NME Festival Guide 2008
Glastonbury

Glastonbury tickets still on sale

Limited number of tickets up for grabs

Apr 7, 2008
64 Comments
Glastonbury news, reviews, video and tour dates
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A limited number of tickets are still available for this year?s Glastonbury Festival.

Over 100,000 tickets for the three day bash, which takes place over the weekend of June 27-29, have been snapped up since they went on sale at 9am yesterday morning (April 6).

At present tickets remain available for those who pre-registered before the March deadline. However, in previous years all tickets sold out within hours.

Ticket prices for a weekend ticket are ?155, plus ?5 booking fee per ticket and ?4 post and packaging per order.

Jay-Z, Kings Of Leon and The Verve will headline this year.

Read NME.COM's guide to getting Glastonbury tickets now.

Why do you think Glastonbury tickets have taken longer to sell in 2008 then in recent years? Have you say by logging into MyNME and posting below.

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Comments (64)

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mjlee89

Apr 7, 2008

Because the line up is quite pants and radiohead are in manchester that weekend ... they should of done glasto too then I would have gone to glasto instead... oh well

pete12q

Apr 7, 2008

the jay-z effect. who wants to see him ahead of oasis or stone roses?

heliosvk

Apr 7, 2008

Last year the journey back was like being in a concentration camp. Waiting in the rain for a bus back to london for 4 hours with no information. When the bus arrived it had no heating, we got to london totally hypothermic wondering why id paid 190 pounds for such a big fuck up.so this year, no thanks

Clemo

Apr 7, 2008

Three main reasons I would say:1. Ticket prices are going up and up every year and food/drink prices inside the festival are shocking. Therefore it can make the average total spending Â£300+ which alot of people can't afford. 2. The weather most of the time is a wash out and people don't want to pay the money to get wet and muddy and have to camp when they can watch it interactively in the comfort of their own home nowadays.3. Like it or not, the headliners will play a big part in this aswell. Having been many times, Glasto is not just about the headliners and has so much more to offer but people who are looking to go for say the first time, will probably judge the festival and make a decision on the strength of the headliners and unfortunatley this year, they won't attract the same interest as many of the previous years and this has shown in the ticket sales so far.I hope everyone who goes has a great time tho.

indiejessie

Apr 7, 2008

I think it's definitely got something to do with this new system of registering before hand, it just makes tickets less available to just any person if they havn't registered. And also the headline, definitely the headline. The Verve are gonna be great but im not too sure about Kings of Leon and Jay-Z. I think people are a bit hesitant this year because of the previous year's rock/pop bands, they're not quite sure what to expect.

hemancky

Apr 7, 2008

Jay z.......

rikkislocombe

Apr 7, 2008

if tickets go on sale to people who have not pre registered then it will sell out in minutes. last year the deadline was extended as people tend to be a bit rubbish at remembering to do these things and i have several mate who wanted to go but forgot! its easy enough to do surely as you just register a pic when you buy the tickets and you would assume those like myself who pre registered would now have their tickets so no problem for anyone .

airguitarsuperstar

Apr 7, 2008

Three reasons:1) A certain Mr Jay-Z2) The bad sound last year, could it be repeated again?3)Will Young?? (What the hell?)

jamesheal

Apr 7, 2008

A combination of an uninspired headline trio and press getting on its back - particulalrly this weekend's Observer who suggested the Underage Festival as a better alternative to Glasto....I went to Glasto last year, the weather was horrendous, the journey home a nightmare (ten hours plus) but nevertheless had a great time and looked forward to this year's.Hadn't planned on going after hearing the line up, as I'm attending Rock Werchter the weekend after (which includes the three Glasto headers, but not as headliners - which makes more sense) but someone bought me a ticket so am looking forward to Glasto nonetheless, more so as i'm not 170 quid out of pocket!...I think if Kings/Verve were replaced with someone like Muse (e.g. a spectacle) it would be more enticing....Glasto needs to rediscover harder rock bands like Foo Fighters, QOTSA, Rage to offer more to the audience....no wonder Reading sold out so quickly - the line up there isn't amazing but it's got some balls!....

