Elton John On His Final Show: ‘It’s The Most Wonderful Way To Sign Off’

Elton John’s final show in the UK is rapidly approaching, with the Rocket Man ending his touring days by headlining this year’s Glastonbury festival on Sunday, 25 June.

After his Glastonbury appearance, John has just seven dates remaining on his touring schedule. Speaking on Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 2 show yesterday (30 May), the iconic singer and piano player revealed that he often avoids music festivals (“too many people”), and this was the first time he’d ever been asked to perform at Glastonbury.

“I don’t like crowds. I have played festivals and I’ve really enjoyed them. But of course, Glastonbury is the crème de la crème,” John disclosed. He added, “It’s the first time I’ve been asked to play it, I haven’t turned it down before. 

"But it’s just come at the right time. I’m a great believer in serendipity and fate and this is the most wonderful way to sign off in England and Great Britain.”

John later called Glastonbury festival organiser Emily Eavis “wonderful” to work with, and dropped an exciting bombshell about potential special guests to join him during his headline performance. 

“I’ve got a different setlist to the tour,” he continued, “it’s going to be much different. I’ve got guests and I can’t tell you who they are, but it’s going to be wonderful. I’m really looking forward to it.”

As NME notes, the special guests could potentially be Rina Sawayama (who performs at Glastonbury on Saturday, 24 June) or Dua Lipa, both of whom featured on his 2021 collaborative album, The Lockdown Sessions. But, it's Elton John and he has all the friends in the music industry - anything could happen during his final show in England.

Earlier this month, John suggested that he may go down the Farnsey route, leaving room for the “odd show” following his retirement from touring.

“I’m not going to tour again,” John admitted, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, as “There may be the odd show...”

A few months ago, Eavis said about nabbing the music superstar for this year’s Glastonbury, "We will be closing the festival and marking this huge moment in both of our histories with the mother of all send-offs. We are so very happy to finally bring the Rocket Man to Worthy Farm."

Elton John initially announced his retirement from touring in January 2018, announcing a three-year farewell across the globe that stretched to 2023 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It’s time to come off the road so I fully embrace the next chapter of my life," John revealed. "Performing live fuels me and I’m ecstatic and humbled to continue to play to audiences across the globe.

"I plan to bring the passion and creativity that has entertained my fans for decades to my final tour After the tour finishes, I’m very much looking forward to coming off the road so I can dedicate more time to raising my children."