Sorry festival lovers - but Glasto may not be returning until 2022

Yup just keep twisting that knife, Corona...

Yup just keep twisting that knife, Corona...

It's no secret that every major music event has been cancelled this year. But considering just how tricky it is to secure a ticket for Glastonbury, the news that this year’s celebration was a no-go hit different for disappointed ticket holders.

Cancelled shortly after it’s first wave of acts was confirmed, the 50th Anniversary of the world renowned arts festival was due to welcome the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift and Sir Paul McCartney as headliners, with Diana Ross confirmed for the legends slot.

With those who had already put down their ticket deposits being given the option to roll over to the next festival, revellers have held on to hopes that they’ll be dancing in the mud (rain or shine) at Worthy Farm in 2021.

But as it turns out, the wait may be longer than anticipated.

Yes, according to Glastonbury’s head honcho himself, Michael Eavis, the festival may not be returning until 2022 - due to the high numbers that attend.

Speaking on ITV News West Country, Eavis, who organises the festival with his daughter, Emily, said: ‘500 people is okay, isn’t it. But 250,000 altogether is too many people, I suppose, isn’t it.’

‘I’m still hoping I’m going to be running next year and I’m going to be moving heaven and earth to make sure that we do. But that doesn’t mean it will necessarily happen. That is just wishful thinking really.’

Despite fears that the festival might have to take a two-year hiatus, the 84 year-old is confident that the legendary festival will come out the other end of the pandemic stronger than ever.

He said: ‘No, I do not worry at all, I am so confident that it will survive. The only certainty I think is the year after, 2022.’

‘But I am still hoping and we are fighting and working at it all the time to make sure it happens next year.’

He added: ‘You can’t kill it off just like that. It will come back, probably stronger actually.’

Niamh McCollum

Niamh McCollum is Features Assistant at Marie Claire UK, and specialises in entertainment, female empowerment, mental health, social development and careers. Tackling both news and features, she's covered everything from the rise of feminist audio porn platforms to the latest campaigns protecting human rights.

Niamh has also contributed to our Women Who Win series by interviewing ridiculously inspiring females, including forensic scientist Ruth Morgan, Labour MP Stella Creasy and ITV’s former Home Affairs Editor Jennifer Nadel.

Niamh studied Law in Trinity College Dublin. It was after enrolling in a Law & Literature class on her year abroad in Toronto that her love of writing was reignited. In no particular order, her big likes are Caleb Followill, hoops, red wine, sea swimming, shakshuka and long train journeys.