Glasto Goes In 87 Minutes

Technical issues disrupted the first 30 minutes of the sale as more than 1 million people registered interest in attending the world-famous music festival.

The 120,000 £210 tickets produced a pre-VAT gross of more than £25 million ($40.2 million).

“We have, once again, been blown away by the numbers of people who were hoping to join us at the festival, and we’re sorry that many of you have missed out on a ticket,” organisers Michael and Emily Eavis said in a statement.

“We genuinely try to make the ticket system as fair as it can be, but when demand outstrips supply, it is an unfortunate inevitability that some people will be left disappointed.”

See Tickets, the website running the sale, later Tweeted an apology: “Now selling approx 3,000 tickets a minute. Again, we’re really sorry for that first half hour and good luck to everyone who’s trying.”

London’s daily Metro reported that “thousands” of fans angry about the technical glitches that caused the website to crash.

See Tickets provoked a backlash after it joked on Twitter about the server issues: “Thanks for all the advice. Never knew we had so many IT consultants following us.”

One fan responded, “Now that you’re acquainted with some IT consultants, maybe you’ll finally be able to hire one?”

Although no acts have been announced, there’s already speculation.

In July the eFestivals website was tipping Fleetwood Mac, Depeche Mode and Elbow to be among the 2014 headliners.

The Gigwise site opted for Daft Punk, The Strokes, Rihanna, Adele, Kanye West and a reunited Led Zeppelin.

The bookies’ favourites are Oasis, Foo Fighters and David Bowie. 

Although Michael Eavis, who’s now 77, has gradually been handing over more of the booking to his daughter, Emily, he still deals with the headliners.

Eavis told NME they are “more or less in place.”

“They’re three bands who haven’t played Glastonbury, and that’s important,” Eavis said about a month ago.

“There aren’t many bands left who haven’t played the festival, and before we run out I’d like to persuade the ones on my wishlist to come down. I think I’ve managed that with these three.”

Next year’s Glastonbury is June 25-29.