Years & Years head towards bigger stages at Glastonbury 2015

Some things become a tradition by default at Glastonbury, and it’s usually pinned to a certain stage. William’s Green is the hub of secret sets - that much is clear from Wolf Alice and Drenge’s last-minute Thursday appearances, with thousands turning up to the go-to source of hush hush happenings. The Pyramid Stage isn’t just a place for established giants - it’s now a location for legends like and soon-to-be big guns.

As for the John Peel Stage, it’s developed an identity of its own. As each year passes, there’s a defining set that brings a new name out from the wild and sets them apart as genuine stars. It didn’t need saying with Years & Years, but 2015 provides this moment for the chart-toppers. Bigger stages await, bigger occasions have already been conquered, but there’s a huge sense of anticipation for a trio with everything behind them.

A bleached-haired Olly Alexander isn’t the best at hiding expressions, but he quickly gets over an overwhelmed reaction to launch into new song ‘Foundation’. Debut ‘Communion’ is just around the corner, but it’s the existing big singles that win out. ‘Desire’ is a fire-starter in festival form, and the group’s cover of Blu Cantrell’s ‘Breathe’ brings the biggest singalong, even if Sean Paul’s not in attendance. Some elements don’t translate - this is a synth-heavy slant on pop that doesn’t quite go full-on rave when it needs to - but more than anything it’s a showcase of hits.

Glastonbury is a worthy litmus test for a band going places - that’s already been evidenced by Wolf Alice and Courtney Barnett’s weekend sets. With Years & Years, it’s already clear where they’re heading. That doesn’t stop this from being the John Peel Stage’s biggest set, although Charli XCX might have something to say about that tomorrow.