Glastonbury demand down because of 'middle range' Jay-Z

Glastonbury

Michael Eavis blames lack of big headliners for slump

Mar 14, 2008
9 Comments
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Demand for Glastonbury tickets is down on last year, according to the numbers of those registering for tickets.

Organiser Michael Eavis has put the drop down to the lack of massive headliners at this year’s festival, to be held on June 27-29.

Speaking to BBC Newsbeat, Eavis said: “There’s not as many as last year because we haven’t got the super, big, big, big sort of headlining act anymore. We’ve gone for something middle range, although Jay-Z is huge in America.

“But it’s not like Radiohead or a Muse or a Coldplay or an Oasis, is it? So we didn’t expect the demand to be quite as high.”

Eavis also hinted that tickets for the festival, which go on sale on April 6, may increase in price this year, to support the £2 million worth of donations to charity they hope to raise.

As previously reported, fans must register with Glastonbury's anti-touting measures by the end of today in order to be eligible to buy tickets on April 6.

The festival will be headlined by Jay-Z, The Verve and Kings Of Leon.

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Comments (9)

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Clemo

Mar 14, 2008

No surprises here then! Ticket demand is bound to be down if you book Jay Z at Glasto. Although he is a great artist in his genre of music, he is not a Glasto headliner.
Its almost like a "heres who you could have won" Glasto this year, look at the possibilities there were:
Radiohead - new album, ideal time to headline
Led Zep - Having just played a comeback show another ideal headliner, maybe they cost too much!
Rolling Stones - Again, maybe they cost too much.
Then the usual - Oasis, Coldplay not only spring to mind most years, they also have new albums out soon so again, ideal opportunity.

Dissapointing Mr Eavis and going by your comments in your interview, you kind of know that already.

Clemo

Mar 14, 2008

And just to top it all off......the ticket prices could go up too!!!!!!!!

Bez06

Mar 14, 2008

and because last year was so lame

thelittlebluepixie

Mar 14, 2008

well i've registered but i aint gona be there because of the lack luster headliners, but i guess that means i can go to reading again! hehehehe

deebokz

Mar 14, 2008

I'm not bothered about big name headliners. If there are too many, you spend too much time stuck at the pyramid stage. Glastonbury is so much more than that.

Ticket demand down = easier to get a ticket (hopefully!)

mdwallace

Mar 16, 2008

god forbid there might be some great music at glastonbury. Jay-z is a top headliner. so please little pixie go to reading and the mediocre.

w0nt0n

Mar 16, 2008

w0t a crock of sh*t. u couldn't pay me 2 goto glatonbury. commercial pile of sh*te. stop blaming hip hop acts like jay z. hip hop from day one has had a big impact on the uk and across many genres. i'm sure a rock head would mind a little hip hop. numbers are down because glastonbury is nothing spectacular or anything different from any other fest, its a commercial entity and should feel its own backlash. its like club or rave now, nothing inspiring, but back in the day woz inspiring. feel the wind of change.

croquet

Mar 16, 2008

Clemo - I think you'll find that all the acts you mention were not interested for one reason or another in headlining Glastonbury this year - that is not Mr Eavis's fault. Also I know that a lot of people who went last year have been put of going this year by the awful weather conditions which seem to blight this festival on a regular basis - so I suspect that is another reason why demand is down. As deebokz says though - it's good news for people that actually want the tickets.

Clemo

Mar 17, 2008

Yea fair point Croquet. I do have to agree with w0nton tho, Glasto has way too commercial now.
I agree, good news for the people that want to go, the odds on getting a ticket are alot better.
I've been to lots of Glato's and the last 3 in a row, it's been a long while since there was nice weather. Maybe the odd few hours here or there but certainly last year was terrible.
Good luck to all who attempt to get ticks and I'm sure the acts on all the other stages will be worth watching but I shall be sat in the comfort of my own home this year watching it and staying dry! (I bet the weather is great this year)!!!!