Emily Eavis has addressed the spike in ticket price for next summer’s Glastonbury festival after fans described it as a ‘p*sstake’.
The enormous music event usually sells out in minutes, but a few fans have been disappointed to see that the cost of tickets has jumped up to £335, plus a £5 booking fee.
Emily, who organises the world-famous festival and is the daughter of its founder Michael, said that the Glastonbury team has tried ‘very hard’ to keep ticket prices low.
She cited the rising cost of basically everything when addressing the new price in a statement.
Glastonbury normally attracts the biggest names in the music industry, with headliners over the years including Coldplay, Kanye, Dolly Parton, Adele, Beyonce, Arctic Monkeys and Jay-Z.
Glastonbury is one of the biggest festivals in the world. Credit: Unsplash
Rumours for this year’s festival, which will take place between 21 and 25 June 2023 at Worthy Farm, include Harry Styles, Roxy Music, Eminem, Elton John and Arctic Monkeys.
But despite such huge names, many are outraged at the ‘big leap’ of a price of a weekend at Glastonbury.
One person said: “I’ve been to Glastonbury once. Was an brilliant experience. Incredible festival. That being said, given the current climate, £340 is an absolute p*sstake. What are you getting above an beyond 10-15 years ago when the prices were half that?”
Another said: “Glastonbury’s price increase from £270 to £340 is a 26% price increase. Part inevitable but further removing the festival from its radical roots & pricing it out of the reach of many music lovers.”
Someone else commented: “Glastonbury now costing £340 is unsurprising but also concerning. Don’t think this is the festival organisers fault, they are just another victim of the current climate, but this doesn’t help the idea that the music industry is increasingly closing itself off to the working class.”
Emily said: “I wanted to post about the Glastonbury 2023 ticket price which was announced today.
“We have tried very hard to minimise the increase in price on the ticket but we’re facing enormous rises in the costs of running this vast show, whilst still recovering from the huge financial impact of two years without a festival because of COVID.
“The £50 deposit on ticket sales day in November will be the same as ever, with the balance not due until April. And, as always, there will be opportunities for many thousands of people to come as volunteers or as part of the crew.
“In these incredibly challenging times, we want to continue to bring you the best show in the world and provide our charities with funds which are more vital than ever. We are, as always, hugely appreciative of your ongoing support.”
Thankfully, many music fans have said they understand why Glastonbury tickets are suddenly costing so much more.
A ticket for a stadium gig is pretty much £100 nowadays.
You could call the 3 Pyramid headliners stadium gigs and that’s the £300 equivalent. Leaving £40 extra to pay for The Other, West Holts, The Park, BYOB, 100+ stages
Someone wrote: “A Glastonbury ticket is worth well over £1000. The price hike is totally justified, especially in the current economical climate. It’s always been obscenely cheap for what you get imo. I’m surprised it wasn’t done sooner – it speaks volumes about what they stand for.”
Another said: “Never been to Glastonbury, but if I did, I’d probably think £330 was pretty decent value, especially when the likes of Chris Martin and his merry band of sustainable touring hypocrites are knocking out 2 hours at the Etihad for £500+.”
One commented: “I mean, it‘s still a bargain, but that’s a big leap. Goes to show how all the price increases over the last year cascade through. Their staff need paying after all, and there’s a fair few lights and speakers…”
get that glastonbury is a huge endeavour, that costs for everything are rising and that the festival industry as a whole is struggling after covid but with ticket prices up to £340pp (before food, travel, drink) it's clear the festival is now almost exclusively for the wealthy https://t.co/wVhzNAltvA
One person joked: “£340 for Glastonbury tickets… the first time I went, I paid a dodgy geezer £20 for a wristband and a lift over the fence.”
Someone else quipped: “£340 for Glastonbury next year ! Bloody Hell, you could have the heating on all morning for that.”
And summing it all up, someone else wrote: “If you think I’m willing to spend £350 on a ticket to the greatest place and biggest party on the plant then your right, I am…”
Glastonbury 2023 is scheduled for 21 to 25 June at Worthy Farm in Somerset, with tickets on sale on 6 November.
Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.