June 25, 2009 8:00

Blur: 'It's only right we play the Glastonbury Festival'

Damon Albarn and co look ahead to this weekend's set

Photo Gallery: Blur

Blur have told NME.COM they think it's "right" that they headline Glastonbury 2009 as part of their comeback.

The band will top the bill on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night (June 28). They will also play Manchester's MEN Arena on Friday (June 26), along with shows in London's Hyde Park next week (July 2,3).

Speaking to NME.COM the band said they were relishing their Glastonbury performance, their first since 1998.

"Were we surprised to be asked to do Glastonbury?" questioned Damon Albarn. "I think it's only right that we play it! It's a great honour to play Glastonbury and we're going to rise to the occasion hopefully.

"Everyone is tired on Sunday night so it needs something special, we'll try to give them that."

Albarn is also involved the Africa Exprez event which takes place at the Shangri-La tent late on Saturday night (June 27), while bandmate Graham Coxon is determined to watch fellow headliner Bruce Springsteen on the same night.

"It's a well good weekend, so to finish it off is ace," declared Coxon. "We'll bring it back down to England with a bump after Neil [Young] and The Boss."

Read an exclusive interview with Blur in the issue of NME, on UK newsstands now.

NME.COM is coming live from Glastonbury throughout the 2009 festival. Stay tuned for the latest news, pictures, blogs and video interviews.

Head to our NME Festivals section for the latest Glastonbury picture gallery, and check out the NME Festivals Glastonbury blog for dispatches straight from Worthy Farm. For all of our coverage go to the Glastonbury 2009 homepage now.

Plus make sure you get next week's issue of NME, on UK newsstands from July 1, for the ultimate Glastonbury 2009 review.