US rockers The Strokes have signed up to headline the British Summer Time gigs in Hyde Park alongside Blur, Kylie Minogue, The Who and Taylor Swift.

The New Yorkers will be supported by Beck and Future Islands at their gig on June 18 – their first London show in five years.

Jim King, from gig organisers AEG Live, said: “It’s hugely exciting to have The Strokes back in London for a UK festival exclusive. They’ve handpicked a great support bill and it’s going to be an amazing night out. With such a great catalogue of hits as well as some new music this is unmissable for music fans.”

Blur
Blur (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Blur, who announced their gig last month, will be playing tracks from their new album – their first in more than a decade. The record, called The Magic Whip, grew out of an impromptu recording session in Hong Kong two years ago.

Frontman Damon Albarn said the band, who got back together for a pair of reunion shows in the park six years ago, were looking forward to playing the venue. He joked: “I love it because I can cycle to work.”

Meanwhile the reaction on Twitter to the line-up news revealed fans were excited to see The Strokes in action.

Some people were less stoked about the inevitably high price of the tickets.