- Music
- 19 Feb 02
Upon reading the above headline in a UK paper, Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis pulls out of a security and licensing deal with British megapromoter Mean Fiddler. The future of the UK's most famous festival is uncertain
This year's Glastonbury Festival is hanging in the balance following organiser Michael Eavis' decision to pull out of a management deal with the Mean Fiddler Organisation.
Having rubber-stamped their joint proposal, Avon & Somerset Police are said to have "serious concerns regarding the reported withdrawal of the Mean Fiddler."
Echoing those sentiments, a Mendip Council spokesman stated: "We are awaiting urgent confirmation from Glastonbury Festivals Limited as to the exact situation. If the Council is not satisfied with the alternative arrangements, this may have to be referred to a reconvened meeting of the Regulatory Board.
"At that time the views and recommendations of other statutory bodies including Avon & Somerset Police will be taken into consideration. We would strongly recommend Glastonbury Festival not to continue with their plans to commence selling tickets until these concerns are resolved."
Although unavailable for comment today, Michael Eavis said before a last ditch meeting with the Fiddler: "I'm meeting (The Fiddler's) Melvin Benn this afternoon to see if we can make sure Glastonbury loses none of its character and it doesn't have the Mean Fiddler stamped all over it. The artistic control remains with me and my people."
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It's understood that Eavis was upset by a newspaper article on Monday headlined "Glastonbury's Hippy Dream Is Sold To Rock Tycoon."
The Mean Fiddler were to have received 20% of the net profits from this year's festival in return for overseeing security and the complex license application.
All may not be lost, though, with an industry insider commenting: "I think there's a bit of saber rattling going on. Michael must've known that the Fiddler would, to a degree, want to do things their way, and I imagine there's still room for compromise. After all, there's a lot at stake for both sides."