Arctic Monkeys are to be one of the headline acts at Glastonbury this year, the giant British music festival's organiser has said. The British fourpiece rock band will headline on the main Pyramid Stage at the June 22-24 event, following the remarkable success of their debut album in 2006.

"Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" broke the record for the largest first week sales of a debut album in British history, on the back of Internet file-sharing of their songs between fans.

"I rather let it slip that the Arctics were playing," said Michael Eavis, who runs the Glastonbury festival on his farm in southwest England.

"They're a fantastic band and will be one of headline acts. I saw them a few years ago at the Brixton Academy (in London) and it was one of the best gigs I've ever been to. Everyone went ape."

Eccentric Icelandic singer Bjork is also on the bill.

Eavis also revealed Thursday the "biggest band in the world" asked to headline Glastonbury after Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue pulled out, but he could only offer them a supporting slot.

"I can't say who they were, but it wasn't U2 or Radiohead," he said.

"I had my headline acts, so I could only offer them a slot below that, which was a bit of a cheek."

Tickets cost 150 pounds (295 dollars, 230 euros) and go on sale on April 1, when the full line-up will be announced. The hotly-sought tickets will for the first time feature a picture of the buyer in a bid to combat touting.

Back after a two-year absence, this year's festival will be the biggest yet, with an expanded site allowing in an extra 25,000 revellers, boosting attendance to 137,500 people.