Rocker Rod Stewart, who was seven when the queen came to the throne, said she had 'always been part of my life'

Rod Stewart made his long-anticipated Glastonbury debut on Sunday 29 June, taking on the prestigious Legends Slot at the Pyramid Stage. Despite a star-filled set, the performance ended abruptly after he ran over his scheduled time.

The 80-year-old music veteran delivered hit after hit, joined by special guests and cheered on by a packed crowd. Yet as the set drew to what many believed would be its climax, Stewart was ushered off stage without a final song or proper farewell.

What was planned and what went wrong

The show was billed as a 90-minute celebration of Stewart's decades-long career, featuring classics such as 'Baby Jane' and 'Maggie May'. The set included special appearances by Lulu and Ronnie Wood. However, time ran short, and organisers reportedly signalled for the performance to end after it overran.

According to the Express, Glastonbury bosses stepped in due to strict time limits, prompting Stewart's unexpected exit. There was no encore and no spoken goodbye — just the stage lights dimming and the band wrapping up mid-song.

What fans actually saw

Despite the abrupt close, the performance drew huge praise. Stewart was joined by Scottish singer Lulu, although a humorous gaffe made headlines after he introduced her one song too early. 'Ladies and gentlemen, Lulu!' he announced, only for her to appear on the following track instead.

Another highlight came when Ronnie Wood, Stewart's former Faces bandmate, stepped out for a lively rendition of 'Stay With Me'. Their onstage reunion brought a nostalgic energy that had the Pyramid Stage crowd roaring.

Why the ending felt so sudden

Many fans were left surprised when the show ended without warning. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) revealed that some had expected Stewart to close with 'Sailing', a song often used to end his concerts. While it was never officially confirmed as part of the Glastonbury setlist, speculation online was widespread.

One fan wrote, 'He was on fire but where was "Sailing"? It felt like we weren't done.' Another posted, 'He didn't even say goodbye. Just gone. We were all looking around like... is that it?'

The Mirror reported that the performance overran its time limit, and a source told the Express that Stewart may not have been fully aware he had passed the slot's cutoff.

What worked and what didn't

From a production standpoint, the show delivered big moments. However, some viewers noted uneven pacing in parts of the set, particularly during transitions between guests and song changes. Observations shared on social media described 'gaps' and 'awkward pauses', though crowd energy remained high throughout.

Still, for most fans, the positives far outweighed the quirks. Stewart's voice held strong, the setlist was crowd-pleasing, and his guest choices brought added excitement.

Why this performance still resonated

The Legends Slot has become a Glastonbury institution, and Stewart's appearance on the Pyramid Stage had been years in the making. While the ending might not have gone to plan, the performance delivered nostalgia, star power and sheer showmanship.

His first — and perhaps only — Glastonbury appearance will be remembered for its scale, energy and celebration of a music career that continues to endure.

Glastonbury