Its huge natural amphitheatre and expansive green fields have arguably made the Glastonbury festival as famous as the bands it puts on. But according to its founder, this summer could be the last time in its current dairy farm location. Michael Eavis, who started the Glastonbury festival on his farm in 1970, told a crowd at Oxford University that the festival is “looking to potentially move in 2017”, according to the Twitter feed of Oxford Union, the debating society that hosted his speech.
The festival’s location has often seen 175,000 attendees battling the mud at Worthy Farm. For the rest of the year, cows happily live on the fields where music lovers sleep, watch bands and participate in activities ranging from political debates to chakra realignment for a long weekend close to the summer solstice in June.
This year’s festival runs from June 22 to 26, with Adele, Coldplay and Beck among the headlining acts.
But Eavis says the festival now rents land from 22 neighbouring farms in order to adequately fit all the facilities required. Eavis did not disclose to which location the festival might move. The Guardian contacted the Glastonbury press office and organiser Emily Eavis, daughter of Michael, but has yet to hear a response.
