Rina Sawayama, Brandon Flowers, and Jacob Lusk of Gabriels join Elton John's headline set at Glastonbury Festival 2023

Performing a career-spanning set which includes the likes of "Bennie And The Jets", "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", "Candle In The Wind", "Rocket Man", and "Tiny Dancer", Elton John's final UK performance was a memorable one.

Addressing the crowd with gratitude, he says: "I never ever thought I’d ever play Glastonbury and here I am and it’s a very special evening… I wanted to tell you I’ve seen you standing there for so long and I appreciate the outfits and everything – it’s amazing.”

For his first special guest, Elton John invited Jacob Lusk of Gabriels, alongside a gospel choir to perform "Are You Ready For Love". Introducing his second guest, TikTok star Steven Sanchez to perform "Until I Found You", he said: "When I chose my guests for this show I wanted to have this song saved for one person. This next boy, I heard last year on the radio in America. It was a hit in the UK and America... I asked him to Glastonbury to play one of his own songs. He's an amazing talent."

That look he gives to the picture of his friend, the lovely George Michael, on what would have been his 60th birthday. 💔#eltonjohn #Glastonbury #glastonbury2023 pic.twitter.com/58C3Mih0Nq

— Eddie Burfi (@EddieBurfi) June 25, 2023

Killer song after killer song. Most of us artists can only dream of having a catalogue like this. What a SET. The legacy Elton leaves us is immeasurable. @eltonofficial #EltonJohn #Glastonbury ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bnmwIJMUhw

— Beverley Knight💙 (@Beverleyknight) June 25, 2023

"We first met in 2005," John says as he introduces Brandon Flowers of The Killers to the stage for "Ting Danceer". He came to my hotel suite, and played his latest album called Hot Fuss, and we've been friends ever since. He was the first person I thought to ask to sing with me even though he’s played Glastonbury six times."

Rounding off the set with "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", featuring Rina Sawayama – who performed yesterday and caught headlines for calling out Matty Healy – "I'm Still Standing", "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", as a tribute to George Michael, and "Cold Heart", which normally features Dua Lipa who wasn't available for the evening – "The person who sings this song with me isn't here so you're going to have to do her part", John ended the set on "Rocket Man".

Finally, he thanks the crowd: "Thank you for 52 years of love. It has been a incredible journey and I've had the best time. I'll never forget you. You're in my head, heart, and soul. You've been an incredible crowd. I love you! I wish you love and health and happiness."

Elton John & Brandon Flowers performing ‘Tiny Dancer’ tonight at Glastonbury 😍

pic.twitter.com/PxcT4UexUr

— The Rock Revival (@TheRockRevival_) June 25, 2023

Well that was special.

If that was his last ever UK show, what a way to bow out.

Place on 'Glastonbury greatest performances' list secured. #EltonJohn #Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/NTRzvOR70S

— Richard Baker (@richarddbaker) June 25, 2023

Setlist:

1. Pinball Wizard (The Who cover which he played for the first time since 2009)
2. The Bitch Is Back
3. Bennie and the Jets
4. Daniel
5. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
6. I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
7. Philadelphia Freedom
8. Are You Ready for Love (with Jacob Lusk and the London Community Gospel Choir)
9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) (with London Community Gospel Choir)
10. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
11. Until I Found You (Stephen Sanchez song with Stephen Sanchez)
12. Your Song
13. Candle in the Wind
14. Tiny Dancer (with Brandon Flowers)
15. Don't Go Breaking My Heart (Elton John and Kiki Dee cover with Rina Sawayama)
16. Crocodile Rock
17. Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
18. I'm Still Standing
19. Cold Heart
20. Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Dedicated to George Michael)
21. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)