Live review: Dea Matrona at Glastonbury festival
Simon G. - Jun 30, 2025


Dea Matrona Spark a Sunday Morning neo-vintage Revolution @Glastonbury2025

Glastonbury Festival, Sunday 11:25am, Avalon Stage – Sunday morning at Glastonbury is typically reserved for the delicate lull of hangovers, lingering campfire smoke, and quiet moments before the festival hits its final crescendo. But when Dea Matrona stepped onto the Avalon Stage, that all went out the window. The Northern Irish rock duo delivered an absolute festival masterclass in how to turn a sleepy Sunday into a full-throttle call to arms party.

Dea Matrona Live at Glastonbury Festival. Photograph: Christopher Healey

With a minimal setup but maximum impact, Dea Matrona wasted no time in shaking off the cobwebs. Their electric anthem “Stuck on you” the song's roaring guitar riff and pounding drums hit like a shot of caffeine straight to the heart. Dea Matrona may only be two frontpersons with few touring musicians but they sounded like a full-on band. Guitar and Bass player Mollie McGinn’s voice was razor-sharp, drenched in attitude and emotion, while the drummer kept the groove tight, never missing a beat. This was rock ‘n’ roll stripped back to its raw essentials — loud, powerful, and infectious.

The crowd, a curious mix of bleary-eyed festival-goers, wide-eyed newcomers, and middle aged passing-bys were soon wrapped up in the duo's ferocious energy. Tracks like “Glory” and “Black Rain" proved that Dea Matrona isn’t just about guitar-heavy bangers. With “Black Rain” a more introspective, yet no less impactful, track, they showcased their ability to blend grittier rock with a more melodic side, offering a glimpse into their musical range. The crowd listened, nodded, and even sang along, proving that the duo’s sound had the power to shift the Avalon’s mood instantly.

Curiously, it wasn’t just the music that made this set standing out— it was the palpable bond between the musicians. Mollie and Orlaíth have a connection that’s fun, relatable and electric, both on and off the stage. Mollie’s presence was magnetic, effortlessly owning the music with a growing charisma that kept the crowd cool but alert. Meanwhile, the stripped-back nature of the performance only made the duo more intoxicating and fitted the boemian swagger of Glastonbury. The music feeling more urgent with every passing song, a reminder of our collective ability to adapt yet exist by ourselves in those troubled times.

As they wrapped up their set with one last bang, there was no sense of undeniable triumph in the air. This wasn’t just an opening Sunday slot — this was Dea Matrona staking their claim as one of the most exciting acts on Glastonbury rising talent stage.

In a weekend where countless and sometimes over-hyped legends and bands graced the main stages, Dea Matrona’s raw, off-radar, gritty performance left a surprisingly positive vibe for a new generation of rock listeners. No Glastonbury moments needed, if you haven’t seen them yet, get ready. This band is going places, and at Glastonbury, they proved there already there.

Live review: Dea Matrona at Glastonbury festival | by Simon G. | Jun, 2025 | Medium