Arctic Monkeys fans rejoice over clues the band will play at Glastonbury after all
Sheffield band cancels Dublin show days before Worthy Farm festival after Alex Turner diagnosed with acute laryngitis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arctic Monkeys fans believe they’ve spotted the definitive sign the band will perform at Glastonbury after Alex Turner’s illness cast a shadow over the Pyramid Stage.
A giant mirrorball was photographed being unloaded at Worthy Farm on Thursday 22 June, ahead of the English rock band’s third time headlining Glastonbury festival.
“A mirrorball has arrived on the farm,” one attendee announced, sharing photographs of the silver prop on Twitter.
The lead single from Arctic Monkeys’s seventh studio album The Car is titled “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball”.
You can keep up with all things Glastonbury here.
Fans became worried Arctic Monkeys would be forced to drop out of the planned performance after they cancelled a show in Dublin earlier this week.
The Sheffield quartet announced Turner had been advised medical rest after being diagnosed with acute laryngitis, an inflammation of the larynx.
Music correspondent for the BBC, Mark Savage on Thursday posted more proof on social media that the show at Glastonbury would go ahead as planned.
“Their trucks are parked up backstage and a giant mirrorball has been unloaded to the Pyramid stage,” he tweeted.
Glastonbury co-founder Emily Eavis said she was confident that Arctic Monkeys would play, but assured fans she has a “backup” plan in case something goes wrong, while opening the festival gates on Wednesday 21 June.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Addressing the band’s cancelled Dublin gig, she told attendees: “I think we are going to be all right. They’ve cancelled that [Dublin show], he’s recovering. I’m sure we’re going to be all right.”
Eavis added: “We’ve got a couple of backup plans if not. We’ve always got backup plans for everything.”
While Eavis didn’t reveal who might take their place, fans have been speculating the headliner slot could go to The Foo Fighters if Turner can’t perform.
The US rock band is believed to be the mysterious act The ChurnUps, a band that has no social media presence or music online, playing on the Pyramid Stage before Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys on Friday 23 June.
The other stars to headline Glastonbury this year are Guns N’ Roses and Sir Elton John.
Ahead of John’s final show at the festival, his husband David Furnish said the star would bring on “four collaborators of his choosing” during his two-hour set on Sunday 25 June.
Speaking to Sky News, Furnish declined to reveal the identity of these guests, explaining: “Sorry, I’m sworn to secrecy.”
Fans have speculated that the artists could either be Dua Lipa, Rina Sawayama, Lil Nas X (who is playing the Pyramid Stage on Saturday 24 June), or even Britney Spears.
Furnish also said that John’s final performance would contain “a different setlist” with “a lot of changes”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments