NME News

Jay-Z to pull out of Glastonbury?

Organisers deny rapper will pull headline slot at Worthy Farm

April 7, 2008 | 33 Comments
Jay-Z news RSS feed
More Jay-Z news, reviews, videos and tour dates
Post this on Twitter or Follow NME

Glastonbury festival organiser Michael Eavis has denied reports that Jay-Z could be set to pull his headline slot.

According to The Sun, the rapper, who married his fiancee Beyonce Knowles at the weekend, is believed to be angry that his appearance at the festival may have caused fewer ticket registrations this year. It is also claimed he is disappointed at the reaction to his appearance on some message boards.

According to the report, there is speculation that the star may pull out of the three-day bash and play the 02 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park on July 3 instead.

However organisers have strongly denied those suggestions. Emily Eavis told NME.COM "Jay-Z is still very much playing", while her father Michael Eavis spoke to The Sun declaring: "I spoke to his people this weekend. Everything is fine. I'm excited."

Tickets for this summer's Glastonbury Festival are still on sale this morning (April 7) after over 100,000 tickets sold yesterday (April 6).

In previous years tickets have sold out in a matter of hours.

The festival takes place over the weekend of June 27-29, with Kings Of Leon and The Verve set to headline alongside Jay-Z.

Share this story:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Reddit
Bebo

Follow NME on Twitter

More News:

PREVIOUS Glastonbury tickets still on sale

NEXT The Teenagers add extra UK date

Buy NME Magazine right now

Subscribe here or get this week's issue delivered to your door

Comments (33)

Add a comment

Moz_1983

Apr 7, 2008

To hell with anyone who'd prefer some hyped-up, middle-of-the-road overrated indie garbage to headline. Whether you like hiphop or not, Jay Z is one of the biggest names in music today and has helped push his genre into new directions with his mixture of sounds. Hats off to Michael and co. for going against the grain and trying something new. The only people who complain about his appearance are those who are not in tune with what the festival really is...

gerwin

Apr 7, 2008

I hope Jay-Z does pull out, no matter how much ME believes that it's because of previous years weather everyone else knows it's because of the poor headliners, i mean Jay-Z he can't headline Glasto !I am mega excited for The Verve though :P

oldredeyes

Apr 7, 2008

Pull out. You'll be far better received at the Wireless Festival where you're own fans can get tickets.Michael Eavis - Radiohead. Radiohead. Please. If not ?Stone Roses.

nick-is-here

Apr 7, 2008

its not Jay-Zs fault about low ticket sales, all it means is that all the boring people who'd prefer to watch Coldplay go through the motions for the fith year in a row won't be there, which is definitely a good thing. I'm excited - everyone there's going to be up for it, it's going to be massive.

lmb92

Apr 7, 2008

I agree with Moz_1983, Jay-Z is a far bigger name than the killers last year. As for the other two headliners, The Verve's new shows have been their strongest ever and Kings Of Leons show at Reading last year was outstanding

pete12q

Apr 7, 2008

the sooner he pulls out the better. get oasis or stone roses. jay-z is the reason for poor ticket sales.

gangsters

Apr 7, 2008

50 Cent probably told him he was mad to headline a UK festival. Personally i couldnt care who headlines, come that time at night i have trouble seeing any further than three foot!!!

Smoocher

Apr 7, 2008

maybe indie kids just aren't excited about standing in the rain listening to a misogynistic gangster rapper.

loza1985

Apr 7, 2008

If you are going to glastonbury to watch the headliners then you really are missing the point. If you cannot see what michael eavis is trying to do you are dense. And besides Jay Z has more stature, talent, and point than most overhyped indie bands mentioned in this tired magazine on any given week.

indiejessie

Apr 7, 2008

I fully understand that the glasto organisers have tried to do something different this year, and there is nothing wrong with that. But lets face it: its just not what the fans wanted. But hey, tickets are selling so I think its lucky that glasto fans are good open minded people willing to give this guy a go.

rikkislocombe

Apr 7, 2008

There are about 50 stages at glastonbury so why should it really matter if jay z is headlining one of them. Music surely is about expression and creativity and although i probably wont actually bother to watch jay-z personally i can still see that for most of the reasons someone would become a headliner jay-z ticks all the boxes and fair play to the eavis's for having the bottle to try something different. Glastonbury generally sells out straight away without ever disclosing its full line up and i have always had a great time and will continue to attend regardless of who is headling the main stage. keep the faith when has glasto ever let you down!!!! see you at the cider bus.