Haze1

Apr 7, 2008

I'd have to agree that Jay-Z has probably put some people off. The head liners certainly don't have the universal appeal as some of the previous years.I think the current economy is probably one of the biggest factors - alot of people won't have spare cash at all, and the prospect of spending Â£300 for a weekend in in the UK with unpredicatable weather!?The ticket system seemed to have a lot of problems this year; it seems a lot of people were in a situation where having given all your bank details, it came up with an error message so you didn't know whether it had been processed. The only glimmer of hope being that it then wouldn't allow u to use the registration number. It was a painful 2 hour wait to get confirmation.Anyway, let of the soft namby pambys stay at home watching us real fans, real Brits go out and have a damn good time whatever the weather!!Mud, what mud!?

Natss

Apr 7, 2008

I think Mr Eavis needs to think critically about the festival and its roots - I think many people are shunning the festival because it has just become too big and too commercial - the spirit of the thing is being lost because of the hype. AND it is a mission to get there! It used to be worth the effort but personally I'm in search of smaller festivals where I don't feel claustrophobic with the crowds and much more relaxed. Don't get me wrong, I've had excellent times at Glasto and you know it isn't about the headlines because there is always something for everyone but last year for me was a mixed bag and was just marred by the crowds and the pressure to have a good time because you have spent so much time and money on it!!

fishyphil

Apr 7, 2008

I don't believe it has anything to do with JayZ much as I'd like to think it did. The main stage headliners are a handful of acts (

Psychonat

Apr 7, 2008

Too much money!

deaf_ear2006

Apr 7, 2008

Glastonbury is getting too big and commercial. I think regular festival goers, like myself, are being attracted to the smaller festivals.

glimmers_of_hope

Apr 7, 2008

I've been 4 times before and I'm never too worried by the headliners as long as the 2nd stage looks good...but it looks bad as well.Kings of Leon are okay ... but where are all the young, exciting, or interesting bands/performers?Still, if people don't like it then there are plenty of other festivals to choose from..

paulsimonscat

Apr 7, 2008

I went last year and loved it, despite the shocking weather. This year however, the lack of a decent headliner has put me off, and because the rest of the line up isn't published beforehand, I'm not going to rick forking out Â£170 on the off chance someone I like will be paying. Also, there seems to be tons more festivals this year than before - my guess is people are going elsewhere.

emzlilachouse

Apr 7, 2008

Well glastonbury is still going to be a great event. Its not just about the music. There are more things to do there like looking around the stalls and watching films etc...im glad i got my ticket yesterday :D

markonnme

Apr 7, 2008

Eavis is slowly ruining this festival, Jay-Z is a ridiculous headliner but its not just that its the whole registering process, Eavis says he wants more teenagers at the festival but he doesnt seem to realise that this actually puts off the younger people - they dont want to have to register, its all about being spontaneous and just deciding one day you want to go not deciding weeks beforehand and making sure all your mates register too its just too regimented and it doesnt work, glastongury is about being spontaneous, free spirited and getting away from the dogma of life for a few days so please Mr Eavis lets get back to basics drop this ridiculous registering policy and bring back the proper headliners.

Mike E Boy

Apr 7, 2008

A number of reasons for this, including the bands and the weather. I dont think it has any thing to do with the registration, as over the years of attending, I have noticed less theft from tents etc. so this can only be a good thing.The diversity of the bands is crap compared to previous years, and some of the comments made above are correct in that Glastonbury seems to have lost its way.It has become a product of its own success that has resulted in the festival loosing the general diversity in people, who would have previously attended a few years ago.All this aside, every year, obtaining Galstonbury tickets is my festival priority and I am very glad to have my tickets for this year.

