Latest news with #SirMichaelEavis
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Glastonbury founder: Go elsewhere if you don't like our politics
The founder of the Glastonbury Festival has told people to 'go somewhere else' if they do not like the politics of the event. Sir Michael Eavis's comments came following calls for the festival to cancel a scheduled performance by Kneecap, the Irish republican rap trio, on Saturday afternoon. The band's involvement provoked a row after one of the group's members allegedly shouted 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a past concert. Earlier this month, Liam O'Hanna, one of Kneecap's members, appeared in court accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, the proscribed terrorist organisation, at a gig in November 2024. The 27-year-old was released on unconditional bail until his next appearance court appearance on August 20. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, urged the festival to kick Kneecap off its schedule, while Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said the BBC should not broadcast footage of the group's show. But on Thursday, Sir Michael appeared to dismiss the calls. Asked by the Glastonbury Free Press, the event's newspaper, if the festival still 'stands for something,' the 89-year-old responded: 'Oh, heavens above – yes, of course it does. 'And I think the people that come here are into all those things. People that don't agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else.' On Wednesday, his daughter Emily Eavis was asked about the row. She replied: 'We are just focusing on bringing the best festival to these people. We remain a platform of many artists all over the world and everyone is welcome here.' The band, made up of O'Hanna, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J J Ó Dochartaigh from West Belfast, are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise in support of Irish republicanism. Earlier this year, counter-terror police launched an investigation after footage from two of Kneecap's concerts allegedly showed members shouting: 'Kill your local MP.' In a statement, Kneecap rejected 'any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual' and said the alleged comments were taken out of context. The band has also claimed it is a victim of a 'witch hunt' and said it 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned groups in the UK. Through the years, Glastonbury has welcomed politicians, pundits and celebrities to speak on topics ranging from feminism to fascism at its Left Field and Green Fields Speakers Forum stages. Gary Lineker, the former Match of the Day presenter who left the BBC One show last month, will be speaking at the festival's Silver Hayes area on Saturday for a panel discussion titled: 'Standing Up For 'Getting Along' In A World That's Being Pushed Apart'. He told the Glastonbury Free Press: 'It's basically along the lines of: everything is done to try and divide us, and I think if people can pull together – because I think most of us are decent human beings – then just a bit more kindness in the world would go a long way at the moment.'
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The best Glastonbury 2025 photos as 200,000 fans descend on Worthy Farm
The gates to Glastonbury Festival opened on Wednesday morning, kicking off day one of the 2025 celebration. The festival will last from Wednesday June 25 - Sunday June 29, hosted in the Somerset countryside. With over 200,000 people attending this year, the cow-farm venue has been transformed into a hot spot filled with an array of colourful camping tents, stages and arts and festivalgoers from all over the world. The event is said to be the most popular UK festival and one of the biggest festivals in the world, with some tickets selling out in under 40 minutes for £378.50. The festival's co-founder Sir Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily, who also co-organises the festival, kicked off the countdown as they prepared to open the gates for this year's event. This year, the main headlining acts are The 1975, performing on Friday, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts on Saturday, and on Sunday, US artist Olivia Rodrigo, who will become the second youngest headliner ever at the festival. The three will perform on the main Pyramid Stage, with other artists including Raye, Biffy Clyro and Sir Rod Stewart also set to perform there over the weekend. According to forecasters, the weather this year is expected to be warm for the most part, with temperatures between 20C to 25C. Some rain is expected on Thursday, but considering Glastonbury's rainstorm history, festivalgoers are expected to be in luck this year weather-wise.
Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Times
Glastonbury founder could avoid £80m in inheritance tax
The owner of Glastonbury festival has transferred most of his financial interest in the event to his daughter and a family trust, potentially avoiding a huge inheritance tax bill. Sir Michael Eavis, 89, gave his entire shareholding in Glastonbury Festival Events Ltd, the operational company responsible for running the festival and selling tickets, to his daughter Emily, 45, in October. Last year the company sold 210,000 tickets to the event at about £300 each. Pre-tax profits doubled to nearly £6 million after revenues jumped 20 per cent to £68 million. At the same time, Eavis, who has long supported the Labour Party and in 2017 endorsed Jeremy Corbyn, describing him as 'the hero of the hour', also transferred three quarters of the shares he owns in the separate holding company, Glastonbury Festivals Limited, to a trust.
