Glastonbury registration numbers down

United Kingdom | | 14 March 2008

Glastonbury Festival's organisers have confirmed that the amount of people registering for this year's event is down on 2007.

Organiser, Michael Eavis, has blamed the lack of a 'super, big headliner' for the slump in ticket demand after not being able to secure Radiohead, Muse, Coldplay or Oasis.

Speaking to Radio 1’s Newsbeat Eavis said: “There's not as many as last year because we haven't got the super, big, big, big sort of headlining act any more. We've gone for something middle range, although Jay-Z is huge in America.”

However he remained in a defiant mood about the festival adding: “It's going to be absolutely brilliant. [Jay-Z is] not like a Radiohead or a Muse or a Coldplay or an Oasis is it? So we didn't expect the demand to be quite as high.”

Speaking to VF his daughter, Emily Eavis, said that she was looking forward to Jay-Z the most. She said: “I saw him in the Albert Hall and was absolutely blown away […] He's going to put on something spectacular at Glastonbury.”

Kings Of Leon, Jay-Z and The Verve have been confirmed as this year’s headliners with the likes of Massive Attack, Hot Chip, Leonard Cohen and Pete Doherty lined up to perform as well.

The registration system was set up in 2007 to combat the growing problem of ticket touts and such was its success that the initiative won the Innovation Award at last year’s UK Festival Awards.

Those still wishing to attend this year's Glastonbury Festival must register by midnight tonight (Friday).

It's the last chance for fans to register for the festival, which takes place at Worthy Farm, Pilton, from 27-29 June. To register click HERE.