There are now just over five months until Glastonbury 2023, which is sure to go down in the history books when Elton John headlines the iconic Pyramid Stage as the final UK show of his last-ever tour.
It could well attract the biggest audience in the festival’s history, with nearly 8 in every 10 people asked saying they plan to watch his landmark performance this June.
In a survey of 1,000 TheFestivals readers, 77 per cent of people said they’ll be watching either on the BBC or in person at Worthy Farm. Only 23 per cent said they’re not planning to watch the likely unforgettable moment in British music history.
Sir Elton’s Sunday night closing set is still the only headline act to be officially confirmed, with the latest Glasto line-up rumours pointing towards Arctic Monkeys and Guns n Roses headlining on the Friday and Saturday.
When Elton’s long-rumoured appearance was announced back in December, he said: “As the end of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour comes into view, there is no more fitting way to say goodbye to my British fans. They have been beyond brilliant, and have supported me through all the highs and lows of my career.
“Every week I speak to new artists on my radio show and Glastonbury is often cited as a pivotal moment in launching their careers – the festival’s genuine, enthusiastic support for the best-emerging talent is something I’ve long admired.
“I’ve been talking to Emily Eavis about it over the last few weeks and I can’t wait to embrace the spirit of the greatest festival in the world. It’s going to be incredibly emotional.”
Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis added: “It gives me enormous pleasure to let you know that the one and only Elton John will be making his first-ever Glastonbury appearance, headlining the Pyramid Stage on the Sunday night next year. This will be the final UK show of Elton’s last-ever tour, so we will be closing the Festival and marking this huge moment in both of our histories with the mother of all send-offs. We are so very happy to finally bring the Rocket Man to Worthy Farm!”
While it’s set to be his final UK show, his tour continues around Europe for around two weeks after Glastonbury. The gigs have been rescheduled from 2021. He’ll be back in action just two days after headlining the Pyramid when he plays at the Accor Arena in Paris, before taking in Switzerland and Denmark – then closing his final ever tour in Sweden on 8th July.
The confirmation Elton will headline the Sunday night effectively ended rumours of Taylor Swift headlining this year, as her other tour dates already rule out a Friday or Saturday appearance.
In other news, former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora told media there’s a chance of a reunion gig at Glastonbury 2023 – and Britpop legends Blur have been widely rumoured for a slot on the line-up after announcing a show at Wembley Stadium a couple of weeks later.
And in a similar scenario, The 1975 are rumoured to appear after the long-expected band confirmed tour dates which leave them free over the weekend of the festival. Their currently announced dates contain nothing between Southside Festival the weekend before Glasto and TRSNSMT on July 9th. Glastonbury is set to take place from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25 June.
It would be The 1975’s fourth time at Worthy Farm, having previously played sets in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and while they’ve been rumoured most years since they now haven’t been on the line-up for five years, despite countless comments from band members and crew that they want to return.
Pulp are also strongly rumoured to appear on the Glastonbury 2023 line-up after announcing details of a reunion tour next summer – which includes space for a potential Glasto slot. The band were already deemed a likely contender by bookmakers, who in September were offering odds of 9/1 on Pulp headlining the iconic Pyramid Stage.
Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham has ruled out a Worthy Farm appearance as part of a Spice Girls reunion in a US TV interview – following years of speculation fuelled by her former band mates.
She told Watch What Happens Live: “I had so much fun being in the Spice Girls – but now, with everything else that I have got going on with my fashion and my beauty line, four children, I couldn’t commit to that. love the girls. I really, really enjoy singing Spice Girls when I’m doing karaoke, but I think I’d better leave it there.”
Guns N Roses are now favourites to headline the Pyramid according to bookmakers and the widely respected eFestivals rumours list.
In an interview with Metal Hammer last year, Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis was asked : “Who’s the heaviest band you would book for the Festival?”
She replied: “We had Napalm Death in 2017, and it doesn’t get much heavier than that! But I think Guns N’ Roses need to play here at some point don’t they?”
Arctic Monkeys were also rumoured to have signed a deal to headline Glastonbury 2023 when their UK tour sold out in minutes last year. A source told The Sun: “‘Alex Turner and the band are coming back to Glastonbury, and this time their set is going to be even bigger and better.
“The lads have signed on the dotted line and will return to the Pyramid Stage next June. It is really special for them to be doing a hat trick on that stage and it is something they have wanted to do for a while.”
Glastonbury 2023 takes place from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th June 2023. Tickets sold out earlier late last year, but resales of cancelled tickets will take place later this spring.
Image credits:
Richard Mushnet / CC BY-SA 2.0
Dena Flows / CC BY-SA 2.0
Anna Barclay
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