S Poddar
Hollywood star Russell Crowe wowed audiences at Glastonbury with his deep, robust voice, performing on the Acoustic Stage. Despite being known more for his acting than his music, Crowe proved he has a talent for singing too. His performance included a series of self-written songs, drawing inspiration from personal experiences like lost love and the death of his father.
This year, Glastonbury’s cinema tent featured appearances by A-listers such as Paul Mescal, Tilda Swinton, Florence Pugh, Simon Pegg, and Cate Blanchett. Yet, Crowe distinguished himself as more than just another celebrity at the festival—he was a genuine performer.
Backed by his band, Indoor Garden Party, Crowe’s music blended blues-rock, country-rock, rock’n’roll, and singer-songwriter styles. While his band was competent, Crowe’s voice was the real highlight. It’s famously deep and rich, though occasionally overshadowed by the band’s booming mid-range. However, when paired with a simple piano ballad, his voice truly shone.
Between songs, Crowe entertained the crowd with stories that were part best man speech, part sermon. One standout tale involved a woman choosing to visit Southampton alone instead of going to Paris with him. Crowe’s incredulous reaction, delivered with perfect comedic timing, had the audience in stitches.
He also shared a touching story about visiting the Sistine Chapel with his grieving mother, getting a rare private viewing. The chapel’s custodian called him “the eighth king of Rome,” a testament to his status, yet Crowe’s retelling was humble and relatable.
Crowe’s anecdotes continued with a story about his home’s “sparkly room,” where he keeps his award statues. A letter from Johnny Cash, praising Crowe’s work, inspired a song that paid homage to Cash’s style. Crowe’s performance captured Cash’s dry, droll vocal melodies, showing another layer of his musical ability.
Russell Crowe may not be the world’s greatest songwriter, but he is a decent singer with a magnetic stage presence. His combination of Hollywood charisma and down-to-earth storytelling made his set at Glastonbury truly memorable.
