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With the pandemic hitting every sphere of life hard, the Glastonbury Festival, one of the biggest music festivals in the world, hasn't remained unscathed.
According to financial documents obtained by Billboard, the event lost over $4 million last year after the cancelation of in-person festivities for the second year in a row.
In April 2021, Glastonbury received a grant worth $1.2 million as part of the British Government's Culture Recovery Fund. Co-organizers Michael and Emily Eavis took to Twitter to express their relief at getting chosen for the grant:
"After losing millions from the cancelation of our last two Festivals, this grant will make a significant difference in helping to secure our future.”
Glastonbury Festival and COVID-19
The event first saw a fall in its turnover in 2020 — plummeted from $61 million to $1.6 million — after it was canceled for the first time. Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar were set to headline the show.
After a similar cancelation in 2021, a one-day livestream was announced, to be held at Worthy Farms. The livestream event featured artists such as Coldplay, HAIM, Jorja Smith, and Honey Dijon.
Glastonbury Festival set for comeback in 2022
This year's Glastonbury is set to return to Worthy Farms from June 22-26, 2022. Billie Eilish is set to headline the pyramid stage, making it her first headline performance in the UK.
The only other confirmed performer is Diana Ross, who will perform in Sunday afternoon's "Legend" slot. The prestigious slot has previously played host to music icons such as Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie and Barry Gibb.
History of Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury has been a hub for contemporary music, arts, theater, cinema, and dance ever since 1970. In its half-a-century-long history, the world-famous pyramid stage has hosted performers such as The Headliners, Radiohead, Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Coldplay, and many more.
Now regarded as a major part of British culture, the first-ever Glastonbury performance was headlined by rising group T.Rex. The event has grown from its initial 1500 attendees to present-day figures that go upwards of 200,000.
