Saturday at Glastonbury: Paul McCartney joined by Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl during historic set

(Yui Mok/PA)

Paul McCartney has made history as Glastonbury’s oldest solo headliner as he kicked off his set on the Pyramid Stage.

The former Beatle’s headline show on Saturday comes exactly a week after he celebrated his 80th birthday, and more than 60 years of making music.

McCartney, dressed in a navy Nehru style jacket, kicked off the set with a rendition of The Beatles’ hit Can’t Buy Me Love.

The former Beatle’s headline show on Saturday comes exactly a week after he celebrated his 80th birthday (Yui Mok/PA)

Addressing the crowd, he said: “Good evening Glastonbury – wow man it’s so good to be here – we were supposed to be doing this three years ago.”

Teasing the setlist for the night ahead, McCartney added: “We’ve got some old songs, some new songs, some in-betweeners.

“I’ve got a feeling we’re going to have a good time tonight.”

The third song the former Beatle played on the Pyramid Stage was Letting Go, which he released alongside his former band Wings.

He also got the massive audience jiving along as he played his song Come On To Me.

After the song, the musician took off his jacket, saying: “That is the only wardrobe change of the whole evening.”

All you need is… Paul McCartney. RG pic.twitter.com/lEWG8DW9r2

— Glastonbury Live (@GlastoLive) June 25, 2022

The singer also paid tribute to the late Jimi Hendrix, calling him a “lovely” and “humble man”.

He later dedicated his piano-led version of My Valentine to his wife Nancy, who was watching his Glastonbury set in the audience.

“The next song I’ll do is one I wrote for my wife Nancy, she’s in the audience tonight with us, this one’s for you Nanc,” he said.

Also among the selection of songs was The Beatles’ Fixing A Hole and Let Me Roll It, a song he released with his band Wings.

Following this, he switched his guitar for the piano to play his track Let ‘Em In.

As the sun set over Worthy Farm in Somerset, the crowd swayed in time with the tunes.

Sir Paul McCartney on stage at Cheese and Grain in Frome, Somerset, the night before his headlining appearance at the Glastonbury Festival (MJ Kim/2022 MPL Communications Ltd/PA)

McCartney treated the Glastonbury audience by bringing out Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl to sing the Beatles classic I Saw Her Standing There.

“I’ve got a little surprise for you. My friend from the west coast of America, Dave Grohl.” However, the Foo Fighters frontman Grohl explained that it had not been a smooth journey.

He explained: “Well I started on Wednesday, then the flight got cancelled, back to the airport Thursday and then the flight got cancelled, but I swear I would never miss being on stage with you right now.” 

The pair played a medley of songs including Band On The Run.

McCartney thanked Dave Grohl before introducing another special guest to the Glastonbury Pyramid Stage.

He said: “Love you Dave thank you man we all love ya. Ladies and gentlemen one more time – Dave Grohl.

“He said you know he’ll come over and I didn’t believe him but I should have, he showed up.

We have another surprise for you from the east coast of America, it’s Mr Bruce Springsteen.” 

Taking to the stage, Springsteen said: “Happy birthday Paul, here’s to 80 more years.” The pair proceed to play Glory Days.

Springsteen added: “Couldn’t miss it man”, before the pair played Beatles classic I Wanna Be Your Man.

At one stage, McCartney briefly paused talking to the audience to check on the crowd.

He said: “What’s going on there? Something happening over there in the middle of the crowd. Let’s attend to it.” 

After the situation had been assessed, he added “Okay it’s good, we’re sorting it”, before continuing his show.

Ahead of his history-making set on the Pyramid Stage, McCartney delivered a surprise preview performance at an intimate venue in Frome, Somerset, where he played some of his best-known solo material.

”We are approaching the precipice and I would strongly suggest that all of those who have not yet been greenwashed out of our senses to stand our ground. Do you not let them drag us another inch closer to the edge. Right now is where we stand our ground.”

Thank you Glastonbury! pic.twitter.com/1AN44Ff8hG

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) June 25, 2022

Earlier on Saturday, Greta Thunberg has called on society to take on its “historic responsibility to set things right” with the global climate crisis during her speech at Glastonbury.

Speaking from the Pyramid Stage, the 19-year-old environment activist told the crowd she feels there is still hope for the world to choose a path which is “sustainable” and “leads to a future for everyone”.

Ms Thunberg’s speech was followed by a set by pop rock band Haim, with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds taking to the Pyramid Stage after them.

The Pyramid Stage hosted an array of talent throughout Saturday including Haim, AJ Tracey, Easy Life, Joy Crookes and Les Amazones d’Afrique.

There was also performances from musical stars across the festival’s multiple stages, with US pop star Olivia Rodrigo and rapper Megan Thee Stallion both playing on the Other Stage.

While Mercury-winner Celeste played the West Holts Stage, with The Hoosiers headlining the Avalon Stage and Jessie Ware closing The Park Stage.

Billie Eilish performs on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival (Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Eilish gave an electrifying headline performance on the Pyramid Stage on Friday to end the first day of performances at Glastonbury.

Her appearance was a landmark moment for the festival as she became Glastonbury’s youngest ever solo headliner.