Lethalsiddle

Apr 7, 2008

Why all the Jay-Z hate? He wouldn't be the first rapper to play there, just the first to be so prominent in doing so. If people are basing their opinion of the man on stuff like "Hard Knock Life" then I strongly adivse you check out 2001's The Blueprint; one of the finest albums of this or any other decade. I just don't buy it that the headliners are to blame for slow ticket sales. The Verve are still a massive band (tickets for their brief tour sold out in a flash last year), even 10 years after they fell apart; Kings Of Leon have had 3 amazing albums and were awesome as second-top of the bill in 2004; Jay-Z is arguably the greatest rapper alive and I know people who are going purely for his appearance (no, they're not 15 years old). The real reason ticket sales are slow? Simple: it costs a Â£160 and you can go to many a festival for roughly half of that. Add that to the plethora of negative press the festival recieved last year (too middle aged and middle class etc.) and 3 years of sludge (which is actually quite good fun btw) then its safe to assume the casual festival goer would think twice about it all. Especially as the ticket-buying process has been like an endurance test for the last 4 years! Glastonbury will still always be the best festival, whether it sells out in an instant or not, and I for one am chuffed to buggery that I've got a ticket! See you at the stone circle :-D

gazmassie

Apr 7, 2008

Ok, so people are getting on their high horse about 3 Headliners and about a handful of other bands that have been announced so far. Last year some of the bands who played OTHER than the 3 headliners included Kasabian, The Fratellis, Bloc Party, The Magic Numbers, Amy Winehouse, Gogol Bordello, The Kooks, Paul Weller, Dirty Pretty Things, Guillemots, Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers, Dame Shirley Bassey, Arcade Fire, Rufus Wainwright, The Coral, Super Furry Animals, Bright Eyes, Modest Mouse, The Cribs, Iggy And The Stooges, Editors, Maximo Park, Babyshambles, Klaxons, CSS, Biffy Clyro, The Long Blondes, The Chemical Brothers, The View, The Go! Team, The Rakes, Coldwar Kids, Sunshine Underground, The Enemy, Hot Chip, Maccabees, Hold Steady, Tokyo Police Club, The Twang, Pigeon Detectives, Gossip, Jamie T. People have to remember that there are still hundreds of bands to be announced and Glastonbury is about so much more than just the music anyway. Kings of Leon had one of the best albums last year and are an amazing live band and nobody can say that hearing Bittersweet Symphony, Lucky Man, Drugs Dont Work etc wont be amazing. If you dont like Jay-Z then watch someone else. Glastonbury is amazing and will be this year too.

buckley1984

Apr 7, 2008

I originally wasnt going to go because of the quality of the headliners - a few years ago I wouldn't even bother if they had this lineup - but since going to Glastonbury I have discovered that the best time can be had sticking to the smaller stages. For example last year I fobbed off the Killers to watch John Fogerty and experienced the best slot of the festival in my opinion. This year Seasick Steve will hopefully be playing, as well as the Sex Pistols and Leonard Cohen to name just 3! I don't really see the crisis - the festival will sell out just as it has before - but its giving more people the chance to experience the festival and thats got to be a good thing. People should learn to read the rest of the billboard.In reaction to the complaints about the registration process this method has really helped sort out the ticket touts, its in the second year of dealing with it this way and already the system is working better - I only had to wait 40 mins for my confirmation email.Plus this time last year a fraction of the set was confirmed up until now, and I for one cannot wait for the festival encore of bittersweet symphony!

Hubz1

Apr 7, 2008

Some of my friends were worried about the usual fiasco about ordering tickets so have already booked for other events to guarantee they have tickets for one of the major festivals. I think the fact that Glasto typically releases tickets last and festival goers have already gone elsewhere (there is lots of choice) has an effect combined with the usual worries about the mud and the suspect headliners. To be honest though I'm glad demand is lower! It meant I got my ticket without too much hassle and to be honest I am elated.

