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

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.

Glastonbury 2023 highlights

• In pictures: Elton John’s breathtaking headline set on the Pyramid Stage
• What the audience is saying - reactions to Elton John’s set
• Who is Stephen Sanchez? Meet Elton John’s second musical guest
• Meet Elton John’s first surprise guest of the night
• The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers joins Elton for ‘Tiny Dancer'

[27 June 2023 13:41 · Isobel Lewis]

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:

[27 June 2023 08:57 · Isobel Lewis]

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.

[27 June 2023 08:00 · Peony Hirwani]

Watch: Love and marriage at Worthy Farm

[27 June 2023 07:30 · Peony Hirwani]

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.

[27 June 2023 07:00 · Peony Hirwani]

Watch the highlights from Glastonbury 2023

[27 June 2023 06:00 · Peony Hirwani]

‘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.

[27 June 2023 05:09 · Tom Murray]

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:

[27 June 2023 04:10 · Tom Murray]

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

[27 June 2023 03:12 · Tom Murray]

‘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.

[27 June 2023 02:11 · Tom Murray]

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: