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With all this talk of the ‘credit crunch Christmas’, you might think the last thing you’d want to see would be a play about greedy bankers and financial turmoil.
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Father Christmas and his elf have moved into one of Brighton’s grandest residences – the Royal Pavilion. Families can enjoy a genuine Victorian Christmas at the pavilion this year, with a chance to meet Victorian revellers and the cook in costume.
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The first thing I did after completing my interview with Britain’s – and perhaps the world’s – best-loved festival organiser, was to re-set my watch to the correct, five minutes-earlier, time. Clearly a man of routine, he was anxious to get in the pool for his daily morning swim.
Apologies dispensed with, he dove into the interview with understated enthusiasm. Genial and quick to laughter, he spoke with a humility rare in one so successful – this, perhaps, a product of his still-firm Methodist faith. But there was pride too, for the iconic performances captured over the years, and not least for his daughter, Emily; who has made her mark on the festival with ‘The Park‘. This 15 acre, quarter-million pound field has become established as a highlight, so much so that Eavis quips, ‘I’m worried now – she’s doing better than we are!’ His legacy, he declares, will be safe in her hands.
With a 39-year well-spring of Glastonbury memories to draw from, I could happily have listened to him for hours – but professional obligation behoved me to shoehorn in a few questions.
You’ve famously an eclectic taste in, and passion for, music – not unlike the late John Peel. His name was almost synonymous with Glastonbury for a few years before his death.
John used to come down every year – he said he only did it to get free tickets for his kids, but I think he probably enjoyed it (laughs). He didn’t like the mud a lot, though. One year his tent was pitched on the flood plain and it floated away – not with John in it, luckily (more guffaws!). I was doing an interview with Chris Moyles at the time, while John’s three-piece suite was sailing down the river.
“I’m a sucker for success, really, I do enjoy winning. And we really love what we do”
Any bands who you’d like to have had on the bill that never made it?
The Grateful Dead – they were always a favourite. I remember them playing five-hour sets at The Rainbow in Finsbury Park – such energy.
Besides Glastonbury’s worldwide cult status, you’ve been given many accolades over the years: ‘Outstanding contribution to (British) tourism‘; two honorary degrees, the CBE last year – are you touched by that recognition?
It is quite nice, I suppose – every little helps, doesn’t it? I think the industry really appreciates what we‘ve done for business – EMI, Parlophone, etc – improved profiles, certainly; probably the sales, too. The industry are very respectful of us, actually; they try and make things work for us. They’ll put forward some really good acts. We’ve won many awards – we’ve been to Los Angeles three times to collect the Gold Star Award for best international event; last time they phoned up at three days notice to invite me! Three days! I had cows to milk, it was harvest time… I made it, though, and this year we’ve been shortlisted again.
I am pleased – I’m a sucker for success, really, I do enjoy winning. And we really love what we do, I suppose; it’s a way of life, isn’t it? A part of growing up, really. And we’re on a bit of a roll at the moment; we’ve got a hell of a line-up for next year.
I don’t suppose you can tell me who’s on it, then?
No, I can’t do that yet (he chuckles) – we’ll announce the main headliner on the first of February, I think.
Do the tickets still sell out in record time?
They used to – but I don’t like that. If people can’t get through they get fed up of trying. We’ve introduced a new deposit system this time to try and make things fairer. If they trickled out at two-or-three hundred a day that’d be perfect – everybody gets a chance, then.
Michael Eavis will be a special guest, along with actress Maxine Peake, at The Space, Brighton’s unique monthly arts and media event – Latest MusicBar, Tuesday 6 January, 7pm for 7:30pm start, £5/£3 www.thespace.me.uk
Missing X-Factor already? Well don’t panic just yet, because hippy chick Diana Vickers will be taking to the stage at Revenge nightclub, Brighton, this Friday to help prolong the X-Factor frenzy.
The former bookies’ favourite and fourth place finisher will be the third act from this year’s show to appear at the town centre hotspot.
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Our new programme for thelatest.tv sees Juice FM presenter Guy Lloyd investigate all manner of things. He starts off with chart-topping band The Hoosiers who were mega-successful a couple of years ago, were dropped by their major label and have become fashionably independent. Their chart-topping album cost £1 million to record, their new album £100 and we reckon it's just as good. We have exclusive footage of this new record. Guy does crazy-golfing with them, checks out their sound-check and witnesses the fans' adoration of the band at Audio in Brighton. In future shows Guy will be doing waxing, Dot Cotton, air guitar and needs your suggestions for more crazy things (or people) to do. Send to bill@thelatest.co.uk
AOH Special: It’s Festival time in Brighton & Hove, which means the Artists Open Houses have opened their doors for another year! Maps of all the trails can be picked up across the city. We love nothing better than browsing and buying arts and crafts, and there is so much going on throughout May that we’ve made it easier by bringing the Artists Open Houses to you! We have 11 special programmes, featuring artists in their own houses. So here’s your chance to go ‘through the keyhole’ so to speak as we visit the artists in their own environment.
© 2011 Latest Homes Ltd. Latest 7 is a Latest magazine published by Latest Homes Ltd.
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