U2 to headline Friday night at Glastonbury 2011

Image source, AFP

Image caption, The 2011 show will be U2's first time ever performing at Glastonbury

U2 have confirmed they will play at this year's Glastonbury festival.

In a video speech at the 2011 NME awards in London, guitarist The Edge said the band would headline on Friday 24 June.

It will be the band's debut at the festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset - they had been due to play in 2010 but frontman Bono injured his back and the performance was cancelled.

Coldplay and Beyonce have already been announced as the other two headliners.

Edge, who made a guest appearance playing guitar with Muse in 2010, said he was excited by the chance to get back on to the main stage at the long running festival.

'Greatest audience'

"I have to say there is something really special and iconic about that stage," he said.

"So, we're all looking forward to coming back to pick up where I left off.

"We're so excited to get to play in front of the world's greatest festival audience. We'll see you there!"

The announcement came after Glastonbury won the best festival award at rock magazine NME's annual ceremony.