Glastonbury to receive £900,000 from Government fund as live-stream event is announced

Glastonbury Festival will receive nearly £1million in Government funding after having to cancel its annual event in 2020 and 2021.

This week it was announced £900,000 will go to the iconic Worthy Farm event as part of the latest round of the UK Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund.

The event – which will be celebrated with a live-streamed concert this year – is being supported alongside more than 2,700 organisations with a combined £400m in grants and loans being handed out to help with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s part of the larger £1.57billion support package, announced last July, for the entertainment sector.

An announcement from Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed: ‘Glastonbury Festival will receive £900,000 to help the festival continue in 2021, with two smaller events this year, as well as to carry the festival through to 2022.’

Other organisations benefiting from the new funding include the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds and Camden’s Roundhouse, which have been awarded £213,853 and £1.5m respectively.

Addressing the new grants, Mr Dowden added: ‘Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.

‘Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.’

In a statement, Glasto organisers Michael and Emily Eavis said: ‘We’re extremely grateful to be offered a significant award from the Culture Recovery Fund.

‘After losing millions from the cancellation of our last two Festivals, this grant will make a huge difference in helping to secure our future.’

The news comes days after Glastonbury confirmed a special Live at Worthy Farm online event on May 22 with the likes of Coldplay, Haim and Damon Albarn taking to the stage.

On what fans will be getting for their £20 ticket, Emily added: ‘We are going to take you on a journey through all of those spots that you know from Worthy Farm – the woods, the railway line, the stone circle, the pyramid, and it’s going to build into this epic journey around the site into the night.’

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