Despite earlier rumours of Britpop legends Blur being on the Glastonbury line-up this summer, it’s now looking unlikely the band will be there after drummer Dave Rowntree said: “No one, as far as I know, from Glastonbury has approached us.”
Blur previously announced a show at Wembley Stadium on July 8th, which falls close to Glastonbury’s dates (June 21st-25th), and it was also been confirmed that the band will be playing other festivals this, including Primavera Sound in Spain on June 1st and a Dublin gig on June 24th – leaving them free and potentially nearby during the rest of Glasto weekend.
But now, in an interview with The Guardian, Dave said the band aren’t playing at Worthy Farm this time around. He added: “You can’t play Wembley and Glastonbury, can you? Wouldn’t that be a bit off?”
Blur, the acclaimed band behind hits like ‘Song 2’ and ‘Parklife’, have a long history with Glastonbury. Formed in London in 1988, the band consisting of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree, have previously headlined the festival in 2009. They also played on the Pyramid Stage in 1998 and performed at the Worthy Farm event in 1992 and 1994 on the Other Stage, then known as the NME Stage. Their 2009 show has since been released on DVD. (affiliate link)
Damon Albarn also headlined the Pyramid Stage in 2010 with Gorillaz.
In other news, Becky Hill has come very close to confirming she’ll be playing at Glastonbury this summer.
In an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, she said: “I’m the first-ever female resident at Ibiza Rocks so that’s so cool. I’m currently working on my new album. All the music is written, we’re just getting it ready to release now. And I’m really hoping to be seen at Glastonbury this year, so fingers crossed”.
Guns N’ Roses basis Duff McKagan appears to have confirmed the band will be playing at Glastonbury after months of strong rumours they’ll be headlining the Pyramid Stage. With only Elton John officially confirmed, the bookies now have the banned pegged as joint-favourites for the two remaining headline slots, along with Arctic Monkeys.
Glasto organiser Emily Eavis told Metal Hammer in 2021: “We had Napalm Death in 2017, and it doesn’t get much heavier than that! But I think Guns N’ Roses need to play here at some point don’t they?”
And back in January 2020, The Sunday Times said: “Guns’n’Roses headlining Friday night Glastonbury [is] looking increasingly likely” – just weeks before almost all of that summer’s festivals were forced to cancel when the pandemic broke out.
Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora told media there’s a chance of a reunion gig at Glastonbury 2023 and The 1975 are rumoured to appear after the long-expected band confirmed tour dates which leave them free over the weekend of the festival. It would be The 1975’s fourth time at Worthy Farm, having previously played sets in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and while they’ve been rumoured most years since they now haven’t been on the line-up for five years, despite countless comments from band members and crew that they want to return.
Pulp are also strongly rumoured to appear on the Glastonbury 2023 line-up after announcing details of a reunion tour next summer – which includes space for a potential Glasto slot. The band were already deemed a likely contender by bookmakers, who in September were offering odds of 9/1 on Pulp headlining the iconic Pyramid Stage.
Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham has ruled out a Worthy Farm appearance as part of a Spice Girls reunion in a US TV interview – following years of speculation fuelled by her former band mates.
She told Watch What Happens Live: “I had so much fun being in the Spice Girls – but now, with everything else that I have got going on with my fashion and my beauty line, four children, I couldn’t commit to that. love the girls. I really, really enjoy singing Spice Girls when I’m doing karaoke, but I think I’d better leave it there.”
Arctic Monkeys were also rumoured to have signed a deal to headline Glastonbury 2023 when their UK tour sold out in minutes last year. A source told The Sun: “‘Alex Turner and the band are coming back to Glastonbury, and this time their set is going to be even bigger and better.
“The lads have signed on the dotted line and will return to the Pyramid Stage next June. It is really special for them to be doing a hat trick on that stage and it is something they have wanted to do for a while.”
Glastonbury 2023 takes place from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th June 2023. Tickets sold out earlier late last year, but resales of cancelled tickets will take place later this spring.
Image credits:
Kevin Westenberg
Anna Barclay
Disclosures: TheFestivals is funded through advertising and sometimes earns a commission on purchases made through links on this website, including in this article: None