Are Pulp Playing the Pyramid? Glastonbury’s Wildest Secret Set Rumours (and a Few That Might Actually Happen)

Oh, Glastonbury – you can give us three mega headliners, a full poster of joy, and still, we’ll whisper feverishly about who else might just pop up unannounced. It wouldn’t be Worthy Farm without the secret set rumour mill spinning faster than the cider press in the Greenpeace field, would it?

Every year, fans become full-time detectives, cross-referencing tour schedules, album drops, and even Radio 2 interviews just to prove that their fave is definitely going to show up. The 2025 edition (25–29 June, mark it in gold glitter) is already buzzing with everything from Britpop comebacks to punk surprises. Let’s dive in, shall we?

 The Great “Patchwork” Mystery: Is It Pulp?

Now, THIS is juicy. There’s a very suspiciously named act – “Patchwork” – scheduled for the Pyramid Stage at 6.15pm on Saturday. Prime time. No socials, no links, no clue… unless you’re a Britpop fan, in which case you’re already clutching your pearls and whispering Jarvis.

Here’s the tea: Pulp are mid-promo for More, their first album in 21 years (!!!). Fans noticed Candida Doyle chatting about her love of patchwork on the radio recently. Coincidence? Not likely. And remember, Pulp have secret history with Glasto – they filled in for The Stone Roses in 1995 and absolutely owned it.

So, imagine: the sun dipping over Worthy Farm, “Common People” ringing out over the Pyramid, and every millennial within earshot ugly crying into their face glitter. We need this.

But before we get too giddy… people have been saying “Pulp will do a secret set” for three years now. Could this finally be the year? 🤞

 Mumford & Sons

Okay, so they’re not quite the barnstorming headliners they were in 2013, but the Mumfords are still guaranteed to get a crowd belting their hearts out. Their new album Rushmere has gone down nicely, and recent live reviews called their gigs “rambunctious” and “rowdy” – the good kind.

If they do show up, our money’s on a sunset slot at Woodsies, not Pyramid. They’re just not quite in the “surprise!” league of Foo Fighters these days. But still: “I Will Wait” echoing through a hazy Saturday evening? That’s a Glasto vibe.

Lady Gaga?

She’s done it before (tiny stage, 2009, blink and you missed it), but could she really roll into Pilton unannounced? Gaga’s fresh off mega gigs in Rio and Coachella and just dropped her Mayhem record… so yes, it’s a stretch, but Glasto is known for magic. Maybe not this year – but fingers crossed for a full-blown Sunday headline in 2027?

Lorde

The queen of sad bangers is dropping her new album Virgin on Glasto weekend. She’s already been spotted doing sneaky pop-up gigs and she’s besties with Charli XCX, who’s playing a huge Other Stage slot. If there’s one name I genuinely think we’ll see added to the secret set list, it’s Lorde.

Woodsies would suit her to a T. Angsty lyrics? Bassy bangers? A crowd ready to scream every word? Perfect.

Green Day

Somehow they’ve never played Glasto?! With their latest album Saviors out and a whole new Gen Z fanbase loving their shouty, sarky anthems, it actually kind of makes sense. They smashed Coachella, and there’s a big hole for some actual loud guitars this year. A mid-afternoon Pyramid singalong to “American Idiot”? Yes. Please. 🤘

Sir Keir Starmer (No, Really)

He’s not exactly a rockstar, but politics and Glasto go way back. Jeremy Corbyn got one of the biggest Pyramid crowds in 2017. So now that Sir Keir’s landed in Number 10, could he take a break from Downing Street to swing by the Left Field tent or pop up before a headline set?

A little less “mosh pit” and a little more “manifesto”, maybe – but it is an election year Glasto, after all.

Special Guests: Who’s Bringing Who?

Half the fun these days is trying to guess who’s going to wander on stage mid-set and blow everyone’s minds. Remember Paul McCartney bringing out actual Springsteen and actual Dave Grohl in 2022? Yeah, we’re still not over it.

This year’s potentials?

• • • Charli XCX – her Brat era is in full swing and she’s basically Glasto royalty now. Could she bring out Lorde or Billie Eilish? YES PLEASE.
    • Neil Young – maybe a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young mini-reunion with Stephen Stills? A girl can dream.
    • Olivia Rodrigo – she’s already shared the Pyramid before (remember that duet with Lily Allen?), so don’t rule out another collab. Could David Byrne be up for a Talking Heads moment?

 So… What’s the Verdict?

Expect the unexpected, always pack glitter, and if you see a band with a weird name on the lineup – run. That’s probably your secret set. Whether it’s Pulp, Lorde or, somehow, Green Day, Glasto’s surprises are what make it magic.

And hey – even if the rumour doesn’t come true, you’ll still have a banging story to tell. Like the time you thought you saw Gaga in a Portaloo queue. (You didn’t. But it’s still a good story.)