Muse were joined onstage by U2 guitarist The Edge as they headlined Glastonbury tonight (June 26).

The space-rock trio played the closing Pyramid Stage for the second time in six years, bringing the second day to an epic finish.

The band brought their special brand of bombast, despite a relatively-stripped down show compared to what they are used to, although the biggest surprise was reserved for the encore.

The band left the stage for a lengthy breather after finishing the initial set with ‘Stockholm Syndrome’. When they returned, they were joined by The Edge, who added his trademark guitar to a version of U2′s ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’.

“This is our friend The Edge,” Muse frontman Matt Bellamy said simply at the end of the mass sing-along.

U2 had been due to headline Glastonbury last night, but were forced to pull out after Bono seriously injured his back. They were replaced by Gorillaz.

Muse appeared relaxed onstage throughout the gig, with Bellamy, dressed in white trousers and a red T-shirt, telling the audience; “I can’t believe it’s not fucking raining. I’ve been waiting 15 years for it to be sunny at Glastonbury. Shout out to Michael Eavis! And his daughter [Emily]!”

Muse’s return to Glastonbury was heavy on material from current album ‘The Resistance’, but they threw in curveballs such as ‘Nishe’, the B-side to 2000 single ‘Unintended’, and their traditional cover of ‘Feeling Good’, the song made famous by Nina Simone.

Muse played:

‘Uprising’
‘Supermassive Black Hole’
‘New Born’
‘Map Of The Problematique’
‘Guiding Light’
‘Citizen Erased’
‘Nishe’
‘United States Of Eurasia’
‘Feeling Good’
‘Undisclosed Desires’
‘Resistance’
‘Hysteria’
‘Time Is Running Out’
‘Starlight’
‘Stockholm Syndrome’
‘Where The Streets Have No Name’
‘Plug In Baby’
‘Knights Of Cydonia’

- NME

Another year, another Glastonbury — and another fresh round of what-ifs and maybes for the festival rumour mill.

This year the most-whispered tale involves two of the 2010 festival’s headliners – or, rather, one of the headliners and a band who were supposed to be topping the bill on the Pyramid Stage.

Saturday’s headliners Muse had hinted they were planning something special for their headline slot. On Friday, BBC 6 Music reported that the band might be joined by U2′s guitarist the Edge for their slot.

U2, of course, were supposed to be headlining the festival on Friday night but had to pull out after Bono underwent surgery, leading them to pull a series of dates on their world tour.

Festival organiser Michael Eavis had been asked by the station if the rumours were true, and did not deny the story – though he did not confirm it either.

Whether Matt Bellamy and company are joined by the veteran guitar great, only a time machine or patience will tell. Stay tuned.

- Spinner

Australia’s Triple M Radio is reporting that U2 will bring the 360 Tour down under this December.

Says the report:

Sources have revealed that U2 will bring their 360° tour to Australia in December. The Music Network said the band will officially confirm the news we’ve all been waiting for when they announce new dates of their cancelled US tour.

We’re still hoping for some news about when those postponed (not cancelled) dates will be re-announced, but our contacts are not saying anything at the moment. Consider the above a rumor until there’s some official confirmation.

Via U2tours.com

Irish rockers U2 could lose £100million after pulling out of 17 shows of their US tour.

Bono could cost U2 £100 million.

The lead singer of U2 has been told by doctors to rest for two months following emergency back surgery and will now miss out on the start of the group’s US leg of their 360 Degree tour.

Bono was said to be “heartbroken” after pulling out of 17 US dates and Glastonbury festival in the UK, and now the problem may hit his bank balance too.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Bono and the band are covered by insurance but the cost of overheads and missed revenue could easily reach £100 million by the time he’s fit enough to perform again.”

Paul McGuinness, the manager of the Irish group – made up of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. – said: “If we play or not, touring still costs us £500,000 a day.”

Earlier this month bassist Adam Clayton admitted he and his band mates would have been happy to put on a simpler tour, but Bono had other plans.

He said: “It was Bono’s vision. He’s that kind of performer. I think the rest of us would be happy to stand on an old beer crate but he’s the person working the stage.”

New tour dates are expected to be released later this week.

- ContactMusic

Bono may be stuck in a moment that he’d like to get out of, but he can take heart. ESPN struck a deal with his band U2 to use their music exclusively for their World Cup coverage.

Along with using the Irish supergroup’s music, the South African Soweto Gospel Choir also recorded versions of some U2 songs for the network to use, and ESPN took footage from the band’s 2009 concert at the Rose Bowl for some of their ads.

So even though they’ll be away from our shores for a few months, they’ll be inescapable here and all over the world.

- BUZZ BRADY,Irishcentral.com Showbiz Writer

Bono and U2 on stage

The festival spokesperson for Britain’s most famous music festival, Glastonbury, has said that the Irish legends U2 are likely to play in 2011.

A spokesperson for the festival said “They’ve never played here before and we’re very disappointed they can’t perform…but they could well be back next year.”

U2 were to play the headline slot on June 25 until Bono, the front man, was rushed to hospital for emergency back surgery due to a disease which could have left him paralyzed.

The British band, Gorillaz, fronted by Damon Albarn, has agreed to replace U2 as the headline act on June 25 while Muse and Stevie Wonder are also set to play the headline slots at the sold out festival.

- IrishCentral.com