A mystery band will take to Glastonbury's famous Pyramid Stage on Friday night. Festival fans were sent into a frenzy trying to work out who it will be, but it seems we now have an answer.
The lineup for the 51st edition of the Somerset festival features a band called The Churnups, set to play the main stage at 6.15pm ahead of Royal Blood and headliners Arctic Monkeys. But eagle-eyed music fans were quick to work out that such a band doesn't exist, leading to the conclusion that Glastonbury organisers are hiding a special surprise act behind the cryptic name.
Since the full schedule was revealed at the end of May, people have been sharing their theories about who the mystery act will be - and there are some options that seem more plausible than others.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link
It appears as though The Churnups are in fact US rockers Foo Fighters, who headlined the festival back in 2017.
Fans seem pretty convinced by the theory after the band posted a note from frontman Dave Grohl on their social media accounts earlier in June. In it, Dave thanked his fans "for being there for us" as they returned to touring following the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March last year.
But there was one particular line that suggests the band will be making an appearance at Worthy Farm this year. Dave's note read: "Every night when I see you singing it makes me sing harder. When I see you screaming it makes me scream louder. When I see your tears, it brings me to tears. And when I see your joy it brings me joy. But I see you... and it feels good to see you, churning up these emotions together."
And today, around an hour before the set was due to begin, the Foos posted a photo to their Instagram page of a 'Churn It Up' flag in the Glastonbury crowd, which pretty much settles it.
If the rumours are true and the Foos do make it to Glastonbury this year it will be the second time in a row Dave has performed on the Pyramid Stage. Last year, he joined Paul McCartney on stage during his epic headline set alongside Bruce Springsteen.
BBC 6 Music radio show host Lauren Laverne has also added to the speculation after she pondered whether the Foos will turn up at the farm this year. Before introducing a track from their new album, she said: “Right now, a band who – will they be there, who knows? I wonder... But Here We Are is certainly the name of their new album. Foo Fighters on 6 Music, this is out on RCA… Getting all churned up, as they might post on their social media feed.”
Others had held on the idea that The Churnups would be recently reunited Britpop outfit Pulp - for more obvious reasons. What do you get if you churn something up enough? A pulp.
Speculation over whether the band will appear at the festival has been rife ever since Jarvis Cocker and co announced they would be touring this year. The band last played Glastonbury in 2011 when they performed a storming secret set on The Park stage.
However, drummer Nick Banks seemed to pour cold water on the 2023 rumours when he tweeted to his followers: "Though it’s very tempting to tease you lot again. I know nothing of the ‘Churnups’ band. Ok? Over and out. (For now)."
While Foo Fighters and Pulp seemed to be the most likely contenders, other bands had been mentioned.
Flea, the bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, sparked rumours that they might be making a Glastonbury appearance after retweeting a sketch of the Pyramid Stage with the caption 'yes' back in January. However, there hasn't been much to suggest they are playing since.
The band, who toured the UK last year and will play a rescheduled show at Glasgow in July this year, are yet to play Glastonbury. They were billed for a headline performance in 1993 but had to pull out at the last minute. Asked about it years later, Michael Eavis told reporters he was 'not very forgiving' when bands don't show up, leading many to believe the band are unlikely to be asked back.
Blur are another name that has been mentioned. Damon Albarn and his band, who are set to play a headline show at Wembley in two weeks' time, are touring Europe this year. Some have speculated that The Churnups could be a nod to bassist Alex James' love of cheesemaking.
Whether The Churnups' true identity will be officially revealed ahead of their show is yet to be seen but Emily Eavis suggested it might. Speaking to Radio 2 ahead of the Churnups performance, the festival organiser told presenter Zoe Ball: "It's coming soon". She said: “To be honest, I think there’s a lot of rumours that are circulating about The Churnups one of which is true. I don’t think I can completely confirm but it’s coming soon."
Glastonbury organisers could decide to drop some more clues ahead of Friday evening's set so watch this space.