airguitarsuperstar

Apr 7, 2008

Yes please don't headline. I understand Glastonbury is about many art forms, but Jay-Z amongst The Verve and KOL, it just doesn't seem to work. Yes Jay-Z is a big star, and if he does still choose to play, at least put him on on the sunday, when everyone goes home. My ideal lineup- Friday: The Verve, Saturday: Kings Of Leon, Sunday: Jay-Z. If he does pull out, The Hives would be amazing headliners. Yeah they aren't a large act but they know how to play a show. Just a suggestion. At least get someone better than the newlywed.

mansunthemonkey

Apr 7, 2008

It's been said many a time before on these pages, but it's because it's true: to not buy a ticket to Glastonbury because of the strength of ONE act (or even three, if you're close-minded enough to not like any of the headliners) really is missing the point. I'm just glad that you people complaining aren't going to be there this year, and I won't have to listen to you whinging that you can't see, or hear, or that the queues are too long, or the beer is over-priced, or that you've got mud on your precious new converse all-stars. Seriously, what happened to having a diverse musical taste? If you think that Oasis will be a better headliner than Jay-Z I suggest you buy a ticket to one of the more bland, M.O.R. festivals there are out there, like V. You're worse than Emily from Big Brother.

paulsimonscat

Apr 7, 2008

Have the Stone Roses actually reformed, or are people jumping the gun a bit here?

trowel

Apr 7, 2008

This is going to be bigger than when 50 Cent played Corby in 2004.

Christ_On_A_Bike

Apr 7, 2008

"Jay-Z is the reason for poor ticket sales". No, the reason for poor ticket sales is because of all the middle-class Hooray-Henry types that can't bear the thought of having to get their Timberland boots a bit dirty again. ME has made a brave decision to get Jay-Z on the bill, and it should be applauded. One of the thing this festival has reveled in is it's diversity, and there you have it. The same mob moaning would have no problem going to watch Dizzee Rascal. Why? Because Dizzee is fashionable. Jay-Z is THE biggest name in hip-hop today. To get him onside with this sort of festival is massive. The weak line in the headline acts is The Verve. Really, does anyone care anymore?

jbassil

Apr 7, 2008

I don't believe it's got anything to do with the headliners. At the end of the day, Glasto goes on sale last so if, as in previous years, you fail to get a ticket, you are out of luck. Reading, V etc. all sold out. People have got wise to this and want to make sure they have a ticket for somewhere. They don't want to risk being left with nothing. If Glasto had been on sale first, it would have sold out, Jay-Z or no Jay-Z.

hness

Apr 7, 2008

It would be so sad if Jay Z pulls out of Glasto, as it will mean that the whinging tosser coldplay/Radiohead only buy one cd a year bastards will have won and every year will be the same old shit.....diversity isn't a dirty word guys...and as for the stone roses to reform.....stop having wank fantasies you tired old stuck in 1994 hasbeen idiots...peace

trowel

Apr 7, 2008

Is it not the case that Melvin Benn is running this festival down in order to tighten his grip on the whole UK festival market.

weaguey

Apr 7, 2008

It has got to be the headliners. The weather has been terrible the pervious two years but 2007 was still a sell out in hours, also the registration stytem was in operation last year too and all the tickets sold out in hours. Jay-z simply isn't right for Glasto his last albums called American Gangster for petes sake!

weaguey

Apr 7, 2008

Can you imagine if Jay-z pulled out and Mr Eavis managed to get Led Zepplin! I would actually kick myself for not getting a ticket.

jojotaytay

Apr 7, 2008

Why are people complaining about indie bands when they are on NME.COM, it is the personification of indie. Most people like the nme overhyped shit anyway. And would rather see that, than Jay-Z a jackass whose full of himself!

itsverymalty

Apr 7, 2008

This whole "lets try and make Jay-Z feel unwanted" thing is stupid and petulant. Listen to all you stupid Manchead wannabes. The Hacienda closed a long time ago, live with it. The truth is Jay-Z at Glatonbury will be electrifying. I cannot wait. The Eavis' have booked someone not commonly associated with Glasto, and that shows the kind of daring steps they love to take and thats what makes Glastonbury so special.The headliners all over the world are brilliant this year and Glastonbuiry is no exception. I believe its the competition that has made tickets sell at a slower rate this year, coupled with the fact that we have just had SNOW in April. The weather from the past 2 years definitely holds a lot of significance.PLEASE don't pull out. I know I'm not the only one looking forward to this. There are people on here who would genuinely prefer to see Inspiral Carpets or Morrissey headline, such is the stupidity and tastlessness of our music scene at the moment.

