June 16th 2024.
Fran was not expecting their performance at Glastonbury in 1999 to be such a standout moment for their band. As the festival approaches once again, the question of who will leave the biggest impression this year remains unanswered. However, one thing is for sure: in 1999, Travis, led by Fran Healy, stole the show and claimed the title of the most unforgettable act.
At the time, Travis was a relatively new band in the music scene, having only released their debut album, Good Feeling, two years prior. But after their appearance on the Other Stage on June 26, 1999, everyone knew their name. Despite the sunny and warm weather, the band - consisting of Healy, Dougie Payne, Andy Dunlop, and Neil Primrose - did something that no other artist had done before: they made it rain.
The band has recounted this fateful day multiple times, most recently on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast in 2021. Healy shared that while on stage, he could see a big cloud approaching in the distance. However, no one believed him until they played their hit song, "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" As soon as they started playing, the rain poured down on the crowd, and the band felt like they had given an average performance.
"It was a big opportunity for us, and we sort of blew it," Healy recalled. "It was like, 'Better luck next time, lads.' So we just left. We just left Glastonbury!" he added. The band had no idea at the time that their set would become the talk of the festival.
While hundreds of thousands of music lovers attend Glastonbury each year, this performance was one that would catapult Travis into newfound fame. "It was really one of those things that just passed me by," Dunlop admitted. "People looked miserable, and it was raining. It wasn't really one of those moments where you think, 'Oh, this is history!'"
Dunlop stayed at the festival to enjoy the rest of the event, but Healy went home. It wasn't until he turned on the TV and saw Joe Whiley and John Peel talking about their performance that he realized the impact they had made. "They showed us playing, and it was amazing!" Healy exclaimed. The next day, the story was all over the news, and the band not only gained new popularity but also earned the title of "the band of the weekend."
Their second studio album, The Man Who, dominated the UK charts in the following weeks, reaching number one and winning Best Album at the Brit Awards the following year. However, their performance at Glastonbury in 1999 remains a significant moment for the band. "On July 26, 1999, the sun was shining all day, until Travis came on," Healy joked.
The band returned to the Glastonbury stage in 2000, this time as one of the main headliners. With their newfound success, they embarked on a 237-date world tour and continued to top charts with their subsequent releases, including The Invisible Band in 2001. The album featured hit songs like "Sing," which became Britain's most played song on the radio that summer, as well as "Side" and "Flowers in the Window."
Travis has since collaborated with legendary artists like Sir Paul McCartney and Noel Gallagher, solidifying their place in the music industry. Their latest single, "Gaslight," was recently released in anticipation of their upcoming album, L.A. Times, which will be available on July 12.
While the band won't be returning to Glastonbury for the 25th anniversary of their historic performance, they are embarking on a 14-date UK summer tour with The Killers. Their journey from a relatively unknown band to one of the biggest names in music is a testament to the impact of that rainy day at Glastonbury in 1999.
Do you have a memorable Glastonbury set that stands out to you? Share your story with us - we'd love to hear it!
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