'Fans lose out due to limited resale window'
Ashley Clements

11:08 21st April 2013

The final sale of Glastonbury 2013 tickets began and ended in a matter of minutes today (April 21) as fans tried to book their place at the festival in a process that contains some 'fundamental flaws' according to ticket marketplace, Viagogo.

The Glastonbury resale was the final opportunity for fans to book their place at the Worthy Farm festival, but those hoping to purchase tickets for this year’s event had to be registered even though registration for Glastonbury 2013 had already closed, meaning only those who had registered with the site in previous years could book tickets.

The world's largest ticket marketplace Viagogo has found that due to this process being in place, around £26m was wasted last year due to unused tickets and have stressed the need for a more accessible resale platform.

Steve Roest, Head of European Business Development at Viagogo said: "Our experience shows that as an event approaches, more tickets are resold as people’s plans change.

"However, personalised tickets and a limited resale window restricts this, with many fans losing out as their plans change closer to the time and they cannot resell.


A floating dinosaur enjoys the Glastonbury 2011 atmosphere

"We applaud methods that prevent ticket fraud, as festival goers deserve better than having to take their chances on online auction sites or with sellers outside the festival gates, however we still believe in the right to a free marketplace.

"This is why we have partnered with the Isle of Wight festival amongst others to provide a secure and guaranteed platform to resell tickets.”

The majority of ticket hopefuls were left disappointed after the resale tickets sold out in a matter of minutes as they found buying Glastonbury resale tickets almost impossible to obtain with some hopefuls taking to Twitter to vent their frustrations.

Twitter user Samantha Malvern wrote: "More chance of winning the London Marathon than getting a Glastonbury ticket."

Whilst @samtunks posted: "If you think you’re having problems with the London Marathon, try getting Glastonbury tickets."

Below: 20 Gigwise favourites from the Glastonbury line-up

  • Arctic Monkeys: This Sheffield band are a must-see for their naughties nostalgia factor alone. Their debut single 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor' seemed to steer so many teenagers towards the indie guitar band scene and the number of hits from their first two albums will make for a memorable headline set. One of the most genre-defining acts on the Glastonbury bill, even if it looks as thought they will never make another album like Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

  • Daughter: This little indie folk band are set to have their biggest year since getting together back in 2010 and armed with a debut album, Glastonbury could prove to Daughter's biggest step forward to date. Haunting melodies will fill the John Peel Stage as you witness one of the most ambient bands of this year's line-up.

  • Ondatropica: Infused with a healthy dose of South American vitality, Ondatropica are a guaranteed party. Much like a carnival, it's near-impossible to have a bad time with Ondatropica providing the soundtrack.

  • Phoenix: If you've ever seen Phoenix at a festival, you'll know how special their show is. Usually ending with half the audience on stage with them, the French band's joyous indie/pop sounds were made for festival shows, and with new album Bankrupt! on the way, they will have even more foot-pounding anthems to perform. We already anticipate hearing new single 'Entertainment' in the midst of a beer-fuelled haze will be a highlight of the summer.

  • Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend are one of the most innovative guitar bands on the scene and are well on their way to becoming festival headliners in their own right, so their presence on the Pyramid Stage is totally justified. Rubbing shoulders with Pyramid bands including Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys and more, the release of their third album Modern Vampires Of The City is set to push the band further up the bill in 2014.

  • Alt-J: Deservedly 2012's Mercury Prize Award winners for best album and have to be well worth popping along to the Other Stage. Certainly one of the most unique bands to emerge over the last 18 months thanks to frontman Joe Newman's almost cartoonish vocal talents and the superbly innovative band behind him.

  • Haim: The BBC's Sound of 2012, Haim are going to be everywhere, and they're worth it too. Some Californian grooves are just what Glastonbury needs - a little bit of sunshine in the middle of a rainy field, and Este Haim's off-colour onstage comments are sure to liven up even the worst hangover.

  • Jessie Ware: One of the favourite voices of the past 12 months from an artist that doesn't seem to realise just how good she actually is. Ware is the kind of artist you would casually pop along to see and end up feeling emotionally attached to every word she sings. Her beautifully British style could really define this year's festival.

  • Primal Scream: Amid a headliner selection of big names in rock, Primal Scream are likely to put on one of the most genuinely fun performances on offer. Always a good way to get the blood really pumping before retiring to the dance stages.

  • Alice Russell: Arguably the most impressive soul voice in the UK at the moment, Alice Russell simply stuns audience into wonderment with her performance. Seeing her performing both fan favourites and stuff from her new album in a Glastonbury atmosphere will be something special.

  • Crystal Castles: Alice Glass absolutely never fails to give it her all - and that 'all' is usually an all encompassing, all out assault on your ears (and your bodies, judging by the way she throws herself physically at the crowd). Combine that with her mad shrieking and the fact they'll definitely take it up a notch at Glasto, and they're not to be missed.

  • Nas: Arguably the biggest hip-hop name to be gracing the Glastonbury stages this year makes Nas a priority for any nineties rap fan. Nas was one of New York City's leading rap voices for a good number of years and although he has struggled to get back to the hip-hop rawness of debut album Illmatic, Nas will certainly put on a show to remember.

  • Peace: Peace seem to be making the festival rounds lately, but they'd still be a great choice to see in the Glastonbury atmosphere. With the recent release of debut album In Love only serving to increase the hype around them - seriously, it's a REALLY good album - better get in quick with this one. In a few years, it could be an 'I was there' moment.

  • Rodriguez: Searching For Sugarman was one of the most compelling documentaries of last year, and its star - Sixto Rodriguez - has one of the most interesting stories. His oblivious fame in South Africa aside, Rodriguez infuses American folk with a feel of real home-town blues. Whether you've heard his intriguing history or not, it's still worth a listen - and the Glastonbury slot is definitely going to mean something to him.

  • AlunaGeorge: Not only are AlunaGeorge one of the most hotly tipped new acts in the UK, they also put on a stunning live show. Having cut their teeth on the 2012 festival scene while relatively unknown, the duo's summer this year is jam packed with festival shows. The main draw of the gig is frontwoman Aluna Francis, who oozes sexuality with her hip-grinding antics on stage. George Reid's beats are also quite nice.

  • Elvis Costello: The man, the legend. It's not worth going to Glastonbury without catching at least a few of the headliners, and Elvis is one of the best. Plus, with an extensive back catalogue like that, anything he plays is likely to be a hit.

  • Jagwar Ma: We love this band. The Australian duo served up one of the most blissed out guitar tracks earlier in 2013 with their single 'The Throw', which is certain to be massive on the festival scene. 'The Throw' mixes Cut Copy's pop sensibilities with a hint of Stone Roses-esque nineties baggy sounds. We can't wait to see these guys in a field.

  • Portishead: Simply one of the most sonically ingenious bands ever, watching them headline the Other Stage will be both a moving and stunning experience that you'd be foolish to miss.

  • Tyler, The Creator: As much as anything we'd want to know if Tyler live justifies all the hype that he seems so pleased to see surrounding him. New album Wolf will have been released by June, so many will already have formed opinions, but he has a lot to live up to.


Photo: WENN.com