Glastonbury chief Michael Eavis has unveiled a groundbreaking new ticketing system for this year's festival in an attempt to stamp out touting.
With demand for the first festival since 2005 expected to be higher than ever, organisers are introducing a tout-proof registration system. Anyone wanting to buy a ticket will need to register between 1 and 28 February by sending off an official registration form with a photograph, a self-addressed envelope and an unattached stamp. Forms will only be available from high-street camping shop Millets, or you can fill in the form online at a special mini-site on the official Glastonbury website (www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk) or Q4music.com.
Each person will receive a registration number, which must be quoted when tickets go on sale on 1 April. Although only one person can register per form, people can buy tickets for themselves and one other adult, as long as they both have registration numbers. Family members can buy up to two tickets for adults and two for children aged between 13 and 16. Each ticket will feature the photograph of the person in whose name it is registered and is non-exchangeable.
"It's a fairer system," Eavis tells Q. "It means people won't be able to sell their tickets for £700." Organisers have taken major steps to combat touting in recent years. A successful photo ID system was introduced in 2005, while Somerset police have made it illegal to sell tickets outside the festival site. "We're winning the war," says Eavis. "The people who buy tickets on 1 April will actually be those coming to the festival."
The Glastonbury festival takes place at Worthy Farm from 22 to 24 June, subject to licence. For regular Glastonbury updates, keep checking www.q4music.com.
All this to stop a few touts, is it really worth all this agro for the buying public!
Posted by Hilly at 09:25PM | January 3, 2007
No .... cant be worth it , I recommend you give at a miss this year ;-)
Posted by Dan at 10:56PM | January 3, 2007
Could this be th end of Glastonbury as we know and love it?
Posted by Steve at 09:14AM | January 4, 2007
get a life!! if it means that all who want to get in to glasto can do so without mortgaging their camper van then bring it on, i say....
Posted by tash at 02:39PM | January 4, 2007
I'm all in favour... I don't mind a bit of hassle to ensure I can get a ticket - it's worth it, as Glastonbury is the best weekend of the year.
Posted by Angry Simon at 03:28PM | January 4, 2007
Millets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WTF
Posted by REUBEN at 05:44PM | January 4, 2007
Good for Eavis, at least he is doing something to stop the touts. It means that the people who really want to go have more of a chance without all the touts running four thousand computers to buy tickets just for profit.
Posted by vivien at 06:50PM | January 4, 2007
just watch it on the telly. its cheaper and you get a better view and its warmer.
Posted by badger legs at 01:05PM | January 5, 2007
I agree with Ruben. If you want to go you will go through the hassle. I hate the fact ppl rip us music fans off
Posted by Minx at 09:20AM | January 9, 2007
Sorry looked at names wrong!!! I agree with Vivien
Posted by Minx at 09:23AM | January 9, 2007
Reports have been coming in about a mysterious 50ft crater which has appeared outside Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton. (The Somerset police are apparently looking into it). Speculation is rising that it was caused by one or more ticket touts spontaneously combusting after hearing the latest groundbreaking ticketing measures implemented by Michael Eavis earlier this year. Mr.Eavis has been rumoured to comment that he did'nt expect his 2007 plans to be quite this groundbreaking and that he hoped it would not have too much impact on the village of Pilton.
Posted by Reg at 09:15PM | January 9, 2007
brilliant idea. means the people that really want to go will hav more chance of tickets and no rip offs! And how cool to hav ur photo on the ticket!!
i still hope to go with my boy,
ps
has anyone got a campervan they could lend me,i can pay & insure the vehicle
Posted by barry little at 11:45AM | January 10, 2007
May as well make it a lottery, better than sitting all day on the 'net and not getting a ticket!
Posted by Damo at 04:51PM | January 10, 2007
Quality, indeed this extra effort is definitely worth it. As the tout scummers will suffer, and about time, they have had the playing field all there own way, especially with the introduction of the biggest Tout, EBAY. Nice one Eavis!!
Posted by Zane Spelman at 04:53PM | January 10, 2007
Great idea to stop the scalpers but........what if i buy my ticket with the full intention of going and for whatever reason (work/personal etc) I cannot go? Does that mean that my hard earned goes down the drain...surely that can't be fair?
Posted by Sam Jampers at 05:15PM | January 10, 2007
Splendid idea, to stop the touts, & if ticket sales go anything like 2004 we will all know if we are going or not in approx 2hrs.
So a big pat on the back for Michael & Emily.
Just hope I can get a ticket now!!!!
