Maximo Park to launch Glastonbury festival

Maximo Park will launch this year's Glastonbury festival.

The 'Graffiti' rockers have been unveiled as the first act to play the new William Green area of the site on Thursday June 25 – the day before the music event officially opens.
Singer Paul Smith admits the group – who will also perform on the festival's second day – are delighted to have been chosen to open the new stage.

He said: "Glastonbury's still a festival that takes chances, as proven by Jay-Z's triumphant appearance last year, so it's an honour for us to be the first band on in such intimate surroundings. "It's also an excuse to hang out and watch loads of brilliant music until we play the Other Stage on Saturday."

Due to space restrictions, only the first 1,500 fans to get to the area – which is named after Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis' grandfather, who was the first person to plant crops at Worthy Farm - will gain entry. Gates at the event's Worthy Farm, Somerset, site open to ticket holders on June 24, with a limited number of performances taking place before the stages open on the Friday (26.06.09).

Tickets for this year's festival – which is headlined by veteran rockers Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen and reformed Britpop favourites Blur – are sold out.