Who were Sir Elton John’s surprise musical guests at Glastonbury?

By Laura Harding, PA Deputy Entertainment Editor

Sir Elton John’s fans had been tipped off that there would be four musical guests during his headline slot at Glastonbury.

Speculation had been rampant that these could include huge names such as Dua Lipa, Harry Styles and even Britney Spears.

Glastonbury Festival 2023
It has been rumoured John would be joined by huge stars (Ben Birchall/PA) Photo by Ben Birchall

But instead John opted for close friends and musicians he respects, rather than headline-grabbing stars.

So who were the special guests?

– Jacob Lusk 

The Brit Awards 2023 – Arrivals – London
Jacob Lusk from Gabriels (Ian West/PA) Photo by Ian West

US singer Lusk, 36, competed on the tenth season of American Idol, finishing in fifth place.

He is one third of Gabriels, alongside Ari Balouzian and Ryan Hope.

He was John’s first musical guest, appearing in a hot pink suit to perform alongside The London Community Gospel Choir on Are You Ready For Love?

– Stephen Sanchez

The only song in John’s two-hour set that was not from his own songbook was by Sanchez, 20.

The music superstar told the crowd: “I wanted to have newer artists, save for one person, and this boy I heard last year on the radio… I’ve asked him to come to Glastonbury to do his song and he’s an amazing young talent.”

He was then joined by the US singer for a performance of Sanchez’s 2022 song Until I Found You.

– Brandon Flowers

The Graham Norton Show – London
Brandon Flowers (Yui Mok/PA) Photo by Yui Mok

The biggest star to join John on stage was The Killers frontman, who appeared for Tiny Dancer.

Introducing him, John said: “My next guest I first met in 2005 when I first started playing Las Vegas, and he came to my hotel suite to play me his band’s first album Hot Fuss – we’ve been friends ever since.”

He added that Flowers was “the first person I thought of” to be a guest during his set.

– Rina Sawayama

John Wick: Chapter 4 – gala screening – London
Rina Sawayama (Ian West/PA) Photo by Ian West

The Japanese-British singer was hailed by John as “an extraordinary talent and amazing recording artist”.

The fourth surprise guest of the night joined him to perform Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.