Glastonbury 2023 – latest: Elton John says thank-you to festival audience after farewell UK performance
Rocket Man bids farewell as he played what could be his final live show in the UK, with a jaw-dropping, career-spanning set of his greatest songs
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Your support makes all the difference.Elton John performed what will go down as one of the greatest headline shows in Glastonbury history last night (Sunday 25 June), to one of the biggest crowds the festival has seen in years.
Lil Nas X was the final artist to take to the main stage before the 76-year-old at Worthy Farm, Somerset, after a joyful Yusuf/Cat Stevens entertained fans with songs including “Wild World” and “Father and Son”.
The revered folk singer-songwriter performed with his band in the coveted Legends Slot, a gig previously handed to artists including Lionel Richie, Kylie Minogue and Dolly Parton. He also gave superfan/comedian Ricky Gervais a shout-out on his birthday, before playing his song “Tea for the Tillerman”.
At 9pm, John launched his performance with some of his best-known songs, including his 1975 cover of “Pinball Wizard” and “Benny and the Jets”. From the moment he sat down at the piano, the show was a pure blast of euphoria from one of the world’s greatest living entertainers, with surprise guests including The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers, and Gabriels singer Jacob Lusk.
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Maisie Peters got her witch’s broom back!
Maisie Peters has revealed a fan returned a witch’s broom from another performance to her at Glastonbury.
The 23-year-old singer-songwriter made her debut on the Pyramid Stage at Worth Farm, Somerset on Friday.
Her performance coincides with the release of her second album The Good Witch today.
When asked about being handed a broom on stage by the BBC, Peters said: “I did a gig earlier this week in Kingston (at Pryzm) and I asked everyone: ‘If anyone is going to Glastonbury’.
“And when a girl (came) and said: ‘She is’, I gave her a broom.
“And (I said) ‘Try and get this back to me. Just try’. And she did.. What a legend.”
Press Association
Show me a more euphoric set closer than ‘Cut to the Feeling'
I challenge you to find a more euphoric set closer than Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Cut to the Feeling”, with the pop star also getting the biggest singalong of the festival so far (unsurprisingly) with her 2012 mega hit “Call Me Maybe”.
Heat health warning issued in parts of the UK as temperatures set to hit 32 degrees
Another heat health warning has been issued for parts of the UK heading into the weekend as temperatures are expected to soar to 32C.
The UK Health and Safety Agency and the Met Office have put the warning in place from 9am on Friday to 9am on Monday, covering most of England.
The warning covers the South East, South West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.
Full details:
Heat health warning issued for parts of the UK on Glastonbury weekend
Rain is also forecast to sweep in over some areas of the UK, while other regions will experience soaring temperatures
Who is Louise Verneuil, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner’s girlfriend?
Arctic Monkeys are due to perform at Glastonbury tonight (Friday 23 June), with frontman Alex Turner recovered enough from his bout of laryngitis to hit the Pyramid Stage.
Fans rejoiced over clues that the band would go ahead with the show, despite the musicians cancelling a show in Dublin earlier this week due to Turner’s condition.
One of the clues came from Louise Verneuil, who is dating Turner. She posted a cryptic Instagram Story showing herself travelling in a car in a white tank top and layered gold necklaces, and wrote: “Go Glasto.”
Here’s what we know about the French musician:
Who is Louise Verneuil, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner’s girlfriend?
The French singer shared a clue that the band will go ahead with their Glastonbury performance
Spotted: Spencer Matthews being told to join the right queue
Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews didn’t look too happy at being asked to join the concessions queue, according to our on-site sources.
He’s previously admitted to trying to skip queues at the airport, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what he was up to here.
Sorry Spence, no greasing palms this time!
Carly Rae Jepsen is giving us the pop euphoria we need on the Other Stage
Carly Rae Jepsen, most stans will agree, is frequently overlooked as one of the best pop acts around. Yet you wouldn’t think that to see the rammed fields at the Other Stage, where she’s sashaying and shimmying her way through some of her biggest and brightest hits. Go on Carly!
Mapped: Inside the Glastonbury 2023 site
Here’s your full guide of the Glastonbury 2023 site
My favourite flag of Glastonbury 2023 so far?
This absolute belter, spotted by our very own Jacob Stolworthy:
Spotted: Dave Grohl backstage on the Pyramid Stage!
Adding more fuel to rumours that mystery band The Churnups are, in fact, US rock act the Foo Fighters, is this sighting of frontman Dave Grohl hanging out on the Pyramid Stage today.
You can see the Arctic Monkeys’ giant mirrorball behind him. Surely this is the last bit of proof we need that the Foos are the Churnups?! They’re due to perform just before Royal Blood, at 6.15pm.
LA duo Fleetmac Wood is the closest you’ll get to hearing Fleetwood Mac at Glastonbury
Stonebridge Bar, the dancey pearl of the Park, is one in one out for killer LA duo Fleetmac Wood, the finest purveyors of Fleetwood Mac remixes. This might still be the closest chance everyone will get to hearing them at Glasto with their celebrated lineup. And a rave version of “The Chain” to boot.