when will get an announcement?

[stuartbert two hats]

Just in case that's aimed in my direction, I've never once come even remotely close to suggesting anyone has any 'right' to know the line-up.

We (as in those of us here, but I don't extend that to the bulk of ticket buyers) do trust ME to put on an event worthy of our time and money even if we know nothing about it. You're arguing against a position I haven't seen anyone make on here. What some have suggested is that it would be fair and reasonable to release a few details like the names of headliners or a few names prior to people making a financial commitment (even if they later get a refund). That's not a 'demand', it's a preference.

It wasn't specifically aimed in your direction, more the chat on the wider social networks, but it was sparked off by this comment of yours:

I just think that when I pay a not-insignificant sum of money to the Festival, whether they 'have to' or not, it would be fair that they should provide some details.

I disagree. What's fair is that they keep to their side of the deal and the terms of that deal is up to the festival organisers. Anyone who doesn't like those terms is absolutely within their rights to not engage in the deal. Whether you want details or not is irrelevant. The only thing that is relevant is whether you bought a ticket on the understanding that those details would be provided. If those terms are ever altered to make clear that the line-up would not be provided then non-disclosure of said line-up is entirely fair.

[michael eavis' beard]

a good 80-90% of people are not going to be too happy to pay up when they know only 3 acts playing. Not everyone is like the majority of Efester's, attending regardless of the lineup.

And to release the lineup later than expected would only damage ticket sales for future years with people not wanting to commit to buying a ticket they know they will have to pay for in full without knowing 99% of the lineup.

Your percentages are way off! First of all, we've never known 99% of the lineup at this stage. The poster released last year maybe about 70 - 80 names on it which is a fraction of the total lineup. And as far people not being happy paying without knowing, I think you are vastly underestimating the reputation of the festival as a whole.

Some Efesters may be more willing to accept a late lineup release but I don't think we're that different from a lot of other festival regulars. There are 12 in our group who got tickets in October. 2 have dropped out due to personal reasons and won't be paying their balances. The other 10 have already pooled their money for balance payments. We have a few more that will be trying in the resale. We all want to know the lineup but no one has even hinted they might not pay because it's not been released. And I'm the only one in the group with an efestivals account.

The date of release of the 2015 lineup will have a tiny effect on the interest in for 2016. What will have a much greater impact is the acts actually included on this years lineup as well as (unfortunately) the BBC coverage.

[Avalon_Fields]

This false sense of entitlement is really getting on my nerves. You think you have a right to know the line-up - well you don't. For years, it's been clear* that Michael would love it if he could sell out the festival every year to people who would go without seeing the line-up. He wants to hold a festival for people who trust the organisers to do the right thing, trust that he wants to earn. If that's not something you're happy with, then you don't have to buy a ticket. It's not that he doesn't want you as such, just he'd rather have someone who would come to the farm no matter what the specifics are.

I don't think he wants to deceive or cheat, but I think he would like nothing more than telling people clearly that there will be no line-up released before deposit day and to only have those people who are willing to accept those terms turning up. He doesn't want "Kayne" fans or "Rolling Stones" fans. He wants Glastonbury Festival fans.

And you know what - if that's what he wants to offer, then that's a perfectly legitimate position to take. If you don't like it, then you have every right to not enter into a transaction with him. That's not yet the terms of the deal, but it Mick gets his way, it will be one day - maybe sooner than you think, after all he's not got forever. He might not ever be able to pull it off, but the way things are going now, I think he'll do it. My prediction - at the latest, for the festival after the fallow, it’ll be clearly advertised that the line-up will not be released until after deposit day. That should be the year the festival has the greatest demand before he retires in 2020.

This isn't just an ego thing, I think there are sound strategic reasons. I'm one of those who believes that the "big headliner" policy of 2000-2013 is unsustainable. The festival has pretty much gone through all the mega acts that fit their traditional booking policy. Last year had a largish band who are very good live, a huge act without mainstream appeal and a band in heavy rotation on the festival circuit. Michael wants to take the attention off these headliners and the broader line-up to give the festival a longer-term sustainability. http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Michael-Eavis-final-dream-Sod-line-come/story-21016941-detail/story.html

*"clear" in this case means, "I reckon", like 99% of posts on here!

I agree the 'big headliner' must be becoming more and more difficult to sustain, personally I'd be happy if they had 15 acts (the top billed from the Pyramid, Other, WH, Park, John Peel) as the bold print on the poster without the urge to have a Rolling Stones or whoever dominating the festival, but of course some would be critical whatever new policy they had.

