Gorillaz To Replace U2 At Glastonbury

Due to Bono’s back surgery last week — you don’t think it gets any easier to carry the weight of the world and that ego once you’re over the hill, do you? — U2 has been forced to postpone or cancel several upcoming gigs, including a headlining slot in England’s Glastonbury festival.  Glastonbury’s response?  Replace one increasingly cartoonish band with a literal cartoon band: Gorillaz.

According to Pitchfork, the Gorillaz will take the headlining slot (and will hopefully turn in less of a snoozer than their sprawling, aimless Coachella set).  Gorillaz “frontman” Murdoc said the following in a press release today:

“We’re like some great big horrible warship pulling in to the Bay of Glastonbury to save the day. It was us or the Beatles, and they split up years ago. The previous soldiers got pulled from duty last minute so it’s up to my Plastic Beach naval cavalry to sail in and sort the battlefield out. I can assure you though, I’m bringing extra troops. Loads of them. Glastonbury will be ours… cutlasses drawn, trumpets ready. We’re coming in…”

It’s the “extra troops” part of that comment that raises my eyebrows the highest – the band brought the Clash’s  Paul Simonon and Mick Jones as well as De La Soul with them to Coachella; who knows who could show up at Glasto?

Further, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis said in the same press release:

“I’m very excited about Gorillaz’ show coming here because they’re so open to guests and collaborations. The alchemy of Friday’s show is going to be astonishing: a perfect, contemporary way to kick off the 40th anniversary celebrations.”

What do you think of Gorillaz replacing U2?