Stones to play long-awaited Glastonbury gig

Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones performs with the Rolling Stones on June 21 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

Keith Richards, front, and Mick Jagger perform with the Rolling Stones on June 21, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

The Rolling Stones perform on June 21 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

Aaron Neville, right, performs with Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones on June 21 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

PILTON, England — This could be the last time, as Mick Jagger once sang. For the Rolling Stones, it’s definitely a first.

The veteran rock rabble-rousers play Britain’s Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, their debut appearance at the country’s most prestigious rock music event.

Many of the 135,000 festival ticket-holders are expected to cram the space in front of the Pyramid Stage for the gig.

Jagger wouldn’t reveal details of the set list in a pre-show BBC radio interview, saying “it’s nice to have a bit of a surprise.”

Jagger, who turns 70 in July, also gave no clue about whether the band he started with Keith Richards in 1962 will ever call it quits. He said, “I’ve no idea,” before telling an interviewer that he’d probably continue as long as he was wanted.

The band recently played a string of North American dates on its “50 and Counting” tour and is due to play two concerts in London’s Hyde Park next month.

The Stones turned down offers to play Glastonbury for years, but appear to have embraced the down-to-earth spirit of the festival, held on a farm in southwest England. On Saturday Jagger tweeted a picture of himself outside a yurt, a Mongolian-style felt tent where he reportedly spent the night.

Guitarist Richards said the band was “destined to play Glastonbury.”

“I look upon it as a culmination of our British heritage really,” he said. “It had to be done and it’s going to be done, and we’ll see what happens, you know.”

The Glastonbury Festival was founded by Michael Eavis in 1970 on his Worthy Farm near Pilton, 120 miles (193 kilometers) southwest of London. It is famous for its eclectic lineup – and the mud that overwhelms the site in rainy years.

Other performers on Saturday include Elvis Costello and Primal Scream.

But for many festivalgoers, the Stones were the main event.

“I know the festival organizers have been trying to get hold of them for a long time, so there will be a brilliant atmosphere,” said Adam Robinson, 25. “I predict there will be a massive sing-a-long.”

The three-day festival wraps up Sunday with a headlining set from Mumford & Sons.