S Poddar
Rod Stewart has been unveiled as the first confirmed performer for Glastonbury 2025, securing the iconic Sunday teatime “legends” slot on the Pyramid stage. The announcement has thrilled fans of the 79-year-old music legend, whose illustrious career spans over five decades.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the performance, Stewart shared, “I’m proud and ready,” adding with his trademark humor and confidence, “I’m more than able to pleasure and titillate” the Glastonbury crowd.
Stewart will be joining some of the festival’s oldest performers, but not the oldest when he performs at 79. Burt Bacharach played the Pyramid stage at 87 in 2015, and Paul McCartney headlined in 2022, a little bit after his 80th birthday. Still, Stewart’s unbelievable energy and all-time hits make his show likely to be one of the festival’s summits.
With a catalog of timeless classics, Stewart’s set is expected to draw massive crowds. His rise to fame began in 1971 with chart-toppers like Maggie May and Stay With Me, the latter as the lead singer of Faces. Over the years, he has delivered unforgettable hits such as Sailing, *Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? *, and The First Cut Is the Deepest.
His career has 11 UK No.1 albums and an astonishing 1,189 weeks on the charts.
Though Stewart cannot touch the singles chart as he once could, his albums are still very much in demand. His latest album, Swing Fever, released in February was a big band collection with Holland. That was his third UK No 1 album in the past five releases, proof that for him the classic appeal is far from fading. Next year, Stewart will tour extensively throughout Europe and North America until August. However, he recently announced that these will most probably be his final large-scale world tours. Despite this, he has no intention of disappearing into the background. “I have no desire to retire. I love what I do, and I do what I love,” he said. Wit tintin a, this was with a characteristic wry remark: “I’m fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 meters in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79.” Ahead, he spoke of plans for future projects: an American Songbook album, and a more subdued Swing Fever tour.
But, with a twinkle in his eye, he teased, “Then again, I may not”. Apart from music, classic sports cars is another passion, although Stewart has of late been vocal about the bad state of road conditions in Essex, where he stays. “Because of potholes on our roads, I may have to find new owners for them,” he said. In the past, he’s even had to take on repairing roads near his home, complaining that the poor conditions are damaging vehicles and even hazards for emergency services. “People are bashing their cars up. The other day, there was an ambulance with a burst tire.
“My Ferrari can’t go through here at all,” he said.
The Glastonbury legends slot has become a much-loved tradition, hosting legendary acts. Among those who have appeared since the pandemic includes Shania Twain, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, and Diana Ross. Earlier stars Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, and Paul Simon have all featured; Stewart is the latest addition to the list. As rumors go around with the headliner acts for the festival, names like Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Olivia Rodrigo, Sam Fender, and The 1975 are some of the names being bantered around. For now, though, everyone’s looking at Rod Stewart, whose charisma, legendary hits, and limitless energy promise an unforgettable performance in 2025.
