Glastonbury 2024 headliners clock up 21 years of airplay in the 21st Century

This year’s Glastonbury headliners – Coldplay, Dua Lipa and SZA – collectively account for over 21 years of airplay across UK radio and television in the 21st century so far, new data from PPL reveals.   

PPL licenses the use of recorded music on radio, TV and in public places such as shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, offices and warehouses in the UK. It receives extensive airplay reporting from broadcasters and public performance venues and uses that information to help ensure that the performers and recording rightsholder it represents are paid when their music is used.

With the Worthy Farm festival fast approaching, PPL can reveal in detail how the trio’s music has soundtracked the UK’s airwaves across radio and TV.

Coldplay 

PPL’s airplay data shows that Coldplay’s hits have enjoyed 400,000,000 seconds - or 13 years - of airplay this century, averaging 240 plays per day and 10 every hour.

The band’s top performing song, Viva La Vida, has been played an average of 27 times per day since its release in May 2008. It is also almost exactly 24 years since Yellow was released as a single on 26 June 2000, and the song has maintained its success on UK airwaves, putting it seventh in Coldplay’s top 10 most played songs.

These top 10 songs span nearly 17 years of airplay, with Something Just Like This released in February 2017, reflecting the band’s longevity.

Coldplay’s Top 10 Most Played Songs

1. Viva La Vida
2. Paradise
3. Clocks
4. Something Just Like This (with The Chainsmokers)
5. Adventure of a Lifetime
6. Hymn For The Weekend
7. Yellow
8. Fix You
9. A Sky Full of Stars
10. Speed of Sound

Dua Lipa

PPL’s airplay data shows that Dua Lipa has received a cumulative seven years of airplay, with her top recording One Kiss being played an average of 50 times a day since its release in April 2018. In total, her music has averaged 410 plays per day – 17 every hour.

Dua Lipa’s Top 10 Most Played Songs

1. One Kiss (with Calvin Harris)
2. Don’t Start Now
3. New Rules
4. Physical
5. Electricity (with Silk City)
6. Be The One
7. Break My  Heart
8. Cold Heart – PNAU Remix (with Elton John)
9. Levitating
10. IDGAF

SZA

PPL’s airplay data shows that SZA has cumulatively received one year of airplay, averaging 50 plays per day across all her recordings, including those where she performs as a featured artist with the likes of Maroon 5 and Doja Cat.

SZA’s Top 5 Most Played Songs

1. What Lovers Do (with Maroon 5)
2. The Other Side (with Justin Timberlake)
3. Kiss Me More (with Doja Cat)
4. All The Stars (with Kendrick Lamar)
5. Kill Bill

Peter Leathem OBE, CEO of PPL said: “This year’s Glastonbury headliners are once again amongst the best performers in the world. The time that their music has spent on UK airwaves over the course of many years is a reflection of the enduring power and popularity of their music.  We are proud to work on their behalf and help to ensure they are fairly compensated for their incredible talent.” 

Dua Lipa will take to Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage on Friday 28 June, with Coldplay headlining on Saturday and SZA on Sunday.