Rod Stewart delivered his own political statement at Glastonbury, performing before a massive crowd on the Pyramid Stage on the festival’s final day—a weekend marked by controversy.
Earlier in the festival, punk duo Bob Vylan led the crowd in chanting “death to the IDF,” drawing condemnation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the remarks “appalling” and prompting a police investigation.
The UK’s self-described “most violent band” also chanted “free, free Palestine” and proclaimed “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a slogan many in the Jewish community view as a call for Israel’s destruction.
On the same day, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, a singer in the controversial Irish group Kneecap, urged the crowd to “riot” outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in August, when bandmate Liam Ó hAnnaidh’s terror offence charge is due to return to court.
Meanwhile, pop star JADE rallied an enthusiastic crowd during her set, leading chants of “f**k you” aimed at “Reform, welfare cuts, transphobia, silencing protests, selling arms and justifying genocide.”
But veteran rocker Rod Stewart, who recently voiced support for Reform in an interview with The Times, struck a different tone at Worthy Farm on Sunday. He dedicated a song to Ukraine while also acknowledging the conflict in the Middle East.
The 80-year-old singer performed a cover of The O’Jays’ 1972 hit Love Train, dedicating it to the Eastern European country amid its ongoing war with Russia.
Addressing the crowd, Rod said: “There’s been a lot about the Middle East lately, quite rightly so, but I want to draw your attention to Ukraine with the next song, called The Love Train.”
The UK’s self-described “most violent band” also chanted “free, free Palestine.”
Rod, pictured onstage Sunday with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, offered a different message by dedicating a song to Ukraine.
The Do Ya Think I’m Sexy singer’s foray into politics follows his call for voters to give Nigel Farage’s nascent party a chance, as he criticised both Sir Keir Starmer and the Conservatives.
In particular, he took aim at the Prime Minister’s decision to restrict fishing in Scotland and return access to the EU—a move he said had hurt the government’s popularity. He also argued that the country is tired of the Tories.
The rock legend said: “We’ve got to give Farage a chance. He’s coming across well. Nigel? What options have we got? I know some of his family, I know his brother, and I quite like him.”
Despite his wealth, he insisted he remains in touch with ordinary people, saying he doesn’t believe he’s “out of touch” even though he is “extremely wealthy.”
When asked what Mr Farage stands for beyond Brexit, tighter immigration, and controversial economic promises, Stewart replied: “Yeah, yeah. But Starmer’s all about getting us out of Brexit and I don’t know how he’s going to do that.
Still, the country will survive. It could be worse. We could be in the Gaza Strip.”
His comments mark another political U-turn: he appeared to support Labour at the last election, despite previously backing the Conservatives.
Sir Rod also suggested he was skeptical that Sir Keir would address one of his personal frustrations: potholes.
Three years ago, Stewart donned a hi-vis jacket and recruited friends to help fill in potholes outside his Essex home.
“I took me Ferrari out. Nearly lost the f**ing wheel,”* he said. “And before I did in the Ferrari, I saw an ambulance that couldn’t move, the wheel stuck right in there.
So I took me mates out, and we knew what to do because I had builders in the house. We filled in a considerable length of the road, actually.”
Rod handed the stage over to Ronnie, 78, for a guitar solo, and the longtime friends joined voices on the chorus.
Scottish hitmaker Lulu, 76, later joined the duo on stage as they energized the crowd with a rendition of Hot Legs.
Meanwhile, JADE led an enthusiastic crowd in chanting “fk you” directed at “Reform, welfare cuts, transphobia, silencing protests, selling arms, and justifying genocide.”
Naoise Ó Cairealláin, a singer in the controversial Irish group Kneecap, urged the crowd to “riot” outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court in August, when bandmate Liam Ó hAnnaidh’s terror offence charge is due to return to court.
Rod Stewart noted that potholes remain “all over Britain,” contrasting the situation unfavorably with Europe.
His political message came amid a police investigation into comments made by Bob Vylan, who led chants of “Free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF” on stage yesterday afternoon.
The band’s singer, who keeps his identity secret, also declared, “From the river to the sea, Palestine… will be free.”
The BBC weighed in on the controversy, stating of Bob Vylan: “Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan’s set were deeply offensive. During the live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.”
Meanwhile, Irish language rap trio Kneecap were not streamed live by the BBC. However, the broadcaster faced calls from figures including Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch to drop the band after one member was charged with a terror offence.
The group’s lead rapper, Liam Ó hAnnaidh—known by his stage name Mo Chara—is on unconditional bail after being charged with terrorism for supporting Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation.
He appeared in court last week, accused of allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and chanting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a gig in November last year.
The BBC has since released a statement about its stance on both acts, confirming that Kneecap’s performance has been made available to stream on iPlayer.
A spokesperson said of Kneecap: “We have made an on-demand version of Kneecap’s performance available on iPlayer, as part of our online collection of more than 90 other sets. We have edited it to ensure the content falls within the limits of artistic expression in line with our editorial guidelines and reflects the performance from Glastonbury’s West Holts stage. As with all content which includes strong language, this is signposted with appropriate warnings. As we have said before, acts are booked by the festival, and the BBC doesn’t ban artists. We didn’t stream Kneecap live.”
For his Glastonbury performance, Stewart was joined by fellow legends, first bringing out Rolling Stones icon Ronnie Wood to play guitar on a rendition of Stay With Me.
Rod handed the stage to Ronnie, 78, for a guitar solo, and the longtime friends sang together on the chorus before Scottish hitmaker Lulu, 76, joined them on stage.
Lulu looked sensational in an all-white ensemble of fringed trousers and a blazer as the trio energized the crowd with a version of Hot Legs.
Rod delivered a show-stopping set for the packed audience, with Mick Hucknall also joining him on stage, multiple costume changes, glitzy backing singers, and a nod to his true love—Celtic.
However, viewers were divided over Stewart’s performance. Some praised him as a “total legend” who “still has it,” while others labelled it “painful,” “out of tune,” and compared him to “a tribute act.”
Lulu looked stunning in an all-white outfit featuring fringed trousers and a blazer.
After performing a rendition of Some Guys Have All The Luck, he paused to catch his breath and remove his sparkling jacket in the searing heat, telling fans, “This is so lovely. I’m so excited I can hardly breathe.”
He kicked off his set with his hit Tonight I’m Yours, telling fans, “Music brings us together, we’re having a party,” before launching into Having a Party.
Walking on stage with his large band and mini-dress-clad backing singers to the sound of bagpipes, Sir Rod greeted the thousands gathered with, “Oi Oi, I’m here!”
Rod closed his iconic show with an emotional performance of I Am Sailing, wearing a sailor’s hat while his backing singers donned Celtic football tops in honour of his beloved team.
Rod definitely put on a show for the packed audience, with Mick Hucknall also joining him on stage.
Walking on stage with his large band and mini-dress-clad backing singers to the sound of bagpipes, the 80-year-old rocker greeted the thousands gathered, saying: “Oi Oi, I’m here—enjoy yourselves, ladies and gentlemen, please!”
He kicked off his set with his hit Tonight I’m Yours before telling fans, “Music brings us together, we’re having a party,” and launched into Having a Party.
After a rendition of Some Guys Have All The Luck, he paused to catch his breath and removed his sparkling jacket in the searing heat, telling fans, “This is so lovely. I’m so excited I can hardly breathe.”
Dipping into his collection of ballads, he performed his version of First Cut Is The Deepest, followed by his 1976 track Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright).
He then announced to the crowd that he would be joined by Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall, Lulu, and his The Faces bandmate, Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood.
After playing some classic hits—including the fan favourite Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?—Rod paid tribute to Glastonbury founder Sir Michael Eavis.
Sir Michael’s daughter Emily was pushed onstage in a wheelchair, where she received a hug from Rod, who dedicated I Don’t Want To Talk About It to her.
Rod’s wife, Penny Lancaster, was the supportive partner as she took snaps of the rock star from the side of the stage.
Glastonbury founder Sir Michael Eavis’s daughter, Emily, pushed him onstage in a wheelchair, where he received a hug from Rod, who dedicated I Don’t Want To Talk About It to him.
