Glastonbury 2025 ticket holders have expressed frustration over Sir Rod Stewart being the first confirmed act for the festival, claiming he’ll be “painful to watch and listen”.
It was announced on Tuesday that the veteran rocker, 79, will perform in the coveted Sunday teatime Legends slot on the Pyramid Stage, marking his first appearance at the Worthy Farm festival in 23 years.
Despite excitement around the first act being announced, some disgruntled Glasto-goers shared their frustrations on social media, asking, “Will anyone under 50 even know any of his songs?”
One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Rod Stewart needs to retire. The legends slot will be painful to watch/listen to #Glastonbury.”
“Rod Stewart headlining Glastonbury legends stage. Another reason not to go. 380 quid a ticket is the other reason,” another penned.
A third added: “Rod Stewart to play Glastonbury 2025. Can you please remind me a song from Rod?”
However some ticket-holders appeared confused about his legend slot, believing Stewart was one of the festival’s three main headliners: “Rod Stewart headlining Glastonbury. Will anyone under 50 even know any of his songs?”
“Imagine spending nearly £400 on a ticket only to discover that Rod Stewart is the main act,” another wrote. “You're going to want to hope there's a decent act on elsewhere.”
Despite some being disgruntled, many were thrilled by the booking, with one gig-goer writing: “Exciting news! Rod Stewart brings a legendary vibe to Glastonbury. Can't wait to see his iconic performance!”
“Sunday afternoon, sun shining and a couple of beers listening to the songs your dad played in the car... what's not to like!” another shared.
Echoing their sentiments, another reminisced: “He was a great headliner in 2002 can't wait to see him again”.
The social media commentary comes as Stewart said he is “more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate”.
He is the first musical act to be confirmed for the 2025 festival at Worthy Farm, before it takes a fallow year in 2026.
Rod Stewart needs to retire. The legends slot will be painful to watch/listen to #Glastonbury
— reggies mum (@kellsley) November 26, 2024
Imagine spending nearly £400 on a ticket only to discover that Rod Stewart is the main act. You’re going to want to hope there’s a decent act on elsewhere. #Glastonbury
— Dick The Dastard🎗️ (@Dickster27) November 26, 2024
Taking to Instagram, the Maggie May singer penned: “I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I’ll be playing @glastofest 2025!
“After all these years, I’m proud and ready and more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury in June. I’ll see you there!.”
Sir Rod headlined Glastonbury in 2002, performing on Sunday night to close out the festival.
Festival organiser Emily Eavis said on Instagram: “Bringing Sir Rod Stewart back for the Sunday afternoon slot on the Pyramid stage is everything we could wish for.”
She added: “What a way to bow out with the final legends slot before we take a fallow year. We cannot wait!.”
This year, Canadian singer Shania Twain, known for hits including Man! I Feel Like A Woman! and That Don’t Impress Me Much, starred in the coveted slot.
Exciting news! Rod Stewart brings a legendary vibe to Glastonbury. Can't wait to see his iconic performance!
— Vass (@Va77ss) November 26, 2024
Fellow major artists including Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Diana Ross, Kylie Minogue and Dame Shirley Bassey have also filled the prestigious position.
Dua Lipa, rock band Coldplay and American singer Sza all headlined the Pyramid Stage this year.
Last week, Sir Rod announced he is to end “large-scale world tours” but brushed off retirement plans.
The musician, who turns 80 in January, wrote in an Instagram post: “This will be the end of large-scale world tours for me, but I have no desire to retire”.
“I love what I do, and I do what I love. I’m fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 metres in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79.
“I’d like to move onto a Great American Songbook, Swing Fever tour the year after next – smaller venues and more intimacy. But then again, I may not…”
The post was signed “The Ambiguous Sir Rod Stewart”.
The biggest tracks from his six-decade career include You’re In My Heart, Hot Legs, Tonight’s The Night and Maggie May.
Sir Rod is a member of the US Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and was knighted in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
