Photo: Wenn
A Change.org petition has been launched aiming to stop Kanye West headling Glastonbury on the Saturday night.
Established by Neil Lonsdale, a Norfolk music fan who loves Green Day, Placebo, Royal Blood and Despacio, the petition calling for a replacement to be found.
Writing on Change.org, Lonsdale explained. "Kanye West is an insult to music fans all over the world. We spend hundreds of pounds to attend Glasto, and by doing so, expect a certain level of entertainment. Kanye has been very outspoken on his views on music....he should listen to his own advice and pass his headline slot on to someone deserving! Lets prevent this musical injustice now!"
So far his comments have attracted over 700 signatures. Naturally some reveal a deep held prejudice against hip-hop in general, but mostly they attack the idea that West doesn't represent the values of Worthy Farm and mock his credentials as a musician. The fact that many openly admit they have no intention of attending the festival is also telling. Here are a representative sample:
"Kayne [sic.] is the worst musician ever. Without his autotune he'd be selling pencils on the street."
"As a musician and a local to the area, I really don't like the idea of someone as untalented headlining the biggest festival in the UK. Surely the musicians booked should have at least a basic understanding of the music they're playing."
"Glastonbury festival has always been about amazing live musical performance. Did you see Kanye on The Brits? 40 people jumping up and down in the dark on stage is not the standard expected from the raw, live, electrifying experience of Glastonbury."
"Fuck kanye. I saw him at bonnaroo 2013. literally the worst show I've ever been to. [Metal band] Shitkill is better than him."
"I'm signing because Kanye does not have any respect for musicians he doesn't know. The audience would like a concert where you can sing along and dance and come together with a pint in the hand, and a rap concert just isn't that."
"Kanye West contradicts everything that Glastonbury stands for, as he is currently the most egocentric artist there is out there. Not only that, but he clearly does not understand the idea of a festival being to see bands/acts other than himself. REPLACE HIM WITH MUSE."
"He can't sing and when he does he just swears! He thinks he is [a] living God and is definitely not worthy of headlining. Plus having Kim, the entourage and crew waltzing around glastonbury like they own the place doesn't appeal!"
"Its not that hes a rapper. Im fine with Eminem headlining Reading. Its the fact that hes an egotistical fuckbag hated by most of the industry. Glastonbury is supposed to be a celebration of music and good vibes, and hes the opposite of that. Cancel him and get Beck so i can laugh myself to sleep instead of crying."
"It's a human right issue. Non fans should not be forced into a state of abject misery by having to tolerate this deluded egotistical possibly racist dullard. If he can't be removed from the bill he should be forced to do community service in the form of outside catering for Top Gear."
"I am settling for getting him out of Glastonbury as nobody has made a petition to have him deported from the planet He's a bell end and board line racist to white people. Great tunes, dreadful bloke."
"I live in South Africa and I don't even want him to play Glasto!"
West is the second confirmed headliner for the festival alongside Foo Fighters, who will play the Pyramid Stage on Worthy Farm on the Friday. Lionel Richie has also been confirmed (as has the Dalai Lama, Courtney Barnett and Father John Misty).
Other rumours include Queen + Adam Lambert, Taylor Swift, Elton John, The Libertines, Noel Gallagher, Prince and many more. Glastonbury Festival 2015 takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset from 24 - 28 June 2015.
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