Michael Eavis: Not a U2 fan, then

“They really mucked me about,” he told a gathering at the Port Eliot Literary Festival. “I’m not doing the U2 thing again. A lot of new bands are creeping up fast. The best of these this year have been Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight and Bloc Party. One of those will be headlining eventually. There’s plenty of new stuff to choose from.”
The Glasto boss isn’t shutting the door on Bono and the lads completely though.
“If U2 give me a ring I’ll be delighted, but I’m not going to chase them anymore.”
The festival is taking 2006 off, but hopes to return the following year with Kylie Minogue as the main headliner.
“We sent a message to Kylie wishing her well,” Eavis says referring to her recent battle with breast cancer. “Maybe we can get her for 2007.”
In other U2 news, the nominations for 2005's coveted MTV Video Music Awards are in, and there's no prizes for guessing it's U2 that flies the flag for Ireland.
But puzzingly, Bono and the boys are found in the category of Best Breakthrough Artist, along with Missy Elliott, Gorrilaz and Eminem. Perhaps it means something different in the States.
The vid for 'Vertigo' is also found in the category for Best Group Video, Best Special Effects in a Video, Best Cinematography and Best Direction in a Video. And before you ask, it was directed by Alex Courtes and Martin Fougerol, the duo who were responsible for The White Stripes' compelling 'Seven Nation Army' video.
'Vertigo' was filmed in Spain, and required the band to play the song 40 times.
"It's a good way to rehearse the new single," said bassist Adam Clayton at the time.
Other artists nominated for their videos are the ubiquitous Green Day, who lead the pack with eight nominations. Solo star Gwen Stefani is up for six categories, as is Missy Elliott.
The celeb-studded awards take place on August 28 in Miami, hosted by P.Diddy.