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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Elton John review, Glastonbury 2023: The glitziest, most high-energy retirement party the world has ever seen
Guns N’ Roses review, Glastonbury 2023: Frontrunners for the worst Glasto headline set of all time
ICYMI: Yikes – Guns N’ Roses’s headline set on the Pyramid Stage didn’t go down well with some audiences, including The Independent’s reviewer Mark Beaumont.
Axl Rose’s voice was a particular point of harsh criticism, as Beaumont said the rocker’s verbal enunciation sounded “as if chronically constipated”.
He added: “He flips between a lower register that resembles a clogged lawnmower and a higher one that sounds like Barry Gibb suffering the mother of all wedgies.”
Review in full here:
Guns N’ Roses are frontrunners for the worst Glasto headliners of all time - review
Axl Rose flips between a lower register that resembles a clogged lawnmower and a higher one that sounds like Barry Gibb suffering the mother of all wedgies
Lana Del Rey review, Glastonbury 2023: A promising performance with a devastating end
Oh, Lana. The California-based vocalist’s set started well... but ended with her mic being cut off mid-run, due to her running out of time.
Sadly, what began with promise wound up a disappointment – here’s Ben Bryant’s take in full:
Lana Del Rey’s Glasto set was a promising performance with a devastating end - review
What would have been a triumphant, career-spanning set for the US artist is cut all too short
A dedication to Elton
You know you’ve done something right when you get an All On The Board tribute – and today, that honour goes to Elton John.
The Twitter account, which shares pictures of heartfelt messages written on noticeboards at London tube stations, posted a special message in recognition of John’s set at Glastonbury last night – his farewell UK performance.
Check it out below:
Watch: Elton John superfans queue up at 4am to get front row for his Glastonbury set
People wasted no time in securing their spot for Elton John’s headline set last night – some even started queuing at 4am – a good 17 hours ahead of time!
Lil Nas X review, Glastonbury 2023: Grammy-winner injects some needed oomph into a mostly sedate weekend
The “Old Town Road” star took the Pyramid Stage by storm on Sunday as the penultimate performer of the evening.
According to our reviewer Ben Bryant, Lil Nas X more than lived up to his reputation for an exciting and inventive show.
Here’s his four-star review in full:
Lil Nas X injects some needed oomph into a pretty sedate Glastonbury weekend – review
Lil Nas X lives up to his reputation for putting on exciting and inventive shows
Watch: Rina Sawayama sings ‘Don't Go Breaking My Heart’ with Elton John
The Rocket Man has long been a supporter of Rina Sawayama, so it didn’t come as a massive surprise when he invited her to join him on stage for this fabulous cover of his 1976 hit, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”.
Glastonbury 2023 – the highlight reel
From Lana’s lateness to the glitz and glamour of Elton John’s on-stage retirement party, Glastonbury 2023 was one to remember.
Here’s a rundown of the highlights from this year’s fun at Worthy Farm:
Glastonbury highlights: Elton John’s last UK show to Lana Del Rey booed off stage
This year’s Glastonbury Festival has come to a close after the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses and Elton John descended upon the Pyramid Stage. Surprises were in store for hundreds of thousands of campers on Worthy Farm, with Dave Grohl and Johnny Marr joining the Pretenders on the Park Stage and Rick Astley became a fan favourite as he made his Glastonbury debut by showing off his drumming skills. Lana Del Rey’s late-running set ended with an acapella version of “Video Games” as the power was cut at midnight as she headlined the Other Stage. Elsewhere, Lewis Capaldi shared an emotional moment with fans when they took over singing as he suffered vocal issues.
Glastonbury clean-up begins as thousands leave Worthy Farm
Every year, hundreds of volunteers participate in a post-Glastonbury clean-up drive dedicated to ensuring that the working farm in Somerset is completely free of litter and debris left behind by campers.
Now that the festival’s officially over, the clean-up has begun.
Peony Hirwani has more:
Glastonbury clean-up begins as thousands leave Worthy Farm
Hundreds of volunteers are working hard to clear the festival site of debris left behind by campers
Sophie Ellis-Bextor review, Glastonbury 2023: Pop singer dispenses disco bangers and sequinned vibes
There was no shortage of sequin fabulosity when Sophie Ellis-Bextor performed on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday afternoon.
In his review, Adam White said she embodied the spirit of your favourite primary school teacher who just happens to moonlight as a pop star – pretty darn delightful.
Here’s his take in full:
Sophie Ellis-Bextor dispenses disco bangers and irresistible sequinned vibes – review
The British singer delivers a buoyant, sequin-covered set on the festival’s Pyramid Stage