Glastonbury is a music festival, but also, in the 21st century, a TV event. Following last year’s epic headliner by Paul McCartney, its true purpose, however, may be to provide a forum where iconic artists come to say “hello, goodbye” – and invite their many famous friends on for guest cameos.
Macca went wacca for big names when he brought on Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl (who appears not to have gone home and has become the Ghost of Glasto, haunting this year’s event). Twelve months later, the Sunday night grandee slot goes to Elton John, playing his last ever UK show and who promises four guests – at least one of whom would be “very special”, according to his husband, David Furnish.
But Elton appears to have not received the memo about bringing out a quartet of mega-stars. Rumours swirl he will treat viewers at home and the 100,000-plus crowd at Glastonbury to cameos from Britney Spears, Lady Gaga – someone even theorises Van Morrison might pop along.
Instead, Elton reminds us of his latter-day incarnation as a champion of upcoming artists. He was, for instance, one of the first cheerleaders for Billie Elish and Dua Lipa – though neither made it to tonight. Instead, he performs Are You Ready For Love? with Jacob Lusk from Gabriels and then invites 20-year-old Nashville singer Stephen Sanchez up for Sanchez’s country hit Until I Found You – or, as those at home might call it, Time To Nip To The Loo.
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The “very special” star is Brandon Flowers from The Killers, who seems to have transformed into Tom Cruise playing Alan Partridge. He wears a bright red suit and goofy smile as he and Elton duet on Tiny Dancer.
Finally, it’s the turn of Japanese-British pop star Rina Sawayama, who fills in for Kiki Dee on Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
At the festival, they go along with the largely obscure guests. At home, people with access to the internet are less impressed – a fair chunk of us have apparently tuned in hoping to see Britney Spears and are underwhelmed to get Brandon “ah-ha!” Flowers instead.
The set is otherwise a facsimile, more or less, of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour Elton brought to Dublin in March. There are early sightings of Bennie and the Jets and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and he marks the 60th birthday of George Michael by performing Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me (which they duetted at Live Aid).
Elton, at 76, no longer sings dressed as Donald Duck. But, in his gold suit, he seems moved by the Glastonbury reception.
True, the sense of occasion doesn’t always come through for the TV audience. Ultimately it’s just another Sunday night on the settee.
Still, Britney or no Britney, it’s hard not to feel the chills as he finishes with Rocket Man, and the gig culminates in a crescendo of fireworks. Paul McCartney had more star power. But with so many watching, live and remotely, Elton nonetheless delivers a send-off to remember.
