CMAT Turns Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage Into a Playground of Laughter, Dance, and Protest
CMAT, the Irish singer whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, shook up the usually staid early afternoon slot at Glastonbury 2025 with a burst of energy and personality that was impossible to ignore. Even before she launched into her first song, the festival-goers packed in front of the Pyramid Stage could tell they were in for something different. Introducing herself with a grin, she quipped about being plagued by 'middle child syndrome' but blessed with 'an amazing ass and the best Irish rock and roll country band in the world.' Backed by The Very Sexy CMAT Band, every bit of her introduction crackled with the same self-deprecating charm running through her music.
The crowd was instantly hooked as CMAT offered up her viral single, ‘Take a Sexy Picture of Me.’ The cheerful swagger of the song quickly turned into a group event when she led the audience in what she called the ‘woke macarena’—a tongue-in-cheek, TikTok-ready dance routine that had everyone moving along. If there was ever any doubt about her place on this huge stage, it faded fast as the field filled with dancers keeping pace and laughing under the blazing festival sun.
But CMAT’s set wasn’t just about fun and memes. She introduced a new song, ‘The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station,’ teasing that it wasn’t an attack on anyone—more like a glance into the wilder parts of her own mind. Her knack for blending storytelling with wry humor added texture to her performance, letting even big festival crowds glimpse the heart beneath the spectacle.
What really made the set memorable, though, was how she broke down the barrier between artist and audience. CMAT had everyone up for the 'Dunboyne, County Meath Two-Step’—a homegrown dance routine from her Irish roots that made even seasoned festival regulars move in ways they didn’t expect. And just as the crowd settled into her warm, engaging presence, CMAT took it to the next level by leaping into the sea of fans, crowd-surfing with fearless abandon.
Making a Stand: Music and Politics Collide
As the end of her set loomed, CMAT made sure nobody was left guessing about where she stood on current global events. She wrapped up with a chant of ‘Free Palestine!’ that cut right through the weekend party atmosphere, lending her performance a jolt of political urgency. In a year when many artists remain silent or vague, CMAT’s willingness to take a stand onstage sparked conversations and brought an edge to her infectious showmanship.
The combination of witty banter, catchy tunes, and visible activism left a big mark. Critics on site were quick to call her a ‘superstar in the making,’ pointing to how she took a slot known for background music and transformed it into a can’t-miss spectacle. Her blend of genuine warmth, ready humor, and protest signaled that she’s not just here to play songs—she’s shaping the tone of 2025’s music scene.
Even with a schedule packed with bigger names and headliners, folks streaming away from the Pyramid Stage kept talking about CMAT long after she’d gone. For her, Glastonbury 2025 wasn’t just another festival—it was proof that bold stagecraft, a deep sense of fun, and an unflinching political voice can still steal the show.
