Arctic Monkeys WILL perform at Glastonbury: Co-organiser Emily Eavis confirms band will headline tonight after Alex Turner contracted laryngitis
Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed the Arctic Monkeys will headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday after their set was thrown into question earlier this week.
The rock band announced on Monday that frontman Alex Turner had acute laryngitis which forced them to cancel their show in Marlay Park, Dublin, on Wednesday.
Broadcasting from the grounds of the festival at Worthy Farm, Zoe Ball asked during her BBC Radio 2 show if the band were still set to play, to which Emily responded ‘they’re on’, which was welcomed with applause.
‘It was a little bit close there for a minute and we were thinking about whether we should have a serious back-up plan in place, but no, thankfully they’re on, so that’s great,’ she added.
It comes after she revealed there were ‘back-up plans’ in place in case the group were forced to pull out of their headline slot.
Tense: Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner, 37, (pictured June 16) was struck down with ‘acute laryngitis’ but it’s been confirmed that they will still perform at Glastonbury
Reassurance: Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis (pictured on Wednesday) confirmed the band will perform after revealing there are ‘back-up plans’ in place in case they pulled out
She was quoted by The Times newspaper as saying: ‘I think we are going to be all right. They’ve cancelled that, he’s recovering. I’m sure we’re going to be all right.
‘We’ve got a couple of back-up plans if not. We’ve always got back-up plans for everything.’
Quizzed about whether a rumoured appearance by US rockers Foo Fighters could turn into a Friday headline slot if the Mardy Bum hitmakers had to pull out, she said: ‘I wouldn’t like to give anything away.
‘You’ve got to allow the surprise to happen. It’s all about the surprise.’
After news of Alex’s health woes, music lovers were theorising who could be drafted in to replace the indie rock group if they pulled out.
Attendees, who paid £340 for a full weekend ticket, thought they have found a solution – former One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles – as he had a perfectly-timed gap in his schedule.
The singer, 29, whose Love on Tour show has been a global hit, has a two-day break in his schedule meaning he could have made it to Somerset in time to perform.
Harry is also rumoured to one of a number of surprise guests during Sir Elton John’s headline performance on Sunday night as he has another gap in his schedule.
Dua Lipa, Eminem and Pulp are also being touted as potential secret performers, while Guns ‘n’ Roses will headline on Saturday.
Sorry! The band apologised to their Irish fans on Monday afternoon after being forced to cancel a gig last minute (L-R) Nick O’Malley, Jamie Cook, Alex Turner and Matt Helders
Replacement? Music lovers were theorising who could be drafted in to replace the indie rock group if they pulled out, with many calling on Harry Styles
Line-up: Dua Lipa, Eminem and Pulp are being touted as potential secret performers, while Guns ‘n’ Roses will headline on Saturday
Arctic Monkeys apologised to their Irish fans in their announcement on Monday afternoon, and explained that ticket holders will be issues with full refunds within the next six working days.
In a statement shared to social media, the band said: ‘We are extremely sorry to announce the cancellation of Arctic Monkeys’ show at Marlay Park in Dublin Tomorrow.
‘Alex is suffering from acute laryngitis, and following medical advice, has been ordered to rest. Alex and the band apologise for the huge disappointment this will inevitably cause to all their Irish fans.
‘Full refunds will be credited back to the ticket purchaser’s account by Ticketmaster within the next six working days.’
Arctic Monkeys made their long-awaited return to the big stage this month and have already performed in Manchester, Norwich, Sheffield and Swansea.
The band are busy promoting their latest album, The Car, and are set to end the UK leg of their tour in Glasgow on June 25.
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