Billie Eilish said it was a "dark day" for American women during her headline slot at Glastonbury Festival — just hours after US judges overturned a ruling giving women the constitutional right to an abortion.
The multi-Grammy winner, who became the youngest solo act in history to top the bill on the Pyramid Stage on Friday, made the comment midway through a crowd-pleasing set, which kicked off with hit Bury a Friend and ended with Bad Guy and Happier Than Ever.
Without directly referencing Friday's US Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, Eilish said: "Today is a really dark day for women in the US.
"I'm just going to say that because I can't bear to think about it anymore in this moment."
She then dedicated Your Power, a song about abusing power, to the subject.
Near the end of the set, she told the crowd that she was "so undeserving" of headlining.
"Thank you for letting me do it," she said. "I am so honoured to be here."
Eilish closed the first full day of music at the festival in south-west England, which returned for its 50th anniversary two years later than planned after Covid-19 scuppered the 2020 and 2021 events.
Other acts on Friday included Wet Leg, Arlo Parks, Primal Scream and Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine.
The band, whose song Stefania earned them the winner's title at the singing contest in Turin last month, spoke about their hopes of their war-ravaged country hosting next year's Eurovision competition.
The European Broadcasting Union announced it had ruled out Ukraine as host, saying "severe" risk of air raids in the country alongside the "high" risk of mass casualties contributed to the decision.
Eurovision winners traditionally host the competition the following year.
"So right now there (are still) a lot of discussions (going on) in Ukraine. Maybe Ukraine will be invited (to host Eurovision)," Kalush Orchestra fontman Oleg Psyuk told Press Association. "And we altogether hope Eurovision will be in Ukraine."
The BBC said it was in talks with the European broadcasting union about hosting the event in the UK, with the country's Sam Ryder finishing runner-up to Kalush in Italy.
Before the first performance at Glastonbury on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed via videolink to the crowds, urging them to spread the truth about Russia's invasion.
"Glastonbury is the greatest concentration of freedom these days and I ask you to share this feeling with everyone whose freedom is under attack," he said in a recorded message that drew cheers.
Paul McCartney headlines on Saturday, a week after his 80th birthday, while Diana Ross and Kendrick Lamar top the bill on Sunday.
— Additional reporting by Reuters and PA News
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Sir Paul McCartney invited Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen on stage to perform with him in the former Beatle's Glastonbury headline set on Saturday night. AP Photo -
Sir Paul McCartney waves the Ukrainian flag. AP Photo -
Festival goers watch Sir Paul McCartney perform at Glastonbury Festival. AP Photo -
Olivia Rodrigo performs on the Other Stage. Reuters -
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds play on the Pyramid Stage. Getty Images -
An atmospheric moment from Roisin Murphy's set on the West Holts Stage. Getty Images -
Yungblud. AP Photo -
Skunk Anansie. Getty Images -
Celeste. Getty Images -
Billy Nomates on the Left Field stage. PA -
Climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks on the Pyramid Stage. Reuters -
A 'Glastonbury' sign is illuminated by sunset on day one of the festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Getty Images -
A festivalgoer walks between the tents in one of the camping areas. The festival has returned for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began. Getty Images -
Festivalgoers watch a recorded message from the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EPA -
More than 200,000 music fans will attend the festival. PA -
Former Spice Girl Melanie C plays a DJ set in the William's Green tent. PA -
Festivalgoer Ed proposes to his partner Chelsea as the sun begins to set on day one of the festival. Getty Images -
A festival attendee is silhouetted as they stand on top of the stone circle at Worthy Farm. PA -
Pete Doherty from the band 'The Libertines' performs. AP -
Revellers walk past graffiti attributed to Banksy as they arrive at Worthy Farm. Reuters -
A festivalgoer goes down a slide at the festival. AFP -
Thousands of tents are set up across the fields. AFP -
There may be some inclement weather to deal with at the weekend. AP -
Ai-Da is heralded as the world's first ultra-realistic robot artist, and has been producing abstract paintings of this year's Glastonbury headliners. PA -
Festivalgoers take part in a laughter-yoga workshop in the Healing Field. PA -
A cardboard cut-out depicting Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the camping site. AFP -
Festival founder Michael Eavis opening the gates on the first day. PA
