Controversy As Kanye Hits Glasto

Controversy As Kanye Hits Glasto

Rapper Kanye West's Glastonbury headline set did not disappoint in the controversy department as someone stormed the stage and West towered above the crowds in a crane.

A few songs into the show, West had a close encounter as comedian Lee Nelson stormed the stage.

Nelson, the alter-ego of comedian Simon Brodkin, has become known for his various stunts over the years and appeared minutes into West's song Skinhead before being removed by security.

He posted a photo on his Twitter account minutes after the incident writing: "Some people were saying Kanye shouldn't headline Glastonbury so I thought I'd give him a hand."

The show wasn't without other talking points as there seemed to be a few technical issues and he appeared to forget the words to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

At one point West stopped singing, saying: "Mike, stop it and start like we said, in the dressing room"

The rapper then left the stage for a few minutes, with people speculating he had walked off stage, only for him to re-appear in a crane above the stage for his song Touch The Sky.

West's performance divided opinion with some people on Twitter loving it and others hating it.

He kicked off the show with a dramatic entrance as a lit-up platform was raised on to the stage as he opened with his hit song, Stronger.

He did not tone down his performance, prompting a warning on screen for viewers at home that "this performance contains strong language and flashing lights".

West did not say much to the crowd, only taking a short break a few songs into his set to speak to stage staff saying: "You gotta lift this up a little bit, I gotta jump on my next song and I'm going to hit my f*****g head on it."

He had to re-start his hit FourFiveSeconds, which he recorded with Sir Paul McCartney and Rihanna. A few minutes of silence and darkness followed before he was joined on stage by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon to perform their song Lost In The World.

West thanked fans saying "I'm only here for you" and then revealed the song was inspired by his wife, reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

He said: "This song was extra special for me. This song right here, when I was working on Dark Fantasy, I was trying to explain to a girl I loved so much how much I loved her ... She brought this poetry out in me that became the lyrics and she ended up becoming my wife and she's here tonight."

Before launching into one of his last songs, his hit Gold Digger, he told the crowd: "I'm going to say this tonight because 20 years from now, 30 years from now, 40 years from now, I might not be able to say it, but I can say it tonight ... You are now watching the greatest living rock star on the planet."

Earlier supporting act Pharrell Williams stole the show with a lively set which saw him welcoming audience members on stage for a dance, while children joined him for his encore - hit song Happy.

A clearly emotional Williams showed off his A-list support with actor Bradley Cooper, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton cheering from the side of the stage.

The R'n'B singer had the crowd warmed up for the unlikely headliner West.

Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis had revealed she was targeted with online abuse and death threats following the announcement.

West earlier flew in to Glastonbury by helicopter with his reality TV star wife Kim Kardashian.

Celebrities spotted soaking up the diverse Glastonbury atmosphere included singer Adele, designer Stella McCartney, actor and presenter James Corden and recently retired footballer Rio Ferdinand.

Paloma Faith wowed crowds with her set, looking glamorous in a tuxedo-style dress and cat ears, while Jessie Ware, Kate Tempest and George Ezra were among the other highlights of the day.

The 135,000 campers enjoyed glorious sunshine but muddy fields following downpours on Friday mean they can not kick off their wellies just yet.

On Friday Florence + The Machine, the first headliner of the festival, stunned crowds with a theatrical performance which ended with her stripping to her bra and running off stage.

Singer Florence Welch silenced any concerns that she was not up to the top slot, handed to her at the last-minute after Foo Fighters were forced to pull out.

During her performance in front of a roaring crowd of tens of thousands, she dedicated a cover of Foo Fighters Times Like These to lead singer Dave Grohl who was forced to pull out of the showpeice last week after he broke his leg.

Avon and Somerset Police said 54 arrests have been made by officers, mainly for drugs offences and thefts from tents, while 100 crimes have been reported.

A number of people have been taken to hospital with traumatic injuries such as broken legs and dislocations after falling over in the muddy fields, the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said.

The mixed weather has also seen campers treated for sunburn and heat stroke. In total 118 people have been treated for injuries on site by the ambulance staff , with 19 taken to hospital.

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