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The Irish Sun

Glastonbury's most legendary secret sets from Foo Fighters appearance to Pulp and The Killers

GLASTONBURY is the holy grail of music festivals, with any act worth its salt desperate to play at the iconic Worthy Farm site. Such is its pull that the biggest artists in the world are only too happy to squeeze onto the bill for surprise performances on stages their popularity has long since eclipsed. 8 Glastonbury has taken over the airwaves this weekend Credit: Getty This year is no exception with We take a look at memorable secret sets from past years: THE CHURNUPS 8 The Foo Fighters rocked the Pyramid Stage in 2023 as The Churnups Credit: PA By the time But that didn't deter the American rock veterans, who headlined in 2017, from ripping through a concise nine song set packed with hits. READ MORE ON GLASTONBURY Running out in front of a banner with the Foos' pseudonym on in a heavy metal font, Dave Grohl was all gas no brakes, headbanging and sprinting around like a man half his age. It was a poignant, uplifting return to the farm a year after the band's drummer, Taylor Hawkins, died while they were touring South America. THE KILLERS 8 The Killers played a hit-packed set in Woodsies in 2017 Credit: Getty Two years before they headlined the festival for a second time in 2019, The Killers flashed their Vegas-infused brilliance on the John Peel Stage. Led by showman Brandon Flowers, the band emerged at 5.30pm on the Sunday afternoon and launched into an anthemic When You Were Young. Most read in Music As news spread around the site, the crowd grew bigger with hundreds, if not thousands, of fans gathering outside the tent to hear the hits. It was a memorable moment and paved the way for a glorious return to the top of the bill in 2019 where they were joined by special guests Johnny Marr and Pet Shop Boys. MAC DEMARCO 8 Mac DeMarco was a late night draw in the Crow's Nest Credit: Getty The popular songwriter brought his lo-fi beats to the Crow's Nest in 2016. Over 400 fans tried cramming into a tiny tent late at night to hear chilled hits like Salad Days. One lucky person that made it inside, wrote on Instagram: "Mac Demarco secret set in the tiniest tent was worth climbing the muddiest hill." PULP 8 Jarvis Cocker's Pulp performed on The Park Stage in 2011 Credit: Getty Britpop favourites Pulp are riding high once again following the release of critically acclaimed comeback album, More - their first in 24 years. But the magic never really faded, and those who witnessed their 2011 secret set can attest to that. One fan said: "Wasn't much of a secret as everyone knew by the time Sunday rolled around. We got a spot mid-morning and managed to hold it down as the field filled up. It was an amazing set with people watching it all the way up the hill." Radiohead 8 Thom Yorke played tracks from The King of Limbs in 2011 Credit: AP:Associated Press In what was a golden year for secret sets, the mighty Radiohead downsized from the Pyramid Stage to play The Park. The experimental Oxford outfit played tracks from their stellar King of Limbs album to a rapturous audience. As you can imagine, excitement was at fever pitch when Thom Yorke and co eventually appeared, with one gig-goer saying: "Outrageous, the wait the buzz." RICK ASTLEY AND BLOSSOMS 8 Rick Astley paid tribute to The Smiths, alongside Blossoms Credit: Rex Rick Astley and Blossoms were perhaps one of the most surprising combinations to grace Glasto, yet it really worked. The two acts' homage to Manchester 's musical heroes The Smiths in 2023 sent fans nuts. The 80s pop idol and indie favourites gelled effortlessly and did Morrissey and Marr's anthems justice in the Woodsies tent. "Such great energy , everyone was buzzing," said one audience member. THE LIBERTINES 8 The Libertines were a late addition to the lineup in 2015 Credit: PA:Press Association The Margate boys were a late addition to the lineup in 2015 after Florence and the Machine were bumped up the bill in unfortunate circumstances. Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl broke his leg in a freak stage fall just weeks before his band were due to headline, forcing them to pull out. Glasto bosses elevated Florence and then scrambled to add a support-worthy act. Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, Gary Powell and John Hassall stepped in to fill the void and played their literary indie classics on a sunny afternoon on the farm.