Glasto organiser confirms headliners
08 Feb 2008 - Emily Eavis has told 6 Music that The Verve and Kings Of Leon will be joining Jay Z in headlining the 2008 Glastonbury Festival. Glasto organisers never normally name any acts on the bill prior to tickets going on sale, but in the face of considerable media speculation Eavis has confirmed the Followill brothers will play on Friday night (27 June) while the recently reunited Verve will close the festival on Sunday (29 June).
In an interview for The Music Week, she says, “All three of those bands are amazing headliners. Kings of Leon should be one of the biggest bands on the planet. They’ve got such an amazing live following, but they haven’t really been given that final nod.
“We have a history of putting bands on the Friday night stage that are reasonably big, but come off an amazing success. They’re really one of those bands that can pull that off as far as I am concerned.”
On the subject of The Verve, Emily added, “I really think it'll be an epic end to the festival. The Verve are such a brilliant British band and they've really come through the festival, playing on different stages for years.
“We've been waiting for the right moment for them to headline. It’s the most eclectic line up we have had for a long time.
“We feel so proud of our line up this year.”
"It's the most eclectic line up we 've had for a long time. We feel so proud .”
Emily Eavis
The line-up news comes after Michael Eavis revealed last week that Jay-Z will headline the Pyramid Stage on Saturday night (28 June).
Responding to reports that Jay Z’s booking was an attempt at attracting a younger crowd, Emily explained, “We just felt like we wanted to do something different this year.
“It’s nothing about young people, contrary to mixed reports, it’s about doing what we think is really interesting, different and good.
“I know its divided people, but the reaction has been incredible. He’s amazing live. He is such a legend and it will be great seeing him.”
The ticket registration process is open at the Glastonbury website until 29 February.
Matt Everitt