LONDON (Reuters) – Irish rock band U2 are to headline next year's Glastonbury Festival on the 40th anniversary of the world's biggest green field arts and music event.

Lead singer Bono of the rock band U2 performs during a concert at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California October 25, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

The band are set to appear on June 25, the opening night of the festival for a one-off performance during their tour of the United States.

"The band is really looking forward to it," manager Paul McGuinness said on U2's website.

Glastonbury organizer Michael Eavis said he had been trying for years to persuade the group to perform and was delighted they had agreed to play their first festival since the 1980s.

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