Sir Rod Stewart has thrilled fans with a surprise announcement just days before his highly-anticipated Glastonbury performance. The 80-year-old rock legend teased followers with a cryptic Instagram post on Friday (June 20), writing: “I am so looking forward to playing Glastonbury and you know what? something new is coming.” Dressed in a dapper black suit and holding what appeared to be a blurred-out bottle, Rod’s post then revealed the words: “Join the Waitlist. Coming soon. wolfieswhisky.com/legend.”
The tease marks the next chapter in Stewart’s foray into the spirits business, having launched his own whisky label, Wolfie’s Whisky, in 2023. After two years of development, the Scotch was initially released in the UK and has now expanded to the US. The post sent fans into a frenzy, with supporters rushing to the comments to gush over the new announcement: “Keep on rockin’ Rod you are awesome” and “You are just INCREDIBLE MUSIC ?????? LEGEND SIR ROD.”
Stewart teamed up with long-time friend and drinks industry expert Duncan Frew to create a premium blended Scotch, working with the historic Loch Lomond Distillery, founded in 1772.
“Loch Lomond Distillery is one of the oldest and most prestigious distilleries in Scotland, and we only wanted to work with the best,” said Stewart. “Thankfully, they were also very generous in allowing us to do dozens of tastings – for professional purposes, of course.”
Inspired by his Scottish roots and wild years with The Faces, the whisky has been a passion project for the singer.
“I’ve got Scottish roots on my father’s side and have always been very proud of that. Scotland has been my home away from home for decades,” he added. “I’ve got a huge passion for the country, and you don’t get a more Scottish drink than whisky!”
But while his fans may be raising a glass to the launch, Stewart has revealed that performing at Glastonbury this year will come at a personal cost — literally.
“It’s going to cost me £300,000 to do it and they only pay you about 120,000 quid. So, it’s going to cost me,” he told Radio Times, explaining that flying his 12-piece band back from America and shipping equipment will eat into his own pocket.
The Grammy and Brit Award winner, who was knighted in 2016 for services to music and charity, explained that comfort remains essential for touring.
“I haven’t flown commercial for 20 years,” he added, confirming that while his band will travel Premium Economy, he’ll stick to more familiar comforts.
“You gotta get there in comfort. You book the best hotels,” he said. Stewart faces tough choices for his Glastonbury set, having been allocated just an hour and 15 minutes. I begged them, ‘Can I do another 15 minutes?’ Because usually I play for two hours,” he added.
The shortened slot means many fan favourites will be omitted, though he confirmed three guest singers would join him, alongside Rolling Stones guitarist and former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood.