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If Metallica are 'incompatible' with Glastonbury, who else is? If Metallica are 'incompatible' with Glastonbury, who else is?
(3 months later)
When Metallica's James Hetfield got the call from his agent asking if he'd like to provide the voiceover for a documentary on the History Channel, he probably didn't anticipateit would lead to thousands of animal rights activists attempting to oust his band from headlining Glastonbury. The anonymous organisers of a new campaign claim that his credentials as a big game hunter and promoter are "incompatible with the spirit" of the peace keeping, charity-fundraising festival. When Metallica's James Hetfield got the call from his agent asking if he'd like to provide the voiceover for a documentary on the History Channel, he probably didn't anticipateit would lead to thousands of animal rights activists attempting to oust his band from headlining Glastonbury. The anonymous organisers of a new campaign claim that his credentials as a big game hunter and promoter are "incompatible with the spirit" of the peace keeping, charity-fundraising festival.
The controversy was triggered after it was announced that Hetfield, a supporter of hunting and gun rights and a member of the National Rifle Association, would be narrating eight episodes of a show named The Hunt, which follows a group of hunters as they pursue the world's largest brown bears on Kodiak Island, Alaska. At the time of writing, the Remove Metallica from Glastonbury Festival for their support of Bear Hunting Facebook page has been liked by more people than populate Kodiak Island. Nevertheless, it remains unlikely the online protest will be enough to axe the globally adored metal band from the bill. The controversy was triggered after it was announced that Hetfield, a supporter of hunting and gun rights and a member of the National Rifle Association, would be narrating eight episodes of a show named The Hunt, which follows a group of hunters as they pursue the world's largest brown bears on Kodiak Island, Alaska. At the time of writing, the Remove Metallica from Glastonbury Festival for their support of Bear Hunting Facebook page has been liked by more people than populate Kodiak Island. Nevertheless, it remains unlikely the online protest will be enough to axe the globally adored metal band from the bill.
After all, if Glastonbury were to begin picking their artists based on lifestyle choices and past misdemeanors, booking the event would suddenly become far more complex than simply negotiating budgets and timings. In fact, the event wouldn't have played host to a variety of performers throughout its many decades, such is the endless ream of morally dubious artists in existence. After all, if Glastonbury were to begin picking their artists based on lifestyle choices and past misdemeanors, booking the event would suddenly become far more complex than simply negotiating budgets and timings. In fact, the event wouldn't have played host to a variety of performers throughout its many decades, such is the endless ream of morally dubious artists in existence.
Take for example, Beyoncé and Jay Z. Only last year the couple announced they would temporarily dip their toes into an entirely "plant-based" vegan diet, in a bid to experience a "spiritual and physical cleanse". Great! If their triumphant performances didn't prove impressive enough for the narrow-minded likes of Noel Gallagher and festival purists, the Current Queen of Pop and King of Rap affirm their positions as Glastonbury headliners with their excellent ethics! Unfortunately, the pair quickly forgot that veganism is not just a dietary fad, but a lifestyle choice. Beyoncé, who has been under fire in previous years for her fondness of fur, stumbled almost immediately at the first vegan hurdle, when she was photographed walking into one LA vegan restaurant dressed in an enormous fur collar, followed shortly after by an appearance in some kind of leather/skin cow suit. Jay Z – as far as I know – managed to complete his raw vegetable duties in this instance, but perhaps his throwaway reference to the hugely disturbing scene from the Tina Turner biopic during Drunk In Love would be enough reason to cross him off the Glastonbury guestlist for good. Take for example, Beyoncé and Jay Z. Only last year the couple announced they would temporarily dip their toes into an entirely "plant-based" vegan diet, in a bid to experience a "spiritual and physical cleanse". Great! If their triumphant performances didn't prove impressive enough for the narrow-minded likes of Noel Gallagher and festival purists, the Current Queen of Pop and King of Rap affirm their positions as Glastonbury headliners with their excellent ethics! Unfortunately, the pair quickly forgot that veganism is not just a dietary fad, but a lifestyle choice. Beyoncé, who has been under fire in previous years for her fondness of fur, stumbled almost immediately at the first vegan hurdle, when she was photographed walking into one LA vegan restaurant dressed in an enormous fur collar, followed shortly after by an appearance in some kind of leather/skin cow suit. Jay Z – as far as I know – managed to complete his raw vegetable duties in this instance, but perhaps his throwaway reference to the hugely disturbing scene from the Tina Turner biopic during Drunk In Love would be enough reason to cross him off the Glastonbury guestlist for good.
Perhaps some of the revered heritage acts of years gone by would also find it a little trickier to get into the event if organisers were to base their choices on more of moral compass. The Rolling Stones' first Glastonbury performance last year might have been blighted by their tax-dodging strategies: "The whole business thing is predicated a lot on the tax laws," Keith Richards once told Fortune. "It's why we rehearse in Canada and not in the US. A lot of our astute moves have been basically keeping up with tax laws, where to go, where not to put it."Perhaps some of the revered heritage acts of years gone by would also find it a little trickier to get into the event if organisers were to base their choices on more of moral compass. The Rolling Stones' first Glastonbury performance last year might have been blighted by their tax-dodging strategies: "The whole business thing is predicated a lot on the tax laws," Keith Richards once told Fortune. "It's why we rehearse in Canada and not in the US. A lot of our astute moves have been basically keeping up with tax laws, where to go, where not to put it."
And even if U2's 2011 headline set was fraught with protestors attempting to alert the 50,000 fans watching of the band's alleged failure to pay taxes, perhaps they were lucky to have been booked at all. In 2009, the band were accused of "robbing the world's poor". Although they have since denied claims of tax avoidance, a past reputation as money-grabbing millionaires is not quite the ideal reputation for a Glastonbury band to uphold. Even Roger Daltrey put the boot in. Although doesn't Roger Daltrey own a fish farm? Quieten down, Daltrey. And even if U2's 2011 headline set was fraught with protestors attempting to alert the 50,000 fans watching of the band's alleged failure to pay taxes, perhaps they were lucky to have been booked at all. In 2009, the band were accused of "robbing the world's poor". Although they have since denied claims of tax avoidance, a past reputation as money-grabbing millionaires is not quite the ideal reputation for a Glastonbury band to uphold. Even Roger Daltrey put the boot in. Although doesn't Roger Daltrey own a fish farm? Quieten down, Daltrey.
Meanwhile, Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry, who dedicated his 2004 Q Award to his son, a pro-hunt protester and the country's former youngest master of the foxhounds, would probably have to fill his Glastonbury weekend with a spot of croquet and cucumber sandwiches, rather than his performance at this year's event. And is sexism were to be brought into play, just think about those Roxy Music album covers. And most of Some Girls by the Stones. And best not to look up the lyrics to Brown Sugar.Meanwhile, Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry, who dedicated his 2004 Q Award to his son, a pro-hunt protester and the country's former youngest master of the foxhounds, would probably have to fill his Glastonbury weekend with a spot of croquet and cucumber sandwiches, rather than his performance at this year's event. And is sexism were to be brought into play, just think about those Roxy Music album covers. And most of Some Girls by the Stones. And best not to look up the lyrics to Brown Sugar.
I'll leave you with one last un-Glastonbury-like and altogether inhumane act, courtesy of Jack White, who assaulted the frontman of the Von Bondies in December 2003, if his 2005 headline performance at Glastonbury were in jeopardy. Is that really less serious than narrating a TV show?I'll leave you with one last un-Glastonbury-like and altogether inhumane act, courtesy of Jack White, who assaulted the frontman of the Von Bondies in December 2003, if his 2005 headline performance at Glastonbury were in jeopardy. Is that really less serious than narrating a TV show?
So, bands, artists and those with one beady eye on the Pyramid stage; may the peace loving spirit of Glastonbury be with you. Or else.So, bands, artists and those with one beady eye on the Pyramid stage; may the peace loving spirit of Glastonbury be with you. Or else.