Maximo Park are the band to officially launch Glastonbury Festival this year. They will play an intimate gig to around 1500 fans at 4pm on Thursday.

The Newcastle rockers will also be the first act to play on the William Green Stage. A new area to the festival named after Micheal Eavis’ grandad William Green. He was the first to plant crops on Worthy Farm (the location for Glastonbury Festival). The area will be located between the Pyramid Stage and the Acoustic Field.

Today’s announcements mean that the event will host four days of music from a huge range of genres.

Maximo Park front man, Paul Smith said: “Glastonbury’s still a festival that takes chances, as proven by Jay-Z’s triumphant appearance last year, so it’s an honour for us to be the first band on, in such intimate surroundings.”