Scissor Sisters were joined by Sir Ian McKellen at Glastonbury 2025, with footage showing the actor overcome with emotion at the crowd’s warm reaction.
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The New York band were playing The Woodsies stage yesterday (June 28) as part of the reunion tour that has seen them performing their first live shows for 13 years. The special-guest-laden set saw them bring out several surprises.
Kicking things off with fan-favourites like ‘Laura’ and She’s My Man’, they were joined by Jessie Ware for ‘Take Your Mama’, and powered through a Pink Floyd cover before McKellen recreated his monologue from their 2010 single ‘Invisible Light’.
Clips shared after the show show the Lord of the Rings star standing in the wings while fans, to the tune of The White Stripes‘ ‘Seven Nation Army’, chanted “Oh, Ian McKellen”, and he can be seen clasping his face in shock at their enthusiastic response.
Sir Ian McKellen chant at Glastonbury 😭💜 pic.twitter.com/8QbQMnSrsj
— Principe 🫅🏾 (@Pri_Letterman) June 29, 2025
Scissor Sisters at Glastonbury 2025 played:
‘Laura’
‘Better Luck’
‘She’s My Man’
‘Tits on the Radio’
‘I Can’t Decide’
‘Take Your Mama’ (with Jessie Ware)
‘Running Out’
‘Any Which Way’
‘Comfortably Numb’ (Pink Floyd cover)
‘Invisible Light’ (with Ian McKellen)
‘Let’s Have a Kiki’
‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’
‘Mary’
‘Filthy/Gorgeous’ (with Beth Ditto)
‘Music Is the Victim’ (with Jessie Ware)
It’s not the first time he’s made an appearance with the band. Back in May, he joined them once again for a live performance of his spoken-word monologue from the 2010′ ‘Night Work’ track.
NME spoke to Jake Shears about the tour last year, where they hinted that special guests would be included at shows. “Oh, there are loads of people that I think it would be really fun to come out and sing with us – this tour is a party for everybody,” Shears said.
“Obviously we really want to have the right people on stage,” guitarist Babydaddy added. “But we have the opportunity there, and as we get the show together, I’m sure there’s gonna be some fun surprises.”
As for Glastonbury, Friday night saw The 1975 headline the Pyramid Stage, earning a four-star review from NME, which read: “With their one show of the year, “The 1975 from the Internet” clear the decks on their career so far to deliver a reminder of their chops for tunes and showmanship away from the headlines.”
Neil Young delivered his headline performance yesterday (June 28), which NME said was “a headline set that proves that sometimes, there’s still power to be found in an old-school approach,” in a four-star review.
The final day of the festival, today will see sets from Olivia Rodrigo, The Prodigy, Turnstile, Rod Stewart and many more. Check out the full line-up and schedule here.
Check back at NME here for the latest news, reviews, interviews, photos and more from Glastonbury 2025.
