could Radiohead be about to headline Glastonbury Festival for a 3rd time?

perhaps to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their seminal 1997 appearance

By Scott Williams | Published: Mon 10th Oct 2016

Glastonbury Festival 2017 - Radiohead
Photo credit: Kevin Pick

Glastonbury Festival 2017

Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th June 2017
Worthy Farm, Pilton, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4AZ, England MAP
£238 plus booking fee - SOLD OUT
Daily capacity: 203,000

Radiohead's Ed O'Brien has said "it will be great to play there" when asked 'hypothetically' if they would be making an appearance at Glastonbury Festival next year.

The guitarist was on 6Music yesterday in an interview by Matt Everitt for 'The First Time With..." (which you can listen to again here) and was asked if he would comeback in 2017 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their seminal 1997 appearance, one which also coincides with the release of their third breakthrough album, 'OK Computer'.

His full reply was,

"I would love to, I mean I go to Glastonbury every year, it's my carnival, to be asked to play at Glastonbury again would be magic.

"And I also think that Glastonbury for us is kind of like our spiritual home. It is the mother of all festivals, we've been very lucky we've been asked to play festivals all over the world, and there's some many great ones, but there's nothing like that one.

"Everyone who leaves that Festival you're with our tribe and that's what I feel like. Being in Shangri-La at 3 o'clock in the morning, it doesn't get better than this.  When we leave our faith is restored in humanity. You leave, and it's like 'people can be great can't they, people can be absolutely amazing.' So, yeah it will be great to play there."

Whilst O'Brien visits the Festival every year, the band last appeared at The Park in 2011 as surprise special guests, the same stage Thom Yorke appeared upon in 2010, and on the Other (NME) Stage in 1994. Radiohead have previously headlined Glastonbury Festival's Pyramid Stage in 2003, and in 1997, and whilst it is still speculation at this time, it's looking likely that the band may top the bill next summer. Ed also reveals they have been given some live dates to look at next year, and says at the moment the signs are very good. He also reveals the band have to have a meeting where they will all get together and commit to confirming any appearances planned for next year.

Earlier this year farmer and Festival organiser Micheal Eavis also hinted at a future headline slot from the band, when in a talk at Oxford Union he said,

"How about Radiohead? Yeah they're good aren't they?.. Radiohead must be due for another crack at it. They've played it a few times but they're so good."

eFestivals currently believes that next year Radiohead will be given that opportunity to headline on Saturday. We also strongly believe The Stone Roses are the front runners to top the bill on Sunday, and while we are less certain on the third headlining act, we have had what should be well-sourced information several months ago, that it's supposedly Daft Punk topping the bill on the Friday.

As usual eFestivals will bring you the very best-sourced rumours, allowing festival-goers to see who is playing long before the bands are formally announced - keep your eyes on the Glastonbury 2017 rumours, updated as we receive information.

Help us to help you - if you hear of a band that's playing, please let us know.

Glastonbury Festival 2017 will take place at a farm in Pilton, Somerset over five full days on the last weekend in June, that's from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th June 2017. There are no acts confirmed yet for 2017. Expect something like 3,000 performances at over 100 venues including music, cabaret, theatre, circus, a fantastic Kidz area, poetry, green crafts and information, site art, decor, and loads, loads more.

Tickets have sold out, and returns will then be put forward to re-sales, which are likely to be in April or May 2017.

Ticket registration is due to re-open sometime later this week. Everyone who plans to the come the Festival must register, and that includes children aged 13, 14 and 15. Children aged 12 and under do not require tickets. Each ticket sold will feature a photograph of the person in whose name it is registered and will be non-transferable.




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