LONDON — Renowned musician Rod Stewart is set to take the spotlight in the “legends” segment at the iconic Glastonbury Festival next year, marking his return more than twenty years after he last headlined the event, according to festival organizers on Tuesday.

At 79, Stewart expressed his enthusiasm on social media, stating that he is “proud and ready and more than able to take the stage once more to delight and excite my friends at Glastonbury in June.” The legendary artist, who previously headlined the festival in 2002, is the first confirmed act for the June 2025 festival held at Worthy Farm in southwest England.

This year’s festival featured Shania Twain in the prestigious legends spot and attracted about 200,000 attendees, with performances from popular artists like Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA.

Stewart climbed to fame in the London blues scene during the late 1960s, initially leading the Jeff Beck Group. He then joined the boisterous rock band the Faces before establishing a successful solo career with hit songs including “Maggie May,” “Tonight’s the Night,” and “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”

Approaching his 80th birthday in January, Stewart recently indicated that while he plans to step back from extensive world tours, he has “no desire to retire” after a remarkable six-decade journey in music. He shared on Instagram last week, “I love what I do, and I do what I love. I’m fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 metres in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79.”

Emily Eavis, one of the festival organizers, expressed her excitement, saying that bringing Rod Stewart back was “everything we could wish for,” especially before the festival goes on a break or takes a “fallow year” to let the farmland that hosts the event rejuvenate.