50 Of The Best Music Festival Performances Ever

1. Nirvana

Post-‘Nevermind’, the backlash had begun and Kurt Cobain was being labelled an over-hyped drug addict. How did he decided to respond to his critics? By being brought on stage in a wheelchair of course. A blistering set followed including new songs ‘Dumb’ and ‘All Apologies’ and with it came possibly the most iconic festival image of all time.

2. Artic Monkeys

It's the biggest festival 'I was there' moment of this century. It'd be another five months before the release of 'Whatever People Say I Am...' and even two before 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor', but in August 2005, Arctic Monkeys were the most hyped new band on the planet. A mid-afternoon slot on the none-too-big Carling Stage could barely hold 10% of the heaving crowd trying to get a glimpse of Alex Turner and his mates.

3. The Stone Roses

The unglamourous setting didn’t exactly look like the scene of the birth of a new movement; opposite a cement factory, on a reclaimed toxic waste site. But there it was; the beginnings of ‘Madchester’ and the moment when The Stone Roses stepped into the spotlight making good on their early promise.

4. Blur

Reunited and it felt so good. Blur closed Glastonbury with all the mind-blowing pomp you’d imagine. A set full of hits and memories, highlights included ‘Tender’, ‘End Of A Century’ and ‘The Universal’. By the end, even seasoned pro Damon was getting visibly misty eyed at the crowd reception that greeted the returning heroes.

5. Pulp

Stepping in as last-minute headliners to replace The Stone Roses, it was fight or flight for the Sheffielders and oh how they flew. Taking their long-awaited opportunity and running with it, they stormed through a set that included the first ever live outings of 'Sorted For Es and Whizz', 'Mis-shapes' and a little known ditty called 'Disco 2000'. Not too shabby.

See the full 50 here at NME.com

Get your tickets to Bell X1 at Galway International Arts Festival on 16 July.