Sir Elton John closes Glastonbury with history-making goodbye – telling followers: ‘I’ll always remember you’

Jun 26, 2023 at 2:17 AM

How do you shut Glastonbury Festival – and the ultimate chapter of a touring profession spanning greater than 50 years – while you’re Sir Elton John?

While many Pyramid stage headliners earlier than him have ended with fireworks over time, while you’re the Rocketman you set the tone from the off and light-weight up the sky at each the beginning and finish of your set.

Sir Elton, resplendent in gold, selected his model of Pinball Wizard to open, a track he has not performed in 10 years however an excellent option to make his mark.

After The Bitch Is Back, the showman advised the gang: “I never thought I’d ever play Glastonbury. It’s a very special and emotional night for me because it might be my last show ever in England, so I had better play well and I had better entertain you, you’ve been standing there so long and I really appreciate all the outfits and everything. Amazing.”

The viewers for Sir Elton’s first ever Glastonbury efficiency was huge, constructing within the early hours on Sunday morning with followers who remained in place for your complete day – bathroom breaks allowing – to safe their spot.

Different eras of his profession had been mirrored within the many glittering and elaborate costumes worn by followers within the viewers, whereas others devoted these well-known Glastonbury place-marker flags to the star.

In an interview just a few days earlier than the momentous efficiency, Sir Elton’s husband David Furnish told Sky News he would bring out no less than four special guests, as is commonly custom at Glastonbury; final yr, Sir Paul McCartney was joined by Dave Grohl (prolific once more this yr) and Bruce Springsteen, whereas in 2019, The Killers had Johnny Marr and the Pet Shop Boys.

The hearsay mill beforehand went into overdrive – some Glastonbury-goers had been satisfied they’d noticed Lady Gaga having fun with the competition incognito and would subsequently make an look, others favoured Taron Egerton – who performed Sir Elton within the Rocketman biopic – to recreate his efficiency alongside the person himself. Dua Lipa, Britney Spears, Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran had been additionally within the combine, together with, after appearances on website earlier on within the competition, Grohl and McCartney.

But in the long run, Sir Elton, identified for championing youthful performers, “wanted to have newer artists save for one person”. He was joined by Jacob Lusk of Gabriels and The London Community Gospel Choir for Are You Ready For Love?; Stephen Sanchez for a efficiency of the youthful singer’s track Until I Found You; and Rina Sawayama for Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.

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For these anticipating big names, this might need been a slight disappointment, however what a platform for the star to supply to younger stars simply beginning out of their careers.

He additionally welcomed The Killers’ Brandon Flowers to the stage, telling the gang the star was “the first person I thought of” when he was deciding on company. Having performed Glastonbury at least six occasions himself, Flowers is not any stranger to the competition, and the pair carried out Tiny Dancer collectively.

Sir Elton had promised to ship and his set offered hit after hit after hit, from Crocodile Rock, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, to I’m Still Standing, Your Song and Candle In The Wind – bringing the home down time and again and once more.

Towards the tip of the set got here Cold Heart, his collaboration with Dua Lipa, who appeared on display screen however not as a visitor. Fans had been inspired to sing alongside to her half “and sing it loudly”.

He additionally paid tribute to the late George Michael, his “friend” and “inspiration”, noting that the day would have marked his sixtieth birthday and thanking him for the “gorgeous” music he left behind. “This is for you, George,” he stated, earlier than none apart from Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

The set closed with an prolonged model of Rocket Man – and naturally, extra fireworks. But not earlier than the star thanked as soon as once more these within the crowd who had made the trouble to decorate up.

“I want to thank you all for dressing up in your costumes, your glasses and your outfits, it makes me feel so happy and so loved.”

Sir Elton then stated goodbye, thanking his followers for 52 years of “amazing love and loyalty”. Glastonbury shall be, he has stated, his final ever UK efficiency, his closing ever tour set to finish subsequent month.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” he advised Glastonbury. “I’ve had the best time, I will never forget you, you’re in my head and my heart and my soul, you’ve been amazing. You’ve been an incredible crowd tonight. I wish you love and health and happiness.”

There is little doubt this can go down as one among Glastonbury’s all-time legendary headline units. And if this actually is Sir Elton’s closing farewell, there isn’t a higher stage on which to say goodbye.