THE SCRIPT played all their hits when they returned to Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage for the first time in 16 years – but they almost didn’t make it at all.
Sitting down with Bizarre before their set on Saturday, frontman Danny O’Donoghue admitted he’d been on a speedboat ride in Cardiff the day before, which left him battered and bruised.
He explained: “It was kick-ass.
“For about two hours, I think they were trying their best to get us to crash and not show up to Glastonbury.
“My knees are in bits.
“He was trying to do doughnuts and then coming back out.
“We left the sea more than twice.
“We went right up and bang, smashed down.”
Danny, who paid an emotional tribute on stage to their late bandmate Mark Sheehan, celebrated afterwards into the early hours.
But ahead of the performance, he said: “I thought I’d be a bit more nervous.
“Glastonbury is like Woodstock.
“The first time, I remember feeling too small for the stage.
“The stage was huge.
“Now, coming back, the stage looks quite small.
“But that’s what 17 years of touring will do for you.”
But their focus is on a follow-up to 2024’s album Satellites. Danny said: “We’re doing a show in August then heading to the States to work with the writers from The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and Hall of Fame and pretty much everything we’ve written.”
There was a five-year gap between their last two albums but I don’t think we’ll have such a wait this time around.
CHARLI’S ON FIRE
CHARLI XCX delivered one of The Other Stage’s best headline shows on Saturday.
Dressed in tiny black shorts, a matching bra and leather boots, the singer smashed her way through her Brat album, as well as having a cheeky glass of wine during the 75-minute set.
Charli XCX delivered one of The Other Stage’s best headline shows[/caption]
Charli filled the stage with fire during her set[/caption]
She even managed to make it rain during her performance[/caption]
She filled the stage with fire and even rain while her pal Gracie Abrams was on the big screen doing Charli’s Apple dance.
Charli told fans: “I have a heart of stone – but Glastonbury, this is special.”
She later declared her love for fiancée George Daniels, The 1975’s drummer, and praised Block9 as the “best place” on Worthy Farm.
The area, which includes gay club NYC Downlow, has been the place to party for everyone from Zoe Ball to Matt Smith.
Charli enjoyed a cheeky glass of wine during her 75-minute set[/caption]
SIR ROD’S A LEGEND
Sir Rod Stewart made a quick change into a bright pink suit during his Glastonbury set[/caption]
Ronnie Wood came on for Faces hit Stay With Me[/caption]
Lulu then joined him on stage for Hot Legs[/caption]
SIR ROD STEWART lived up to his legends billing by overcoming a bout of flu and delivering an awesome set on Sunday afternoon.
Rod worked his way through hit after hit after cutting his current 28-song tour list down by eight.
He was desperate to fit in as many tracks as possible and made every break sparse when speaking to the crowd and made it clear he was just there to give his fans what they wanted — with shouts of “next” every time he wanted to hurry the set along.
By eleventh song Young Hearts the 200,000-plus crowd at the Pyramid Stage were on song, with Rod’s first ten tracks appearing to be relatively easy work vocally given how ill he was just seven days ago.
His energy levels were high, with the British superstar gyrating and dancing around the extensive stage with ease.
Those who’ve not been lucky enough to catch him on tour yet got to taste the full force of his band – with his brilliant saxophonist stealing the show alongside Rod’s six brilliant female singers and string players.
The affection and appreciation for Rod feels for his band spilled into my exclusive chat ahead of his set and on stage he made sure this set was just as much theirs as it was his.
A quick change into a bright pink suit after If You Want My Body and Rod was ready to go – launching into I Don’t Want To Talk About It before inviting my favourite Mick Hucknall on stage to sing If You Don’t Know Me By Now before Ronnie Wood came on for Faces hit Stay With Me.
Lulu then joined them for Hot Legs – with her saying as she walked off stage: “Rod Stewart’s the man.”
Too right he is.
During his closing song Sailing, Worthy Farm was swaying in near perfect timing – with many a tad out of rhythm thanks to the soaring heat and booze.
Rod however was on song and after taking one final bow on that hallowed stage, turning his back to show his custom-made Celtic shirt, he bid the crowd farewell.
They don’t make many like Rod. And that felt incredibly special.
DOECHII STARS IN STRIPES
DOECHII’s set will live long in the memory and not just for her pin-striped knee-high socks, slip of a kilt and tiny bra top.
The rapper’s West Holts session on Saturday served as an introduction to all the fans who have found her this year, thanks to hits Anxiety and Denial Is A River.
The US star peppered her set with snippets of the Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Missy Elliott and even Daft Punk.
RITA ORA led the stars partying into the early hours in Block 9 – the festival’s wild, immersive nightlife district – with husband Taika Waititi.
The pair had plenty of energy after being driven around all day in an air conditioned four-by-four.
The Hot Right Now singer was seen dancing and mingling with stars including actor Taron Egerton.
Not so lucky, Jack Whitehall got separated from his pals and was told there was “no more room” in the VIP bar they were in.
Tilda Swinton was in VIP the bar with Maisie Smith – who must have been boiling in a massive faux-fur coat, while Lily Allen was overheard telling a pal: “I feel so great, it’s just this feeling.”
Same, Lily. Same.
JAMES NORTON fans were shocked to see him stomping through hospitality camping with bare feet on Sunday morning.
My mole told me: “He was carrying his shoes and seemed in a hurry to get back from the toilets to his tent.
“People were doing double takes – and no one could work out why he’d taken his trainers off.”
Maybe he’s doing a Chris Martin, who is known for going barefoot because he likes to feel “grounded”.
CRUZ BECKHAM was living his best life – after renting out a posh Winnebago for himself and girlfriend Jackie Apostel.
An onlooker said: “While most people are stuck in stuffy tents, Cruz had a far fancier stay and was in one of the Winnies.
“The bigger ones cost almost £40,000 to rent.
“He spent Saturday enjoying some of the music acts with Jackie and stayed out of the VIP areas to hang out with the crowds.”