Daveywebb

Apr 7, 2008

to blame J zee seems a little harsh to me, I'm by no means a fan of the jigga but there will be plenty of other artists on at the same time... That's why we go to glasto isn't it? if people ony went to see the headliner on the main stage there would be liitle point in setting the other stages up. The weather for the last few years has been well documented as being less than ideal and with last years sound problems there where some really low points to the festival (there where also some amaizing highs as anyone who watched go gol bordelo in the lashing rain with a massive smile on their face will tell you!)Mr Eavis complained about getting back the younger crowd after last years festival (as a 33 year old I wasn't sure how to take that) but I think this could be a contributing factor to the slow sales this year, but in a posative way, some of the 'older' crowd just can't be arsed with the atrocious weather and queing to get out. as Mr Eavis said those are not the sort of people you want there anyway.I'm over the moon that I have my ticket for this year. come rain sleet or snow I will be out there enjoying the whole festival experience that is glastonburry (probly not watching J Zee though to be fair!)

meklemek

Apr 7, 2008

the attitude of glastonbury goers is shocking. let's just lay our cards out on the table here - they don't like black music and don't feel it has a place at the festival unless it's james brown. shocking behaviour for a festival that's supposed to be all about diveristy. truth is, it's probably less diverse than most of the festivals with hardly any working class or black people attending. diverse has just become a byword for crap hippies and fire jugglersjay z has made more of a contribution to music than oasis will ever do and if somebody mentions radiohead one more time i might just explode. anyways, main reasons none of my friends are going are 1) too expensive 2) too early in the year/weather's crap 3) soundsystems are shocking 4) the late night entertainment ain't what it used to be

1travellife

Apr 7, 2008

1.Its got really expensive Â£164 including booking fee and postage. 2.Jay Z! and for that matter the rest of the line up is pretty poor too (according to e festivals rumors page).3.The gluey mud last year was ridiculous you just couldn't get anywhere and was it me or did it rain every minute of every day.4. Its got too big too far to walk and soooo many people!.Were spending Â£800 on a holiday to Thailand instead, cause thats what we spent last year.

The Felony

Apr 7, 2008

Jay-Z has officially ruined my summer, if we were in America I'm sure we'd be able to sue, right? I registered for Glastonbury in hope that another good headliner would be announced, but no. I don't care about the whether, or the coaches, or the ticket price, I just don't want to see a S**t pop-rapper. No wonder why Reading sold out so fast........ I got mine.

Good_ship_Albion

Apr 7, 2008

T in the Park has new, old and legendary acts than ever before this year, plus its running four days on the trot for the first time ever. Just check the line up to see what i am on about, then quickly realise why it sold out in a flash

defstereo

Apr 7, 2008

Why is everyone so offended by jay-z headlining? the site is fucking huge and ther are other stages! hip hop is one of the biggest and most important musical genres in the world and although im not really a fan of jay-z i applaud michael eavis for recognising this. Anyone who feels glastonbury is a rock or "indie" festival either hasn't been or really missed the point of the festival, It is a festival of performing arts! Did a rapper as a headline act put me off buying a ticket? not a fucking chance mate!!!

gazmassie

Apr 7, 2008

meklemek - I think you made a very valid point about the whole diversity issue.. and then you had to undo all your good work by saying "jay z has made more of a contribution to music than oasis will ever do" Im quite happy to go and see Jay-Z and i think some of his stuff is really good - But if rumours are true and he is throwing his toys out the pram, then get rid of him and get someone else in. My own choice would be the aforementioned Oasis but theres not a hope in hell they will play as an after thought. If you want to keep the diversity then get Kanye to headline.

Walshy7176

Apr 7, 2008

The reason this years Glasters hasn't sold out in a day, is because last years was a total disgrace that could not have been any more miserable. Bad sound, no drainage, no where to sit, knee deep mud, Eavis laughing all the way to the bank.

chileanwine

Apr 7, 2008

It took me two and a half hours on Sunday morning to buy my ticket!

