Glastonbury confirm Beyonce, the first female soloist to headline

Glastonbury Festival organisers have confirmed that Beyonce will headline this year's Glastonbury Festival on Sunday, joining the earlier announced Coldplay.

In an interview on the Festival's Official website, organiser Emily Eavis says, "Yeah, it's great to get that out there. I went to see her live last year and was blown away by the might of the show. She has such soul, an amazing voice with an incredible, all-female band. She knows how to deliver live, and she packs a big punch - it's gonna explode! And she is, I believe, the first female solo artist to headline, so it's a big moment for us. What better way to see off the Festival till 2013?."

The solo singer who attended Glastonbury Festival in 2008 with headliner that year, husband Jay-Z, may well include a few hits in her set by the R&B girl group Destiny's Child which have been on hiatus since 2006. She said, "This really is the biggest festival in the world and I cannot wait to perform there. Everyone who attends is really appreciative of music and is in such a good mood that entire weekend. I'm pumped just thinking about that huge audience and soaking up their energy."

Asked if any other acts will be confirmed soon, Emily Eavis adds, "We hope to give you some more names soon - as soon as we can, in fact. We would love to tell you everything right now if we could, but many stages aren't quite finished and many bands are announcing tours or big gigs first. We are working on getting it out there before very long though, so thanks for your patience and please bear with us."

Emily Eavis adds, "Things always change gear in January and the year has kicked off at a pace. It's looking set to be a great one, though - we're making lots of improvements across the site, so it's easier to move about and better all round. We're always trying to make it better."

The Festival organiser also confirmed the arrival this year of the 1971 Stage, which '71 Festival founder Anderw Kerr spoke to eFestivals about (here), and confirmed Leftfield the pop and politics tent will return to it's home beside the Leftfield tower, which for the last couple of years has been home to The Queens Head. Emily Eavis says, "We're working on expanding the late night areas - Shangri-la, Arcadia, Block 9, Common etc - as it got pretty busy down there last year. We also have the new addition of the 1971 Stage, which should be interesting. It will be featuring artists from the 71 Festival. Plus, Leftfield is moving back to its old home, by the Leftfield tower. So, yeah, lots going on right now."

Emily Eavis' interview can be read in full (here).

Tickets have sold out for this summer's Glastonbury Festival which runs for five full days from Wednesday 22nd until Sunday 26th June 2011 across a 1000 hectares (2470 acres) of beautiful countryside at Worthy Farm, Somerset. Resales of unwanted tickets are expected at some point in April.

Only headliners Coldplay and Beyonce are confirmed so far for the Festival, but as usual eFestivals will bring you the very best-sourced rumours, allowing festival-goers to see who is playing long before the bands are formally announced - keep your eyes on the Glastonbury 2011 rumours, updated as we receive information.

International ticket buyers must pay their balance payments between 9am (GMT) Friday 25th February 25th and 11:59pm (GMT) Friday 3rd March 2011. Balances will be paid either online at http://wwww.seetickets.com/g2011 or on the booking line: 0844 412 4635.

UK ticket balances will be payable in the first week of April 2011 (9am Friday 1st April until 11.59pm on Thursday 7th April).

Anyone who doesn't pay their ticket balance during the applicable week will be automatically refunded their deposit (minus a £10 admin fee).

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