All I would say, I would welcome lessening the importance of the big headliners in future years, but to be fair they should announce well in advance any such change as many have been led to believe there will always be eye-catching names announced every year.

[DeanoL]

The festival holds the aces here.

Currently the festival is sold out and technically is until the closure of the payment window.

The flip side of that is that technically they don't yet have a single confirmed sale, as not a single punter is actually committed to going until the end of May. It's a more precarious position than it looks.

[rikkirascal]

This false sense of entitlement is really getting on my nerves. You think you have a right to know the line-up - well you don't. For years, it's been clear* that Michael would love it if he could sell out the festival every year to people who would go without seeing the line-up. He wants to hold a festival for people who trust the organisers to do the right thing, trust that he wants to earn. If that's not something you're happy with, then you don't have to buy a ticket. It's not that he doesn't want you as such, just he'd rather have someone who would come to the farm no matter what the specifics are.

I don't think he wants to deceive or cheat, but I think he would like nothing more than telling people clearly that there will be no line-up released before deposit day and to only have those people who are willing to accept those terms turning up. He doesn't want "Kayne" fans or "Rolling Stones" fans. He wants Glastonbury Festival fans.

And you know what - if that's what he wants to offer, then that's a perfectly legitimate position to take. If you don't like it, then you have every right to not enter into a transaction with him. That's not yet the terms of the deal, but it Mick gets his way, it will be one day - maybe sooner than you think, after all he's not got forever. He might not ever be able to pull it off, but the way things are going now, I think he'll do it. My prediction - at the latest, for the festival after the fallow, itll be clearly advertised that the line-up will not be released until after deposit day. That should be the year the festival has the greatest demand before he retires in 2020.

This isn't just an ego thing, I think there are sound strategic reasons. I'm one of those who believes that the "big headliner" policy of 2000-2013 is unsustainable. The festival has pretty much gone through all the mega acts that fit their traditional booking policy. Last year had a largish band who are very good live, a huge act without mainstream appeal and a band in heavy rotation on the festival circuit. Michael wants to take the attention off these headliners and the broader line-up to give the festival a longer-term sustainability. http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Michael-Eavis-final-dream-Sod-line-come/story-21016941-detail/story.html

*"clear" in this case means, "I reckon", like 99% of posts on here!

Can we have this as a 'sticky'? Great comment.

[Mezhyp1]

Guys, no offence to Matt but on any day for the last 6 months he's given us fifteen different ideas and they'll all proven to be wrong.

Perhaps I know more than i'm letting on. Perhaps I've given a late date for a reason. Or perhaps I'm making everything up Matt styleeee.

I know which one it is, and why my guess is what it is. No one else does.

Matt styleee :sarcastic:

I don't think it'll be in the next day or two, but if be surprised if it comes out with the balance week, but either way, what does it matter

We will get it eventually and they'll be more than enough to keep everyone happy

[Dog Burger]

This false sense of entitlement is really getting on my nerves. You think you have a right to know the line-up - well you don't. For years, it's been clear* that Michael would love it if he could sell out the festival every year to people who would go without seeing the line-up. He wants to hold a festival for people who trust the organisers to do the right thing, trust that he wants to earn. If that's not something you're happy with, then you don't have to buy a ticket. It's not that he doesn't want you as such, just he'd rather have someone who would come to the farm no matter what the specifics are.

I don't think he wants to deceive or cheat, but I think he would like nothing more than telling people clearly that there will be no line-up released before deposit day and to only have those people who are willing to accept those terms turning up. He doesn't want "Kayne" fans or "Rolling Stones" fans. He wants Glastonbury Festival fans.

And you know what - if that's what he wants to offer, then that's a perfectly legitimate position to take. If you don't like it, then you have every right to not enter into a transaction with him. That's not yet the terms of the deal, but it Mick gets his way, it will be one day - maybe sooner than you think, after all he's not got forever. He might not ever be able to pull it off, but the way things are going now, I think he'll do it. My prediction - at the latest, for the festival after the fallow, it’ll be clearly advertised that the line-up will not be released until after deposit day. That should be the year the festival has the greatest demand before he retires in 2020.