AdamShanklyUK

Apr 7, 2008

Meklemek thinks Glastonbury audiences don't like black music "unless it's James Brown". I'm not sure what he's suggesting about Glastonbury audiences (well, I do, but it wouldn't be fair for me to say that he's suggesting Glastonbury audiences are musically racist while posting on a public message board).Look at it this way. Had Prince announced he was headlining, people wouldn't be complaining like they are about Jay-Z... and the reason is...?Because his music is TERRIBLE and he represents everything that is wrong with how modern black music has sold-out.His presence has ruined the festival and I haven't bothered going this year because of it. I'm going to Leeds festival. In your face Eavis!

hewellt99

Apr 7, 2008

you go on other forums and there isnt as much blame on Jay-Z, i personally dont care for the headliners so much (yes i was a bit disappointed when i first saw them) as there is so much more on at glastonbury. its not just music at glastonbury, i went for the first time last year and it was the best time of my life, and SHOCK HORROR it rained 24/7, i wonder if people would be so happy at leeds or reading if it threw it down all the time? i doubt it. And no, it wasnt because of the music, it was just the general spirit of all the people being there (yeah sounds lame but its true). So if you dont like the headliners or the rain then please dont come as i want to have a good time and not have any music snobs winging about how their converse trainers are getting muddy.

lamps75

Apr 7, 2008

Why is everyone banging on about Jay Z, there are plenty of other bands on at the same time. I didn't see any headliners last year and spent my time at other stages!! It's simple if you don't like a band / artist there is always something else to see / hear at Glastonbury. That's what makes it so good. With reference to the weather, obviously it would be better if it didn't rain all weekend but you can't have everything, take some wellies and a coat!! Personally I can't wait it's a great weekend

yobrenoops

Apr 7, 2008

I think people are tired of them waiting till the tickets are sold before announcing the full line up. Every other festival annouces it all before you have to pay but Glasto makes you wait. With just Jay-Z, The Verve and the Kings of Leon to go on I'll keep my Â£155 thanks.I can't be arsed with the lottery of who your going to get this year so we're off to the Gatecrasher Festival.

Eamon Sweeney

Apr 7, 2008

While I still think Glastonbury is the best festival going, it lacks any first-class big act action this year along the lines of acts such as Radiohead, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC etc. Even the newly-reformed My Bloody Valentine would have added a bit of badly needed excitement to the line.up. I really enjoyed last year, but it was definitely the most expensive Glasto I've been to. Every food stall seemed to be at last Â£1-Â£2 dearer than 2005 and there was no cheap cold beer available at the stalls. Unless, you brought a few slabs of beer in, which is very difficult if you're coming from overseas and haven't brought a car, you had no choice apart from buying pints of Carlsberg at up to Â£3.50 a pop. That makes for a very expensive four or five days on the beer! The line-up is very uninspiring to date and Glastonbury organisers have consistently failed to deliver wow factor names in recent years. In 2008, I'm going to put the money I would have spent going to Glasto towards a really good holiday in sun. I reckon loads of people are doing something similiar.

stevee1966

Apr 7, 2008

This year it would appear that anybody who wishes to go, will be able to go, and that must surely be a good thing.I know of people who didn't bother registering this year as they've been so fed up trying to get a ticket, and ultimately failing, in previous years. That combined with the poor headliners has to have contributed to the lower take up of tickets.However, i'm not sure why everyone is moaning. I think the fact that the festival hasn't sold out in a couple of hours is fantasic. I've not been since 2003 due to the high demand for tickets giving continuous engaged tones on the phones and 'webpage busy' messages on the internet. This year myself and 2 mates who have also previously failed to get tickets are sorted and cannot wait.As for the poor quality of headliners, then i have to agree, but i've always found the best glastonbury experiences are found when exploring the many other fields and stages, away from the majority. I hardly spend any time at the main stage field, and probably will not do so again this year.

frankie333

Apr 7, 2008

Who cares if Jay-Z is playing? Just go see someone else; there are plenty of other stages to choose from! The reason why I think it hasn't been a major sale out this year is because Indie became really commercial over the past two festivals, so there were more people wanting to see the kind of bands that play at Glastonbury. Now that Indie isn't as popular, only the real Indie fans want to go to Glastonbury. But we should be looking at this as a good thing. I don't know about you, but I would rather be rocking out with true Indie fans than sheep, who just conform to whatâ€™s considered as â€˜coolâ€™ at the time. I would go even if I didnâ€™t know anybody in the line-up. Itâ€™s about the atmosphere. You donâ€™t get it at any other festival, I promise you. This will be my third year on the trot and I canâ€™t wait.

