At 80 years young, Rod Stewart took center stage at Glastonbury Festival, claiming the coveted “legend’s slot” with a career-spanning performance that had the crowd buzzing. The rock icon dazzled fans on the Pyramid Stage, delivering a powerful rendition of his timeless hit, “Maggie May,” much to the delight of a massive, sun-soaked audience.
Fresh off a busy touring year, Stewart was in exceptional form, mixing classic tracks with his trademark humor, much to the applause of a weary Sunday crowd eager for one last burst of energy. Before kicking off, he playfully quipped about his “tea time slot,” joking, “That sounds like pipe and slippers, doesn’t it?” But with a mischievous grin, he quickly dismissed the notion, telling the BBC he can still “run 100 meters in 19 seconds”—not Olympic speed, but plenty fast enough to power through an energetic set.
Originally slated for 75 minutes, Rod successfully persuaded festival organizers to grant him an extra 15 minutes, allowing him to sneak in fan favorites like “Young Turks” and “You Wear It Well.” His set was a masterclass in rock history, spanning back to 1964 when he first played harmonica on Millie Small’s “My Boy Lollipop.”
Having performed “Maggie May” over 1,700 times throughout his legendary career, Stewart’s Glastonbury crowd was one of the largest he’s ever played to, making this iconic Sunday performance one for the ages. Following him, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Noah Kahan, and Olivia Rodrigo are set to take the stage, but matching the thunderous reception of “Maggie May” will be a tall order for any artist.
Rod Stewart’s Glastonbury set proved once again why he remains one of the best-selling and most enduring figures in rock music—still rocking, still commanding, and still stealing the show.
