CELEBRITY
Did world’s biggest headline acts Taylor Swift and Madonna snub Glastonbury because it ‘doesn’t pay very well?’ Festival offers low fees as it ‘banks on artists wanting to be part of its legacy’
The world’s biggest headline music acts such as Taylor Swift and Madonna may be snubbing the Glastonbury Festival for paying too little.
Even less successful artists have mocked the ‘hilarious’ fees on offer, as the latest event kicked off yesterday amid criticism this year’s headliners are underwhelming.
The showcase Pyramid Stage performances will be by Dua Lipa on Friday, Coldplay – in their fifth Glastonbury headline appearance – on Saturday and SZA on Sunday following Shania Twain in that evening’s ‘Legends’ slot.
The festival, which was first held in 1970 and has grown to attract hundreds of acts and 210,000 ticket-holders, is said to be struggling to secure top names – with the fees on offer a tenth of what artists can command elsewhere.
Yet while the pay-outs have been described as ‘hilarious’, PR chiefs have also highlighted how legendary performers are often tempted by the event’s prestige – and potential sales boosts from a higher profile.
The Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses and Sir Elton John were the headliners last year, following Billie Eilish, Sir Paul McCartney and Kenrick Lamar in 2022.
Yet there is said to be frustration that festival organisers have been unable to tempt Taylor Swift, whose record-breaking Eras Tour has hit the UK this month.