Glastonbury 2025: Michael Eavis says people who disagree with its politics “can go somewhere else”
Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis has defended the political aspect of the event, stating that people who disagree with the views expressed are free to “go somewhere else”.
Ahead of Glastonbury, senior politicians from across the spectrum, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, have called upon the festival to withdraw Kneecap from their line-up.
As things stand, Kneecap remain scheduled to perform on the West Holts Stage at Worthy Farm at 4:00pm on June 28th. The band’s Mo Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, appeared at Wesminster Magistrates Court last week after being charged with a terror offence in May. He is next due back in court in August.
Now, in a new interview with the Glastonbury Free Press, Eavis talked about the politics of Glastonbury and whether it still exists today: “Oh heaven’s above, yes, of course it does. And I think the people that come here are into all those things. People that don’t agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else.”
Eavis continued: “I still take a lot of pleasure from all of it. I’m enjoying every day. And Emily is doing so well. I’m just feeling really safe with the show being in her hands.”
It comes after his daughter, Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis, directly responded to a question regarding Kneecap during an interview on BBC Breakfast for the first time. “There have been a lot of very heated topics this year, but we remain a platform for many, many artists from all over the world,” she explained. “Everyone is welcome here.”
Last week, following his court hearing, Mo Chara looked ahead to Glastonbury, stating to the crowd that had gathered outside the court, “For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there”, before adding, “If you can’t be there, we’ll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC.”
Far Out is on the ground at Glastonbury Festival, providing coverage directly from Worthy Farm.
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