The Rolling Stones showed they’ve still got it as they finally took to the stage at Glastonbury with an electric performance that organisers said was the highlight of the British festival’s history.
Frontman Mick Jagger, wearing a glittering green jacket, bounded onto the Pyramid Stage on Saturday night with the energy and enthusiasm of a man half his age. “This is great. I want to tell you something — it’s great to be doing this show, doing this festival. You all look amazing,” the 69-year-old told the cheering crowd. He then jokingly added: “After all these years, they finally got around to asking us. Thank you Michael.” He was referring to Michael Eavis, the organiser of Glastonbury who is thought to have been trying to arrange the Stones to play for years. But they have said it never fit with their schedule. Eavis said their performance was “the high spot of 43 years of Glastonbury”, telling the BBC: “They finally did it, and it was fantastic. My God, did they deliver.” Jagger acknowledged that most of the young audience, which reportedly included 28-year-old Prince Harry, probably weren’t born when the band started playing five decades ago.
“If this is the first time you’ve ever seen the band, do come again,” he said.