Scissor Sisters almost broke the pop scene when their 2006 single, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” soared to the top of the UK charts. When the band hit the Woodsies stage at Glastonbury 2025, it wasn’t their greatest hit which got fans talking – it was a special rendition of their song, “Invisible Light,” featuring a surprise appearance by Lord of the Rings actor Sir Ian McKellen!
This incredible clip has already amassed over 63,000 views within just a day of hitting YouTube, and it’s not hard to suss out why.
“Invisible Light” is a dark, quirky electronica track with ethereal motifs and an electric, upbeat chorus. But once Scissor Sisters unleash their raving club-night atmospheres across Worthy Farm, a drum rhythm begins settling the song into a quieter, suspenseful ambience. Cue Sir Ian McKellen’s instantly-recognisable voice, booming from the dark of the stage; the lights lifting to reveal the Grammy-winning actor to a monstrous roar of applause.
You might be wondering: what the hell is Gandalf doing at Glasto? Back in 2010, when Scissor Sisters first released “Invisible Light” as a single, Sir Ian had actually contributed a verse to the song; a powerful, bellowing Shakespearean-style spoken word monologue featuring near the end of the track.
It’s truly stunning to see Scissor Sisters reunite with Ian to pull off this performance, a full 15 years after they released their single. Ian’s appearance sings testament to his down-to-earth nature; an 86-year-old A-Lister and national treasure joining the masses at Worthy Farm to make their weekend memorable, and with no new project to evidently self-promote on the side. Just a festival-shaking appearance for the fans.
And this isn’t the first time Sir Ian has joined Scissor Sisters on stage, either. Earlier this spring, the prestigious actor performed his monologue at the band’s gig at London’s O2 Arena. He also performed it with the band at London’s Victoria Park all the way back in 2011.
Glasto-goers can’t quite believe the magic of the performance they witnessed, with fans flocking to the YouTube comments section to share their first-hand experiences of this set. One attendee wrote, “I was there. I’ve never known an atmosphere like that. The crowd were ravenous from start to finish and this was the icing on the cake. One of the best sets of the weekend.” Another supported the hype, commenting, “It was like some sort of crazy camp fever dream, utterly brilliant.”
Scissor Sisters dazzled at Glastonbury 2025 with a memorable performance, as Sir Ian McKellan joined them on stage for a unique rendition of “Invisible Light.” This unexpected collaboration has captivated fans worldwide. Want to relive this iconic moment or delve deeper into Scissor Sisters’ eclectic artistry? Check out the links below to discover more.