Glastonbury viewers reckon Rick Astley has 'won' the festival after he performed an unusual collaboration with Stockport's very own Blossoms.
The singer, 57, already wowed fans with his own set on Saturday afternoon - which saw him cover Harry Styles hit As It Was, and AC/DC's Highway To Hell. But Rick wasn't stopping there; later on, he joined Blossoms for a special set.
The musicians joined forces on the newly named Woodsies stage to cover a string of hits by The Smiths, including Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, Panic and What Difference Does It Make? It's not the first time Rick and Blossoms have covered The Smiths together, either.
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In 2021, they played a two special gigs with the same premise. One performance was at Manchester's Albert Hall, while the other was at London's O2 Forum Kentish Town.
Viewers were pleasantly surprised by their collaboration and their versions of The Smiths' classic. Many took to social media to share their thoughts, with one fan calling the set 'pure magic.'
@musher999 wrote: "Think Rick Astley and Blossoms doing the Smiths just won #Glasto. Fantastic," while @philstwit68 echoed: "Sir Rick Astley and The Blossoms have won #glastonbury2023". @MishMarshall68 said: "Rick Astley has just won Glastonbury .. that is all" and @JW197two added: "Rick Astley and Blossoms have won Glastonbury."
Others were surprised by how much they enjoyed the collaboration - despite how random it seemed. @NathP_Russell enthused: "Rick Astley and Blossoms covering The Smiths is something I had no idea was possible and no clue I needed in my life, but I feel a much better person for it. That was awesome #Glastonbury23".
@formidblecool tweeted: "something about rick astley and blossoms forming a supergroup to purely cover the smiths songs scratches an itch in my brain" and @olimccoole said: "Rick Astley & Blossoms doing the songs of The Smiths at Glasto, f****** incredible, what a matchup they are".
@alex_brotherton wanted more, tweeting: "Saw Rick Astley & Blossoms covering The Smiths at Albert Hall a couple of years ago and it's genuinely up there with one of the best gigs I've been too. Hope they do another mini tour after the reception their Glastonbury set received".
@he4vensent1 added: "Rick Astley and Blossoms on the Woodsies Stage performing The Smiths - the act that I never knew that I needed to see. Pure magic."
