Michael J. Fox took to the stage at Glastonbury on Saturday night to play guitar during Coldplay's headline set: “The main reason we're in a band is Back to the Future“, said frontman Chris Martin after the performance. “So thank you to Michael, our hero.”
Before launching into HumankindMartin did a bit of freestyling to greet some backstage figures, including Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis and Fox himself. The actor then performed the track with the group and also stayed for the performance of Fix You.
Michael J. Fox plays guitar with Coldplay during “Fix You” at #Glastonbury2024. pic.twitter.com/VgLYgXaq6B
— Variety (@Variety) June 29, 2024
“With the Chuck Berry riff and the way he punched Biff, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Michael J. Fox,” Martin announced as the actor, who has been battling Parkinson’s disease since 1991, took the stage in a wheelchair. It’s not the first time Fox has performed with Coldplay, having previously performed on the band’s 2016 North American tour and before that at a Parkinson’s fundraiser in 2013.
Michael J. Fox joins Coldplay on guitar at #Glastonbury2024. pic.twitter.com/OqIe380Kaf
— Variety (@Variety) June 29, 2024
Before the actor went on stage with Coldplay, another surprise guest appeared, rapper Little Simz, to debut a new collaboration. The title of the song would be Supernova.
Coldplay are Glastonbury legends: the rock band made their first appearance at the festival in 1999, headlined in 2002 (replacing The Strokes at the last minute), and returned in 2005, 2011 and 2016. This year’s performance marks Coldplay’s fifth time among the big names – the first band to do so.