Coldplay, Beyonce to play Glastonbury festival

Singer Chris Martin of Coldplay performs during the All Points West music festival at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey August 2, 2009. [Photo/Agencies]

British rock band Coldplay will headline the Glastonbury music festival this year, appearing on the main Pyramid stage for the Saturday night slot, organizers said on Tuesday.

They added that U.S. singer Beyonce would also appear at the event, one of the biggest outdoor music festivals in the pop calendar.

"Coldplay have played such a major part in the festival over the last 10 years or so," Glastonbury organizer Michael Eavis said on the festival's website.

"As their popularity grew around the world I was so proud of them. This is the triumphant return of a band that everyone here feels part of. They're one of the greatest phenomena to grow from these fields." It will be the band's first Glastonbury show since 2005.

Coldplay made their debut at the event, held on a farm in southwest England that is turned into a tent city-cum-rock venue, in 1999 in the New Bands tent weeks after signing their record deal.

Speaking of Beyonce, Eavis' daughter and co-organizer Emily said: "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 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?"

Glastonbury is held most years with occasional breaks, including 2012.