Leicester PhD student to play Glastonbury Festival
Jessie Reid has had her music played on Love Island and released her debut album whilst studying for her PhD (Credit: Jessie Reid)
A PhD student at University of Leicester will take to the stage at this year’s Glastonbury festival.
Jessie Reid is a rising folk star who has been compared to the likes of Ben Howard, Lucy Rose and Nick Mulvey. She will play on the Acoustic Stage on Saturday, 29 June at 1pm.
Originally from Shropshire, Jessie started making music at the age of 11. Before coming to University of Leicester, Jessie studied music, specialising in guitar
Jessie is about to complete a PhD in English at University of Leicester, specialising on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Virginia Woolf, which she started during lockdown.
Alongside her PhD, Jessie has released her debut album, amassed millions of streams on Spotify and had her music played on TV shows, including Love Island.
Talking about her studies, Jessie said: “Even though my PhD is a bit of a passion project for me, it can be quite isolating at times. Music and performing is kind of cathartic in that way. I think I have found a good balance.”
She said: “I am so excited to play at Glastonbury this year. I've always tried to get tickets but never succeeded, so to be asked to play on one of the biggest stages of the festival is amazing.
“The festival starts just over a week after my viva so it will be quite surreal to go from the library to playing Glasto!”
Professor Martin Halliwell, Director of Research for the School of Arts, Media and Communication at University of Leicester and Jessie’s PhD supervisor said: “Jessie is an amazing musical talent. She has a distinctive percussive guitar style and a voice that lingers with you long after a song has ended.
“Jessie’s 2022 EP Other Hand and recent single ‘Let Your Love Run Cold’ are essential listening. We are all very proud that Jess has been invited to play Glastonbury this year and are delighted that she is gaining the recognition she absolutely deserves.”
Jessie will also appear on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury on Sunday, 30 June alongside Chris Difford, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Guy Chambers and Sid Griffin.