More details are coming in regarding this year's Glastonbury Festival, with further attempts by the festival's organisers to battle ticket touts. Following moves in recent years (well, not last year, obviously, but prior to that) that required ticket buyers to bring photo ID with them to get into the festival, this year the tickets themselves will feature a photo of the buyer. The aim is to stop touts reselling tickets. The ID requirement cut a lot of touting but the more serious touts were selling fake photo ID with tickets - it's hoped the latest move will combat that too.
Commenting on the moves, Glasto man Michael Eavis told reporters yesterday: "At the last festival, official tickets were on sale for £125 but there were instances of them changing hands for up to £700. This is just not fair for the people who want to come along and enjoy the music. Technology has improved so much that we can now include a picture of the purchaser on the ticket and if you don't match the picture at the gate you won't get in. Hopefully this ploy will be successful and catch on at other venues as it could really put the ticket touts out of business".
Tickets for the 2007 festival will be £150, and will go on sale on 1 Apr, though people will have to pre-register in February if they want to buy a ticket. With demand for the festival always outstripping the number of tickets available, an extra 25,000 will be available this year.
Eavis also promised his "best ever" line up for this year's event, telling reporters: "I'm really excited about the festival, there's a real buzz about it this year". Speculation is rife, as always, regarding who will play. Chumbawamba have reportedly confirmed they have been booked, with other bands rumoured to be close to confirmation including Chemical Brothers, Kasabian, Razorlight, Scissor Sisters and The Who. Other rumours suggest The Police, expected to stage a reunion tour this year, could also be on the Glasto bill.
Whether Babyshambles will reappear after their typically shambolic set back in 2005 is anyone's guess, though word has it Pete Doherty and Kate Moss have already reserved a trailer in the Lost Vagueness Trailer Park at the festival, so obviously they are planning on being in attendance. Perhaps they're planning one of their 'not really a wedding ceremony' wedding ceremonies.