Rocketmen, ravers and relief from the sun: Sunday at Glastonbury – photo essay | Glastonbury 2023

Performers at Carhenge.

The final day at Glastonbury saw some relief from the hot weather, as a cool breeze blew across the Somerset sky and there was even the slightest sprinkling of rain. Across the site, excitement was building for the big slots by Cat Stevens, Blondie and – of course – Elton John.

Performers at Carhenge. Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Carhenge has been one of the most eye-catching additions to this year’s festival, and the Guardian’s Jonny Weeks encountered some performance artists while he was there on Sunday morning.

Sophie Ellis-Bexter plays the Pyramid stage
Sophie Ellis-Bextor plays the Pyramid stage. Photograph: Guy Bell/Shutterstock

Early in the afternoon, Sophie Ellis-Bextor lit up the Pyramid stage with a vibrant golden leotard and a performance featuring a host of her kitchen disco favourites.

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Slideshow credits: Jonny Weeks, David Levene, Jill Mead

Graeme Healey, 46, from Middlesbrough is a huge Elton John fan from childhood.
Graeme Healey, 46, from Middlesbrough is a huge Elton John fan from childhood. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian
Rich Pelley as Elton John above the Park Stage.
Rich Pelley dresses up as Elton John above the Park Stage. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

It was impossible to get away from the Elton-ness of the day. Fans across the festival site were dressed as the Rocket Man in many of his iconic outfits. Rich Pelley got in on the act for the Guardian too, spending much of the festival as Elton.

Lil Nas X on the Pyramid stage
Lil Nas X on the Pyramid stage Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Lil Nas X brought by far the year’s most ludicrous and epic show on the Pyramid stage, featuring giant serpents, minotaurs and a guest spot from Jack Harlow.

Kate Hudson, centre, watches Lil Nas X perform.
Kate Hudson, centre, watches Lil Nas X perform. Photograph: Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP
Becky Hill performs on the Other Stage.
Becky Hill raves on at the Other stage. Photograph: Joseph Okpako/WireImage

In a rave-themed set on a stage plastered with smiley faces, Becky Hill played a selection of classic house touchstones alongside her own pop bangers.

Candi Staton performing on West Holts stage
Candi Staton performs on West Holts stage. Photograph: James Veysey/Shutterstock

Candi Staton was in high spirits as she took to the stage at West Holts for the sundowner set. The disco queen served up a poignant reminder of life’s preciousness, highlighting her recovery from cancer before closing with her life-affirming hit You Got the Love.

Caroline Polachek on the Woodsies stage
Caroline Polachek on the Woodsies stage Photograph: Shirlaine Forrest/Redferns

US alt-pop singer Caroline Polachek brought her typically stunning vocal prowess to Glastonbury for a second year running.

Three generations from Barrington, a local village in Somerset. They’ve been coming to the festival for 20 years.
Three generations from Barrington, a local village in Somerset. They’ve been coming to the festival for 20 years. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

And then it was time for Elton John for the Sunday night Pyramid headline slot, the undoubted must-see moment of the weekend. And indeed everyone did try to see it, with the Pyramid stage packed to capacity. A flurry of fireworks set the tone at the start of the set …

Elton John on the Pyramid stage
Elton John on the Pyramid stage. Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

It was all killer no filler as John rattled through every last one of his biggest hits, joined by a succession of special guests – rising artists Rina Sawayama, Stephen Sanchez and Jacob Lusk of the band Gabriels – and upping the star wattage with a duet alongside Killers frontman Brandon Flowers.

Elton John performs with Rina Sawayama.
Elton John performs with Rina Sawayama. Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

There were plenty of moments of real poignancy, not least when John paid tribute to “my friend” George Michael, on what would have been the late performer’s 60th birthday.

The Finale of Elton John’s show on the Pyramid stage
The Finale of Elton John’s show on the Pyramid stage Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Elton closed, as expected, with a rousing Rocket Man as fireworks exploded around him. “I will never forget you – you are in my head, my heart and my soul,” he told a rapturous Pyramid audience.

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