STEVIE WONDER could be back in the frame to headline at Glastonbury – after talks for this year’s festival collapsed.
We hear event boss Emily Eavis is working to get the singer signed, sealed and delivered to the Pyramid Stage in 2025.
Chat of a return for Stevie, who closed the massive Worthy Farm gig in 2010, was in full flow at Thursday’s Rolling Stone UK Awards at London’s Roundhouse in Camden.
And insiders said his team are confident he can make it to the Pyramid stage next summer.
A source revealed: “Emily was so close to securing Stevie last year.
“The deal was basically done and his name was put on to the draft posters. When it fell apart because of his schedule, it was a nightmare for everyone involved — and Stevie was gutted.
READ MORE ON STEVIE WONDER
“There is now the chance he could come back next summer to headline the Pyramid Stage. Talks are ongoing.”
Our Jack first revealed last March how Stevie was in the running for a return to the farm.
But weeks later, the global superstar had to pull the plug. A source told us at the time: “The mood behind the scenes is fraught, to say the least.
“Emily is desperate to pull off another top line-up, but right now, everywhere she turns is hit with issues.
“She’s doing everything she can to deliver for music lovers and still hopes Stevie and his team can be won over, but it’s not looking good.”
If Stevie does make it back to the farm, it would be the first time the 74-year-old Master Blaster singer has performed there in 15 years.
He played Glastonbury’s 40th birthday celebrations and his set went down a treat, with more than 100,000 fans cramming into the Pyramid stage area to watch him belt out a string of hits.
I’ve never been lucky enough to see Stevie play live, so for me, this would be a dream come true.
Vod did you say, Ellie?
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ELLIE GOULDING appeared to be channelling her old school uniform at the bash, in woollen shorts and matching jacket.
But the normally well-spoken singer dropped F-bombs as she handed Chase & Status the Song of the Year gong for Backbone.
Looking embarrassed after a second expletive within ten seconds of taking to the stage, Ellie blamed the free-flowing spirits.
Apologising to the crowd, she said: “Why am I swearing so much? Sorry I’ve had too much vodka.”
She later told herself off, adding: “Stop swearing!”
Don’t worry, Ellie, no one batted an eyelid.
Nile be there to party
IT’S looking likely to be one hell of a party as Glastonbury’s Sunday line-up takes shape.
I can reveal Nile Rodgers and Chic are heading for the Pyramid Stage to entertain fans.
They will perform straight after Sir Rod Stewart plays the coveted Legends slot, which Shania Twain filled at this year’s event.
Festival boss Emily Eavis announced the Sailing singer had been signed to the 2025 Worthy Farm spectacle earlier this week.
Speaking at the Rolling Stone UK bash, Nile said: “Rod Stewart’s set is going to be a blast because we follow him directly, and Rod and I have been friends for a gazillion years.
“So that means he is going to play tricks on me, I know that for a fact.
“He is probably going to pinch my bum as he always does that . . . I don’t know what the hell he gets out of that.
“We are going to have a great time together. I don’t know who is in his current band, but we will probably jam in the dressing room and just do fun stuff.
“Regardless of what the world may think, we really love each other. We really are quite close.”
Despite being over the moon to follow on from Sir Rod, Nile says he does not ask to see who else is on a festival line-up before he is booked.
Nile, who received the Global Icon gong during Thursday’s awards do, said: “I don’t give a flying f*** who is on before me or after me, because every time we perform, we put on the best show possible.”
I will be right there at the front, boys.
Noel’s Gal-lagher
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NOEL GALLAGHER enjoyed an evening out with daughter Anais, attending the launch of Zoe Law: Legends photography exhibition.
The show, at London’s National Portrait Gallery, features a new portrait of the Oasis legend.
Noel said: “I am thrilled and honoured to have my portrait added to the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.
“The thought of the portrait of a grumpy middle-aged man who hates having his picture taken being permanently displayed for future generations to marvel at is very special.”
Also at the event was musician Johnny Marr.
The charts
KENDRICK LAMAR scores his second No1 album with his surprise release GNX and lands three songs in the Top Ten of the singles chart.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s rendition of Defying Gravity from the Wicked soundtrack is also a new entry at No7.
SINGLES
- That’s So True – Gracie Abrams
- Sailor Song – Gigi Perez
- Apt – Rose & Bruno Mars
- Squabble Up – Kendrick Lamar
- Luther – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- TV Off – Kendrick Lamar ft. Lefty Gunplay
- Defying Gravity – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
- Last Christmas – Wham!
- The Door – Teddy Swims
- All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
ALBUMS
- GNX – Kendrick Lamar
- Small Changes – Michael Kiwanuka
- Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
- From Zero – Linkin Park
- Brat – Charli XCX
- The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan
- +-=÷x Tour Collection – Ed Sheeran
- The Highlights – The Weeknd
- Diamonds – Elton John
- Hit Me Hard And Soft – Billie Eilish
Jade’s got her Kicks
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JADE used her first award acceptance speech as a solo artist to thank her Rizzle Kicks boyfriend Jordan Stephens for pushing her to pursue her dream of making it on her own after Little Mix split.
During the evening Jade performed her debut single Angel Of My Dreams.
Despite always seeming confident on stage, Jade admitted she was terrified to take on the charts without bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards.
Speaking as she collected the Trailblazer Award, Jade said: “I knew this first single wasn’t radio-friendly or a TikTok hit, so I was really proud of myself for pushing it.
“I want to thank my boyfriend Jordan – he is here tonight.
“He really is my biggest champion, so thank you for teaching me not to shrink as a woman and for showing me that it is absolutely fine to be a powerful, successful woman and have a man who supports that.
“I also want to thank myself as it’s really scary going from being in a girl band for over ten years – it was all I knew for so long – so coming out as a solo artist I was terrified.
“I’m really proud of myself for pushing that. I think it’s all right to toot your own trumpet at times.”
It absolutely is. Good for you, Jade.
And the winners are..
The Global Icon Award – Nile Rodgers
The Live Act Award – Confidence Man
The Television Award – Toby Jones (Mr Bates Vs The Post Office)
The Group Award – Ezra Collective
The Song of the Year Award – Chase & Status
The Festival Award – Wide Awake
The Artist Award – Yannis & The Yaw
The Trailblazer Award – Jade Thirlwall
The Breakthrough Award – English Teacher
The Film Award – Better Man
The Record Label Award – Island Records
The Album Award – Fontaines DC (Romance)
The Icon Award – New Order
ACTOR TOBY JONES had a message from Post Office campaigner Alan Bates as he collected the Television Award for Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.
Toby played Alan in the hit ITV drama, which told how hundreds of subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted for theft.
Toby said: “I spoke to Alan Bates today and he urges you to carry on putting pressure on MPs, to sort out this situation and pay these people their money back.”
In September, Alan was knighted by the King for services to justice.
CLEAN BANDIT have big plans for 2025.
On the red carpet, members Grace Chatto and Jack Patterson said: “We are going to release as many bangers as we can. We have so much music we’ve just not put out.
“The first song we will release in 2025, is a new genre. It’s trance and reggaeton mixed with classical. It’s serious dance music, a bit more clubby than people are used to from us.”
But they reckon it won’t be too obscure as their fans “are interested in melting genres and experimenting with sounds”.