Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. 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.

Lewis Capaldi announces indefinite break from touring after Glastonbury performance

Sad news post-Glastonbury from Lewis Capaldi, who has announced that he is taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future after his performance on the Pyramid Stage.

The Scottish singer told the crowd during his set that he was starting to lose his voice and was seen experiencing a series of tics as a result of Tourette’s syndrome.

On Tuesday (27 June), Capaldi shared a text post announcing his break from live shows, explaining that he was taking a rest to focus on getting his mental and physical health in order.

Nicole Vassell reports:

Lewis Capaldi announces break from touring ‘for the foreseeable future’

Scottish singer-songwriter alluded to a forthcoming break during his Glastonbury set on Saturday (24 June)

Isobel Lewis27 June 2023 13:41

Backstage video shows moment Lana Del Rey fans sing ‘Video Games’ after set cut off

Pianist Rob Grant has shared an amazing clip from backstage at Glastonbury of the moment Lana Del Rey’s set was cut off.

The singer began her set 30 minutes late, performing for 15 minutes beyond her scheduled closing time before her microphone was cut off.

However, Del Rey led the crowd in a sing-a-long of her hit “Video Games”, which she hadn’t been able to play.

Isobel Lewis27 June 2023 08:57

Watch: Love and marriage at Worthy Farm

Couple ‘seal marriage’ in intimate handfasting ceremony at Glastonbury
Peony Hirwani27 June 2023 08:00

The sun is going down on the Glastonbury golden oldie – we may never see Elton’s like again

From Elton to Debbie Harry, this was a festival where the most intensely emotional moments came courtesy of artists in their autumn years, writes Helen Brown.

Goodbye Glastonbury’s golden oldies – we may never see their like again | Helen Brown

From Elton to Debbie Harry, this was a festival where the most intensely emotional moments came courtesy of artists in the their autumn years, writes Helen Brown

Peony Hirwani27 June 2023 07:30

Watch the highlights from Glastonbury 2023

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.

Peony Hirwani27 June 2023 07:00

‘What a farewell’: Elton John’s thank-you after final UK performance

Elton John has shared a heartfelt message following last night’s headline set at Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the 76-year-old star thanked the festival and the audience for taking part in his acclaimed performance, billed as his final-ever show in the UK.

“The energy last night was like nothing else, and I couldn’t be more grateful to the crowd and the people watching at home for all your love and support,” John wrote. “You will be in my heart and soul forever.

“UK, what a farewell. I love you,” he concluded, adding emoji of a hand waving and the Union Jack.

Peony Hirwani27 June 2023 06:00

How to get tickets for Glastonbury 2024

Whether you were down at Worthy Farm or watching from home, there are plenty of readers currently thinking about how they can be a part of the action next year.

Megan Graye has the lowdown on how to get tickets for Glastonbury 2024:

How to get tickets for Glastonbury 2024

Glastonbury 2024 tickets and registration

Tom Murray27 June 2023 05:09

Watch: Glastonbury's big clean-up underway as thousands pick up rubbish at Worthy Farm

Glastonbury's big clean-up underway as thousands pick up rubbish at Worthy Farm
Tom Murray27 June 2023 04:10

‘The sun is going down on the Glastonbury golden oldie – we may never see Elton’s like again'

In her comment piece for The Independent, Helen Brown reflects on Elton John’s special headline set.

“From Elton to Debbie Harry, this was a festival where the most intensely emotional moments came courtesy of artists in their autumn years,” she writes.

Read more:

Goodbye Glastonbury’s golden oldies – we may never see their like again | Helen Brown

From Elton to Debbie Harry, this was a festival where the most intensely emotional moments came courtesy of artists in the their autumn years, writes Helen Brown

Tom Murray27 June 2023 03:12

Blondie review

Debbie Harry led the rock band to a smashing third-ever set at Glastonbury on Sunday afternoon with a set that featured timeless hits such as “One Way or Another” and “Heart of Glass”.

Here’s Ben Bryant’s full, four-star take:

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

Tom Murray27 June 2023 02:11

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in