Blur bassist Alex James has described Glastonbury Festival as “overrated” and criticised what he sees as excessive media coverage. In an interview with The Times, the 57-year-old musician complained about the “hagiographic treatment” the BBC gives the event, saying: “You’d think it’s the only festival in the world.”
James contrasted Glastonbury unfavourably with Denmark’s Roskilde Festival, which he labelled “underrated”. He said: “Glastonbury is a gory drugs bender. Roskilde’s got amazing food because it’s Denmark, it’s just really civilised and the toilets are nice. It’s a wonderful, magical, Hans Christian Andersen fairytale of an event.”
The musician also shared blunt views on the Beach Boys’ 1966 album Pet Sounds, widely regarded as a masterpiece, calling it “s***”. Blur have performed at Glastonbury four times, headlining twice, in 1998 and 2009. The festival is currently taking a fallow year and will return in 2027.
The Independent has contacted Glastonbury and the BBC for comment.
