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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Rod Stewart at Glastonbury: Pop superstar brings some Vegas razzmatazz to Worthy Farm, but it's an odd fit
But his superpower has always been his voice, and at 80 it is starting to show signs of wear and tear. Which is not to suggest he can't sing. Give the old crooner a big ballad and he can still wring every last drop of emotion out of it, especially when floating around in the upper edges of a melody. He's a bit wheezing and breathier than in his prime, but his sense of where his voice can slip and slide through a song is second to none. Signature ballads such as The First Cut is the Deepest and I Don't Want To Talk About It were gorgeous in the afternoon sun. A version of I'd Rather Go Blind dedicated to the late Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac was momentarily stunning, as if the huge occasion had fallen away and we were watching Rod the Mod connect with his beloved soul music in a profound way. But much of the set felt misplaced, as he tried to bring cheesy Vegas razzmatazz to dated pop-rock hits that he no longer has the lung power to fully command. Young Turks was blasted out very fast and quite flat, as if he was straining to sing it in a key out of his natural range. The sentiments of Forever Young are fine, but he needs to sing it better than that to convince us of the merits of growing old disgracefully. It was notable that the vocal energy level shot up when Stewart went off to 'change me shirt and 'ave a cuppa tea' and his trio of female backing vocalists took over for a rip through Proud Mary. I wonder if the occasion actually got a bit too much for him? Which might seem absurd for a performer of Stewart's experience, but he admitted at one point to being 'so excited, I can hardly breathe'. He brought the hits, a slick band, and the desire, but he couldn't quite command a crowd, who only really joined in on the biggest songs, a sing-along of Sailing and a perhaps ironically well-received Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? that Stewart shouted rather than sang. A sign declaring 'Rod you're a plonker' suggested some still needed convincing of his charms. It took the arrival of his old guitar foil Ronnie Wood to really inject some rock spirit as they blasted through a raucous version of the Faces' Stay With Me, before Lulu joined them to charge through a cheesy Hot Legs. It was fun, but I suspect Stewart's ancient guest stars (who included his soundalike Mick Hucknall) don't quite have the wow factor for a younger generation of listeners. There's been a lot of talk about the Middle East, quite rightly so The phrase 'use your platform' has been bandied about a lot this year, as young bands seem to be rediscovering the urge to speak out on issues of the day. Established acts have been less vocal, perhaps more aware of possible career repercussions. Stewart is probably too venerable to worry about reputational risks, and weighed in with: 'There's been a lot of talk about the Middle East, quite rightly so.' But rather than encouraging chants of 'Free Palestine', he dodged to the ironically safer terrain of another war, dedicating a ropey cabaret version of The O'Jays Love Train to 'the Ukraine'. I'm not sure the song's generic universal love sentiments really count as a political statement, but at least he was making an effort to show he was in line with the festival's values. Stewart even brought out festival founder Michael Eavis in a wheelchair to celebrate his 89th 'birthday' (which was actually last October). The bearded old farmer and the pink-suited veteran star looked like a very odd couple, and, in truth, it all felt like a bit of an odd fit − a flashy cabaret in a field rather than a triumphant celebration of a superstar.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Rod Stewart rocks Glastonbury main stage in Celtic shirt
Rod, 80, was joined by music legends while he played a career-spanning set in front of thousands of fans at Worthy Farm. Rod took to the Pyramid Stage for the coveted tea-time legends slot in fine form, despite having to pull out of shows recently due to health concerns. Special guests joined him throughout his show, including Lulu, and he dedicated a song to another music legend. Rod rocked the legends slot (Image:) READ MORE: Sir Rod Stewart pulls out of second gig amid health concerns The football-daft rocker had multiple costume changes throughout his set, finishing off wearing a green suit with 'Celtic' written on the back of his shirt. His accompanying orchestra and backup singers were also kitted out in Celtic football tops, and the team's badge was on the front of the band's drums. Rod emerged to huge cheers for his Legends spot, accompanied by pipers playing Scotland the Brave. Festival-goers wearing Rod Stewart wigs pose for a selfie ahead of his performance during day five of Glastonbury festival 2025 (Image:) After opening with energy that his younger self would have been proud of, Rod dedicated a cover of I'd Rather Go Blind to Christine McVey from Fleetwood Mac. Rod strutted across the stage in a matador-esque jacket and striped trousers with stars embossed onto the backside before changing into a flamingo pink suit. Ronnie Wood joined Rod on stage (Image: BBC) READ MORE: Toilet designed by Rod Stewart revealed at Glastonbury He kept the pace high while blasting through hit after hit as he repeatedly said: "We've only got an hour and a half!" Rod did appear to address the recent controversy surrounding Irish rappers Kneecap, who were outspoken about his support for Reform and Nigel Farage. He told the fans: " I'm here, enjoy yourselves, ladies and gentlemen, please." In an apparent jibe towards Kneecap, who performed on Saturday, he said: "Music brings us together, we need music. "There's been a lot about the Middle East lately, quite rightly so, but I want to draw your attention to the Ukraine with the next song, called The Love Train." Simply Red's Mick Hucknall joined Rod for If You Don't Know Me By Now to massive cheers from the crowd. Rod's backup singers wore Celtic tops (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire) Rod Stewart rocks Glastonbury main stage in Celtic shirt (Image: BBC) READ MORE: I saw the demolition of Gorbal's Caledonia Road flats - I heard great stories Before Ronnie Wood, who was his bandmate in Faces, took to the stage for Stay With Me and the final few numbers. Final special guest Lulu joined for Hot Legs while looking brilliant in a white suit with frilly trousers. She joked, "We make a good couple, sorry Penny," while the pair rocked out to the crowd. As Rod finished with big hit, Sailing, he took off the jacket of the green suit he had changed into to reveal that 'Celtic' was written on the back of it.
