PRINCE and rock kings U2 have signed up to top the bill

GLASTONBURY 2011 is lining up to be a real royal affair.

PRINCE and rock kings U2 have signed up to top the bill.

 

COLDPLAY are likely to fill the third headline slot too, with the final details being thrashed out. The festival isn't for another eight months but founder MICHAEL EAVIS has clearly been grafting hard masterminding the best music event in years.

Michael getting that line-up arranged has got me looking forward to next summer already.

Seven-time Grammy winner Prince is one of the best performers of all time but rarely graces these shores.

His back catalogue is immense and hits such as Purple Rain, Diamonds And Pearls and 1999 will send the Pyramid Stage crowd barmy.

U2 are currently working with DANGERMOUSE on a new album - their 13th - Songs Of Ascent, and are likely to use the Glasto slot to show off their new tunes.

And CHRIS MARTIN's band went down a storm when they played the festival in 2005.

A source said: "Michael was very keen to get the line-up sorted early and is over the moon at securing such massive acts. He is a huge fan of Prince and has been trying to nab him for years.

"The fact it's been tied up so quickly is a big but welcome shock." 

The source added: "Coldplay are currently in negotiations about taking a headline slot.

"Michael has previously said Coldplay's set in 2005 was his personal favourite and is very pleased to be welcoming them back.
"U2 were a fairly obvious capture. Michael immediately had his sights set on them after they were forced to cancel this year and they were very happy to oblige."

If I were Eavis I'd be wrapping BONO up in cotton wool.

Emergency surgery on the frontman's back forced the Irish group to pull out of their Friday night headline slot this year.

GORILLAZ did a decent job of replacing them, but many felt something was lacking. A Glastonbury spokesman declined to comment on next year's acts, saying: "We never comment on rumours until the official line-up is announced."

Many farm folk feel this will be Michael's final hurrah before the festival takes a year off and he hands the reins to his daughter EMILY in 2013.

If that's the case, he'll definitely be going out on a high...

source : http://www.thesun.co.uk/