Coldplay Confirmed as Glastonbury Headliners

Coldplay, Kylie Minogue and the White Stripes are the headline acts at this summer's Glastonbury festival. [thanks mimi]

The Detroit minimalist duo the White Stripes, whose stirring Glastonbury set in 2002 established them as festival favourites, will top the bill on Friday night, while the British rockers Coldplay will fill the prestigious Saturday night headline slot - their third Glastonbury appearance.

Other confirmed acts range from veterans such as Van Morrison, Brian Wilson, Taj Mahal, Elvis Costello, the Undertones, New Order, Echo and the Bunnymen and Garbage to leading lights of the resurgent rock scene such as Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, the Killers, the Thrills, the Bravery, Razorlight, Kasabian, Athlete and the Zutons. Other notable acts this year include Ian Brown, Fatboy Slim, Royksopp, Cake, Rufus Wainwright, the Coral and Ash.

Mr Eavis said the stakes were high for Coldplay as they were unveiling a new album, X&Y. "It will need to be their best performance of all time," he said. "But they've got integrity and great tunes. They're the best songwriting band in the world at the moment."

His daughter, Emily, is the co-programmer of the John Peel stage, the festival's venue for new talent. She is excited about a lineup that ranges from the alternative country star Ryan Adams and the Nebraska singer-songwriter Conor Oberst (aka Bright Eyes) to less familiar names such as the Tears, Go Team, the Earlies, Willy Mason, M83, Your Code Name is: Milo, Nine Black Alps and the cabaret-punk duo Dresden Dolls.

"I think it is an exceptional time for new music," said Ms Eavis. "There has been a brilliant run of stuff from Britain and overseas."

All 112,000 tickets to the event sold out in less than three hours.Divided between 11 stages, the line-up comprises over 200 acts that run the gamut from established names to untested newcomers.

US synth-rockers The Bravery, winners of the BBC News website's Sound of 2005 poll to find the best new music talent, lead a strong showing of contemporary bands, while solo artists range from hotly-tipped Scottish folk singer KT Tunstall to US singer-songwriter Tori Amos.

Audiences can also sample such bizarre-sounding ensembles as Shooglenifty, the Baghdaddies and the Jaipur Kawa Brass Band.

However, festival founder Michael Eavis's hopes of booking Irish rockers U2 appear to have been dashed. Last year's Glastonbury saw Sir Paul McCartney and Oasis brave wet weather to perform before a largely enthusiastic crowd.

Mr Eavis has already announced there will be no festival in 2006.