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Eavis set for Glastonbury's return
The gates have opened for this year's Glastonbury Festival, and founder Michael Eavis spoke ahead of the event about its expansion, line-up and future.
Michael Eavis was made a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours "Go on, fire away." Mr Eavis, speaking from his Somerset farm where he founded the festival 37 years ago, is in a hurry.
"I haven't got much time, okay? Just start talking."
Glastonbury has become a British summer institution, its legend stretching far beyond the music scene, and is returning after a year off. And there are just days to go.
We start talking, quickly, about whether there is a danger that the festival could become too big.
The event is famed for its friendly, communal atmosphere, and there will be 177,500 people in Mr Eavis' back garden this year - 27,500 more than in 2005.
The dairy farmer, who has just been made a CBE, says this year's attendance will still be less than the year 2000, when the fence collapsed and gatecrashers streamed in.
"We're a lot better equipped now, we've got better management of the site and we're all learning more about management and crowds and things," he says.
"I do hope it's not getting too big, but as far as I can see it looks even more beautiful. I've never seen the site look so good."
As well as growing in size, the event has also grown in stature, gradually gaining more mainstream exposure and respectability.
"I am surprised at the stature, and the press we've had this year has been unbelievable," Mr Eavis reflects. "It's part of the establishment, it's part of British culture."
The former Labour parliamentary candidate talks disbelievingly about how the Daily Mail wrote some "wonderful words" about his event and how the "right-wing papers are totally on side".
"I just cannot understand it. I'm so pleased," he says.
After many years as the focal point of counter-culture, Glastonbury is now firmly entrenched in the bosom of the establishment.
"I think they see me as a bit of an entrepreneur that's fought my corner, and there's a bit of the bulldog spirit there as well," Mr Eavis explains.
"I think they think it's quite charming, especially when it succeeds on this scale. It's a hell of a success."
The numbers tell the story of the festival's success - 400,000 people pre-registered for tickets for this year's event, which ended up selling out in less than two hours.
"People are phoning all the time now, all day long, all through the night, saying: 'Are there any tickets?'" Mr Eavis says.
"I'm in the phone book, and I don't mind answering people. I do tell them there's absolutely no chance whatsoever and I'm sorry - but there's always next year."
The lucky punters who have got tickets this year will see a bill headlined by The Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and The Who.
The eclectic line-up also encompasses Amy Winehouse, Dame Shirley Bassey, Fatboy Slim, Mika, Chas 'n' Dave, Tony Benn and almost everything in between.
Muse were talking about playing, Mr Eavis says - but chose Wembley Stadium instead. "So I said: 'Why don't you put it off till next year.'"
But he denies reports that the Rolling Stones demanded £1m.
"No, they didn't actually. They wanted £400,000, and that was several years ago. But it doesn't matter any more.
"I haven't specifically asked them to do it this year, but in previous years when they were younger and a bit more glamorous, I used to ask them."
The festival guru prefers putting on younger bands anyway because huge names like Coldplay, Radiohead and Oasis will "all come any time", he says.
"There are so many new bands that are so brilliant and they're all lining up. So I don't really want to go back too far to get old rock bands that are past their prime."
A few years ago, Mr Eavis said he would retire himself when he reached 70 - but now 71, he insists he will keep going for the foreseeable future.
"I'm going to keep on for another 10 years at least I reckon, touch wood and all the rest of it," he says.
"One day I suppose I will feel my age, will I?" His voice rises suddenly as he questions whether he might actually keep going for ever.
"I'm flying around the site on my bike every day, I've got loads of people calling in every 15 minutes," he says.
"I've actually got a fencing problem I have to resolve right now, so I have the team leader of fencing looking through the window at me.
"Is that all right with you, or do you want more?"
With that, he flies off to make sure the site is ready for the big weekend.
By Ian Youngs Entertainment reporter, BBC News
