Damon Albarn on Brexit at Glastonbury: ‘Democracy has failed us’

On stage: Damon Albarn talks Brexit at Glastonbury
Samir Hussein/Redferns
Jennifer Ruby24 June 2016
The Weekender

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Damon Albarn made his views on Brexit known during his set at Glastonbury.

The Blur frontman, who took to the stage on Friday to perform with the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians, told the crowd that they had been failed by ‘democracy’.

Opening the Pyramid stage at 11am, he told the crowd: “I have a very heavy heart today.”

Speaking just a few hours after the results of the EU Referendum were announced, Albarn gave his opinion on Britain’s decision to leave the EU.

“To my mind, democracy has failed us, because we were ill-informed,” he said on stage.

“And I just want all of you to know, that when we leave here, we can change that decision. It is possible,” he added.

Glastonbury organisers issued their own statement to festival-goers in the wake of the historic decision.

It read: “I think we're pretty safe in the knowledge that it's nobody's here fault/So let's trudge on through the mud/And sing out loud our protest songs.

“As the country is divided - in this field we belong/ Embrace your fellow Glastonberry/ As they are feeling just like you.

“Goodbye old friend/We'll miss you a lot/Our little mate the EU.”

Bastille also changed their lyrics to Pompeii during their live set for Radio One from the festival.

They sang: “And the pound kept tumbling down on the weekend that we love.”

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