All the Glastonbury 2024 ‘secret act’ rumours – from 00s legends to huge surprise comeback

A compilation image of Tom Meighan, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Romy Madly Croft in front of a crowd at Glastonbury
Could these artists play Glastonbury 2024? (Pictures: Getty/Rex)

Glastonbury Festival is right around the corner with thousands of music fans set to make the pilgrimage to Worthy Farm for a weekend of live music.

Those that secured tickets will be treated to headline sets from the likes of Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA, with Shania Twain performing in the traditional Sunday Legends slot.

Among this year’s fun is the alleged promise of secret acts, with huge names popping up every year to dazzle lucky fans – despite not appearing on the official lineup.

Last year saw the Foo Fighters pop in to play a few songs, with past secret sets including the likes of Lady Gaga, Pulp, George Ezra, Mumford and Sons, and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke.

Rumours are already swirling as to who could pop up this year, with some fans convinced Girls Aloud could drop in for Dua Lipa’s headline slot thanks to a gap in their touring schedule.

But which other huge acts could arrive for surprise performances? These are the acts Glastonbury fans think could be in the running.

Kasabian

Tom Meighan of Kasabian performing onstage in a black denim jacket and trousers with red stars
There could be some Happenings at Glastonbury linked to these indie legends (Picture: Medios y Media/Getty Images)

Kasabian are the most hotly tipped band to be performing a secret set at this year’s Glasto – so much so that, according to NME, William Hill has suspended betting on the band ‘after seeing some telling bets.’

The Leicester rockers have played the iconic festival five times, headlining the Pyramid Stage for the first time in 2014.

The festival kicks off a week before the release of their latest studio album, Happenings, leading many to believe they may pop in to play a few new tracks.

The Killers

Brandon Flowers of Kasabian performing onstage in a blue suit
Check out these tour dates (Picture: Bryan Bedder/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

When it comes to predicting Glasto secret sets, many fans look at tour schedules and where telling gaps appear around June.

The Killers, coincidentally, are touring their new greatest hits release Rebel Diamonds in the UK – with a huge gap between shows in Glasgow and London which coincides with Glastonbury.

Fronted by Brandon Flowers, the band have hit the festival four times, headlining in 2019 which broke records as the loudest set of the event’s history at 106 decibels.

Should they be one of the secret sets at this year’s event, it wouldn’t be the first time after the band surprised fans with a performance on the John Peel stage in 2017.

Gaps in the Glastonbury Festival schedule when secret sets could take place

Wednesday, June 26 – Greenpeace Stage – 12pm

Friday, June 28 – Wishing Well – 8.45pm

Friday, June 28 – location TBA – Transgressive Takeover at 11pm

Friday, June 28 – Firmly Rooted – 1am

Saturday, June 29 – BBC Introducing Stage – 4.30pm

Saturday, June 29 – Woodies Stage – 6pm

Saturday, June 29 – Levels – 12am

Sunday, June 30 – BBC Introducing Stage – 7.30pm

Sunday, June 30 – Wishing Well – 9pm

Kings Of Leon

Caleb Followhill of Kings Of Leon playing a guitar and singing into a microphone
You can never play too many shows in the UK, right? (Picture: Buda Mendes/Getty Images,)

Musicians simply being in the UK during June is enough to spark Glastonbury rumours – just ask Kings Of Leon.

The quartet are on our shores on Sunday, June 30 for their British Summer Time show, with fans reckoning they could fit in a cheeky Worthy Farm appearance while here.

It has been 20 years since the Sex On Fire rockers first performed at Glasto, with their last set at the festival taking place in 2008 when they headlined.

Green Day

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day playing a guitar and singing into a microphone
Could Green Day make their Glastonbury debut? (Picture: Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Green Day seems an unlikely band to perform at this year’s Glastonbury, given their set to rock Isle of Wight this month as a ‘festival exclusive’.

However, many fans of the punk band pointed out they released their brand new album Saviors earlier this year – what better time to play the new tracks?

The trio – fronted by Billie Joe Armstrong – have never played the legendary UK festival, so it would also be their debut should it happen.

Who do you think will play secret sets at Glastonbury Festival 2024?Comment Now

The XX

Romy Madley Croft of The XX playing a guitar onstage
The XX has played Glastonbury twice (Picture: WireImage)

The XX surprising fans with a comeback set at Glastonbury seems the most likely given the evidence.

Drummer and keyboard player Jamie XX is headlining the Woodies stage on Friday night, while vocalist and guitarist Romy Madley Croft is playing a DJ set on the same day at the Levels area.

Despite being quiet over recent years, Romy did confirm in January that the band had been in the studio recording – so this year’s Glasto could be the perfect time to debut it.

The XX has played the festival twice – firstly in 2010, and then again in 2017.

Other secret acts rumoured to play sets at Glastonbury 2024

  • BAR
  • Blur
  • Glass Animals
  • Hot Chip
  • Interpol
  • Liam Gallagher
  • Placebo
  • Pulp
  • Richard Hawley
  • Taylor Swift
  • The Smile
  • Tame Impala
  • Troye Sivan
  • Vampire Weekend
  • Weezer

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