Bloody Awful Poetry

Apr 7, 2008

Well said Lamps75. If all people are interested in is sitting in front of the main stage for 12 hours then you might as well go to V festival. Open your mind a little and check out some the other stuff going on such as the Leftfield stage, Circus, Cabaret, Greenfields etc.

danoleroy

Apr 7, 2008

Glaso will always be a special event and its not Jay Z's fault that this year isn't sellnig as well. For such a big festival the main stage soundsystem last year was awfull. If you can't even hear that bands you paid money to see then its no surpise people are rejecting it. I mean common, what we're they thinking?? Also the continual rain hardly helps matters!

JasonLibertine1991

Apr 7, 2008

It has nothing to do with the hedliners, the teadliners are all good, kings of leon r amazing, im not a fan of the verve or jay z but i respect that alot of people like them . Y shud radiohed hedline like ppl seem to want theyv alredy done it before. and plus the main reason i think the tickets havnt sold as fast is because at the strt of the day on sunday the website crashed so ppl automaticly assumed theyd sold out rlli fast and didnt try again.

Rummers

Apr 7, 2008

Eavis is drowning in his own ego. Last year's festival was the worst I've ever been to. The new irrigation system that he spouted on about was obviously a complete load of bollocks. The sound was shit, the bands were shit and the prices were a joke. He has to be the only 'hippy' that will charge you almost a fiver for a pint of beer. I see he's done his usual and proclaimed that this year's line up is the best ever. Never heard you say that before, you complete money obsessed buffoon. R.I.P Glasto.

Matt_Libertine

Apr 7, 2008

It's because Micheal eavis looks like a mix between the devil and father christmas

niknak7g

Apr 7, 2008

im only 15 and i know people seem to have a tendency to dislike younger festival goers but ive managed to go for the last few years and have enjoyed each time. I am still going this year despite only really liking the verve out of the headliners as i intend to go to smaller stages anywayaccording to efestivals rumours the line up aint great at all but therre are some good bands playing and despite it being pricey it is worth every penny. I am a little dissapointed about jay-z because i think eavis should have picked a wider known rapper such as kanye west and i also thin kthe headliners should have a much bigger main act such as muse or oasis. But there are rumours of coldplay (unlikely, and they did bore me a few years back) and sex pistols are meant to headline the other stage one night , and in response to Eamon Sweeney i'm pretty sure my bloody vallentine are rumoured t play. it should be great what ever happens and im hoping the specials might play some sort of secret gig in the park stage as they partially did with amy winehouse last year seeing as they have reformed now , should be great whatever happens, im looking forward to it .

GeeDub

Apr 7, 2008

Glastonbury has become like the BBC One of Festivals....its a bit middle-class, has a breadth of culture, has some good parts and some not very good parts and has been around for a long time. It represents an English institution that was always second to none and would offer us everything we could ever want, and more, in a British festival. For such a long time it was the ONLY festival to go to for the diversity of acts and upcoming talent that the other more commercial festivals didn't pick up on. Going to Glasto and not knowing the line-up made it all the better because you would end up seeing acts you didn't know you should be listening to...theres also so much freedom at the site to wander in awe of the place....but in the last ten years there have been many many factors proving that Glasto has lost its way and its not all the fault of the organisers. The mud means we don't have that freedom to move anymore. The idiots and scumbags who ruined Glasto in 2000 by overcrowding the place meant tighter security. The state of music right now means the headliners have become increasingly poor and with an extortionate price for the ticket, is it any wonder there are tickets left over??Much like BBC One now, there are many many alternatives...however, the market is saturated with festivals now and there aren't enough bands to go round! Jay-Z is a fine headliner for Glasto, come on you snobs!!! Theres plenty of dance and indie/rock bands elsewhere and maybe you might end up seeing something new and exciting, rather than staying at the main stage all day to make sure you see the bl**dy Kooks or Stereophonics. Where has the Glasto spirit gone??? Died years ago and every year the rain washes more of it away....Why not try something else this year? Lets face it, the way the planet is changing we may only have a couple of years left to enjoy them.GWx

