It’s now official – Radiohead are set to return to Glastonbury as the secret act on the Park stage today (Friday 24 June).
Some “special guests” are listed as set to play there at 8pm (BST) – and the Oxfordshire quintet’s spokesperson has confirmed that it is Thom Yorke and co who will be performing.
Last year, to mark the 40th Anniversary of the festival, Yorke and Radiohead guitarist Johnny Greenwood surprised everyone with a secret spot on Park Stage, resulting in a completely packed field.
It seems as if this year’s booking was a rather last-minute affair. Speaking to NME on Tuesday (June 20) festival organiser Emily Eavis said: “We are still unsure of exactly who is turning up, mainly because it’s unconfirmed at the moment! I swear I have heard every rumour – even that Led Zeppelin are playing!”
The performance will mark Radiohead‘s fifth Glastonbury appearance, including the secret gig from the duo. The band made their Glastonbury début in 1994, before returning for their monumental headline gig in 1997, often voted Glastonbury‘s greatest set. Radiohead returned to headline in 2003, sharing top billing with their good friends R.E.M.
Last year’s surprise gig started out with Yorke playing solo songs from his album ‘The Eraser’, including ‘Harrowdown Hill’, ‘Black Swan’ and ‘Cymbal Rush’. Midway through the set Greenwood joined his bandmate and the two played a host of Radiohead classics including ‘Karma Police’, ‘Idioteque’ and ‘Street Spirit’.
NME.COM is coming live from Glastonbury 2011 this weekend – stay tuned to NME.COM/festivals/glastonbury for news reports, reviews and photos from Worthy Farm. Then head back from Monday for backstage video interviews.
