, Carlos O’Connell developed a fondness for Carey’s mid-’60s red Fender Mustang. To replicate the album’s tones on stage, O’Connell sought out a similar model online, he found a listing based in NYC, so a friend at the band’s label, Partisan Records, was able to get the guitar for him.  

For a song like “Televised Mind,” he uses the out-of-phase switch along with a Moose Electronics Cosmic Tremorlo to enhance the guitar’s sharp, shrill sound. All of O’Connell’s electric guitars are strung with Ernie Ball Burly Slinkys (.011–.052).

Fender Stevie Ray Vaughn Signature Stratocaster

O’Connell purchased a heavily relic'd Fender Custom Shop Rory Gallagher Signature Stratocaster from the Chicago Music Exchange. He wanted a guitar with a thicker, more substantial sound to contrast the Mustang’s bright tone and to add further low end for the band’s D-standard songs. This Strat was an ideal match, and the replica of Rory Gallagher’s 1961 model serves as a fitting homage to his fellow Irishman.

Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb

O’Connell’s core tone is delivered through a Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb, he uses the vintage channel with the bright switch engaged for an optimal piercing sound. For extra power during louder sections, he activates the ’68 Custom Deluxe Reverb.

Conor Curley

Fender Coronado

Before recording their sophomore album A Hero’s Death, Connor decided to invest his share of their recording advance in a vintage guitar, aiming to capture the haunting hollowbody tones of the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Black Angels. Since then, he has acquired several Coronados, with his main touring guitar being a late-’60s Fender Coronado II Wildwood model he discovered in Stoke-on-Trent. 

Formed in 1990, the London-based band, Bloc party, is vastly known for their signature fast-paced indie/post-punk revival sound, being pivotal soundtrack for many fans back in the early 2000s. The band consists of Kele Okereke (vocals, guitar), Russell Lissack (guitar), Justin Harris (bass), and Louise Bartle (drums). 

Their debut album, Silent Alarm (2005), received critical acclaim and commercial success, featuring hits like "Banquet" and "Helicopter." Known for blending sharp guitar riffs with electronic and indie influences, Bloc Party has released several albums, each showcasing their evolving sound. 

Glastonbury 2024 will mark the fourth time the band have graced the stage at the legendary festival, sure to deliver a wide selection of throwback songs in their set. 

Fender Telecaster

For most of their time in Bloc Party, both Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack have relied on the humble Fender Telecaster as their primary guitar. They pair this classic solid-body instrument with layers of effects to create their signature twin-guitar sound that can be heard on some of their most known material such as “Helicopter”.

Affordable Alternatives

Antiquity Legends TL1 HB-NAT Natural Electric Guitar

Spotted sporting a Fender 72 Custom Telecaster over the years, the humbucker in the neck and single coil pickup in the bridge offers a more varied tone range, providing both crunch and signature twang tones in the same guitar. However, if you’re in search of that tone but have a smaller budget, the Antiquity TL1 HB-NAT may be the six-string for you.

Watch our video on PMTVUK 

During the touring cycle for A Weekend In The City, Okereke acquired a hollow-body Gretsch Chet Atkins model, which he often uses for Bloc Party’s mellower songs. This Gretsch is featured in performances of tender tracks such as "This Modern Love" and "I Still Remember."

The Last Dinner Party is a vibrant British rock band that has exploded onto the scene with their eclectic blend of glam rock, goth, and classic rock influences. Formed in London, they quickly gained a following for their theatrical live performances and unique style, which they’ll be bringing for the first time to the Other stage at Glastonbury Festival 2024. 

Let’s dive into their equipment!

An already skilled jazz guitarist with a history of performing in theatre, Emily is known for her impressive solos, prominently featured in tracks like "Sinner" and "Portrait of a Dead Girl" from their debut album. Influenced by bands such as Queen and David Bowie, her solos bring a nostalgic vintage feel to her music, giving songs like “Nothing Matters” a unique standout quality.

The Sterling by Music Man Goldie, presented in a stunning Velveteen finish, is a guitar that excels in both playability and tone. Combining style and substance, this high-quality instrument offers exceptional performance and looks. 

It features a roasted maple neck that provides increased stability and durability, with locking tuners to ensure it stays in tune longer. The neck’s comfortable design allows for smooth playability over extended periods. Equipped with three mini-humbucker pickups, the Goldie delivers a versatile range of tones, making it perfect for genres from rock and blues to jazz. 

Watch our rundown on PMTVUK 

Lizzie Mayland

Fender Noventa Jazzmaster

The Noventa series combines classic Fender style with dynamic single-coil pickups, offering powerful tones, modern playability, and striking looks. The Noventa Jazzmaster is a bold sonic powerhouse featuring three Noventa single-coil pickups, master volume and tone controls, and a Jazzmaster tremolo. Its slick appearance is complemented by the pickup's midrange bite, crisp highs, and smooth lows. 

The wide dynamic range of these pickups provides robust tones suitable for genres from hard rock to jazz. A Modern "C" neck with 21 medium jumbo frets and a 9.5" radius fingerboard ensures a smooth blend of modern and vintage playability, characteristic of Fender.

Watch our video on PMTVUK 

Glastonbury 2024 promises electrifying performances from top artists, each using unique and iconic gear to create their signature sounds. Whether you're inspired by Coldplay's guitars, IDLES' punk setup, or the eclectic instruments of newer bands, PMT Online has you covered. For more details about the gear used by your favorite artists, feel free to contact us or visit your local PMT store and chat with our knowledgeable experts.

Now you're in the festival mood, check out our Leeds Fest 2024 ticket giveaway! All you need to do is signup to be in the running for a festival to remember with headliners Blink 182, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Lana Del Rey, Liam Gallagher and more. Read our T&Cs and enter here.