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'

[23 June 2023 14:00 · Nicole Vassell]

How to get tickets for Glastonbury 2024

If you’re already feeling envious of everyone at Worthy Farm right now, here’s your how-to for getting tickets to next year’s festival.

[23 June 2023 12:37 · Nicole Vassell]

We’re on flag watch over at Ben Howard’s set at The Other Stage – 10 points to whoever’s holding this “Kendall in the Wind” one, in honour of the Succession fan favourite.

Kendall in the Wind flag at Glastonbury 2023, day 3 (Jacob Stolworthy)