Glastonbury 2016 line-up: PJ Harvey confirmed to play festival for first time in 12 years

The Mercury Prize winner joins Coldplay and ELO on the bill

PJ Harvey releases her new album The Hope Six Demolition Project on 15 April (PA)

PJ Harvey is returning to Glastonbury’s fields for the first time in 12 years.

Festival organiser Emily Eavis confirmed the booking on Thursday morning, announcing that the Mercury Prize-winning singer-songwriter will be playing the Other Stage on Sunday.

Harvey joins Jeff Lynne’s ELO and Coldplay on the bill, with the full line-up expected to be revealed in April. Eavis hinted on BBC Radio 6 Music earlier that a second headliner could be unveiled in the “next couple of weeks”, with Adele, Radiohead and Muse all hotly tipped to play.

Reactions to Coldplay’s booking have been mixed, but Eavis admires Chris Martin and co for the journey they have taken to the top. “There’s a definite sense of pride to see them go through with everything they’ve been through to become this massive band,” she said. “It’s brilliant to have them back.”

Harvey will likely prove a more universally popular choice among festival-goers, with her new album The Hope Six Demolition Project due for release on 15 April.

She recorded the album as part of an exhibition at London’s Somerset House last year. “Recording in Progress” allowed visitors to watch the band, producers and sound engineers working within a purpose-built recording studio behind one-way glass.

Harvey took inspiration from time spent in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Washington DC when making the album. “When I’m writing a song I visualise the entire scene, I can see the light changing, the shadows moving, everything in that picture,” she said last month.

“Gathering information from secondary sources felt far too removed for what I was trying to write about. I wanted to smell the air, feel the soil and meet the people of the countries I was fascinated with.”

Harvey plays London’s Field Day festival on 12 June before heading to Croatia, Germany, Finland, Denmark, France, Slovakia, Sweden and Norway. Her new song “The Wheel” is currently streaming on Spotify.

Glastonbury takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset from Thursday 23 June to Sunday 26 June.