Results tagged “Michael Eavis” from Birmingham Mail - Blog Rockin' Beats

I bet Noel Gallagher and a few Glastonbury "traditionalists" are still feeling a little stupid today. It's been four days since Jay Z headlined the Pyramid Stage at the sacred festival and, you know what? The world has not ended.

Well done Jay Z for (a) mocking the narrow-minded has-been by kicking off your set with a tongue in cheek cover of Oasis' Wonderwall; (b) attracting a huge crowd which organisers predict is one of the biggest ever for a single act and (c) producing the goods with a widely acclaimed performance.

And, of course, well done to Michael and Emily Eavis for sticking their necks out and refusing to stay in the comfort zone. Hopefully a few other festivals will realise that there are thousands of fans of "guitar bands" that also appreciate other genres, such as hip hop.

I've never actually been to Glastonbury. And, while I'd have loved to have seen certain, legendary performances (Radiohead in 97 and Orbital in 94 spring to mind), I've never felt as though I've missed out on the whole. Plus I get the impression many people see it as a badge of honour - something to brag about in a pub conversation - and that it's a predictable "indie" thing to have experienced.

But, by booking Jay Z as a headliner, the Eavis' have shown that they are far from predictable and that anything goes. I'm already starting to wonder what they have up their sleeve for next year.

Gallagher's moronic "I'm not having hip hop at Glastonbury" comment deserved the contempt it got from some quarters. But hopefuly, it will inspire the organisers to do one thing: never book Oasis as headliners at the festival ever again!