The Pet Shop Boys have responded to rumours they’re set to appear on the line-up at Glastonbury’s 50th-anniversary this summer in an interview with the Guardian, published this morning.

Alexis Petridis, the newspaper’s head rock and pop critic, was on the topic of touring with Chris Lowe, who said: “When we tour, we’ve got this band, young musicians, and it’s so refreshing because they’re so nice. They feel part of a musical community, they all know each other, they play on each other’s records, they’re all linked in. It wasn’t like that when we were around.”

Alexis continues: “there are excited rumours abounding that they are playing Glastonbury this year” – with the band commenting: “which we can’t talk about, which is annoying”.

UPDATE 7:45pm: On tonight’s ‘The One Show‘, the Pet Shop Boys confirmed they will play festivals this summer – but wouldn’t say which ones as they’re yet to be announced…

The hint comes just weeks after the other half of the synth-pop duo, Neil Tennant, teased fans over a potential Glastonbury appearance in an interview with Nicki Chapman on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

When Nicki asked Neil about the chances of the band playing at the festival’s 50th-anniversary this summer, he replied “You’ve put me on the spot”, then hesitated before adding: “let’s leave me there”.

Nicki commented: “I’m gonna keep everything crossed, it’s the 50th-anniversary of Glastonbury Festival isn’t it and I couldn’t think of any better band to be playing live there”.

Pet Shop Boys: 'rumours abounding that they are playing Glastonbury this year – “which we can’t talk about, which is annoying”'



That's them confirmed then.#Glastonbury #Glasto #Glastonbury2020



Spotters badge for @chandini_raohttps://t.co/kAmlneV8OE — The Glasto Thingy (@TheGlastoThingy) January 24, 2020

The synth-pop duo previously appeared at Glastonbury in 2000 and 2010. They also joined The Killers on the Pyramid Stage during their headline slot last summer, accompanying the band for their hit ‘Human’ and performing a synth-pop rendition of ‘Always on My Mind’ by Elvis Presley.

The Pet Shop Boys have already announced dates for their first-ever ‘greatest hits’ tour, ‘Dreamworld’, set to take place this May and June, opening the door to speculation the band will appear at Glastonbury, which runs from 24th to 28th June.

Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift were confirmed as the Pyramid Stage headliners for Saturday and Sunday before Christmas. Ahead of the announcements, Taylor Swift was the bookmakers’ favourite headliner while The 1975 were considered fourth most likely by Sky Bet.

In addition to Paul McCartney, Wolf Alice and Diana Ross are the only other artists officially confirmed for the festival’s line-up, though Mike Skinner and Carl Cox have ‘self-confirmed’.

Aerosmith appear to have self-confirmed by mistake in an email newsletter sent out to fans. Supergrass are strongly-rumoured after reforming in September to perform at Pilton Party, a ‘thank-you’ event for the local community organised by Glastonbury.

The 1975 named “headlining Glastonbury” as their ambition while featuring on Radio 1’s Future Sounds with Annie Mac last week, but said they’re “busy this year”, fuelling rumours the Cheshire band could appear in 2021.

Rumours of My Chemical Romance appearing have stepped up a gear after the band announced their first UK show since the band split in 2013 will take place just days before Glastonbury gets started.

Glastonbury 50, the book commemorating the festival’s 50th-anniversary, was named as a ‘Book of the Year’ by The Times for 2019. It previously ranked third in the Sunday Times Bestseller List for hardback non-fiction books.

The book is authored by organisers Michael and Emily Eavis and contains hundreds of photos from the festival and celebrity contributions.

In an alternative chart released by Amazon, Glastonbury 50 placed 10th among all non-fiction books after its first week of sales. The book had recently sold out in some stores, but festival organisers confirmed today the second print run had now arrived and all stores should be restocked soon, if not already.

Glastonbury’s 50th-anniversary will take place at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset from Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th June 2020.

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Image credits:Pet Shop Boys – Maltesen / ( CC BY 2.0 )

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