Miley Cyrus has always been more talented than people give her credit for. Frequently written off either as a manufactured former-tween Disney star or as a twerk-obsessed provocateur, she tends to get short shrift, her charisma, voice and propensity for experimentation too often overlooked.

But at her best – and, admittedly, she strays from this not infrequently – the 26-year-old is something quite special. She is, in the words of Mark Ronson in a recent Independent interview, “part Dolly Parton, part Joan Jett”. She brings both of those influences to today’s Glastonbury set – a playful, inflammatory, self-assured performance.

After arriving on stage flanked by footage of her seductively eating, sucking and licking fruit – the sound’s turned up to 11, a misophonia-sufferer’s nightmare – she points at someone in the crowd and yells, “Nice titties!” Dressed in a thin blue crop top, leather trousers and a Gucci belt that reads Glastonbury in gold lettering, she seems quite enamoured with her own, too – more than once, she flashes the handheld camcorder following her around the stage.

Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Show all 83 1 /83 Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A woman dances with LED hula hoops on the second day of Glastonbury Festival PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Babymetal perform on The Other Stage on day five of Glastonbury Festival Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival goers warm up prior to the gates opening at 8am on the first day of Glastonbury 2019 Adam Gray / SWNS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival-goer Penelope Gwen dances with LED hula hoops on the second day of Glastonbury Festival PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Performers engage with festival goers during Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Revellers watch as Liam Gallagher performs on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A reveller dressed as the television character Ali G poses for a photograph during the Glastonbury Festival AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Actor and musician Jeff Goldblum performs with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra on the final day of Glastonbury Festival Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 The Langa Methodist Church Choir performs on the Pyramid Stage during Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Olly Alexander of Years & Years performs on the Pyramid Stage during day five of the Glastonbury Festival Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Performers engage with festival goers during Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Laurie Vincent of Slaves performing on the fifth day of the Glastonbury Festival PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 The crowd reacts as US singer Mavis Staples performs on the Pyramid Stage on day five of the Glastonbury Festival EPA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A revellers dressed as a spaceman walks throught the site at the Glastonbury Festival AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Revellers walk through a campsite at sunset during Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 American band The Killers perform the Saturday headline slot at Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 American band The Killers perform the Saturday headline slot at Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Liam Gallagher performs on the Pyramid stage on day four of Glastonbury Festival Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Janet Jackson performs on the Pyramid Stage on day four of Glastonbury Festival Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Maggie Rogers performs on the Other Stage during Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Fantastic Negrito performs on the Other Stage during day four of Glastonbury Festival Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A reveller drinks water as she attends the Glastonbury Festival AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 14 year old festival-goer Flower Sykes from Cornwall tips a hat filled with water over her head to cool down, during day four of Glastonbury Festival Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A festival goer sits under a rainbow coloured umbrella during Glastonbury Festival REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Revellers wait to watch The Proclaimers perform at the Glastonbury Festival AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A festival-goer holding a sun parasol poses on day four of Glastonbury Festival Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival-goers wearing bikinis pour buckets of water over each other during day four of Glastonbury Festival Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival goers enjoy the hot weather during Glastonbury Festival Reuters Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Revellers enjoy the bonfire and fireworks in the Sacred Space at the end of the first day of Glastonbury Festival Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A man wears an LED face mask on the second day of Glastonbury Festival PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival goer Jo stands among a tree feature as she arrives on the first day of Glastonbury 2019 Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A festival goer drinks from a beer bong prior to the gates opening at 8am on the first day of Glastonbury 2019 Tom Wren / SWNS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A man in a pig onesie receives his wristband for the weekend as the gates open at Glastonbury 2019 Adam Gray / SWNS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A collaboration billboard between Led By Donkeys and Cold War Steve is unveiled at the top of the park on the first day of Glastonbury 2019 PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A man carts a wheelbarrow full of provisions for the weekend as he arrives at Glastonbury 2019 PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival founder Michael Eavis takes a selfie with a festival goer as he greets arrivals to Glastonbury 2019 Reuters Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A woman dances with LED hula hoops on the second day of Glastonbury Festival PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Tents at the campsite on the second day of Glastonbury Festival PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A man arrives armed with his ReadyBed on the first day of Glastonbury 2019 PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival goer Glammy Glitter wears her bejewelled Glastonbury hat as she arrives at the festival Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Arrivals cart their provisions for the weekend to their campsites on the first day of the festival Tom Wren / SWNS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A festival goer poses during Glastonbury Festival at Worthy farm in Somerset, Britain June 27, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 27: A festival goer enjoys the atmosphere during day two of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 27, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) Ian Gavan Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival-goers enjoy the fine weather on the third day of the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England, on June 28, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images OLI SCARFF AFP Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival goers enjoying the sun Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday June 27, 2019. See PA story SHOWBIZ Glastonbury. