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The Smile: Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood to debut new band at Glastonbury live-stream event

A new band formed by Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood called The Smile will make its debut at Glastonbury’s live streamed concert on Saturday.

The new three-piece, which also includes jazz drummer Tom Skinner, will perform “a first-ever set of new, original music” during the virtual event being held at Worthy Farm.

Long-time Radiohead producer Nigel Goodrich is also involved in the band, named for Ted Hughes poem “The Smile”. Skinner plays in British jazz group Sons of Kemet.

On Saturday Yorke tweeted a handwritten note with his new band’s name and members, tagging Glastonbury’s twitter feed and a brand new account set up for The Smile, which has already gained more than 1,000 followers.

In a statement Glastonbury’s Emily Eavis said: “We’re truly honoured that Thom and Jonny have chosen our live-stream event to premiere their brand new project, The Smile.

“Sadly, we are all unable to gather together at Worthy Farm, but alongside sets from other wonderful performers, this has all the markings of a special Glastonbury moment.”

Until Saturday’s announcement the event’s website listed the 11.05pm slot just as “Special Guest” and it had been rumoured Taylor Swift would be the mystery performer as she had been due to headline the cancelled 2020 festival.

The festival revealed the new band on its website this morning, writing: “We’re very pleased to announce that Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner – henceforth known as The Smile – will be performing a first ever set of new, original music exclusively for the Live At Worthy Farm global livestream… For further information on The Smile as it is revealed, keep an eye on @thesmiletheband.”

The Smile filmed their set in Glastonbury’s Greenpeace field earlier in the week under a shroud of secrecy, the BBC reported.

The global livestream concert begins at 7pm with Coldplay, Michael Kiwanuka, Haim and Damon Albarn also on the bill.

Although billed as a live, Saturday’s concert was in fact filmed over the course of the past seven days by Paul Dugdale, who has worked with Adele and Ariana Grande, among others. 

The virtual event will include performances from well-known sites around the farm including the Pyramid Field and the Stone Circle. It is only accessible with pay-per-view tickets which cost £20.

All the artists are performing for free and ticket proceeds are intended to “help to secure the festival’s return in 2022”.

Radiohead have headlined Glastonbury three times in 1997, 2003 and 2017, as well as performing a smaller surprise set in 2011.

Source: msn.com
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