Rod Stewart live at Glastonbury: A legends slot that does what it says on the tin
The singer's second crack at Glastonbury is resolutely old fashioned, but isn't that what a legends slot is all about?
By Nick Reilly
There’s a moment in the middle of Rod Stewart’s Glastonbury legends slot where the BBC cameras hone in on a sign that proves enough for an immediate pan away. “Here for Olivia, fuck Reform” comes the message from the fan of tonight’s final headliner in the front row.
It’s an understandable clarification, given that Rod’s second crack at the Pyramid Stage (he headlined in 2002) comes days after he voiced his support for Nigel Farage in an interview with The Times on Friday. A unwise move before arriving at one of the world’s most inclusive festivals, perhaps, but there’s little to no effect as Rod arrives on stage to huge cheers and one of the biggest crowds of the weekend.
From here it’s a set that sees Rod leaning into the spirit of the teatime slot and rolling out the hits. ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ results in seas of topless sun-beaten torsos in the Pyramid Stage, while it’s a similar reaction for ‘Maggie May’ too.
It’s resolutely old fashioned as well and this becomes somewhat overbearing at times. Rod’s voice may be remarkably strong, but there’s moments where the costume changes (including a hot pink suit) result in his glamorous backing dancers doing a rendition of ‘Lady Marmalade’ that seems to go on for an eternity. So too is the arrival of Mick Hucknall for ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Know’, which feels like a real energy zapper.
Faring better is his old Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood on an electric run-through of the 70s classic ‘Stay With Me’, while there’s a sweet moment where Michael Eavis is invited on stage for a hug. Lulu, too, arrives late on for a run through of ‘Hot Leg’ while ‘Sailing’ – possibly Rod’s most sickly sweet hit of them all – sees the band donning boat hats while the heaving Pyramid Stage crowd sway their hands in the air, enjoying every moment.
And this, ultimately, is the main measure we can judge it by. Is it cheesier than the delicious Worthy Farm cheese toasties they’re selling at the festival this weekend? Absolutely. Does it nail the brief of what a legends slot should be? Absolutely, too. Ridiculous and schmaltzy but there will be very few complaints from the huge crowd that lapped up every moment of it.
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