EMILY EAVIS
The Glasto co-organiser never had any doubt that Metallica would smash their first slot there in 2014
Why did you book Metallica for 2014? “We thought they’d be a great headliner and loved the idea of surprising people.”
Were you expecting the booking to get the reaction it did?
“Yes. We tend to get a lot of flak about booking anyone who isn’t from a certain quite narrow demographic…”
People petitioned to get them taken off the bill, because of James’s associations with bear hunting. Were you aware they were going to show an intro video of themselves dressed as bears, killing fox hunters?
“Yes, we knew a bit about it, but we left them to it, it was very much their thing. It was great! We loved the way they poked fun at themselves and the hysteria around them playing. It helped to amp up the excitement.”
What’s your standout memory of their performance?
“The start of the set was just incredible because we knew straight away it was gonna work. The atmosphere was electric and they came on and slayed everyone. It was striking how loud and powerful they were compared to other acts on the Pyramid… they’re just unbelievably heavy, but they know how to get the party going too. You can see why they have been headlining festivals all over the world for decades.”
What were they like to meet?
“Lars came to the festival the night before they played, so we showed him round. We thought it might be a quick tour of the main stages, but it ended as the sun came up on the hill in The Park, having walked pretty much every inch of the site, which is many miles. We immediately bonded with Lars because he’s such a great bloke, and genuinely interested in what we do here, he got so stuck in. No one does that the night before they headline! He’s come back every year since with his family, and he is part of the family here now too. Meeting them for sunrise is part of the weekend tradition for us now.”
To what extent did Metallica pave the way for you booking heavier bands? “I think they definitely helped inspire us to book more heavy rock acts, from Motörhead and ZZ Top to the Earache Stage over in Shangri-la.”
Does metal belong at Glastonbury? “Yes. All great music does!”
Who’s the heaviest band you would book for the Festival?
“We had Napalm Death in 2017, and it doesn’t get much heavier than that! But I think Guns N’ Roses need to play here at some point don’t they?”