Noughties rock frontman announced as Glastonbury’s first secret set – just a few hours into the festival
NOUGHTIES music fans braving the heat of Glastonbury Festival have been given a real treat for the first secret set of the year.
The iconic festival got underway today as temperatures rocketed to 30C and health warnings were issued.
Just hours after the huge music event kicked off, the first mystery act for 2024 was announced.
Beans On Toast delighted Glastonbury goers when he took to the Greenpeace stage at 4.30pm on Thursday afternoon.
The folk singer-songwriter – real name Jay McAllister – began performing in a London pub in 2005 before quickly rising to fame.
He made his debut at Glastonbury Festival just two years later and has continued to make an appearance at the event every year since.
Confirming he would be there once again, Beans On Toast revealed on X – formerly known as Twitter: “Glastonbury. Let’s get it started early. 4:30pm today. Greenpeace stage.
“I’m gonna play my next album Wild Goose Chasers in full. Take your place in the human race.”
Jay made the big reveal just five hours before going on stage for his set.
Beans On Toast has released a new studio album ever year since his debut album, Standing on a Chair, dropped in December 2009.
He always releases his albums on December 1, in time for Christmas.
During his career, Jay has supported huge names on tour, including Kate Nash, Frank Turner and US punk band Flogging Molly.
Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis threw open the gates to this year’s festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset on Thursday morning.
More than 200,000 fans were expected to hit the road for the first day, as the mercury topped a scorching 30C.
A yellow heat health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office, while Glastonbury officials have been urging music lovers to drink plenty of water.
A message on the Glastonbury Instagram account read: “DRINK EVERY DROP. Welcome to #Glastonbury2024!
“All of our water is drinking water, and we have 800+ taps with the same quality water as your taps at home.
“Please refill your bottles for free throughout the Festival to stay hydrated and refreshed!”
Meanwhile, it was also confirmed at the eleventh hour that another noughties music star would be performing as a last-minute secret act.
Newton Faulkner, 39, posted a graphic to his page on X showing his face and emblazoned with the words: “I am playing Glastonbury Festival 2024.”
In his image caption he made a nod to his change of summer plans and put: ” If you asked me last week if I was playing @glastonbury, I would have said sadly not.
“But if you asked me now I’d say HELL YEA, SATURDAY 21:40-22:40 ON THE AVALON STAGE!!!!!!”
This year’s headliners are Dua Lipa, Coldplay and US star SZA. Country-pop star Shania Twain has also been announced for the Sunday Legends Slot.