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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

Elton John steps out onto Pyramid stage at Glastonbury 2023

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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

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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Glastonbury big clean-up underway as thousands pick up trash at Worthy Farm

And after the party’s over... comes the clean-up.

Glastonbury big clean-up underway as thousands pick up trash at Worthy Farm
Nicole Vassell26 June 2023 09:30
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Blondie review, Glastonbury 2023: Debbie Harry whips the crowd into a frenzy with this best-of set

Debbie Harry whips the crowd into a frenzy with this best-of-Blondie set – review

The Glastonbury crowd is happy to lend a huge helping hand on the rare occasion Harry’s voice falters

Peony Hirwani26 June 2023 09:00
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Rick Astley brands Glastonbury crowd the ‘loveliest’ ever

ICYMI: Rick Astley has called Glastonbury revellers the “loveliest crowd” he has ever played in front of, but joked even his debut performance at the festival could not make him “cool”.

Read more:

Rick Astley brands Glastonbury crowd the ‘loveliest’ ever

The singer joked his debut appearance at the music festival had not yet made him ‘cool’.

Peony Hirwani26 June 2023 08:30
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Elton John review, Glastonbury 2023: The glitziest, most high-energy retirement party the world has ever seen

People were ready for a spectacle and the Rocket Man delivered.

Kate Hutchinson writes.

At Glastonbury, Elton John throws the world’s greatest retirement party – review

People were ready for a spectacle and the Rocket Man delivered

Peony Hirwani26 June 2023 08:00
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All the best fashion at Glastonbury 2023

Glastonbury 2023: All the best fashion at the biggest UK festival of the year

Revellers descend on worthy farm in feathers and leathers

Peony Hirwani26 June 2023 07:30
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How to get tickets for Glastonbury 2024

If you missed out on Glastonbury tickets this year, here’s how you can be in with a chance of securing them in 2024.

How to get tickets for Glastonbury 2024

Glastonbury 2024 tickets and registration

Peony Hirwani26 June 2023 07:00
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Glastonbury viewers stunned at ‘insane’ crowd size for Elton John’s Pyramid Stage concert

Viewers at home have been left in awe of the size of the crowd who gathered to watch Elton John’s headline performance at Glastonbury.

Read more:

Glastonbury viewers stunned at ‘insane’ crowd size for Elton John concert

Paul McCartney attracted over 100,000 for his headline set last year, while the Rolling Stones drew a similar-sized crowd

Peony Hirwani26 June 2023 06:30
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ICYMI

A man in his 40s died at Glastonbury after a “medical incident” on the festival site in the early hours of Sunday morning (25 June).

Read more:

Man dies at Glastonbury Festival after ‘medical incident’

Police say man in 40s died at the old railway line

Peony Hirwani26 June 2023 06:00
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Surprise guests and all the hits: Elton John closes out Glastonbury 2023 with a spectacular farewell show

Elton John closes out Glastonbury 2023 with a spectacular farewell show

With guest stars including Rina Sawayama and Stephen Sanchez, Elton John played one of Glastonbury’s greatest headline shows... and concluded one of its most mixed-bag weekends

Roisin O'Connor26 June 2023 05:30
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Elton John pays tribute to late George Michael on his birthday during Glastonbur

Elton John pays tribute to late George Michael on his birthday during Glastonbury set
Roisin O'Connor26 June 2023 05:00

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