Glastonbury boss received DEATH THREATS after booking Kanye West
GLASTONBURY organiser Emily Eavis revealed her horror at receiving death threats when she booked controversial US star Kanye West to headline the festival.
Kanye West
The daughter of Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis spoke of her distress in a recent interview.
"It was not a pleasant world we unwrapped," said Ms Eavis.
"I had death threats and stuff. It was just horrible. It was just crazy.
The Eavis father and daughter team arrange the festival and book the line-up together and were totally unprepared for the outpouring of hatred and opposition the booking of the outspoken American star generated.
"It was getting out of control," Ms Eavis continued.
"We had Time magazine, all the American news channels saying they were going to come down. This incredible onslaught worldwide."
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian
Kanye West, who is married to American reality show star Kim Kardashian, regularly makes headlines for his outrageous statements and inappropriate behaviour. Even so, Ms Eavis insists that she only saw him in terms of his talent.
Michael and Emily Eavis
"It was quite upsetting because we were talking about something that was so exciting and interesting and fresh and brilliant for the festival," she told The Times.
"Kanye West is making the most exciting music at the moment. He is an amazing force as a performer. For us, getting the biggest star in the world was an amazing coup."
There was considerable opposition in 2008 when Jay Z was announced as the festival's headliner, but his performance won over the critics. However, Jay Z has rarely created comparable levels of controversy with his personal and public behaviour.
All eyes will be on Glastonbury this year to see whether West will repay the trust of the festival organisers.