“I don't like genre,” says British singer Olivia Dean, who will take to the Glastonbury stage on June 28. Their 2023 debut album messy she was nominated for three Brit Awards and the Mercury Prize, which she describes as her “made it” moment. “I feel like it lets people know that I'm really, really good.”
When we meet in Los Angeles, the Coachella frontman has just arrived from a performance in Rio de Janeiro and will soon return home for a short stay in London before attending the annual Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago. “I don't even know what time zone I'm in,” Dean says, laughing. His frequent flyer miles will continue to rack up when he headlines a European tour later this spring.
Here are some details you might not know about Dean:
Don't wait for me to text you back. When she's traveling, Dean admits she's bad at keeping up with her DMs; would rather focus on the moment. “Everything is happening at the same time and it's great, but it also forces me to just be able to live one day at a time,” she says. “I really long for the days when people just had a landline.”
Playing Glastonbury It was once the singer's biggest dream. He did it in 2023, and meeting Elton John was the cherry on top. “I went straight off the stage – I got on a buggy and they took me to the main stage [to see Elton],” she says. “I said, 'Are you nervous about your big show?' And he said, “No, not really.” It really came out of a movie.”
About his rider you'll find chocolate-covered raisins, Pink Panther wafers and sliced ham.
Rituals after the show involves drinking beer “right away, just go to the fridge,” he says. “And to try not to see videos of me that people tag. I think it's not good for your brain to do a show and then see everyone's comments.”
Listen to Dean's new single “Time” below.
Photographs by Pat Martin
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