Beyonce going gumbootylicious for Glastonbury

Beyonce is going Wellington bootylicious by becoming a Glastonbury reveller for the whole weekend before her headline gig.

The megastar singer, who fell in love with the Somerset festival after watching husband Jay-Z perform three years ago, is believed to have cleared her diary to party at Worthy Farm over three days.

Organiser Michael Eavis revealed her plans as he spoke of his excitement with less than two weeks before more than 170,000 music lovers pour through the gates.

When asked whether Jay-Z would be joining her on the Pyramid Stage, Eavis said: "Wouldn't it be nice? When he came before it was an absolutely fantastic success and in a way that's what persuaded Beyonce to come and do it. She was here before, saw the amazing response from the crowd."

The likes of Beyonce, who shares the headliners' bill with U2 and Coldplay, are a far cry from the festival's hippy beginnings but Eavis said the introduction of urban acts had been a "tremendous period for us".

"It just worked," he added. "It made history for us and for him too. That's why Beyonce's coming back.

"I think they'll stay the weekend. I think they're quite pally with the other headliners as well."

Eavis insisted the event would be free of muddy mayhem, adding: "The weather's actually going to be fine."

With the finishing touches being applied over the coming days, Eavis said the build up to the festival is his favourite time of the year.

"Building the thing now, seeing it all come together with everyone around - that's the best bit for me.

"It's a pretty good line-up and then there's all the non-music stuff.

"It's a microcosm and a whole mix which is what makes it so interesting. All the other festivals are heavy metal, folk ... here you get everyone.

"There will be surprises - I cannot tell you who they are but they are good ones."

Glastonbury takes a year off next June to rest the 202-hectare dairy farm's land. Eavis is planning to fill his time by going travelling with his wife.

The 75-year-old has had extra duties this year, with heavily pregnant daughter Emily unable to share last-minute organising work.

"We are going to travel around the coast," Eavis said. "We have a little yellow Mini with a black top so if you see us in Carlisle or Great Yarmouth, it's me and my wife.

"We are not taking any grandchildren because there are too many of them."

Those heading to the festival will be able to keep up-to-date with line-up changes and news through a free new mobile phone gadget.

The official app from festival sponsors Orange, which has has increased the number of mobile phone charging points, features a personal planner, interactive map as well as news and updates.

-AAP