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Finding out I'm playing Glastonbury was so surreal

Eleri Griffiths
BBC News
BBC Close up of Nancy smiling looking at the camera. She is sat down. Behind her are plants and red plastic chairs, and behind that is the grey stone exterior of the Clwb Crown music venue. Nancy has long dark brown hair and is wearing an asymmetric brown off the shoulder top. BBC
Nancy Williams from Merthyr Tydfil is set to play on the Croissant Neuf Big Top stage on Friday

A teenager from Merthyr Tydfil says it is "so surreal" to be trading gigging at local pubs for singing at one of the world's biggest music festivals.

Nancy Williams is heading to Glastonbury this week, where she will play on the Croissant Neuf Big Top stage on 27 June.

The 19-year-old said it was "such a dream" to have a slot on the same stage where Ed Sheeran made his debut at the festival in 2011.

Welsh DJ Huw Stephens said it was a "huge deal" that Nancy had secured an opportunity known to boost young artists' careers.

Nancy's debut single I Don't Wanna Grow Up went viral three years ago, catching the attention of Merthyr-born producer Jonny Owen who helped connect her with a record label.

Since then, she has released three more folk-inspired "sad girl music" songs and hopes to follow in the footsteps of artists like American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams.

Nancy, who is now studying performing arts in London, began writing songs when she was nine years old.

She said she loved reading and watching films which inspired her lyric-writing.

"I've always sung in the shower," she said.

"But I think writing songs made me realise that I did really want to be a singer."

After discovering her love of song writing, Nancy taught herself to play the ukulele and then the guitar.

"I'm not amazing at it, but I can do a few chords.

"I think that's what I really love about my music, that it's so authentic and in your ears.

"It's real."

Nancy and Harry performing on stage. They both have guitars and are singing into the mic stands. Behind them on a big screen is a Gorwelion Horizons poster. Nancy, on the right is wearing blue jeans, a brown off-the-shoulder top and white trainers. Harry, on the left, is wearing grey trousers, a white shirt, tie and jacket. There are various instruments and wires around them on the stage.
To prepare for the festival, Nancy had a gig with her backing singer Harry at the Clwb Crown in Merthyr Tydfil

Nancy said she was 14 when she first began to seriously believe she could pursue music as a career.

She posted videos of her singing on social media which were spotted by film producer and actor Jonny Owen - a close friend of her dad - who decided to help.

"He really liked my music," she said.

"It's honestly thanks to him that I'm here now, and I've got such a lovely team behind me too."

Nancy Williams Selfie of Nancy, Jonny and her dad. All three are smiling at the camera. Nancy is in the middle and has dark brown long hair. Jonny is on the left and is wearing a cap, white t-shirt and black jacket. Her dad, who has light hair and beard, is wearing a grey jumper. Nancy Williams
Nancy's dad's close friend - film producer and actor Jonny Owen - helped launch her career by connecting her with a music label

Connecting with a music label gave Nancy access to a studio and she released her debut single in October 2024.

Within two weeks, it had racked up 20,000 plays on Spotify.

"It was the first song that made me think, I can actually do this," she said.

"Publishing it and putting it out there was scary.

"But it did really well and I'm so grateful for that because that's why I'm here now."

She has now released four tracks, including Ocean, Home, and Tattooed.

"Every time I listen to them on my playlist I'm like wow, that's so insane that I did that."

Nancy Williams Nancy with her friend sitting on a blanket on a sandy beach at sunset. Nancy on the right is using her phone. She is looking at the camera smiling. Nancy is wearing a grey joggers and a light blue long sleeve shirt. Her friend on the left is reading a book. A large fluffy blanket is wrapped around her. They both have long dark hair.Nancy Williams
Nancy says all her friends and family back in Wales are "so supportive" of her music career

Nancy found out she would be playing Glastonbury in December - via a text message while she was at a local pub with friends.

"It was so surreal," she said.

"It didn't hit me for ages and honestly, it still hasn't.

"I can't believe I get to do this, it's such a dream.

"I feel really lucky, because not many people like me get these chances."

She said her friends and family at home in Wales were "so supportive", adding: "No-one is jealous or envious.

"So it was really nice to celebrate with everyone as well."

She said it was "insane" that she was following in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran.

"I look at him now and I think that could be me, I could be there," she said.

"That's what's motivating me to keep going."

To prepare for the festival, Nancy has been rehearsing with her backing singer Harry.

"We're experimenting with different songs and sounds to figure out what works best for my voice," she said.

Getty Images Close up of Huw smiling looking at the camera. Behind him is a white background with a Hyundai logo. He is wearing a multicoloured flower patterned shirt.Getty Images
Welsh DJ Huw Stephens said landing a Glastonbury spot was a "huge deal" that can boost young artists' careers

Welsh radio and television presenter Huw Stephens said opportunities like Glastonbury were important for the development of emerging artists.

He added Nancy was "fantastic" and he had always enjoyed playing her music on his shows.

"You can tell instantly that her songs are real," he said.

Stephens, who has attended Glastonbury every year since his first in 2000, said securing a Glastonbury slot "cements the year" for the young musician.

"She's had the hard work that she's put in and the talent that she's got and it'll get her more attention just by being on the line up."

Nancy Williams Nancy and her brother sat on purple deck chairs at a festival. Nancy is on the right and is smiling looking at her brother who is sat next to her. Nancy is wearing blue jeans, white Converse, a beige long jacket and a black top and has long dark hair. Her brother, who also has dark hair, is wearing blue jeans, a grey jumper, black sunglasses and is holding a paper cup. Behind them are lots of other people sat in groups on benches or on the grass below. Nancy Williams
Nancy says her brothers are "really supportive" and they motivate her to keep going

Nancy said her family were "so proud" of her, especially her dad, who has attended all of her gigs.

"My brothers are really supportive too," she added.

"They're the ones who keep me going and motivate me to keep doing this.

"I'm really grateful for them."

After the festival, she hopes to stay in London, write more songs, and perform across the country.

"I'm excited to see where it can go.

"It's not just a dream - you can make it real if you put in the effort and work hard."