The Verve brought the curtain down on the 2008 edition of the Glastonbury Festival last night (June 29th) with an unforgettable set, which included an attack the event's organiser Michael Eavis.

Performing in front of a packed crowd on the Pyramid Stage, frontman Richard Ashcroft said that the band, who reformed last year, hadn't been Eavis's number one choice to headline.

"I want to thank Emily Eavis for asking us to play," he told the audience, referring to Mr Eavis's daughter.

"I hope her dad realises why he booked us now, I think he was worried we wouldn't be as good as Keane or something. But, no, respect to Keane, respect to all bands."

As expected, the band played a set packed full of their greatest hits, including, 'Sonnet', a stripped down version of 'History' and 'The Drugs Don't Work'.

Ashcroft appeared emotional throughout much of The Verve's performance, at one point praising the audience for “sounding good tonight”.

Midway through the set, he also referred to the previous days headliner, US rapper Jay-Z.

"A shout out for Jay-Z for putting in a good performance but tonight is rock n roll,” he said.

The band ended their set with an anthemic rendition of 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' and new single 'Love Is Noise' - which will appear on their forthcoming album, 'Four'.

(by Jason Gregory)