“You didn’t assume we would disappoint you, did you?”
This was the declaration made by Jarvis Cocker to the massive audience at Glastonbury‘s Park stage back in 2011; a multitude of individuals stood before him to witness what might have been the worst-kept undisclosed event in the festival’s history, and one of its most remarkable live music showcases.
The conjecture that the newly reformed Pulp would perform the surprise set that day – following Radiohead the day before, no less – had escalated to such a degree that reportedly, latecomers were being turned away due to overwhelming demand.
Beyonce, Coldplay and U2 were the headliners that year, yet like many submerged in the Park Stage crowd, wading through the mud, it was the enchantment of singing along to Do You Remember The First Time?, Something Changed, and Common People that remain etched in memory.
Throughout the years, artists such as The Killers, The Libertines, Lady Gaga, Foals, and Franz Ferdinand have made unexpected appearances at Glastonbury. Last year, a group cryptically called The Churnups, conspicuous with their late-night Pyramid Stage performance despite their mysterious identity, revealed themselves to be The Foo Fighters.
The festival is renowned for its clandestine performances, impromptu guest appearances, and renowned personalities showing up in unconventional locations, so while Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA are the headliners this year, it may very well be the To Be Announced slots that deliver some of the most unforgettable instances.
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl on stage at Glastonbury in 2023. Pic: Anna Barclay
One individual in the loop is the originator of @secretglasto, a Twitter handle that emerged a decade ago and presently boasts close to 80,000 followers and a compact team of six ensuring the stream of updates. They lack official affiliations with the festival, yet over time have nurtured their connections – from individuals laboring on stages to at times even the performers themselves – thus they are “90% confident” about any information they allude to.
“There are also individuals who have excelled in [revealing] the acts prior to the lineup release,” mentions the Secret Glasto founder (referred to as SG). “Therefore, you can accord greater credibility to their assertions as they possess a means to acquire such intel – even if the specifics of their information source remain undisclosed, their proven track record speaks volumes.”
When discussing favored covert performances, SG highlights Drenge and Wolf Alice, however, asserts that it’s challenging to overlook The Killers, who materialized in 2017 – a decade subsequent to their prior headline appearance and two years ahead of their subsequent headlining gig.
“The Killers in a marquee, that’s an event you’d only envision at Glastonbury. Comparative to most of our covert show speculations, that particular one reached our ears very tardily, and I personally was quite jittery about it, as there were no other names being tossed about. The relief when Frank Carter referenced it was indeed The Killers post his set was tangible!
“Numerous individuals I’ve encountered since that spectacle have been extremely appreciative because they would have skipped it [minus the Secret Glasto tip] since quite a few of them were actually fans of acts performing elsewhere at that time… why opt for a secret gig when you’re uncertain and have eight out of 10 alternatives elsewhere? The Killers were indeed a ten out of ten selection for everyone.”
Given the potential for bypassing other outstanding performances based on the insinuations of their anonymous handle, SG expresses a sense of duty, especially as the follower count continues to grow.
“On numerous occasions for these hidden shows, to secure a prime spot, you’re [at the stage] for an entire set beforehand. Consequently, you’re missing out on other performances that you’d deeply desire to witness. Hence, it is a significant responsibility to ensure the correctness of our intel. There have been instances of secrets we refrained from disclosing due to our inability to confirm the identity.”
Liam Gallagher is currently performing his Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary show at the O2 Arena in London. Pic: Dan Reid/Shutterstock
### Excitement Builds as Glastonbury’s Surprise Acts Teased
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Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno performing at Glastonbury in 2014
Gearing up for its 30th anniversary, Glastonbury Festival is treating fans to some tantalizing hints about unannounced performances. Speculation mounts about potential surprise acts, including Liam Gallagher, Kasabian, and Pulp. The festival insiders suggest that Pulp, Kings Of Leon, Kasabian, and Charli XCX may be among the rumored main attractions.
Could Harry Styles make a surprise appearance this year?
Adding to the mystery, there are whispers of “big surprises” happening at various obscure locations around the festival site with “very small slots.” The anticipation around these hidden performances only adds to the festival’s allure.
Revealing the secret behind Glastonbury’s enigmatic acts, insiders affirm that these surprises are crafted to create a unique and intimate experience for attendees. Bands often view Glastonbury as a pivotal platform in their careers, making these surprise sets a way to show appreciation to their dedicated fan base.
