Glastonbury 2009 Tickets Go On Sale Early – Eavis Excited To Outdo Jay-Z With Line-Up

Glastonbury 2008 was a bit of a mixed bag – with poor ticket sales meaning there were still places for the festival available on the day it started, but some outstanding performances from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Editors, and The Verve ultimately saving the day. The weather was also okay after an initial downpour.

Then there was the highly controversial set by Jay-Z, not controversial for anything he said or did on stage, but because it was Jay-Z… at Glastonbury. Some people didn’t like the fact that a rapper was given headlining status at a traditionally indie and folk venue.

Now it’s all over, and the festival’s organisers, headed by Michael and Emily Eavis, are already planning for Glastonbury 2009. They have attempted to address the ticketing problem by releasing the bulk of the tickets early – this October to be precise.

100,000 Glastonbury 2009 tickets will be put on sale then, with a £50 deposit reserving a place at the festival, so long as the full amount is paid by April 1st, 2009. Otherwise, if buyers decide not to go through with the purchase, they will be charged £10 for wasting everyone’s time.

Michael Eavis has stated that the change to the ticketing policy is to counter the confusion surrounding this year’s festival, but there could be another explanation. By the time tickets went on sale this year, the line-up was already known, and some gig-goers weren’t exactly enamoured by it. This way, many people will have bought their tickets way before any acts are added to the line-up.

Talking of the line-up for Glastonbury 2009, Emily Eavis has spoken to NME about plans for next year, with the success of Jay-Z in particular, causing organisers a headache in being able to outdo this year’s line-up.

“We have some very exciting options for next year. We really have to follow-up this year’s success so we’re going to be very careful who we pick.”

I can see all the traditional big-hitters being asked back next year, so expect the likes of Primal Scream, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, and Coldplay to at least consider playing Glastonbury 2009. But I also think the success of Jay-Z will mean some acts not associated with Glastonbury will be asked to appear. Kanye West anyone?

[Photo Source: al_green at Flickr]