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Michael and Emily Eavis: 'Jay-Z will shake up Glastonbury'

Pair say this will be festival's 'flagship' year

June 6, 2008 | 7 Comments
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Glastonbury promoters Michael and Emily Eavis have spoken out about this year's festival - saying they're really confident about the line-up.

The event has been getting a lot of stick since it was announced earlier this year that Jay-Z would be one of the headliners.

However, the Worthy Farm pair say the hip-hop star is a brilliant addition to the festival.

When asked about her thoughts on people's reaction to her booking the rapper Emily Eavis told the Sun: "People don't like change and there's an element who want it to be a Coldplay or a Radiohead - but the best thing we can do is give people something different."

She added: "A lot of people who don't understand why Jay-Z is headlining haven't seen him live. He is phenomenal. Every time someone comes to this festival they discover new music - this year it will be a headliner."

Emily Eavis then further explained her reason for booking Jay-Z, saying: "We just wanted someone really different to shake things up."

She also said she respected Jay-Z's reaction to the negative comments about his headline slot, saying: "There was a huge reaction to it, partly because Noel Gallagher spoke about it, which is fair enough, but Jay-Z never wavered. He was never pulling out, which shows solidarity."

The Eavis' admitted some of the negative comments they've been getting about Glastonbury this year have hurt.

Emily said: "It's upset us having to defend the festival this year. It's our home, we invite people here and it's the best party in the world."

Michael added: "This has been our life for 38 years so, of course, it hurts that people have a go. But when you're successful like Glastonbury has been, people start kicking you."

However he confidently said: "It will be our flagship year, mark my words."

Glastonbury takes place between June 27 and 29. For more information go to Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

weaguey

Jun 6, 2008

Ok when i first head that Jayz Headlining I thought it was a pretty bad choice but i accepted it.... when i heard of the rest of the lineup The Feeling, James Blunt, The Hoosiers I thought it was just a bad year for Glasto, but then when i heard about Eavis decining Pink Floyds offer to play their Dark Side of The Moon album they deserve to recieve negative comments, its rediculous.

Sachin

Jun 6, 2008

Jaz Z is rubbish. Kick him out!!

Ninjatuned

Jun 6, 2008

I like Jay-Z, I will watch him play an amazing set with thousands of jumping, happy people. You do not like Jay-Z, you will not watch him play. So why complain? There IS some lame MOR rock there, people will watch it because they like it. They will be happy. There is also an overwhelming majority of unbelievably good artists there which will make everyone else happy. We will then all be happy, except for Pink Floyd, who were good for one album (not Dark Side) but quickly went rubbish, so it doesn't matter! See you all at the Cider Bus :-)

squidboy2008

Jun 6, 2008

Musical pigeon holes dont belong at Glastonbury.. Unfortunately the festival has been trashed not by Jay-Z but by a bunch of spoilt, soft, celebrity-obsessed kids who are as vacuous as they are boring. What a shame - it used to be fantastic.

Lethalsiddle

Jun 7, 2008

The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts - it's all in the name really. Last time I checked, Jay-Z was a contemporary artist and Darkside of The Moon came out in 1973! Dave Gilmour is an arrogant prick if he thinks he can ring up Michael Eavis and ask for a top slot after all the acts have been booked! I'd rather be listening to tunes from Reasonable Doubt/The Blueprint/The Black Album than Pink Floyd's out-dated prog noodlings any day! I can't believe people are still bashing Glastonbury and I agree with Michael and Emily: this year's festival is going to be amazing! Kings of Leon will hopefully promote themselves to the big leagues on Friday, Jay-Z is going to blow the doubters away on Saturday, and then The Verve will come back to reclaim their crown as one of the world's best guitar bands on Sunday. Meanwhile, all the nay-sayers will be sat at home crying along to the new Coldplay album and those of us who are actually at Glastonbury (and not just whingeing about it) will be having the time of our lives!

chromewaves

Jun 18, 2008

glastonbury is for everyone , i will go and see jay z , he will put on a good show . as for dave gilmour ,glastonbury would find it hard to get a better headliner than him . with a setlist that every act at glasto would envy

rustdrum

Jun 19, 2008

I have nothing against Jay Z ('zed', surely in english?) and I agree there are a billion other delights at glastonbury. The issue is that Jay Zed was made a supernova beacon of light as 'shaking things up' by the Eavis'. Now as far as I knew Glastonbury by its very nature and ethos 'shakes things up' every year. Therefore why the grandstanding ? I love the general line up but am concerned at the festivals contrary attitude that whilst it is 'not about the headliner' they book, and subsequently promote, a specific headliner as 'shaking things up'. I say book him then got in with it, 'no comment'. The only upside is the slow ticket sales guarantee I will be amongst true music lovers as opposed to headline glory seekers. It does however still stick in my side that last years crap sound system and mudfest led to the Eavis' declaration that the lack of atmosphere lie exclusively with the 'oldies' and a denial of any sound system issue and a further declaration to rig the buying system so only lazy non-motivated 16-19 yrs olds could get tickets (clearly not of mind and sense to actually get out of bed and ring/refresh internet browsers to get a ticket). Ironically the metaphorical chickens have indeed 'come home to roost' at Pilton. Glasto is for all whether 8 or 68 and indeed Glasto's traditions are based on a fanbase since the early 70's and I for one would mourn the loss of the old school hippies and devotees who made, and still make, Glasto what it is. Yes it may be 'Your farm' but when you hold an open party you dont stand at the door slagging off potential guests who don't fit in with your preferred clientele. That my dear Eavis' is a case of 'Let them eat cake'........ But roll on the legend I cant wait, and two fingers to the petty business, profit and politics that appear to be growing :-)