Rod Stewart’s Glastonbury Gig Will Cost Him Money

In a surprising twist of events, music legend Rod Stewart revealed that performing at the Glastonbury Festival may actually cost him more than he’ll earn. Scheduled to take the iconic ‘legends’ slot on the pyramid stage on June 29, he’s facing a staggering expense to make it happen. Despite the glamor surrounding one of the festival’s most prominent spots, the fees offered to artists are minimal compared to what they usually command.

Speaking to the Radio Times, Rod shared that it’s a financial gamble for him. “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. The logistics of returning to the UK to perform are daunting—Rod is currently enjoying a lucrative residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which adds complications to his Glastonbury plans.

While his Glastonbury set will be a hefty hour and 45 minutes—only slightly shorter than his Vegas gigs—Rod’s paycheck starkly contrasts with his earnings of around $2.7 million per show. The festival has a rich history of hosting iconic acts in this legends slot, including the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey, Barry Gibb, and Diana Ross.

Glastonbury’s founders have been transparent about their financial model, stating that the festival prioritizes charity over high artist payouts. They’ve confirmed that they aim to contribute at least £2 million annually to charities like Greenpeace, Oxfam, and WaterAid. However, inclement weather can cut into these donations, increasing operational costs.

This financial strategy means that most performers accept reduced fees. Festival founder Michael Eavis disclosed in a past interview that stars like Paul McCartney and Coldplay received about £200,000 for landmark headline performances, a fraction of their typical earnings. Despite the prestige of Glastonbury, artists are well aware they are getting less than they would elsewhere in the festival circuit.

Emily Eavis, who oversees much of the act bookings, affirmed the festival’s limitations in a 2017 interview with BBC Radio 6. “We’re not in the same bracket as everyone else when it comes to paying artists massive fees,” she said. In fact, Bestival organizer Rob Da Bank noted that Glastonbury is the one show that artists often play for free or at a significantly reduced price.

While the cap on headline payments stretches to around £500,000, many artists still find that even this figure feels undervalued given their typical market worth. The collective ethos around Glastonbury, focusing on charity and community, certainly colors the choices artists make regarding their participation.