hness

Apr 7, 2008

jo jo...we dont all have to follow a script, and if indie means coldplay or the kooks/pidgeon detectives then we are all in big trouble

Keshet0883

Apr 7, 2008

While it's true that Glastonbury is about more than just one act, headliners are still going to play a part in ticket sales. Last year it was a big deal that Arctic Monkeys were playing, and that contributed to how quickly it sold out. This year, none of the headliners seem to be causing mass excitement. In fact, Jay-Z is a big let down. I think it's great that the Eavis's are trying to get more diverse acts, but there would have been far better choices than Jay-Z, which is obviously at least somewhat reflected in the poor sales.

lilylol

Apr 7, 2008

hallelujah. i have nothing against he bloke but glasto is the wrong place for him

KJS26

Apr 7, 2008

I agree with oldredeyes...Radiohead..Radiohead..Radiohead...if not Stone Roses!! Radiohead have always rocked the pyramid stage and are what Glasto is all about- not Jay-Z- I am really hoping that he pulls out.Regardless of what the Eavis's say- they must know it is their awful choice of saturday headliner that is the result of poor ticket sales and not the weather- everyone knows what the weather is like-and has that ever put anyone off?!! I am a local and have been to the festival for years and years (and no I am not middle aged) I know of lots of locals who are very annoyed at the rubbish choice of Jay-Z and are just longing for him to pull out. If they want a big american act how about the Chillis?

robinuk75

Apr 8, 2008

should be interesting... i am not a Jay-Z fan, may or may not go and see him out of curiosity (when will i ever see his like again?) but definitely a brave choice... i applaud the diversity... there is certainly a different vibe about this year already... hopefully this is for the best and the festival will move away from the staid old formula of recent years... however, how can you say there is not big headliners??? The Verve!!! Come on people, these guys are what real 90's music was all about, they were cutting edge and progressive. Cannot wait to hear some classics (anything off the first two albums) and some new of their promised and long awaited psychedelic headcandy... see you in the sunshine!

rock and roll junkie

Apr 8, 2008

I think it'd be terrible for jay-z to pull out because he's not being received as well as oasis or radiohead would be, I can understand why the Eavis' went for something different this year, and i'm sure jay-z will put on a good show. Maybe he would of been better for a sunday night but its sad that people are being so narrow minded. the best way to enjoy Glastonbury is to go with the flow anyway not be thinking i only want to see this band and that band and making it all about the music.. you discover so many good things if you just go with it and don't get all caught up in having to see certain acts and not seeing others..if you don't like the headliner on the pyramid go to the other stage or the acoustic tent or john peel stage or the jazz world..wonder round lost vagueness, go to the dance tent, the stone circle, the park,or go shopping ...thats the beauty of Glastonbury :)

vully

Apr 8, 2008

If you don't like his music, fine - go listen to something else. I dout highly that people think (oh some band is playing that i dont like, thats it im not going) Its just ridiculous. Jay Z is not the reason for poor ticket sales. There are no poor ticket sales. They are all sold out, you genius!The sad fact is, a lot of indy rock fans in the UK only like that sort of music. And are too arrogant to open their minds to new music. Jay Z has immense talent, but a lot people cannot stand to listen to anything other than the same old rock - all the time. This is why he has had a bad reception. I know for a fact that there are LOADS of jay z and hip hop fans in the UK. Tons actually. Its just the minority that give him the bad reception. If he stays with glasto - i predict the crowd will go wild!

LukeOlds

Apr 9, 2008

I would be gutted if Jay pulled out...to be fair its one of the biggest reasons i fancied getting a ticket this year...that and to get off my tits...but come on...for everyone who is moaning about jay-z...get your heads out of your arses..take the fucking blinkers off and enjoy something a bit differant...and if not...fuck off to another stage...simple as

Smokeyb

Apr 14, 2008

Why is Jay-Z getting all of the grief? If tickets aren't selling why is isnt it the other bands fault as well. I believe tickets havent sold as well is due to the fact of the new registration, having to have a photo card stops people being able to change there minds and buy tickets off of friends etc if they are unable to make it. So people think the poor man is just trying to entertain people!

jibjib

May 6, 2008

I'm going to this years glastonbury, the reasons i bought tickets was because it is right after my exams and thought it would be awesome to go with freinds not having to think about work. I really hate the fact that Jay-Z is playing especially as headliner and hope he does Pull Out. I'm quite disapointed with this years headline (not in to kingd of leon) but Jay-Z i believe was the worst choice made. But still bought tickets when on sale because i thought the rest of the bands not confirmed playing would equal the standards of previous years but oviously have not.