Gorillaz Confirmed to Replace U2 at Glastonbury

Gorillaz have been confirmed as the new Friday night headliners at this year's Glastonbury festival after U2 were forced to pull the gig in light of singer Bono's back injury.

Organiser Michael Eavis said in a statement on the festival's official website, "This is going to be Gorilllaz' only UK festival appearance, and it'll be a massive audio visual spectacle which will really ignite the Pyramid on the Friday night, with Muse, then Stevie Wonder to follow.

"I'm very excited about Gorillaz' show coming here because they're so open to guests and collaborations. The alchemy of Friday's show is going to be astonishing: a perfect, contemporary way to kick off the 40th anniversary celebrations.

"I am so grateful for the enthusiasm of the media and the whole of the music industry for their willingness and eagerness to support us in what could have been a crisis."

Murdoc from Gorillaz commented, "We're like some great big horrible warship pulling in to the Bay of Glastonbury to save the day. It was us or the Beatles, and they split up years ago.

"The previous soldiers got pulled from duty last minute, so it's up to my 'Plastic Beach' naval cavalry to sail in and sort the battlefield out. I can assure you though, I'm bringing extra troops. Loads of them. Glastonbury will be ours ... cutlasses drawn, trumpets ready. We're coming in ..."

The Glastonbury festival will be held at Worthy Farm in Somerset from June 25 through 27.