Live Music News & Reviews

Franz Ferdinand and Rolf Harris may be the only acts confirmed for Glastonbury so far, but there are a number of strong rumours flying about. Most people seem to agree the headliners will be Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Blur, plus possibly one other, according to Emily Eavis, who claims she has two headliners for the Saturday night. London Venue Guide has a feeling (hopes!) the fourth act could be Arctic Monkeys, who have confirmed a number of European festival appearances in August 2009, and whose Alex Turner is becoming something of an old Glastobury hand after a headline slot in 2007 and playing with the Last Shadow Puppets in 2008.

We would also love to see Radiohead back, particularly after last year when Thom Yorke caused a fuss by turning down a headline slot because he felt the festival wasn’t green enough. What are the chances? Well if they do play a UK Festival this year, Glastonbury can certainly claim to be the greenest, especially compared to V, which they headlined in 2007.

Other acts that could well play include Doves, who have a new album out this year and who are touring in March, and more likely, The Specials, newly reformed and as perfect a Glastonbury act as one could hope for. Orbital are also sure to play this year, with the old Glastonbury stalwarts having reformed in 2009 for a series of one-off gigs.

Bands who have confessed to their fans that they are playing include Lily Allen and Kaiser Chiefs.

More to come.

Glastonbury 2009 has sold out, no doubt bringing a sigh of relief to organiser Michael Eavis after last year’s festival barely broke even. All of the registration tickets have sold out, although with probable cancellations, a limited number are likely to go on sale in April.

The fact that this year the festival has sold out despite any acts being announced implies that last year’s slow ticket sales had less to do with Jay-Z headlining and more to do with a number of consecutive wet Glastonburies. Fortunately for the festival, last year the weather was fine, reminding everyone just why they bother in the first place.