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Emily Eavis: 'Jay-Z not to blame for Glastonbury registrant numbers'

Glastonbury organiser claims recent bad weather is to blame

March 26, 2008 | 18 Comments
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Glastonbury festival organiser Emily Eavis has claimed that the number of people registering to be able to buy Glastonbury tickets in 2008 is down on last year's figures because of the bad weather at the festival in recent years.

Eavis said that she thought that figures were down because the last two Glastonbury festivals, in 2005 and 2007, were characterised by mud and rain, putting people off, and that suggestions that the announcement that Jay-Z would be playing a headline slot was to blame were unfounded.

"I'm sure it's because of the weather," she told NME.COM. "People only remember the last festival, so if it was really muddy… I don't blame them, to be honest. Everybody needs a rest."

Eavis went on to explain that the registration process went well, and she was very happy with how proceedings were going.

She explained: "As soon as Michael made that announcement [that registration numbers were down on last year] we had tens of thousands of people suddenly registering, because they thought they'd have more chance. It went really well – I always worry about registration, I worry about whether people are going to come at all!"

For more from Emily Eavis see the new issue of NME, out today (March 26).

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Comments (18)

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glimmers_of_hope

Mar 26, 2008

I've been to Glastonbury in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007 - and so I've seen rain and shine and it's never put me off.

I registered this year but was saddened by what appears to be the worst line-up ever.

I don't mind Jay-Z he is "okay"...but not what I'm looking for from a headliner.

I understand that they want a younger audience but I don't think that the line-up appeals to a young audience.
Massive Attack
Fatboy Slim
The Verve
Would all look more exciting in 1998 not 2008.

I'm 27 and I think the line-up looks dull.

I usually camp with about 10 other people...not everyone has registered and those that have are definately not going.

I'll be getting my festival fix at Reading & Latitude this year and crossing my fingers for a better glasto in 2009.

Nathead

Mar 26, 2008

it looks too much of an old line-up.

many of my friends were excited to see Jay-Z and the prospect of Rihanna but the other bands playing look to be quite bad. added to the fact that its pretty much a young persons' whole summer allowance and you cannot buy day tickets for those who parents are strict on going to Glasto or music festivals... it's no wonder its going down.

gazkitch

Mar 26, 2008

.....so Emily ....it's nothing to do with the sh*t line up then???

weaguey

Mar 26, 2008

That is complete rubbish, I went to the festival and everything i took got completely muddy and wet but it hasn't put me off Glastonbury, its like saying people wonâ€™t go on holiday to Mediterranean just because it might rain! Completely stupid. This yearâ€™s headliners are the worst I've ever seen for Glasto. Jay-Z for Glastonbury? Its like putting the Libertines on at an Opera!

DerZensor

Mar 26, 2008

Who exactly cares about headliners?

aphexbin

Mar 26, 2008

not bad weather, or jay-z. If the other two headliners were rage against the machine and radiohead, youd be swamped with more registrations then ever

aphexbin

Mar 26, 2008

not bad weather, or jay-z. If the other two headliners were rage against the machine and radiohead, youd be swamped with more registrations then ever

blue moon

Mar 26, 2008

poor old Emily she can never win unless Radiohead & The Arctics are playing, get lives people & just enjoy, KOL & The Verve are amazing live

rubbersoul7

Mar 26, 2008

glimmers_of_hope,

Massive Attack are always exciting. Probably even more so nowadays because they will be playing new stuff. They are easily the best band at the festival.

chrispaz

Mar 26, 2008

"I'm sure it's because of the weather," she told NME.COM. "People only remember the last festival, so if it was really muddyâ€¦ I don't blame them, to be honest."

So why were there so many registrations in 2007 after 2005 was really muddy? Kings Of Leon are a great band, and worthy headliners, but Jay Z is really not appropriate for Glastonbury.

Ziggychaz

Mar 26, 2008

1997 - Rain & Mud.. 1998 - Totally flooded out.. 1999 - No hinderance to ticket sales was there?

lmb92

Mar 27, 2008

Will people stop criticising Jay-Z as a headliner. Hes offered just as much good music as Radiohead or RATM. It's stuoid to say hip-hop music is just for the 'little stages'. If it bothers you go and see another band. It's a festival!!!

elpaulo

Mar 27, 2008

It was the increased capacity combined with the mud that made last year such a chore. The infrastructure couldn't cope, and I saw lots of people clearly frustrated and leaving early. We haven't heard anything about how they'll fix the problems for this year (or even a clear admission that there were problems). With this in mind they really needed to win people over, but the current line-up doesn't seem worth the effort. I don't mind the choice of Jay-Z, in fact it's a refreshing change (albeit a few years past his prime), but the rest is nothing to get excited about. I've registered, but I'm not sure if I'll stump up for a ticket again.

supermananstee

Mar 27, 2008

ive been to glasto for a few years running now, but i wont be going this year. looking at the lineup it doesnt look good. Jay-Z - big mistake. as has already said Rage or Radiohead would have been much preferred. So i will also be getting my Reading ticket on monday.

cybermunchette

Mar 27, 2008

For me, it was nothing to do with the headliners. I love Kings of Leon, but generally will go to other stages to watch headline sets there. If I go to a festival I don't worry to much about the 'top three', it really is just three bands out of hundreds. There are really great atmospheres out at the other stages. That said, I don't want to spend another futile sunday morning trying to get tickets (I have a good broadband connection so can't really do much more) and so will, as in many years, be going to Leeds festival. Sort out the method of ticket allocation!

minni

Mar 27, 2008

it's not Jay-z or the weather that's the problem. The line up is geared towards an older generation, and so is the ticket price. Glastos great if your a middle class thirty something. For everyone else, there are other festivals that have an atmosphere and amazing bands and don't cost Â£150.

LightUser

Mar 27, 2008

Been twice, never saw any main stage headliners so the whole Jay-Z business is nothing to do with it for me. I didn't register as it's so much hassle for the 'privilege' of attending having gone through registration, spending a Sunday morning on the computer for the lottery then paying a great lump then yet more again to park when the alternative of Bestival is so much more inviting, chilled out, cheaper, cracking bands, straightforward to buy the ticket and you even get the bonus of a pre-festival boat ride! See you on the Isle of Wight!

schmecks

Apr 2, 2008

I completly agree with LightUser, myself and 3 friends spent 4 1/2 hours ringing for tickets last year and didn't get through once, what was more frustrating was when we found out other people were getting multiple tickets on the internet as after they booked the 4 allowed the page stayed open allowing the to book more tickets, headliners mean nothing at a festival the size of Glastonbury, what has stopped me and a lot of people i know registering is the whole process, its a lot easier (and less frustrating) to go to another festival!! although they maybe 'corporate' isn't that the way they are all going now?