During their headline performance at the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, 29 June, the British rock band Coldplay made a significant political statement by featuring Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna. The band’s lead singer, Chris Martin, underscored the importance of demonstrating a “beacon of togetherness” during the show.
Elyanna joined Coldplay on stage for the song “Arabesque,” singing the Arabic part, and also performed the unreleased song “We Pray” from their album “Moon Music” alongside Burna Boy and Simz, reported Egyptian Streets.
Elyanna, aged 22, rose to prominence at the age of 15. Her family background includes her grandfather, a Palestinian singer-poet, and her mother, a Palestinian pianist. She was raised in Palestine, embracing her Arab heritage, and occasionally connecting with her Chilean heritage through visits to Chile, the birthplace of her paternal grandmother.
In 2017, Elyanna relocated from Palestine to California in the United States, where she initiated her music career. Initially, she garnered recognition by sharing song covers on Instagram, and her talent swiftly drew the attention of Grammy-winning artist and singer Nasri Atweh, propelling her into the limelight.
According to Egyptian streets website Elyanna gained widespread attention as the first woman to perform in Arabic on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, delivering captivating renditions of her songs, “Mama Eh” and “Callin’ U.” She also achieved a significant milestone as the first Arab woman to perform at the Coachella music festival.
A proud Palestinian, Elyanna has been actively advocating for the Palestinian cause on her social media platforms and participating in meaningful discussions.
During the Glastonbury Festival, the Palestinian flag was prominently displayed by the audience throughout the event. It was notably featured during Dua Lipa’s captivating performance and served as a backdrop during Coldplay’s set.
During Coldplay’s headline performance, lead vocalist Chris Martin used his platform to deliver a poignant message, calling for unity during what he described as “a very divided time on Earth.”
Addressing the audience, Martin acknowledged the numerous challenges occurring in the world and expressed his belief that the majority of people on Earth are inherently full of love, kindness, and compassion.
