Elton John delivers finest headline set in Glasto history in final show of last UK tour and has huge party afterwards
SIR Elton John delivered the finest headline set in Glastonbury history in the final show of his last ever UK tour.
Guests including actors Taron Egerton and Andrew Garfield and Paul McCartney descended on the Pyramid Stage’s backstage area for the ultimate festival finale — as Britain’s finest songwriter performed his last concert.
In a set loaded with hits, Elton showed why he has long been Glasto’s most-wanted headliner as he admitted: “I never thought I’d actually do this.”
It took a long, long time – but he was worth the wait.
The Rocket Man hit the stage in a gold suit and opened with Pinball Wizard in what must have been one of the most-anticipated shows in the festival’s history.
He followed this with a stirring rock ’n’ roll rendition of The Bitch Is Back and fans’ favourite Bennie and the Jets.
Partner David Furnish as well as pals David Walliams and Spice Girls were among celebrity guests enjoying the performance from the side of the stage — and were set to join him for a huge party afterwards.
Nothing was forgotten as bangers including Your Song, Tiny Dancer and Rocket Man prompted huge singalongs.
And there were a host of star guests,
Jacob Lusk of US R&B act Gabriels and the London Community Gospel Choir joined him for a version of Are You Ready For Love.
Elton then dueted with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez on his own song Until I Found You.
Brandon Flowers of The Killers sang Tiny Dancer and British-Japanese pop star Rina Sawayama performed the Kiki Dee part on 1976 hit Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
Elton sang Cold Heart, his duet with Dua Lipa, but in her absence asked the audience to sing her part, and they obliged in full voice.
Rumours that pal Dolly Parton might appear sadly proved false.
Organisers struggled to contain the masses at Worthy Farm as more than 100,000 fans descended on the Pyramid Stage — prompting health and safety warnings and security measures to ensure fans weren’t crushed.
As one festival organiser said: “This is bigger than anything we’ve seen in years. It’s mad out there.”
A backstage source said: “We’ve done more than 300 shows on this tour, but there is only one Glastonbury.
“He just doesn’t want to tour any more — it’s exhausting — but he really wanted to leave the UK with a bang.
“It’s the perfect place to sign off.”
On last night’s showing, please don’t leave us just yet, Elton.