Gorillaz 'Got in There First' to Replace U2 at Glastonbury

Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis has revealed that Gorillaz were the first band to ask to perform instead of U2, after the Irish band were forced to pull out of an appearance at the 2010 festival because of Bono's back problems.

Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's cartoon outfit will take the headline slot on the Pyramid stage on the Friday night, June 25.

Eavis added that predictably enough, he was inundated with artists from across the globe hoping to step in to U2's shoes, but it was Gorillaz, with their impressive animated projections in their live show, who "got in there first," according to Eavis.

In an interview with the Radio Times, he said, "It sounds like a really interesting thing, and they have the most amazing guests they're going to bring on, who shall remain nameless.

"It gave me so much encouragement for the future, because it could have been a disaster. When we needed them, they [the music industry] came to the rescue."

Other headliners at this year's Glastonbury are Muse and Stevie Wonder, with Dizzee Rascal, Pet Shop Boys and Flaming Lips also playing.