Worthy of Worthy

At some point in the next couple of weeks, the line-up for this year's Glastonbury is set to be announced, and I'm more excited than I've ever been for a festival line-up. It's been a good few years since I went to a large festival but, after watching the Stones and Arctic Monkeys on TV last year, I decided it was high time I pop my Glastonbury cherry.

So far, the confirmed acts haven't filled me with much joy. Arcade Fire, who I can take or leave, are set to headline the Friday night, with Kasabian (who aren't bad live but haven't done much in recent years) nailed on to be closing the festival on the Sunday night. Add to that the possibility of Dolly Parton taking the 'legends' slot on the Saturday night and the current line-up, in comparison to 2013, is harder to swallow than dry crackers.

Never have I been less interested in such an impressive chest.

Headliners aside, there are a few things to be cheery about if you believe the rumour mill. Lana Del Rey, not exactly famed for her live work after that performance on SNL, has an album out this year and has a few dates around Europe come June. Disclosure and Blondie are already confirmed, and the mid-card will surely be filled by the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, Haim, Foxes and a whole host of other Radio 1 regulars. Then there's stalwarts like Elbow (how good would 'New York Morning' sound at dusk?), Manic Street Preachers and Interpol who all have albums to tour this year.

Returning to the Saturday headliner issue - seriously, I can only think of four Dolly songs (max) that most people would know - I'm still holding out hope that the stars will align and that her Blue Smoke tour will play a mid-afternoon slot. Michael Eavis has ruled out Prince playing, so that's one I'd like to see that we can scratch of the list of candidates for the slot. Another less-fancied option are the Eagles. I actually had to sell an Eagles ticket for the Wednesday of Glastonbury week, and the band has the date free at the end of their UK tour. I'm not hopeful, but it would definitely make for unforgettable memories to hear the likes of 'Hotel California' and 'Seven Bridges Road' live at the UK's biggest festival.

Too much to ask for?

Fleetwood Mac will surely headline Glastonbury one day and have Christine McVie back in the line-up. But, considering they are reportedly back in the studio recording a new album, this summer will probably be too soon for them. Eavis has gone on record saying that they are hopeful for 2015 anyway, so we won't be seeing any dancing ponies in the crowd this year.

Given Pharrell is in his 40s now, there might be scope for him to be labelled a 'legend', although Nile Rogers' mid-card appearance last year would suggest that it's an unlikely booking - I wouldn't be surprised if he does appear somewhere on the bill though. Kate Bush has also just announced a string of dates at the Hammersmith Apollo for September which would very tentatively put her in the frame. The fact that they are her first live performances in 35 years takes her right back out though.

Bush is back.

Speculation aside, Glastonbury is still Glastonbury, and whatever the weather, it will be an experience to remember in years to come.  Part of the fun in buying the ticket is not knowing the line-up, unlike the stress of making a split-second decision on whether to go to Leeds & Reading when Zane Lowe announces the line-up as the ticket hotlines open. The announcement is due any day now, and I may have to make peace with Dolly. However, if a BBC camera catches me shamelessly loving 'Nine to Five', please remember, you didn't read this post...