Emily Eavis says Arctic Monkeys and Guns N’ Roses will play Glastonbury – but addresses all-male headliners

The Glastonbury 2023 headliners have been announced by Emily Eavis.

The festival’s co-organiser shared the news in an article discussing “pipeline” problems related the all-male headlining line-up.

Joining Elton John will be Arctic Monkeys on the Friday, with Guns N’ Roses playing the Saturday slot.

Eavis said that Guns N’ Roses replaced a female singer who “changed her touring plans”.

While Eavis didn’t name names, it’s strongly suspected she was alluding to Taylor Swift, who was originally set to perform in 2020 when the festival was cancelled due to Covid.

However, Eavis expressed excitement about the “Sweet Child of Mine” rockers’ Glastonnbury debut in a Guardian article, stating: “They’ll be brilliant and provide something totally different to the rest of the headliners.”

Eavis also announced the first wave of acts set to perform at Glastonbury, and, in response to the fact that that 53 per cent of the 55 names are men, she said: “We are entirely focused on balancing our bill.

“It’s not just about gender, it’s about every aspect of diversity.”

She said that one female headliner is confirmed for 2024, and they are close to confirming another – revealing that both are Glastonbury first-timers.

Eavis also denied reports that Spice Girls would perform this year, saying: “That is not a conversation we’re having at the moment”. However, she confirmed that Mel C would play a solo set after a successful appearance in 2022.

Find the current line-up so far below:

Arctic Monkeys

Guns N’ Roses

Elton John

Lizzo

Aitch

Alison Goldfrapp

Alt-J

Amadou and Mariam

Becky Hill

Blondie

Candi Staton

Carly Rae Jepsen

Cat Burns

Central Cee

Christine and the Queens

Chvrches

Ezra Collective

Fatboy Slim

Fever Ray

Flo

Fred Again

Hot Chip

Joey Bada$$

Kelis

Lana Del Rey

Leftfield

Lewis Capaldi

Lil Nas X

Loyle Carner

Maggie Rogers

Mahalia

Måneskin

Manic Street Preachers

Mel C

Nova Twins

Phoenix

Queens of the Stone Age

Raye

Rina Sawayama

Royal Blood

Rudimental

Shygirl

Slowthai

Sparks

Stefflon Don

Sudan Archives

Texas

The Chicks

The War on Drugs

Thundercat

Tinariwen

Warpaint

Weyes Blood

Wizkid

Young Fathers

Yusuf/Cat Stevens

More to follow