Posted by The Sabs at 06:53PM | January 10, 2007
I live in Australia and I'm coming over in June. I really want to go to Glasto. How do I fill out one the said forms when I'm overseas?
Posted by Jade at 09:46PM | January 10, 2007
Brilliant idea, it should reduce the number of people applying considerably and it's the touts who'll suffer. I do think Sam Jampers has made a very good point though
Posted by Ben at 09:51AM | January 11, 2007
Sounds like a great idea at first, but what if there are 3 non family members going and you can only buy 2 adult tickets. It may end up with one of us not getting a ticket or the other 2 not getting a tickets and one of us being stuck with an expensive ticket and no one to go with. Why can't you buy up 2 4 adult tickets.
Posted by Jules at 10:10AM | January 11, 2007
I work for MI5 and can confirm that once you have registered, your details will be stored in a massive yellow container, for future use by government agencies. And suppliers of camping gear.
Posted by Rob at 10:32AM | January 11, 2007
Fantastic news about the new ticket system. At last, the people who really want to go can - we really hope this comes off, good luck!
Kind regards, Geoff & Carol
Posted by Carol Woan at 02:28PM | January 11, 2007
About time someone made a stance against
touts ripping off genuine music fans, more venues should follow
The Good,The Bad and The Queen and Ray Lamontagnes albums are fucking wicked,im lost in both to the point of obsession,cheers Q.
Posted by Martin Miller at 04:30PM | January 13, 2007
what are people outside of the UK supposed to do? this is so bloody confusing. Jade, I feel you.
Posted by MEEEEEG at 07:08PM | January 13, 2007
If two people both register, and both successfully buy tickets for the same two people, can you send them back to Glastonbury, so that they can resell them for face value at a later date? I heard this is how it worked before, and just wondered if this was true.
People outside the UK can register on the website can't they? "or you can fill in the form online at a special mini-site on the official Glastonbury website (www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk) "
Posted by Sam at 01:30AM | January 16, 2007
sounds like a great idea! hopefully more people will get a chance to buy a ticket, well done michael.
Posted by phil jones at 06:49PM | January 24, 2007
Absolutely fantastic idea, anyone who really REALLY wants to go to glasto is not going to care what they have to do to get a ticket, as long as its not lining some touts pocket!
Posted by Dan Trueman at 05:13PM | January 25, 2007
UP YOURS TOUTS.
I REALLY HOPE THIS WORKS
BUT I JUST WISH WE COULD GET 4 ADULT TICKETS IN ONE GO SO THAT WE COULD BE SURE THAT MY MATES AND ME ALL GET THERE. WE HAVE MISSED OUT SINCE 2003 BECAUSE OF THESE MONEY GRAPPING TOUTS. NOW ITS JUST THE LUCK OF THE DRAW LETS HOPE IM LUCKY
Posted by donna corby at 06:18PM | January 26, 2007
Panic Panic! Calm down everyone...You can register online if you are abroad, just go to http://www.seetickets.com/see/content_glasreg.asp and fill in the online application form, I believe you will need to upload a photo but if your not too techy don't worry you have a whole month to do it, I am sure you'll find someone to help you with it.
Posted by Diane (Glastonbury Lover!) at 08:46AM | January 28, 2007
It's a great idea Michael - you are to be applauded. Too long have the fucking arsehole touts been ripping punters off. Let's hope other ticket agencies learn from his innovative measures and remove the drug adled scum from outside venues once and for all!!!!
Posted by bea torgersen at 10:23PM | February 2, 2007
Why have they extended the date, everyone knew the end dat was the 28th, there have been no reported problems with the system stopping people registering. All this does is increase the number of possible people trying to get tickets, since they claim to have had more than 300k and 145k tickets, what's the point?
Posted by SteveK at 01:59AM | March 3, 2007
we were up from 6am and we still didnt get a ticket and now we cant even buy them elswhere. my daughters studying hard for a levels. and we desperately wanted to go now were gutted.
Posted by debbie at 09:47AM | April 2, 2007
Wicked
mud + music = fun
...although i do wish Evis would consider moving it to later in the year for sunny frolics .Well done you!
DUETS Metallica headline our On The Road special; plus Flight Of The Conchords,The
Raconteurs and and a very candid Boy George ... all in the new issue
"It's a fairer system," Eavis tells Q. "It means people won't be able to sell their tickets for £700." Organisers have taken major steps to combat touting in recent years. A successful photo ID system was introduced in 2005, while Somerset police have made it illegal to sell tickets outside the festival site. "We're winning the war," says Eavis. "The people who buy tickets on 1 April will actually be those coming to the festival."