This isn't just an ego thing, I think there are sound strategic reasons. I'm one of those who believes that the "big headliner" policy of 2000-2013 is unsustainable. The festival has pretty much gone through all the mega acts that fit their traditional booking policy. Last year had a largish band who are very good live, a huge act without mainstream appeal and a band in heavy rotation on the festival circuit. Michael wants to take the attention off these headliners and the broader line-up to give the festival a longer-term sustainability. http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Michael-Eavis-final-dream-Sod-line-come/story-21016941-detail/story.html

*"clear" in this case means, "I reckon", like 99% of posts on here!

I don't pop in here so much anymore, and I find the forensic dismantling and predicting of the lineup a bit much, but this is such a great post. Well said, sir.

[Spindles]

As soon as they've frantically finished calling everyone on Kingcrawler's list.

[DeanoL]

And you know what - if that's what he wants to offer, then that's a perfectly legitimate position to take. If you don't like it, then you have every right to not enter into a transaction with him. That's not yet the terms of the deal, but it Mick gets his way, it will be one day - maybe sooner than you think, after all he's not got forever. He might not ever be able to pull it off, but the way things are going now, I think he'll do it. My prediction - at the latest, for the festival after the fallow, it’ll be clearly advertised that the line-up will not be released until after deposit day. That should be the year the festival has the greatest demand before he retires in 2020.

He won't pull it off. I think it'd be great if he could, but it won't happen.

First you have the BBC coverage - a few years with no big draws there, far fewer people watching it, far less demand in future years.

Then you have the fact that it's all cyclical - demand won't continue to increase indefinitely by default.

What I think we might get to though is a situation where the headliners are announced *earlier* but the deposit/refund window is pulled back again. Or no refunds allowed after the deposit cut-off, after which they announce the line-up. But that's done with the knowledge that a third or so of the tickets will be sold after the announcement.

[Keithy]

Why?

So Glastonbury can say to the press "all the stuff about Kanye was bollocks".

So Glastonbury can say to Kanye "don't worry, it's all bollocks".

So Glastonbury can say to its other acts "don't worry, you'll have an audience, all the fuss about Kanye was bollocks".

So Glastonbury can say to future bookings "don't worry, all the stuff about Kanye was bollocks".

Etc, etc, etc.

The way to make the haters STFU is with facts, and Glasto are the ones in a position to get themselves some facts.

It's an interesting idea. My concern would be that they'd open themselves up to more negative press potentially as the media may have a different narative for the resale.....this year it would 'xxx amount of tickets refunded due to Kanye West' headlines.

I'm in the camp that would buy my ticket regardless of the acts. I'm going to a great festival where I'll discover some new music. if I band I love happens to play then it's a bonus.

[DeanoL]

They can measure it to some extent by doing what they did last year, and announcing at the mid point in the payment week.

[Memory Man]

no one pay their balance in the first three days and we can collectively force their hand

[Chimps in Balaclavas]

I reckon the 14th April again

[Hugh Jass]

I want the lineup soon because studying it at length for two/three months is a huge part of the preparation for me. Seeing that poster for the first time is when the countdown starts and the anticipation builds.

[EmsieXxX]

I reckon the 14th April again

When was it 14th? Was the 4th last year

[kalifire]

I disagree. What's fair is that they keep to their side of the deal and the terms of that deal is up to the festival organisers. Anyone who doesn't like those terms is absolutely within their rights to not engage in the deal. Whether you want details or not is irrelevant. The only thing that is relevant is whether you bought a ticket on the understanding that those details would be provided. If those terms are ever altered to make clear that the line-up would not be provided then non-disclosure of said line-up is entirely fair.

I agree, but you're misconstruing my comment and reacting to it as if I implied I (or others) am entitled to a line-up. I didn't say that and don't think it. I'm arguing a greyer area - the issue of what's reasonable for people to expect and for the Festival to provide. You think it's perfectly fair they keep everything to themselves because they didn't say they wouldn't, I say it doesn't have to be part of the terms and conditions to constitute what's reasonable to provide. Anyway. I respect your position, and one day soon it will all be redundant

[Chimps in Balaclavas]

When was it 14th? Was the 4th last year

2010 & 2011.

[EmsieXxX]

Oooooo so they could be going back to past years, I do actually agree that it will be after payment week this year

[Hugh Jass]

Not looking forward to tomorrow - You just know we're going to get a shedload of LINEUP RELEASED threads with "April Fools" in the body.

[A13]

Not looking forward to tomorrow - You just know we're going to get a shedload of LINEUP RELEASED threads with "April Fools" in the body.

BANTER.

