News

U2 Bag Glastonbury 40th Anniversary Spot

• 24th Nov 2009

It’s recently been announced that U2 have been confirmed to headline the Glastonbury 2010 festival, and it will also be the first time the band have ever played Glastonbury. I for one am stunned, I can’t believe they have never played Glastonbury! Is this the same U2 who have possibly gigged everywhere known to man? They’ve played on liquor store roof tops, on Mississippi river boats and the streets of New York but never good ole Glasto. U2 are one of the hardest touring bands around. They built much of their reputation, especially in America, from touring anywhere and everywhere. I find it hard to believe they haven’t played Glastonbury, particularly in their early years, but alas it is true and the Glastonbury website confirms it, as Michael Eavis states:

“The 26-year-old rumour has finally come true. At last, the biggest band in the world are going to play the best festival in the world! Nothing could be better for our 40th anniversary party. And there are even more surprises in the pipeline…”

But why, after 26 years, choose now? Wouldn’t it have made more sense for the band to play Glastonbury early on in their career when they needed the exposure? Oh hang on, they did Live Aid instead. U2 went on to be one of the biggest bands in the world, so they didn’t really need to play Glastonbury. But without being too cynical we have to accept that in this day and age the music industry has changed so bands need new ways to reach generation download and what better way than to use Glastonbury as that platform. The benefits of playing this particular festival are extremely valuable. Glastonbury has the ability to cross genres, it’s had Jay- Z, Radiohead and Bruce Springsteen grace it’s stages. It also has a diverse crowd and one that stretches across all age groups. Also let’s not forget that it is an honor to be asked to play Glastonbury it’s a much loved festival that we are all kind of fond of. So what better way for U2 to revitalize their fan base with a prestigious 40th anniversary slot at next year’s Glastonbury festival

Also, I’d just like to mention Mariah Carey; did anyone see her on the Alan Carr show? Well if we are to believe media reports Mariah Carey is a hysterical diva, who is obsessed with Eminem, right? Wrong! In fact she came across as a down to earth kind of girl. In fact you wouldn’t mind going on a night out with her because she seems like a right laugh. So let’s all give a big hell yeah to Mariah Carey – HELL YEAH!

On the website this week we have… all the latest news and reviews. We have brand new videos from the likes of the bendy Shakira, Paramore and Lostprophets. We also have interviews with Faith and the Muse, plus a Therapy? interview. Nigel Clark (Dodgy), Exit Ten, The Wailers and Ocean Reid are this week’s featured gigs. Exciting!