Too fond of the festival to give it up, Michael Eavis has binned retirement plans and could continue running Glastonbury for 10 more years. On the cusp of his 75th birthday, Eavis is "feeling cock-a-hoop", he said this week, and plans for next year's "fantastic" fest are well under way.
Eavis was telling a different story in mid-2009, claiming he would "likely" retire in 2011, five years ahead of schedule. But Stevie Wonder, the Flaming Lips or another of the 2010 performers seems to have infected him with a new energy. Instead of calling it quits in 2011 – or even 2015 – Eavis said this week he sees "no signs of giving up at the moment". "Maybe I've got another 10 years possibly left in me," he told BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat.
The dairy farmer has long discussed passing the Glasto mantle to his daughter, Emily, 31, and her partner, Nick Dewey. But although Eavis said he "needs all the help I can get", and the younger generation takes on greater authority every year, it will be a long time yet before the founder is out of the picture. "Emily will be in a good place to take the show on eventually," he said.
The line-up for next June's festival has yet to be announced, though tickets go on sale on Sunday. Eavis has described booking "the three biggest bands in the world", and one headliner is "an American artist" – fans speculate about Madonna – "that I've been wanting for years and yonks, and yonks". Glastonbury 2011 "will be on a par with this year, and possibly slightly better even", Eavis said. While U2 have been invited back to the festival after cancelling this year's appearance, Eavis said "We don't know yet," about the Irishmen. Tickets for next year's festival go on sale from 9am this Sunday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/oct/01/glastonbury-michael-eavis-defers-retirement
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