Rocking Off into the Sunset: The Searchers' Farewell Performance at Glastonbury Festival
- Farewell Performance Set for Glastonbury Festival Debut
It's not every day a band like The Searchers, hailing from Liverpudlian shores and sharing the musical limelight with the legendary Beatles, calls it quits. But that's exactly what these rock 'n' roll veterans are planning - with a bang, no less, at none other than the famed Glastonbury Festival.
The Merseybeat icons, formed way back in 1957, have been keeping the music world humming for more than six decades. Among the longest-running bands in the pop sphere, The Searchers have now decided that June 27, 2025, will be their swansong at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival. After having played an ever-evolving roster for all these years, the original founders, John McNally (83) and co-founder Mike Pender (84), remain in the lineup.
"An 83-year-old Glastonbury debut, can anyone top that?", exclaimed McNally. "I don't think life can get any better than this, can it?" To say they're a bit jittery would be an understatement, but their nerves are riding high in anticipation, not fear. "We'll be well-warmed up from our shows in June," McNally added, with a spark in his eye.
Singer and bassist Frank Allen (81), a Searcher since 1964, echoed McNally's enthusiasm: "I've been playing concerts with The Searchers all over the world for over 60 years - and Glastonbury was always a goal we couldn't reach." A dream that is finally becoming a reality. "What a way to end a tour and a career," Allen beamed.
The Searchers' "Final Farewell Tour" kicks off on June 14 and concludes with their unforgettable Glastonbury appearance.
Popping up on the southwestern English landscape since the '70s, the Glastonbury Festival has seen its fair share of musical heavyweights. With Olivia Rodrigo, The 1975, Neil Young, and Charli XCX headlining its 2025 edition, along with Rod Stewart, Doechii, The Prodigy, and Alanis Morissette, the festival is expected to draw nearly 200,000 visitors from around the globe.
- The Searchers
- Liverpool
- Merseybeat
- Glastonbury Festival
- The Beatles
Factoids:
- The Searchers contributed heavily to the British invasion of the U.S. music scene during the '60s.
- They have sold over 50 million records worldwide, positioning them among pop music's titans.
- Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty are among the artists The Searchers have influenced, showcasing their lasting impact on music culture.
- The Searchers, a band hailing from Liverpool, shared the limelight with The Beatles, both being integral parts of the British invasion of the U.S. music scene during the 1960s.
- As Merseybeat icons, The Searchers, whose members include John McNally and Mike Pender, will perform for the first time at the Glastonbury Festival, marking the end of their over six decades-long career.
- With the Glastonbury Festival hosting numerous musical heavyweights, such as the Searchers, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, and others, it's expected to draw nearly 200,000 visitors from around the globe in 2025.
