PhD student at Leicester with 2 million Spotify streams to make Glastonbury debut

A University of Leicester student will take to the Glastonbury stage next weekend. Jessie Reid’s music already has millions of streams online and will see her share the stage with film star Russell Crowe.

Folk singer Jessie is currently studying for her PhD in English at the University of Leicester, specializing in the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Virginia Woolf. Her studies began in isolation, but music is in her blood, the singer has been creating songs since she was 11 years old.

They’re the perfect tonic for studying isolation, and her collection of popular songs has been loved online too, garnering over 2 million streams on Spotify. Now Jessie, who released her debut album at the same time as her studies, heads to Worthy Farm for a show on Glastonbury’s Acoustic Stage.

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She said: “I’m so excited to be playing Glastonbury this year. I’ve always tried to get tickets but never got around to it, so it’s amazing to be asked to play on one of the festival’s biggest stages.”

The popular singer is among a collection of well-known names and emerging stars performing on the Acoustic Stage over three days next week. Names on the bill include Scouting for Girls, Judy Collins and even the Gipsy Kings.

Jessie takes to the stage next Saturday (June 29) and is on the same bill as film star Russell Crowe, who is also making his Glastonbury debut with his band Indoor Garden Party. Jessie’s impending performance is something she finds truly surreal – especially when she balances it with her studies.

She said: “Even though my PhD is a bit of a passion project for me, it can be quite isolating at times. Music and performance are somewhat cathartic in that way. I think we have found a good balance. The festival starts just over a week after my PhD oral exam, so it will be quite surreal to go from the library to the Glasto game!”

Jessie’s music may be new to many, but she’s already graced TV screens after an appearance on ITV’s Love Island. Her university professors are excited about her debut at Glastonbury next week.

Jessie’s PhD supervisor, Professor Martin Halliwell, Director of Research at the University of Leicester’s School of Arts, Media and Communication, said: “Jessie is an amazing musical talent. He has a distinctive percussive guitar style and a voice that stays with you long after a song is over.

Jessie’s 2022 EP ‘Other Hand’ and recent single ‘Let Your Love Run Cold’ are essential listening. We’re all very proud that Jess has been invited to play Glastonbury this year and we’re delighted that she’s getting the recognition she absolutely deserves.”

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