Glasto Strikes Back
After the criticism levelled at them over muddy conditions and the choice of headliners, including rapper Jay-Z and the Southern-fired boogie of Kings Of Leon, organisers Michael and Emily Eavis have hit back at their detractors.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, the Eavis' remained upbeat that last year's adverse weather conditions would not be repeated. Said Michael: "The prospects are good for the end of June and we're due a good year. We had three inches of rain last week and none of the water came through the fields. It all went down the drains."
Added Emily: "We have a new drainage system - a massive project which cost £100,000 spanning the hill areas and The Park."
Indeed, according to the pair, it seems that the weather is to blame for the fact that of the 177,000 tickets available, 126,000 have been sold so far.
Said Emily: "People are waiting to see how the weather is before buying. It’s given those who might have missed out last year the chance to come.
"It will be the real Glastonbury fans coming, not just those who think it’s cool to go but who then find it’s not their thing. It will be the best atmosphere we have had in a long time. If we had sold to the touts as we have in the past then, of course, we would have sold out.
"We want to sell to people who want to come and that’s why it’s taking a while."
The pair also assured festival goers that the sound problems that blighted the main stages would not be repeated:
"We have been working very closely with the local council regarding noise issues all over the site," said Michael. "We are super-confident that the sound will be cracking on all the stages this year. In particular, we have made vast improvements to the sound on the main stages and we can assure you everyone will be very happy with what they hear."
The Glastonbury Festival runs June 27-29 at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset.
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