These are the news we never wanted to hear: Legendary Glastonbury festival might not return until 2022. Earlier this year, festival organisers announced that the 50th anniversary couldn’t take place this summer (instead it got celebrated with a virtual exhibition), but everyone was looking forward to next year. Now it seems like there won’t even be a next year but rather a “see you in 2022.” The news come after organiser Michael Eavis revealed that the event was at risk of going bankrupt if it can’t go ahead next year.
So, what does this mean for the future of Glasto? The “wishful thinking” as Eavis called the return of the festival in 2021 on ITV News West Country is rather unlikely to happen. But if there’s even the slightest chance, he will be “moving heaven and earth” to make it happen next year.
“500 people is ok, isn’t it. But my job, 250,000 all together is too many people I suppose, really”, the 84-year-old said. “I’m still hoping I’m going to run next year. I’ll be moving heaven and earth to make sure that we do. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to happen. That’s just wishful thinking, really.”
Limited, final quantities of our (previously sold out) Hope Shines Brightest fundraising merchandise for @oxfamgb, @GreenpeaceUK and @WaterAidUK have been added to our online shop, at https://t.co/ijOoF6tiht pic.twitter.com/pzfp69sGsG
— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) August 3, 2020
Though he announced back in June that the festival is at risk of going bankrupt if it can’t take place in 2021, Eavis now seems to be less concerned than before. Actually, he’s quite positive that the massive music event will survive the crisis. “No, I do not worry at all. I’m so confident that it’s going to survive. The only certainty, I think, is the year after, 2022, to be perfectly candid.”
But even with the positive mindset that the festival will make it through anyways, he’s not taking any risks: “I’m still hoping, and we’re fighting and we’re working at it all the time to make it happen next year.” So, to all you worried Glastonbury-fans out there: Don’t you worry. “You can’t kill it off just like that. It will come back. It will come back, probably stronger actually.”