[stuartbert two hats]

I agree, but you're misconstruing my comment and reacting to it as if I implied I (or others) am entitled to a line-up. I didn't say that and don't think it. I'm arguing a greyer area - the issue of what's reasonable for people to expect and for the Festival to provide. You think it's perfectly fair they keep everything to themselves because they didn't say they wouldn't, I say it doesn't have to be part of the terms and conditions to constitute what's reasonable to provide. Anyway. I respect your position, and one day soon it will all be redundant

Fair enough, I think our positions are probably not all that far apart actually I do have concerns about the line-up being entirely withheld without a clearer stipulation that they don't plan to release it until after deposit or cancellation day. It's all about fulfilling the expectations of the customer. So whilst I am ok with them withholding it in principle if they choose to, that's on the proviso that this is clearly communicated.

I agree that someone who bought a ticket for 2015 would have a reasonable expectation for the line-up to be released in time for them to be able to back out of the transaction, if that was more the thrust of the comment I quoted in my last post? I've never wanted to put words in your mouth though, that's why my initial post didn't quote you, because it wasn't aimed directly at you, since as you point out, your position is somewhat more nuanced.

[bennyhana22]

As someone who has, for years, spent endless hours doing homework so as to become as familiar as possible with artists on a festival line-up, I'm in two minds here. I know that I enjoy live music best when I know it well. Yes, I love to discover stuff I've never heard before, but that's a different, and not quite as emotional an experience as hearing live stuff you've grown to adore on record. So, getting the line-up is veruy important to me, in allowing me that preparation, and therefore an even greater enjoyment of the music at the festival.

But, this is my first Glastonbury...

And there's quite a lot of me that is enjoying, albeit frustratingly, the unique approach that the Eavii take to the line-up. I in no way see this model as arrogant, presumptuous, nor in anyway taking their customers for granted. S2H articulated it very nicely in suggesting that they are not looking for band/artist/genre-specific fans. They are looking for Glastonbury fans. And, even though I am a newbie, my featival history, and those things that are most significant/important to me in life have already made me a Glastonbuy fan, before I get through the gates.

So, it'll come when it comes. But please leave me some homework time, Michael/Emily...!

Ben

[Padgey]

20th-23rd June would be great, and this thread would reach 100 pages at least.

[Bobs]

20th-23rd June would be great, and this thread would reach 100 pages at least.

Too cruel

[klipper]

This false sense of entitlement is really getting on my nerves. You think you have a right to know the line-up - well you don't. For years, it's been clear* that Michael would love it if he could sell out the festival every year to people who would go without seeing the line-up. He wants to hold a festival for people who trust the organisers to do the right thing, trust that he wants to earn. If that's not something you're happy with, then you don't have to buy a ticket. It's not that he doesn't want you as such, just he'd rather have someone who would come to the farm no matter what the specifics are.

I don't think he wants to deceive or cheat, but I think he would like nothing more than telling people clearly that there will be no line-up released before deposit day and to only have those people who are willing to accept those terms turning up. He doesn't want "Kayne" fans or "Rolling Stones" fans. He wants Glastonbury Festival fans.

And you know what - if that's what he wants to offer, then that's a perfectly legitimate position to take. If you don't like it, then you have every right to not enter into a transaction with him. That's not yet the terms of the deal, but it Mick gets his way, it will be one day - maybe sooner than you think, after all he's not got forever. He might not ever be able to pull it off, but the way things are going now, I think he'll do it. My prediction - at the latest, for the festival after the fallow, it’ll be clearly advertised that the line-up will not be released until after deposit day. That should be the year the festival has the greatest demand before he retires in 2020.

This isn't just an ego thing, I think there are sound strategic reasons. I'm one of those who believes that the "big headliner" policy of 2000-2013 is unsustainable. The festival has pretty much gone through all the mega acts that fit their traditional booking policy. Last year had a largish band who are very good live, a huge act without mainstream appeal and a band in heavy rotation on the festival circuit. Michael wants to take the attention off these headliners and the broader line-up to give the festival a longer-term sustainability. http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Michael-Eavis-final-dream-Sod-line-come/story-21016941-detail/story.html

*"clear" in this case means, "I reckon", like 99% of posts on here!

Totally agree but I think this points more towards an announcement of sorts.

Surely if Michael wants to detract the attention away from big names and towards the festival and its broader appeal than a decent amount of the line-up should be released along with info on what various stages are offering thematically/new additions etc.

I think in the long term they'd love to release the line up later as you said, but for this year it just seems kinda contradictory to have many people trying for tickets on the basis of two headliners and lionel rather than people excited about tickets because of the festival as a whole.