Who asks Who?

[Leggins]

I've been wondering, with a festival the scale of Glastonbury, who asks who to play at the festival? Is it a combination of acts contacting the festival to say they are available to play, and acts waiting to be contacted by the festival organisers to ask them to play?

I wondered if there was festival etiquette which dictates a band/act should be asked to play rather than them contacting the festival themselves and saying they'd like to play?

[mattgimmeshelter]

I believe they have a group of organisers, spreading themselves across booking a multitude of acts.

However, I believe the large scale acts are left to the eavis's/heads of organisers.

[redmosquito]

They pretty much leave it to Mike99, who gets to book whoever he wants.

[guypjfreak]

ive heard mike LOVES pearl jam

[Calvin Klein]

There are people in charge of every stage/tent/etc, am I right?

[salvador wali]

They pretty much leave it to Mike99, who gets to book whoever he wants.

[ian the worm]

There are people in charge of every stage/tent/etc, am I right?

[jackarmy]

If I remember correctly... Neil (I think) was saying that often when those in charge of booking contact the agent of a certain act to play the festival, they will often say "Yes you can have act X, as long as acts Y and Z are on the lineup as well"

[Mud Dweller]

Mike99 booked the Wombles last year, since then he's been left out in the cold

[shineongas]

Mike99 has booked the Stones this year - problem is that the Eavis's can't afford the wedge that he's offered them. Michael Philip Jagger is going to be so p1$$ed off with him!

[eFestivals]

essentially, each stage is run individually, with its own programmer & booker. Agents are approached for the bigger bands, and the agent tries to do a "if you want 'big band' then you really should have this up-coming small band too" thing onto the booker.

[Dave F.]

The Who's Pete Townshend wrote a letter saying he was organising a tour for his band & asked Mr. Eavis if they might play.

Paul McCartney asked to perform in about March/April '03 but got turned down as the headline contracts had been signed, & Michael didn't want to break the agreements (even though, as I understand it, the contracts would have allowed him to do it). So Macca came back the next year. I've always wondered how often McCartney gets turned down & what he thought of it. Not much, I assume, as he did turn up & played a blinder.