Emily Eavis has confirmed whether or not Arctic Monkeys will headline Glastonbury tonight (Friday, June 23) after fans worried they might not make it following a gig cancellation earlier this week.
The rock band announced on Tuesday that frontman Alex Turner had acute laryngitis which forced them to cancel their show in Marlay Park, Dublin, on Wednesday. In a statement, the Sheffield band said they were 'extremely sorry' and issued refunds for the gig.
It led many to fear that Arctic Monkeys might not be able to play their Pyramid Stage set at the iconic festival. But in an interview with Zoe Ball on her BBC Radio 2 show, Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis confirmed the band's Glastonbury fate.
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Eavis was asked if Arctic Monkeys were still set to play, and she replied “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 will be the Sheffield band’s third time headlining the festival after topping the bill on 2007 and 2013. The group are currently on a world tour with venues in Europe, the US, Canada and Mexico lined up across the next few months.
Since the start of the year, they have performed hits across Australia, Asia and the UK from their back catalogue including I Wanna Be Yours, 505 and Do I Wanna Know? They performed three shows at the Emirates stadium in London from Friday to Sunday last week before they had to announce that Turner was under doctor’s orders to rest.
The statement, issued via social media on Tuesday, 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 all their Irish fans. Full refunds will be credited back to the ticket purchaser’s account by Ticketmaster within the next six working days.”
Fans flocked online to question whether Turner would be well enough to play Glastonbury, while others speculated on who might replace them if they had to pull out.
Arctic Monkeys will headline the Pyramid Stage from 10.15pm until 11.45pm tonight. See the full Glastonbury line-up and set times here.
