December 24th 2024.
Sir Rod Stewart, the legendary rocker, has announced that he will be performing at Glastonbury 2025. But, what's even more surprising is that he will be bringing his favourite hobby along with him - model railways. Yes, you read that right. The 79-year-old is not only the first confirmed act for the major UK festival, but he will also be playing the Legends slot on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday afternoon. And let's just say, his talent is not the only thing he will be showcasing at Worthy Farm.
According to fellow model railway enthusiast and musical collaborator, Jools Holland, Sir Rod has big plans for his appearance at Glastonbury. He not only wants to bring one of his railway stations with him, but he may even create a bespoke Glastonbury model. Jools revealed that Sir Rod always takes a station building with him on tour, and he could use it to create a little ride-on railway that goes around Glastonbury, passing by iconic spots like the Healing Fields, the jazz tent, and back to the Pyramid Stage.
Sir Rod has been open about his love for model railways for over a decade and has even gone as far as getting a hotel room cleared out to store his stations while on tour. His dedication to this hobby dates back even further, with his latest achievement being a model of "Grand Street & Three Rivers Railroad" that he has been working on for 26 years. The model, reminiscent of 1940s America, spans an impressive 27 feet by 62 feet.
In an exclusive interview with Railway Modeller, Sir Rod shared his love for this hobby, calling it the "greatest in the world." He spends an average of four to five hours a day on it, and even if he has just twenty minutes to spare, he will head over to his workshop to work on his model railway. He now has a total of 900 feet worth of track, which he transported 5,000 miles from Los Angeles to his home in Essex, with plans to expand it even further.
Despite initially feeling embarrassed about his love for model railways, Sir Rod is now proud to share it with the world. And what better way to do so than by creating a Glastonbury-inspired railway to the festival itself? In his announcement, he expressed his pride and readiness to take on the Legends slot previously held by the likes of Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, and Kylie Minogue. Glastonbury festival organiser Emily Eavis shared her excitement, saying that it was the perfect way to wrap up before their fallow year.
Sir Rod's Glastonbury appearance also marks a shift in his touring plans, as he announced he will no longer be doing large-scale world tours. Instead, he will focus on smaller venues and intimate performances. But, don't worry, he still plans on giving his all at Glastonbury, even if it means paying $300,000 out of his own pocket to bring his band back from America.
In addition to his talent and model railways, Sir Rod is also known for standing up for what he believes in. Recently, he called out former Masterchef host Gregg Wallace for the treatment of his wife, Penny Lancaster, on the celebrity version of the show a few years ago. Sir Rod shows no signs of slowing down, and we can't wait to see what he has in store for us at Glastonbury 2025.
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