Rod Stewart’s Glastonbury Set Sparks Controversy

Rod Stewart’s performance at the Glastonbury Festival on Sunday was packed with notable guest appearances and classic hits. At 80 years old, the iconic singer delivered a lively set featuring a few surprise collaborations.

Mick Hucknall of Simply Red joined Stewart onstage for a soulful rendition of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ hit “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.” Later in the set, Ronnie Wood reunited with Stewart to perform the Faces track “Stay With Me.” Wood remained onstage for a second song, “Hot Legs,” which Stewart performed alongside another special guest, Lulu.

Recent Political Remarks Ignite Controversy

In the days leading up to his Glastonbury appearance, Stewart stirred public backlash over remarks made in an interview with The Times. In it, he seemed to voice support for Nigel Farage, a far-right British political figure best known for leading the Brexit movement and publicly aligning with Donald Trump. Stewart said:

“We’re fed up with the Tories. We’ve got to give Farage a chance.
“He’s coming across well. What options have we got? I know some of his family. I know his brother, and I quite like him.”

His comments sparked controversy and drew criticism from fellow Glastonbury performers during the festival.

Artists Publicly Call Out Stewart Onstage

Stewart’s political comments didn’t go unnoticed at Glastonbury. During their performance, Mo Chara of the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap first aimed at U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, before joking about Stewart’s age: “Anybody going to Rod Stewart tomorrow? The man is older than Israel!”

Later that day, British singer Kate Nash delivered an explicit rebuke during her own set: “F— Rod Stewart. This one goes out to Keir Starmer, J.K. Rowling, Rod Stewart and Nigel f—— Farage.”

Rod Stewart, Glastonbury 2025 Set List:
1. “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)”
2. “Having a Party” (Sam Cooke cover)
3. “Some Guys Have All the Luck” (The Persuaders cover)
4. “Love Train” (The O’Jays cover)
5. “The First Cut Is the Deepest” (Cat Stevens cover)
6. “Tonight’s the Night” (Gonna Be Alright)
7. “Forever Young” (with Riverdance interlude)
8. “You Wear It Well”
9. “Maggie May” (includes a snippet of Gasoline Alley)
10. “Young Turks”
11. “It’s a Heartache” (Bonnie Tyler cover)
12. “I’d Rather Go Blind” (Etta James cover)
13. “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”
14. “Lady Marmalade” (The Eleventh Hour cover) (Sung by backing singers)
15. “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” (Crazy Horse cover)
16. “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes cover) (with Mick Hucknall)
17. “Baby Jane”
18. “Proud Mary” (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover) (Sung by backing singers)
19. “Stay With Me” (Faces song) (with Ronnie Wood)
20. “Hot Legs” (with Lulu) (and Ronnie Wood)
21. “Sailing” (The Sutherland Brothers Band cover)