
Does Glastonbury Festival stand a chance this year? Behind the scenes with the people working to save our summer music festivals
The IndependentSign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “UK music festivals are world famous and an iconic part of our culture,” Stuart Galbraith, vice chairman of the Music CPA and a founding member of music industry body LIVE, tells The Independent. “As festival organisers we want to get back as soon as it is safe to do so but this will be impossible without a government supported insurance scheme that gives our industry the ability to unlock and to start making decisions now.” Noting that it takes “between six to eight months” to prepare for a festival, Galbraith warns that without government support, the UK faces another year of empty fields, along with billions lost to the UK economy and tens of thousands of job losses. The UK’s vibrant live music scene has given us a global reputation, and the music industry as a whole was set to be one of the British success stories of the 2020s.” Pre-pandemic, festival attendance was on the up, from 4.9 million in 2018 to 5.2 million the following year, according to UK Music figures. “With the right support, the live music industry can be at the forefront of the post-pandemic recovery and play a key role in our country’s economic and cultural revival – but there will need to be a concerted effort from industry and the government together if we are to let the music play and save our summer.”
History of this topic

Why don't artists play live anymore? Expert reveals how pressure of major gigs is driving bands to use backing tracks in performances as Glastonbury miming and lip-syncing row rumbles on
Daily Mail
Glastonbury attendees criticise organisers for ‘dangerous’ staging mishaps
The Independent
‘Hallowed ground’ – Glastonbury festival, a haven from a divided world
Al Jazeera
Glastonbury: When is it, who’s on the lineup and can you get tickets?
The Independent
Miquita Oliver calls Coldplay headlining Glastonbury ‘snoreville’
The Independent
Emily Eavis reveals dream Glastonbury headliner and when the next fallow year will be
The Independent
Glastonbury Festival 2024 line-up REVEALED: Three huge acts to headline including a pop princess and a chart-topping British band - with a US music icon in the 'Legends' slot
Daily Mail
Glastonbury crisis as talks with Madonna collapse over fee to bring Material Girl's live show to the festival
Daily Mail
Glastonbury 2024 - live updates: Tickets sold out as Twitter users complain of ‘screen of death’
The Independent
From Madonna to Taylor Swift, who’s rumoured to headline Glastonbury 2024?
The Independent
Hurled phones, Ticketmaster queues, dodging ashes: How live gigs became a living hell
The Independent
Glastonbury 2023: Full Sunday line up and stage times for Elton John and Lil Nas X
The Independent
‘Kendall in the wind’: Our favourite flags so far at Glastonbury 2023
The Independent
Download festivalgoer gatecrashes BBC Breakfast segment with chaotic outburst
The Independent
Glastonbury tickets 2023 - live updates: Festival sells out amid Seetickets ‘incredible demand’
The Independent
Glastonbury Festival 2022 clashes: The most brutal to hit 2022 festival
The Independent
UK’s Glastonbury Festival welcomes back fans after pandemic
Associated Press
Glastonbury Festival 2022: Field of dreams - The emotional return
The Independent
Glastonbury Festival 2022: 18 highlights, from Herbie Hancock to the Healing Fields
The Independent
Coldplay, Jorja Smith to play virtual Glastonbury gig in May
Associated Press
Glastonbury: Coldplay to headline Live at Worthy Farm live stream
The Independent
Announcing music festivals for 2021 is absolutely absurd – here’s why
The Independent
Glastonbury ticket owners question ‘hasty’ decision to cancel following Reading and Leeds announcement
The IndependentIsolation and no competition a boost for WA's music industry amid coronavirus
ABC)
Glastonbury cancellation for second year in row causes concern among European music festival circuit
Firstpost
Glastonbury 2021 cancelled: Festival to take another fallow year due to coronavirus pandemic
The Independent
Virus scuttles Glastonbury Festival for second straight year
The Independent
Virus scuttles Glastonbury Festival for second straight year
Associated Press
UK music festivals call for help to survive until summer amid coronavirus
Hindustan Times)
UK Live Music Industry Struggles to Stay Afloat as one Crisis After Another Adds to Losses
News 18
Coronavirus pandemic had ‘decimating’ effect on UK music festivals in 2020, organisers say
The Independent
Glastonbury: Emily Eavis says 2021 festival is ‘not cancelled yet’ after Mel B claim
The Independent
Why I’d never place a bet on when gigs and music festivals will return
The Independent)
Coronavirus Outbreak: Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran among 1,500 British musicians who urge government to aid live music business
Firstpost
Glastonbury Experience 2020 review: BBC coverage is an orgy of reminiscence
The Independent
Glastonbury 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus: ‘This was our only option’
The Independent
Coronavirus: Thousands urge UK government to aid music industry amid tour cancellations
The Independent
Coronavirus: Glastonbury organisers cannot confirm 2020 festival will go ahead
The Independent
Glastonbury in pictures: The best photos from the festival so far as heatwave sparks 'water shortages'
The Independent
Glastonbury 2019: Paraglider captures organisers putting up tents and stages
Daily Mail
How to watch Glastonbury 2016 live on TV, iPad and iPhone
The Independent
Glastonbury 2016 line-up: Art Garfunkel's guitarist reveals they'll play Worthy Farm
The Independent
Glastonbury 2016: The 'stop Coldplay headlining' petition is inevitable - and pointless
The Independent
Glastonbury 2016 line-up: Coldplay confirmed, but who will the other two headliners be?
The Independent
Glastonbury 2016: Internet rages over Coldplay's headliner slot
The Independent
Glastonbury 2016: Coldplay to headline Sunday night
The Independent
Glastonbury too muddy? Try one of these indoor festivals
The Independent
Glastonbury 2016: Adele rumoured to be headlining after bookies receive surge of bets
The Independent
Glastonbury headliners booked for next two years with four returning acts and two new ones
The IndependentDiscover Related


