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 England fans watch on at Glastonbury Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 PABest An aerial view of tents at the camping site on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday June 27, 2019. See PA story SHOWBIZ Glastonbury. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire Aaron Chown PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Sarah Adey and Jack Watney marry at Glastonbury on Thursday 27 June 2019 SWNS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival goers eat ice-cream during the Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, Britain, 27 June 2019. EPA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Revellers attend the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England, on June 26, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Festival-goers enjoy the evening light during day one of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. Glastonbury is the largest greenfield festival in the world, and is attended by around 175,000 people. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A reveller attends the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England, on June 26, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: A festival goer enjoys the evening atmosphere during day one of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. The festival, founded by farmer Michael Eavis in 1970, is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. Tickets for the festival sold out in just 36 minutes as it returns following a fallow year. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A reveller has a beard filled with glitter at the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England, on June 26, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A reveller arrives for Glastonbury Festival at Worthy farm in Somerset, Britain June 26, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Festival-goer Jo" is seen as the gates are opened during day one of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. The festival, founded by farmer Michael Eavis in 1970, is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. Tickets for the festival sold out in just 36 minutes as it returns following a fallow year. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Leon Neal Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A festival goer poses for phototographs at the start of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Wednesday, June 26, 2019. (Photo by Grant Pollard/Invision/AP) Grant Pollard Grant Pollard/Invision/AP Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Two performers on stilts interact with revellers at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy farm in Somerset, Britain June 26, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Two revellers react in the Park area at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy farm in Somerset, Britain June 26, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Festival goers enjoy the atmosphere during day one of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Leon Neal Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival goers on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 26, 2019. See PA story SHOWBIZ Glastonbury. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire Yui Mok PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 epa07675274 Festival-goers arrive on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, 26 June 2019. The festival runs from 26 to 30 June. 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REUTERS/Henry Nicholls HENRY NICHOLLS REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A reveller stands proudly so people can admire his colourful headgear Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 An overview of the scenes at Worthy Farm on Thursday 27 June, 2019 Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Sheryl Crow serenades the crowds on a sun-soaked day at Worthy Farm on day three of Glastonbury Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 George Ezra performs PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Bastille frontman Dan Smith performs on the Pyramid Stage Grant Pollard/Invision/AP Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Festival-goers watch Bastille perform at Glastonbury 2019 REUTERS Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Bastille frontman Dan Smith performs on the Pyramid Stage Dave J Hogan/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A festival-goer takes a drink in the West Holts area AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Crowds gather to watch Stormzy perform on the Pyramid Stage Dave J Hogan/Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Fireworks illuminate the Pyramid stage as Stormzy performs during day three of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 28, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) Dave J Hogan Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Stormzy performs at the Pyramid Stage during day three of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 28, 2019 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage) Joseph Okpako WireImage Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Stormzy performs in the headline slot on the Pyramid Stage on day three of Glastonbury Getty Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Arcadia unveil their new stage design 'Pangea' during day three of Glastonbury Getty Images Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 Arcadia's new stage design, Pangea, at Glastonbury Festival 2019 PA Best pictures from Glastonbury 2019 A festival-goer carries an illuminated umbrella through the Arcadia area AFP/Getty Images

“Nothing Breaks Like a Heart”, her brilliant Mark Ronson collaboration, leads into a cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black”. Ronson joins her onstage, as he did King Princess earlier in the weekend, but his appearance is low-key. Cyrus is the star. And she knows it.

For “Mother’s Daughter”, from her forthcoming album She is Miley Cyrus – a song that straddles a line between her pop-heavy Bangerz sound and the country-leaning one of her 2017 album Younger Now – the singer grabs her crotch and writhes up and down the mic stand. Later, she does the splits and bounces in that position, then does a shoulder stand, legs spread. A faithful cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”, which showcases Cyrus’s low, raspy voice, is an altogether gentler affair.

After a scuzzier rendition of cheesy 2009 single "Party in the USA", rapper Lil Nas X, wearing a Miley Cyrus T-shirt, and the singer's father, Billy Rae Cyrus, turn up to perform their unexpected collaborative single "Old Town Road". For once, Cyrus takes a backseat. A brief intermission follows, before she returns in a purple wig and performs “On a Roll”, the fictitious, so-bad-it’s-good single from her Black Mirror alter-ego Ashley O, which has racked up nearly 9 million YouTube views. It goes down a storm.