Rod Stewart candidly discussed his upcoming Glastonbury Festival performance, expressing dissatisfaction with the label given to his time slot while revealing a special request for his set length. Speaking on the BBC Sidetracked podcast with Annie Macmanus and Nick Grimshaw, the legendary singer reflected on his return to the famous Pyramid Stage.
Having performed at Glastonbury before in 2002 alongside major acts like Coldplay and Stereophonics, Stewart is set to headline the Sunday ‘legends’ slot at Worthy Farm—a prestigious position previously held by icons such as Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, and Kylie Minogue.
When asked about being called a “legend,” Stewart said he doesn’t mind the title and feels he’s earned it. However, he was critical of the “teatime slot” label, describing it as “horrible” and somewhat outdated—a sentiment that Annie Macmanus agreed with.
Rod revealed he negotiated for more stage time, stating, “I’ve only got an hour and… only had an hour and 15, and I demanded an hour and a half because I just… so many songs.” He emphasized his desire to treat the performance like any other gig despite its significance, aiming to make it memorable while still enjoying himself with a few drinks before going on.
Beyond his music, Rod’s wife, Penny Lancaster, recently spoke openly about concerns for his health following the deaths of his brothers. She acknowledged the reflections on mortality that come with age but also highlighted how Rod keeps her feeling youthful. On the podcast We’re Not Getting Any Younger, Penny remarked, “He does, he does,” when asked if Rod makes her feel young.
Rod himself is channeling his focus into fitness goals, aiming to set a 100m sprint record for those over 80 years old. He hopes to improve his time from 19 seconds to 17, striving to beat the current record of 14.21 seconds set by Kenton Brown in October 2024. This ambition showcases Rod’s enduring spirit and commitment to staying active as he continues to entertain fans worldwide.