Rod Stewart, the iconic singer gearing up for his performance at Glastonbury Festival’s Sunday Legends slot, has shared a refreshingly simple rider for the event—much simpler than many might expect. At 80 years old, Stewart’s demands come down to just two essentials aside from a private plane to the UK.
Reflecting on his rider, Stewart candidly remarked, “I looked at it the other day and thought, what is all this stuff doing here? All I need is a few bottles of wine and some crisps, and that’s it.” Despite the simplicity, he expressed frustration over the abundance of less necessary items. “And there’s all these bloody things! What am I gonna do with them? No houmous, but big piles of bananas and apples! When you think the whole world’s starving. I gotta do something about that.”
Stewart also opened up about a quirky pre-show ritual he’s kept for four decades: gargling rum and coke before hitting the stage. Though he rarely drinks otherwise, this tradition helps him prepare for his performances. After the show, he and his band reportedly enjoy lively celebrations filled with drinks and dancing.
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Fans can expect a memorable performance. Stewart described the upcoming Glastonbury set as a “different gig,” likening it to a cup final—an event that’s both special and intense. “It’ll be glamorous, it’ll be sexy. Not me—I’m talking about the other members of the group! We’ve got a little orchestra coming on to play with us. And we may have some bagpipes…”
In a recent interview on a BBC Sounds podcast with Zoe Ball, Stewart revealed the hefty cost of putting on the show. “It’s actually cost me £300,000 to do the show because I’ve got to bring all the band back from America and take them back afterward.” Despite his star status, Stewart noted with surprise that none of his children received complimentary tickets; all bought their own, as the festival doesn’t give any away.
Joining Stewart on stage will be longtime friend and former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, adding to the excitement of the event.
This announcement comes after Stewart has faced cancellations of recent shows, including his Las Vegas residency, due to illness. Nevertheless, his Glastonbury performance promises to be a highlight of the festival.