EXCLUSIVE: Smaller headliners for Glasto

Ross Purdie - 21 September 2004

Despite rumours of U2, Prince, or Jean Michel Jarre being lined up to headline next year's Glastonbury Festival, organiser Emily Eavis has revealed how smaller bands may be asked to take centre stage.

Talking exclusively to Virtual Festivals about last week's Make Trade Fair fundraising concert, Emily (left in pic) also talked about the family's plans for next year's event, which should take place between 24-26 June 2005.

Click here for the full interview!

Emily told us: "I think we'll be looking for smaller headliners this time round, not stadium fillers like this summer. I think there will be a few surprises. Although, my ideal act would be to get the Stone Roses to reunite. Apparently they've been offered millions, so even if they did get together I don't know if we'd be able to afford them! But you never know."

Emily also threw doubt over rumours that U2 have been lined up to headline next year, as first reported here, following an interview with her father and festival founder, Michael Eavis, just before this summer's event.

She said: "I honestly don't know if they will be around. I'm sure they will be really busy. I would imagine that it won't actually happen but if it does it would be great."

There was more hope for Jean Michel Jarre lighting up Glastonbury 2005. The French synth legend has twice said publicly that he wants to play the festival next year. Emily said: "Well if he wants to play that much of course he can!"

And following a request from Virtual Festivals to book The Lemonheads, following their reunion at the Oya Festival in Norway this summer, Emily very kindly said she'd look into it! You know who to thank it it comes off, although the full line-up will not be confirmed until next May.

Mendip District Council, the body responsible for granting the Glastonbury Festival it's Public Entertainment License, is due to have a debrief meeting this week to discuss the successes and failures of this summer's event. According to documents obtained by Virtual Festivals, councillors claim the festival broke its commitment to maintaining low levels of night-time noise over the weekend and will seek assurances it will not be repeated, although a preliminary report has praised the event's overall organisation and planning.

The council initially refused Glastonbury its license for 2004, before Emily's friend, Coldplay's Chris Martin, got involved and rescued the event by stressing its musical and cultural importance.

Emily said: "To be honest, every year it seems like a fluke that we get it through the council. We don't really deal with the council application for another month or so. There are bound to be some new restrictions in place and it's always a very long process but a very interesting one all the same. There have been so many problems at festivals in recent years, including a number of deaths sadly, so councils these days have to be very strict."

Stay posted to VF for all the latest news on the Glastonbury Festival's license application as it happens.