Credit: Joe Bielawa

Glastonbury 2025: Rod Stewart claims he’ll lose $300,000 by performing

Wed 27 November 2024 12:18, UK

Rod Stewart has looked ahead to his performance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2025, revealing that he’s set to lose money to play at the prestigious event.

On November 26th, Stewart was the first act revealed for the next edition of the Somerset festival. The rock icon will take to the stage on Sunday afternoon (June 30th, 2025) on the Pyramid Stage in the legends slot, which was occupied by Shania Twain in 2024 and Cat Stevens in 2023.

Stewart previously headlined the Pyramid Stage in 2002, and his performance in 2025 will make Glastonbury history as the former Faces frontman will become the first act to play the legends slot that has previously headlined the event.

Upon being announced for Glastonbury, Stewart shared on Instagram: “I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I’ll be playing Glastonbury Festival 2025! After all these years, I’m proud and ready and more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury in June. I’ll see you there!”

Now, during a new interview on TalkSport on November 27th, Stewart has discussed his forthcoming appearance at the legendary festival.

When asked by host Alan Brazil if he had to take a long time to consider the offer from Glastonbury, Stewart said he knew “immediately” that he was going to accept the opportunity to perform at Worthy Farm. The singer added, “It’s a great honour.”

However, Stewart also revealed the financial cost of performing at Glastonbury, stating, “It’s going to cost me a fortune to do it – $300,0000. I’ve got to bring all my band back from America, of course Glastonbury don’t pay for that. But I don’t care if it cost me $1million, I would have done it. This is a great honour. It really is the greatest honour.”

Notably, Glastonbury pays significantly less to artists than other major festivals and instead uses that money to support charities. Due to the prestige of Glastonbury, the world’s biggest names are still prepared to play, even if they could earn more money performing at other events.

Additionally, while Stewart will lose $300,000 by performing at Glastonbury, the allure of the legends slot will boost his reputation, and he could possibly recoup a large portion of the money through ticket sales or an increase in streams.

Who is rumoured to play Glastonbury 2025?

At this stage, Stewart is the only confirmed name for Glastonbury. However, artists rumoured to headline include Sam Fender, who is set to release his highly anticipated third album, People Watching, on February 21st, 2025, and Olivia Rodrigo, who will be in the United Kingdom for shows in Manchester close to the time of Glastonbury. Stevie Wonder, The 1975 and Lady Gaga have also been speculated as possible headliners.

For the 2024 event, Glastonbury waited until March to reveal the line-up. Therefore, it’s likely that they will keep the artists under wraps for several more months until the entire poster is unveiled.