Rod Stewart cancels second major show with illness just weeks away from his Glastonbury performance

5 June 2025, 10:28

Rod Stewart live in Hollywood in March 2025
Rod Stewart live in Hollywood in March 2025. Picture: Alamy

By Mayer Nissim

Rod Stewart needs "a bit more rest" ahead of his high-profile Glastonbury appearance.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Rod Stewart has given fans a health update after he was forced to cancel a second show ahead of his performance at Glastonbury later this month.

Sir Rod is due to play the Legend's Slot at the festival on Sunday, June 29, but is currently in the US playing his greatest hits residency in Las Vegas.

Just hours before showtime, Stewart rescheduled one show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Monday (June 2) for June 10, and he's now cancelled tonight's planned show at the same venue with no new date yet announced.

"My doctor ordered a bit more rest while I recover from the flu," Sir Rod explained on Instagram.

"Thanks for your love and understanding."

It's not the first time Stewart has been forced to cancel shows due to ill health in recent years.

He pulled out of some concerts last August after being diagnosed with the strep throat and COVID, and has also taken to extreme measures to protect his voice between shows.

Sir Rod was spotted after a show at Milan's Unipol Forum earlier this year with a sign around his neck reading "Sorry. Cannot talk. Having vocal rest".

Rod Stewart at the AMAs in May 2025
Rod Stewart at the AMAs in May 2025. Picture: Alamy

This year's Glastonbury performance will be a big deal for Stewart, though it's worth mentioning that he's played bigger sets across his career, including headlining the same festival in 2002 and playing the biggest live show in history on Copacabana Beach on New Year's Eve in 1994.

There have been rumours that the Legend's Slot set will include a Faces reunion, and Sir Rod has let slip that Rolling Stones man Ronnie Wood will certainly be making an appearance.

Sir Rod recently said that his current dates mark his farewell to "large scale touring", though he will surely still play smaller shows, one-offs and residencies.