Day the moo-sic died... cows graze near main stage after Glastonbury called off

AT this time of year, Worthy Farm usually resounds to the crash of guitars and the excited screams of 200,000 music fans.

Instead there was only eerie silence at Glastonbury, as a herd of cows chewed the cud in front of the metal skeleton of the Pyramid Stage.

Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar were set to headline the 50th anniversary of the festival in Pilton, Somerset. The organisers, father-anddaughter duo Michael and Emily Eavis, had announced in March that the festival would not take place due to the coronavirus crisis.

They offered their ‘sincere apologies’ to the 135,000 fans who had already paid their deposits, describing it as a ‘terrible blow to our incredible crew and volunteers’.

A statement said: ‘Clearly this was not a course of action we hoped to take for our 50th anniversary event, but following the Government measures – and in times of such unprecedented uncertainty – this is now our only viable option.’

They promised this year’s ticket holders that their £50 deposit will automatically roll over to the 2021 festival, but they can also receive a full refund if they claim it back before September. The Pet Shop Boys, The Specials and Fatboy Slim were also on the bill this year, as well as Diana Ross who was booked in the traditional Sunday afternoon ‘legend’ slot.

Others who were set to make an appearance were Primal Scream, Manic Street Preachers and Dua Lipa. However, it is expected the line-up is likely to change significantly by June 2021.