SIR Paul McCartney is set to return to Worthy Farm to headline Glastonbury Festival for the second time in his career this summer.

The former Beatle will perform on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, June 25. 

American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish will become the festival’s youngest-ever solo headliner when she takes the Friday night slot, and rapper Kendrick Lamar will be at the top of the bill on Sunday.

Sir Paul also performed on Saturday night at Glastonbury in 2004 – a performance that marked the end of his summer tour of 12 European cities for 700,000 fans.

A year earlier, festival founder Michael Eavis said he could not fit Sir Paul onto the bill as Radiohead “were already booked” to headline on Saturday night.

After it was confirmed that he would headline Glastonbury 2004, Sir Paul said: “Touring really has been a lot of fun for us and the audiences have been great, so why stop now?”

He headlined alongside Oasis (Friday night) and Muse (Sunday night).

In the County Gazette’s festival preview, our reporter wrote: “A fabulous music feast will be served up to those lucky enough to have tickets for Glastonbury Festival this weekend.

“The scramble for tickets for the three-day event saw all 112,000 tickets sold out within 24 hours, and this year security will be tight to prevent non-ticket holders from breaking in.

“Oasis, Morrissey, PJ Harvey and Christy Moore will make a welcome return to the Pyramid Stage while first-timer Paul McCartney, who has just completed his 3,000th gig, will be a Pyramid Stage virgin as headline act on Saturday.”

Sir Paul played classics from The Beatles’ repertoire, including Yellow Submarine, Eleanor Rigby, Penny Lane, and Hey Jude, alongside songs from Wings and his solo career.

Reflecting on the weekend, County Gazette reviewer Tamsin Curtis wrote: “An eclectic mixture of typically British weather failed to cloud over the fun at Glastonbury Festival in 2004.

“During three days and much mud wrestling, I saw 18 bands at a variety of stages and got to hear and see everyone I wanted to.

“Top of the bill was the Black Eyed Peas who played an absolutely scorching set on the Pyramid Stage hot on the heels of the Scissor Sisters who belted out their songs in a hail storm.

“The Main Stage also had some other class acts such as Groove Armada and Nelly Furtado, while 17-year-old Joss Stone from Mid Devon put in a performance far more mature than her years.

“Meanwhile, the Other Stage hosted some fantastic performances by Franz Ferdinand, Divine Comedy and Keane, who got the crowd cheering when the rain clouds gave way to sunshine moments after they finished ‘Sunshine’.”

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Despite the festival securing high-profile headline acts, our reviewer found more enjoyment away from the Pyramid Stage.

“Headline act Oasis were a bitter disappointment and, after hearing three of their lacklustre songs, I left to go and watch the far superior Chemical Brothers,” wrote Tamsin.

“And Sir Paul McCartney, who took star billing on Saturday night, did not draw me in when there was more fun to be had with Basement Jaxx.”

At the end of the review, Tamsin wrote: “Now the tent is packed away and the mud has finally been scraped off the body, I’m looking forward to next year’s musical feast with as much anticipation as ever.”

Sir Paul will perform in Somerset once more this year as the festival makes its long-awaited return after a two-year hiatus forced by the pandemic.

When this year’s line-up was announced, festival co-organiser Emily Eavis said: “Having Paul McCartney coming back to headline the Pyramid next year is an absolute dream come true.

“There really was no one that we wanted more for the 50th anniversary.”

Diana Ross will perform in the Sunday ‘legends’ slot on Sunday afternoon – two years after she was first scheduled to perform.