Tibetan monks get record deal and Glastonbury spot

A group of Tibetan monks could soon be storming the alternative charts with their spiritual brand of music after signing a global record deal.

The Gyuto Monks, whose oldest member is 78, have landed a record contract with Decca and have been invited to perform at Glastonbury Festival next month.

The group are based in Dharamsala in northern India, home of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and have performed on stages around the world.

Their album, Chants: The Spirit Of Tibet, has been recorded at their monastery in the Himalayan foothills by UK producer Youth who has worked with U2, Sir Paul McCartney and Depeche Mode among others.

The monks' Glastonbury performance on June 27 will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Tibetan Declaration of Independence and will see them conducting a traditional ceremony in the Green Fields.

Thupten Phuntsok said: "We are honoured to be invited to take part in the world's premiere music and performing arts festival, at the spiritual centre of the site."