The Glastonbury 2023 headliners have been announced by Emily Eavis.
The festival’s co-organiser shared the news in an article discussing “pipeline” problems related the all-male headlining line-up.
Joining Elton John will be Arctic Monkeys on the Friday, with Guns N’ Roses playing the Saturday slot.
Eavis said that Guns N’ Roses replaced a female singer who “changed her touring plans”.
While Eavis didn’t name names, it’s strongly suspected she was alluding to Taylor Swift, who was originally set to perform in 2020 when the festival was cancelled due to Covid.
However, Eavis expressed excitement about the “Sweet Child of Mine” rockers’ Glastonnbury debut in a Guardian article, stating: “They’ll be brilliant and provide something totally different to the rest of the headliners.”
Eavis also announced the first wave of acts set to perform at Glastonbury, and, in response to the fact that that 53 per cent of the 55 names are men, she said: “We are entirely focused on balancing our bill.
“It’s not just about gender, it’s about every aspect of diversity.”
She said that one female headliner is confirmed for 2024, and they are close to confirming another – revealing that both are Glastonbury first-timers.
Eavis also denied reports that Spice Girls would perform this year, saying: “That is not a conversation we’re having at the moment”. However, she confirmed that Mel C would play a solo set after a successful appearance in 2022.
Find the current line-up so far below:
Arctic Monkeys
Guns N’ Roses
Elton John
Lizzo
Aitch
Alison Goldfrapp
Alt-J
Amadou and Mariam
Becky Hill
Blondie
Candi Staton
Carly Rae Jepsen
Cat Burns
Central Cee
Christine and the Queens
Chvrches
Ezra Collective
Fatboy Slim
Fever Ray
Flo
Fred Again
Hot Chip
Joey Bada$$
Kelis
Lana Del Rey
Leftfield
Lewis Capaldi
Lil Nas X
Loyle Carner
Maggie Rogers
Mahalia
Måneskin
Manic Street Preachers
Mel C
Nova Twins
Phoenix
Queens of the Stone Age
Raye
Rina Sawayama
Royal Blood
Rudimental
Shygirl
Slowthai
Sparks
Stefflon Don
Sudan Archives
Texas
The Chicks
The War on Drugs
Thundercat
Tinariwen
Warpaint
Weyes Blood
Wizkid
Young Fathers
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
More to follow