hippy_dudemax

Apr 7, 2008

It has everything to do with the headliners! How does Jay-z and the verve even begin to compare to the other possibilities for such an internationally renound festival?! i could compile a list of about 100 better headliners in the next 30 seconds!

swoosh

Apr 7, 2008

eavis surely must have something else up his sleeve.linkin park hopefully and stop moaning the line up is already shaping up without the headliners.its glasto, surely eavis will do something after all the bad press

hippy_dudemax

Apr 7, 2008

the verve can not even begin to compare to other possibilities, like the led zeppelin rumor! the sunday slot is meant to be a sacred slot for prestigous classic bands who have influenced the likes of music for us all, the verve havn't even been going long enough to influence the newcomer friday headliners KOL! WHERE IS NEIL YOUNG?! he is playing some crappy unknown day festival so why can't eavis sort his priorities out and get a real headliner, someone who is actualy worthy of saying they headlined glasto!and as for Jay-z, do not even get me started..i mean, who in their right mind wants to go to the most meaningful festival in th world and have to bear someone so talentless. if they had good headliners it would set a tone for the rest of the line up to come..and people wouldn't care about the rain and weather, rain doesn't matter as long as there are good bands on to keep you happy, unfortunatlly this year it looks bleak and people dont want to have to bear bleak weather as well as bleak bands, we know we have the bleak bands so it looks like it is in the stars for glasto fans to have a break this year.

Golfman

Apr 7, 2008

Wow this is great. If it carries on ill wait for them to start selling tickets at half price to get rid....perhaps a Glastonbury summer sale? I bet the touts will be hurting with all these tickets that nobody wants. Gooooood.

modula

Apr 8, 2008

I think the main problem is that all 3 headliners are playing other festivals that have better access, generally better weather and cheaper tickets in some cases

brummiechimp

Apr 8, 2008

Competition. Thats glastos problem. Fests such as Latitude and Bestival are stealing punters right from under Eavis' nose. And then you have European events, such as Benicassim and Roskilde. Its still the best british festival by miles though.

Gregblade05

Apr 8, 2008

To be honest I cant understand why everyone is slating Jay-Z. Hes done nothing wrong, Eavis booked him trying to attract different people. Jay-Z has done some really good tracks, and while Im not a rap fan I'd sooner it be Jay-Z than 50p.Everyone seems to demand that Radiohead or Muse play every year. I cant understand it. Yes, they are great bands that put on an amazing show, but you cant expect them to play every year.There are loads of other bands and acts on at the same time, go and see them. Broaden your arisens. Or if you prefer wait till next year, when no doubt Eavis will fold after this years critiscm and instead of trying new acts and bands he'll book Radiohead (again) and Muse (again).

trolldonk

Apr 8, 2008

Whats up with people??? Something different (Jay-Z!!!) and people arnt going to 1 of the best festivals in the world??? Thats a poor excuse........get a grip!!!!! Change is good, how pants would it be if the "headliners" were the same every year?? Dont forget theres a million other acts on too!!!!!!!!

clauski

Apr 8, 2008

2 main factors for me - firstly the headliners announced are particularly uninspiring and for many people this is an important factor. Jay-Z will have limited appeal, the Verve contradicts the desire to attract a younger crowd and while a good band don't really seem headline material after so long away. If it's the main bands that matter then people will expect and get a better set of headliners at other festivals. If it's smaller bands, or not bands at all, that is important then I think the biggest issue is that despite talk of it being non-commerical, Glasto has unfortunately grown too big and too commercial for many. The excessive crowds last year spoiled it, taking far too long to get anywhere. After many years it made me doubt the effort to attend again. The desire to be the biggest and best rather than just "be" I think has harmed Glastonbury.