In another political moment at this year’s Glastonbury, Sir Rod dedicated a cover of The O’Jays’ 1972 hit Love Train to Ukraine.
Diving into his collection of ballads, he performed his version of First Cut Is The Deepest, followed by his 1976 hit Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright).
Rod’s wife, Penny Lancaster, was the ever-supportive partner, capturing photos of the rock star from the side of the stage.
Rod closed his iconic set with an emotional rendition of I Am Sailing, wearing a sailor’s hat while his backing singers donned Celtic football tops in tribute to his beloved team.
The performance sparked mixed reactions among fans on social media. Many praised Rod’s energy and showmanship despite his age:
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“Fantastic performance from Rod at 80!!! Amazing…..”
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“Watching Rod Stewart at Glastonbury, legend.”
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“Like him or not, Rod Stewart has still got it!! He’s a showman, a great entertainer, and knows how to work a crowd. You go, Rod! Big shout out to his band.”
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“Poor Rod is struggling in this heat. I’ve seen him live a few times and he’s usually better than this. Respect to him though, he’s 80. Love him ❤️.”
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“Fair play Rod Stewart, he’s still got it!!! Great band around him as well.”
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“This Rod Stewart set so far is absolutely class. What a total legend.”
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“Like him or loathe him, kicking Glasto at 80 years young, bringing some much-needed fun and smiles to the UK.”
However, some viewers were less impressed, sharing their views on X:
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“Ok #RodStewart is great but I do feel like I’m stuck watching a tribute act.”
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“God, this is dreadful.”
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“Rod Stewart isn’t that bad once you’ve gotten used to the key he’s singing in…”
Viewers were sharply divided over Rod’s performance. While some praised him as a “total legend” and declared “he’s still got it,” others were far less impressed, describing the show as “painful,” “out of tune,” and likening it to “a tribute act.”
Comments included:
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“Christ, this is painful.”
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“I’m thinking maybe #RodStewart is over the hill, voice is long gone.”
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“Can someone please take their drunk grandad home.”
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“Wow, this is like watching a rather poor Ron Steward tribute act.”
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“The sound of Rod’s high notes reminds me of the noise I heard when I accidentally stood on my dog’s tail.”
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“Rod is dying out there. Not an ounce of soul — even during his lazy cover of Love Train — and his own ‘classics’ haven’t aged well on this showing.”
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“DAMMIT. Almost managed to get over the fence at #Glastonbury but was caught by security and told to go back and carry on watching the Rod Stewart set.”
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“Even the sign language person is out of tune.”
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“Does Rod Stewart know he has to ‘sing’ and not just talk the lyrics? Total garbage.”
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“Rod Stewart has really lost his voice — but is doing okay for an old codger with loads of money to keep him fit and moving. Not sure he’s hit one right note yet.”
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“I’m outraged the @BBC would broadcast something so horrifying in the middle of the afternoon. My kids just saw Rod Stewart and now they’re crying.”
Shortly before his set, Rod’s wife Penny Lancaster arrived at Glastonbury to support her husband.
He kicked off his set with his hit Tonight I’m Yours, telling fans, “Music brings us together, we’re having a party,” before launching into Having A Party.
Penny Lancaster arrived at Glastonbury Festival to support her husband, Rod Stewart, as he headlined the prestigious Legends slot.
The matriarch, 54, embraced a bohemian vibe, wearing a tassel coat, oversized sunglasses, balloon trousers, and carrying a leopard print bag.
She was joined by her sons—model Alistair, 19, who sported a leopard print coat in anticipation of his father’s set, and Aiden, 14.
The matriarch, 54, embraced a bohemian look, wearing a tassel coat, oversized sunglasses, balloon trousers, and carrying a leopard print bag.
The 80-year-old singer’s teatime performance came a day after he claimed the country was “fed up” with the Tories and accused Labour of trying to undo Brexit.
He criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for allegedly giving Scottish fishing rights “back to the EU,” although the Government maintains it merely renewed an existing deal for European boats.
