Glastonbury fans complain over Rizzle Kicks snub after Jordan Stephens' message

Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule, known as the duo Rizzle Kicks, performed on the Other Stage at Glastonbury today with Jade Thirlwall among those in the crowd
Fans of duo Rizzle Kicks shared their disappointment with the BBC earlier over their set at Glastonbury Festival. The reaction came after bandmate Jordan Stephens had himself issued a message about filming at the festival.
Jordan and his bandmate Harley Alexander-Sule, both 33, performed together as Rizzle Kicks on the Other Stage at Worthy Farm in Somerset this afternoon. It marked the duo's return to the festival after making their Glastonbury debut on the BBC Introducing Stage back in 2013.
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Prior to their latest set, Jordan announced yesterday that the BBC, the "exclusive broadcast partner" of Glastonbury, would not be filming it. He shared the news in a statement issued to fans on Instagram ahead of their return today.
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Jordan wrote: "The BBC are not filming our Glastonbury set. If you're not there you will not be able to watch it back. It might well be once in a lifetime. Who knows." He added at the time: "The set is [fire emoji] and we're buzzin for it."
His partner Jade Thirlwall, 32, later expressed disappointment over the situation. The Little Mix member, who is set to play the Woodsies Stage tomorrow, referenced the news on her Instagram Story whilst sharing her excitement over getting to see him perform at Glastonbury.
Alongside a selfie, she wrote this afternoon: "What du mean I'm about to watch my bf at glasto when we were dreaming about it this time last year. Rizzle Kicks set isn't televised (booo) so get into it and get here to the other stage lol."
Jade isn't alone in her disappointment, with a number of fans having expressed frustration over Rizzle Kicks' set not being available on BBC iPlayer. Several other acts who performed on the Other Stage today, like Franz Ferdinand and Gracie Abrams, were livestreamed. The livestream for that stage however began at 2.15pm, which was after Rizzle Kicks' set.
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One fan wrote on X: "Rizzle Kicks not being broadcast at Glastonbury is a travesty, especially compared to some of the s**t that they are showing." Another wrote: "@BBCiPlayer why can't I found Rizzle Kicks. I'm really disappointed."
A third person, who had previously requested a livestream be available for the set, later posted: "Thanks guys missed Rizzle Kicks great job." Another said shortly after the duo's set began: "No Rizzle Kicks on iPlayer, sort it out lads."
Approached for comment, a spokesperson for the BBC told the Mirror tonight that the broadcaster will be providing more than 90 hours of performances. They said: "The BBC, Glastonbury's exclusive broadcast partner, brings audiences a two-month celebration of the festival this June and July.
"Our BBC iPlayer coverage provides over 90 hours of performances, with live streams of the five main stages, in addition to The Glastonbury Channel and over 90 sets to watch on demand throughout July. There is also extensive coverage on TV, radio and BBC Sounds - including over 30 performances and DJ sets that will be available to hear on demand on BBC Sounds throughout July."