Ferhat Khwaja

Apr 8, 2008

Glasto is about so much more than the headliners. I think the people who understand that will buy tickets and have a great a time as ever, and those people who want to see Oasis, stone Rose [!!!] etc can stay at home/go elsewhere, its probably better that way.

arcticsheep93

Apr 8, 2008

i reckon that Glasto's went a bit downhill since last year, after the monkeys performance and shirley bassey and the likes getting Jay-Z and the Verve (although both are good) just hasnt matched up, next year give LSP a headline spot :)

karen_mc_24

Apr 8, 2008

I cannot believe that Jay Z and Will Yound are playing Glasto. I though the festival was about music! It goes against what Glasto is - it's meant to be a magical experience and time to party with the hippies. I can't see them enjoying Jay z! What do they expect. Bring the good bands back and the people will follow. I'm looking elsewhere this year!

03priestt

Apr 8, 2008

its not that the line up is really bad for glastonbury, it's that the line up for reading/;eeds is so beautiful that it becomes a better festival.the reading/leeds tickets sold out in hours. what does that say?

superfurrythom

Apr 8, 2008

All of the common reasons suggested so far are rubbish. Price: 165quid for three days of live bands and 4 nights of camping and having a fucking good time with your mates doesn't sound too bad to me, and if you do it properly and wander round the arena for the majority of the day seeing bands you'l easily see 15-20 bands with the chance of finding something new or seeing something you wouldn't normally see for roughly a tenner a band when you break it down over the weekend! Although festivals have nearly doubled in price over the last decade it still works out as good value for money! Secondly all the bitching about headliners is another who cares - like everyone says if you don't like don't watch, its not rocket science! This year is gona be my 7th year at either Reading or Leeds and every year I care less and less about who's at the top of a yellow poster and more about enjoying the bands there that I do like and if the Headliners are completely uninspiring (e.g. RHCP and Razorlight from Reading last year) then go back to your camp, sink a few brewskis and mock your friends for watching such shit and tell them how you saw better bands or something like that . Festivals are one of my favourite things in the world. period.

pearsonj

Apr 8, 2008

I went for the first time last year expecting a different crowd to that at Reading Festival. It was different, asnd surprisingly not as friendly. There were too many girls who'd spent hours putting makup on and probably barely saw any bands. Some of them even looked shocked that the toilets smelt. That was quite funny. I'm going to smaller festivals this year - cheaper and a better vibe.

chilipepper91

Apr 8, 2008

The problem is that you go to a festival, as much as people argue it, for the bands. Kings of Leon - they second headlined Reading last year, and now they're headlining the Pyramid Stage. The Verve - are playing just about every bloody festival going (thank God not Reading). And Jay-Z - not commercial enough? I don't know. Somebody like KanYe West (who was also rumoured) is more mainstream, and so probably would not cause all these problems. It was a bold decision by Eavis, but people's decisions are influenced by the bands. V sold out basically just because Muse are playing. Reading and Leeds have Rage, Killers, and Metallica. Unfortunately, Jay-Z just doesn't appeal to the majority of festival-goers.

deadgecko

Apr 8, 2008

Poor headliners. I think the Verve and Kings of Leon are both great bands, but headliners??? The Verve ain't The Who and Kings of Leon sure aren't the Arctic Monkeys or The Killers.Jay-Z??? Do they even know the target demographic at all?Add to that the terrible time getting back last year (8 hours by train to London) and torrential rain and mud for 4 days and it just doesn't seem worth a week off of work and Â£300 pounds.

hammerdick

May 6, 2008

mr eavis has cooked his goose.or has my mucker would say.let's be fair ,the worst line up i have ever seen.the prices r up the place is all muck...eavis sort it out SON sort it OUT..i used to love going,but now its getting harder.pace and love see u all there..