Glastonbury fans have been sharing their thoughts on Rod Stewart being announced for next year’s Legend Slot – check out a range of reactions below.
This morning (November 26), organisers revealed that Stewart will perform on the Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm on Sunday June 29. He is currently the only confirmed act for Glasto 2025.
- READ MORE: Who could headline Glastonbury 2025? The top runners and riders so far
Stewart previously headlined Glastonbury back in 2002, alongside Coldplay and Stereophonics.
In a statement, the singer-songwriter said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be returning to the festival. “After all these years, I’m proud and ready and more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury in June. I’ll see you there!” he added.
Co-organiser Emily Eavis wrote: “Bringing Sir Rod Stewart back for the Sunday afternoon slot on the Pyramid stage is everything we could wish for. What a way to bow out with the final legends slot before we take a fallow year. We cannot wait!”
Stewart follows the likes of Shania Twain, Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Diana Ross, Kylie Minogue, Dolly Parton and Barry Gibb in taking on the prestigious Legend Slot – which is often one of Glastonbury’s most popular sets of the weekend. However, it was reported earlier this year that Cher was “in talks” for the Sunday teatime performance. The ‘Believe’ singer said in late 2023 that she would “like to” play at the festival one day.
Following the confirmation of Stewart for 2025, fans have been sharing their opinions on the booking via social media.
“He was [a] great headliner in 2002 can’t wait to see him again,” one person wrote on X/Twitter. Another said: “Great choice. A proper legend on the legends slot. Perfect.”
Elsewhere, a user commented: “Sunday afternoon, sun shining and a couple of beers listening to the songs your dad played in the car…….what’s not to like!” Someone else posted: “Cannot wait.”
He was great headliner in 2002 can’t wait to see him again .. 🤞🏻 for @Eminem
— ducksmuggler (@ducksmuggler) November 26, 2024
Great choice. A proper legend on the legends slot. Perfect
— Richard Powell (@RichardPow91035) November 26, 2024
Sundays afternoon, sun shining and a couple of beers listening to the songs your dad played in the car…….what’s not to like!
— Ross Webster (@Rossco810106) November 26, 2024
Cannot wait 🙏
— Freedom is a human condition (@SeachefX) November 26, 2024
Others, however, weren’t too impressed – with some criticising Stewart’s current vocal abilities. “His voice is long gone,” one wrote, as another predicted: “We might be about to see [the worst] legend performance since Diane Ross.”
A third person asked whether the singer would be “in tune” while someone else claimed that he “can’t sing” anymore.
His voice is long gone
— Heather Baxter (@missinver) November 26, 2024
We might be about to see worse legend performance since Diane Ross 😂😂
— Mairtín (@Martin_BELFast) November 26, 2024
Will it be in tune
— cosman jakantas (@Langkangdontlik) November 26, 2024
Noooooooo he cant sing hes terrible
— 6969 (@SteveCa89669790) November 26, 2024
Meanwhile, unofficial Glastonbury account The Glasto Thingy noted that Stewart “is the first solo artist to have headlined and return as Legend”. The post added: “Ray Davies has done it but headlined with The Kinks.”
Responding to the page, someone wrote: “Well excited about this!!”
Over on Facebook, some fans made suggestions of who they would rather see in the Legend Slot in 2025. “Not for me, but it doesn’t matter. Plenty of other stages,” Simon Davies commented. “I was hoping for maybe Sting or Robbie Williams as they’re both touring.” (Willams previously expressed his desire to play the slot, saying he’d “slaughter it”).
There has also been discussion about Cher’s absence, given the previous reports about her potential Legend Slot.
Other users named the likes of Tom Jones, Simple Minds and Jeff Lynne’s ELO as their picks for the Sunday teatime performance. The latter group took on the slot in 2016, and are due to play a series of farewell gigs next summer.
Additionally, Glasto fans on Facebook called Stewart’s booking “amazing”, “decent” and “exciting”. Someone even suggested that some of the star’s friends from the Faces could join him on the Pyramid Stage.
This is the 3rd earliest Leend announcement, twice beaten by Diana Ross for the 2020 festival (10 Oct), then for 2022 9 Nov).
Rod is the first solo artist to have headlined and return as Legend, Ray Davies has done it but headlined with The Kinks.#Glastonbury https://t.co/A8HRKjGUjs
— The Glasto Thingy (@TheGlastoThingy) November 26, 2024
Well excited about this!!
— Seb Bailey (@sebbbailey_) November 26, 2024
Commenting on NME‘s post about the announcement on Instagram, a follower said: “Amazing! I wish I could be there.” Another asked: “Is that really the best they can do?”
A third Glasto fan wrote that this was “one more reason not to go” to Glastonbury, before someone explained that there would be many “other stages and things going on while [Stewart is] playing”.
On Glastonbury’s official Instagram, one follower posted: “He’s no Cat Stevens but great for those who want a singalong.” Someone else hailed Stewart as an “icon”, with another writing: “There’s no one like Rod Stewart.”
Another said: “Rodders! I was there in 2002, phoned my mum who lived up the road (from Pilton) and sang along to her. Happy days. He is indeed a legend.” A second user recalled Stewart’s “fantastic” headline set too.
Other online reactions included “epic”, “meh” and “absolutely terrible”.
Earlier this month, Stewart told fans that he would be done with “large-scale world tours” when his current run of dates was complete. However, he said he had “no desire to retire” fully from music.
The legendary artist released a joint album with Jools Holland called ‘Swing Fever’ this year. Stewart had previously opened up about his plans to switch genres and “leave all the rock ‘n’ roll stuff behind”.
The first batch of general admission tickets for Glastonbury Festival 2025 sold out in just 35 minutes on November 15 following a sale of coach/ticket packages. This year, organisers introduced a new online queuing system to purchase tickets – which divided customers.
A resale of any returned tickets will take place in the spring.
The first line-up poster for Glastonbury is usually unveiled in early March. Current headliner rumours include Sam Fender, Green Day, Olivia Rodrigo and Lady Gaga. There has been speculation around a potential set from Alanis Morrisette too.
It has been confirmed that Glastonbury Festival will take a fallow year in 2026 to “give the land a rest”.
