Biden, Obamas and former Vice President Mike Pence react; demonstrators gather in D.C.

The Glastonbury Festival has opened with a video message from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

In a pre-taped message, Mr Zelensky asked for support during the ongoing Russian invasion.

"We will not let Russia's war stop us," he told the crowd at The Other Stage before the Libertines began their set.

"That is why we turn to you for support. I ask you to share this video with everyone whose freedom is under attack."

A message from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy was just played on the big screens at The Other Stage, shortly before The Libertines’ stage-opening set. #Glastonbury2022 pic.twitter.com/LuXf2FfEBf

He asked festival-goes to "help Ukrainians who are forced to flee their homes" by putting "pressure on politicians" around the world.

"The more people who join us in defending freedom and the truth, the sooner Russia's war will end," he said.

Libertines singer and guitarist Pete Doherty later led the audience in a chant of Zelensky's name, over the riff to The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army.

"The Zelensky thing was quite surreal, I won't lie," said his bandmate Carl Barat after they came off stage. "It's a strange collision, but it made sense."

The Libertines attracted an audience of thousands to their mid-morning set, which ushered in Glastonbury's first full day of music. They launched straight into Up The Bracket, before reeling off tracks like Vertigo, The Ha Ha Wall and Gunga Din.

By the time they played Can't Stand Me Now and What Became of the Likely Lads, fans were crowdsurfing and letting off fireworks.

"That was pretty mind-blowing," said Barat. "I feel a little bit stage struck. It was great just to see all those people, and to be the first on as well.

"I first came here when I was one year old and I've been here ever since, through various rights of passage - jumping over the fence with a fiver in your boots, to coming with a band and playing the Pyramid Stage, so Glastonbury's always had a special place in my heart."

The Libertines were the first act to play one of the festival's main stages since 2019, following two years of Covid-related cancellations.

The virus is still having an effect this year, however, with The Chemical Brothers pulling out because Tom Rowlands is ill.

The dance duo's withdrawal on Friday came just three days after they were announced as late additions to DJ in the Arcadia area.

"We were so excited to be back in the fields and to celebrate the return of the festival," they said in a statement on Friday. "We were hoping that more days rest would allow Tom to recover from Covid this hasn't so far been the case."

Earlier this week, The Damned also pulled out of their headline slot on the Avalon Stage because of Covid.

Elsewhere, Blossoms were joined by Mel C during their set on Friday for a performance of Spice Up Your Life.

Other acts on the bill on Friday include Sam Fender, Phoebe Bridgers and main stage headliner Billie Eilish.

Rock group Wolf Alice made a last-minute dash to the festival after their flight from Los Angeles got cancelled on Wednesday night.

After appealing to fans for the loan of a private jet, they finally made it to London by catching a connecting flight from Seattle.

Several Ukrainian artists are expected to play the festival this year, including Kalush Orchestra, who won this year's Eurovision Song Contest in May.

Mel C says Spice Girls have discussed playing Glastonbury

The job centre DJ who keeps Glastonbury dancing

How Billie Eilish will make Glastonbury history

McCartney's Glastonbury warm-up gig instant sell-out

As audiences return to festivals, will they cope?

Billie Eilish will become the youngest ever Glastonbury solo headliner when she takes to the Pyramid Stage tonight

Festival returns to Worthy Farm with major UK and international artists

The festival returns with the youngest ever headliner.

Parents, caregivers and coaches should know the signs of heat-related illnesses, said Piedmont physician Dr. Siraj Abdullah. Here’s what to look out for.

Each week, we offer you a roundup of noteworthy coronavirus coverage.

Per usual, the internet has a lot of opinions about Brad Pitt's GQ cover. Pitt sat down with the magazine to promote his new film, "Bullet Train."

Burger King employee Kevin Ford went viral — and caught the attention of Saturday Night Live alum David Spade — with a TikTok about a paltry 27-year anniversary present

Kate Middleton has several body language tricks she uses at public events—including the Fig Pose and the "Adoring Gaze."

'Live With Kelly and Ryan' cohost Kelly Ripa posted a photo of her daughter Lola on Instagram to celebrate her 21st birthday. But there was something off about the cake.

"It's so weird I wake up and everything is new," Spears wrote on Instagram. "I think I'm in shock !!!"

Doop Snogg attended the conference wearing a fake moustache and shoes packed with paper to appear taller, The Guardian reported.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, a.k.a. Barbie and Ken, are together at last! The pair were photographed in Western costumes on the set of Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie.

Justin Timberlake apologized to his fans after a video of him awkwardly dancing at Washington D.C's Something in the Water music festival went viral.

Director Sophie Hyde and stars Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack talk new dramatic comedy, "Good Luck to You, Leo Grande."

The name tag of the rap legend's doppelgänger read "Doop Snogg."

Thor: Love and Thunder struck Hollywood on Thursday for the world premiere of the latest Marvel Studios film, and the first reactions are in. Official reviews do not hit until July 5, so this is the first glimpse of what audiences are saying. It’s worth noting that reactions from premieres generally lean more enthusiastic than […]

Following the release of official character posters, Marvel Studios releases the final trailer for...

They say everything is bigger in Texas, but the suburban Dallas home where Shaquille O’Neal has decided to plant his humongous size-23 feet is but one-sixth the size of the massive Florida mansion he sold last year. Records show the Lone Star state deal went down almost two months ago, but it’s only now come […]

Her summer style streak continues.

On an episode of "Hot Ones," Khloe Kardashian recounted a moment documented on "KUWTK" where she, Kendall, and Kylie wore prosthetic makeup in public.