Rod Stewart Pays High Cost to Rock Glastonbury 2025

In a shocking twist, Sir Rod Stewart, the legendary musician known for his iconic hits like “Maggie May,” revealed he’s footing the bill to perform at Glastonbury 2025. At 80, Stewart is set to grace the Pyramid Stage once again, a venue he last headlined in 2002, taking up the coveted teatime legend slot formerly supervised by stars such as Diana Ross and Shania Twain.

In an exclusive interview with RadioTimes, Stewart shared that the compensation he receives from the festival is not nearly enough to cover his soaring expenses. “It was about eight months ago when I was asked to do it, maybe a little longer,” he said. “But it didn’t fit with my schedule because I’ve got to bring everybody back from America.”

As he prepares for the festival, Stewart is currently deep into his Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace. However, bringing his full performance gear, crew, and equipment back to the UK is no small feat. “It’s going to cost me £300,000 to do it and they only pay you about £120,000. So it’s going to cost me,” he lamented, laying bare the expenses associated with such a high-profile gig.

Interestingly, Rod mentioned he’ll be flying his band in Premium Economy—an unusual choice considering he hasn’t flown commercial in 20 years. It seems the financial crunch isn’t keeping him from offering a top-notch experience for his team.

Fortunately, the “Hot Legs” singer isn’t hurting for cash. With a net worth of an estimated £220 million, he enjoys a luxurious lifestyle complete with a fleet of cars and lavish properties spread across Essex, Florida, Los Angeles, and France. He’s also known for his preference for glittering accessories, draping himself in “diamonds and gold.”

While Glastonbury organizers maintain discretion over artist payments, it’s known that some legends like Paul McCartney and Coldplay earned around £200,000 for their headline performances. Booker Michael Eavis once noted that performers generally take home “less than 10%” of what they’d make at other festivals.

Moreover, Glastonbury aims to give back—committing to donate at least £2 million from the festival to charity partners like Greenpeace, WaterAid, and Oxfam, leaving fans a bit warmer in the heart while enjoying the music.

For those eager for more insights into Rod’s thoughts on this notable appearance, the full interview is featured in the latest issue of RadioTimes.