A Whirlwind of Speculation Surrounds the Festival’s Surprise Stars

As the full Glastonbury timetable was published this week, one band’s name dominated the conversation: Patchwork. However, there’s a catch – Patchwork is not a real band. Instead, it’s a pseudonym for a mystery guest, reminiscent of the unknown band The ChurnUps, who turned out to be the Foo Fighters in 2023.

Fans are in a frenzy, trying to decipher the identity of Patchwork, with various theories emerging. Music journalist and broadcaster Georgie Rogers, a judge for Glastonbury’s emerging talent competition this year and a DJ at the festival, suggests that Radiohead could be the mystery act, as they’ve been teasing some tour action. Another possibility is a collaboration between Elton John and Brandi Carlile, who are both on the Pyramid Stage bill on the same day as Patchwork.

The Patchwork slot is just one of several tantalizing gaps in this year’s schedule. Another mystery Pyramid performer is listed as “TBA” for Friday afternoon, while the smaller Park and Woodsies stages have empty spaces on the line-up. According to Rogers, these prominent sets often feature massive artists.

A group of fans, behind the Secretglasto social media account, believe they’ve cracked the code. “Of the four main slots, I think we’ve got three of them, maybe four, nailed down,” says Ad, one of the account’s administrators. “I think it’s definitely people who have got relationships with the festival who will be doing the big slots. An emotional return for one or two, I think. Some unfinished business.”

Ad hints at Lewis Capaldi, who struggled to finish his set in 2023 before announcing a break from touring, and Lana Del Rey, who had her 2023 set cut short after breaching the curfew. Other stars rumored to be involved include Lady Gaga, who hasn’t played Glastonbury since 2009, and Lorde, who expressed her interest in performing at the festival.

The Secretglasto team has built a network of reliable sources and has been gathering information about surprise sets for over a decade. They’ve even approached acts directly to seek confirmation, with some artists responding positively. However, Ad believes that some acts are now using the buzz around secret sets for PR purposes.

In the past, secret sets have been a feature of the festival, with acts like Lady Gaga and Radiohead performing surprise sets. The greatest secret set in Glastonbury history didn’t even take place at the festival, but rather at a low-key autumn gig in the local village in 1995, where The Stone Roses made an unannounced live comeback after a five-year absence.

This year’s speculation is reminiscent of the buzz surrounding Radiohead’s surprise performance in 2011, which drew a massive crowd to the Park Stage. Music journalist and broadcaster Georgie Rogers was among those who witnessed the event, describing it as an “amazing set” that left her in a state of “pure glee.”

The Glastonbury festival has a long history of surprise performances, with acts like Tom Jones and The Stone Roses making secret appearances over the years. The festival’s organizers have always managed to keep the mystery alive, creating an air of anticipation and excitement among fans.

As the speculation surrounding Patchwork continues to grow, one thing is certain – the mystery surrounding the festival’s surprise stars is a key part of the Glastonbury experience. The festival’s ability to create an air of mystery and surprise has become an integral part of its charm, and fans are eagerly awaiting the reveal of Patchwork’s identity.