License approved for Glastonbury's 50,000-person event at Worthy Farm

The organisers of Glastonbury have been granted a licence for a live music event at Worthy Farm, with permission to host over 50,000 festival goers.

Glastonbury revealed the name ‘Equinox’ to NME, and now have pencilled in September as the date this event will take place.

The festival usually runs for five days, but has had to cancel this year due to coronavirus restrictions creating uncertainty around the quality of the festival and a lack of government-backed insurance.

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An application for permission to host a smaller event was submitted to Mendip District Council in March with the hopes of providing festival goers with an event this year.

The Somerset County Gazette reports that this application has been approved - with many conditions. The event cannot be held in the same year as Glastonbury, and 49,999 people has been set as the maximum capacity for the event. These are only two of more than 50 conditions that ensured approval for the event.

The chair of licensing at Mendip District Council, Sam Phripp spoke about the process of application: “Whenever a licence application is considered, Mendip rightly assesses the impact of an event on local people and seeks to find a decent balance.

“With regard to Glastonbury Festival Events Limited holding a concert in September, we’ve heard concerns from residents, and those concerns are reflected in more than 50 conditions that have been added to this licence. We believe they’re sensible measures, and match the perceived risk of the event.

“With a view to COVID-19, of course, any event would have to be COVID-safe, and Mendip will work with other organisations and the organisers to make sure that’s the case.”

Read this next: Glastonbury launches virtual festival Live at Worthy Farm

Many other factors need to be taken into account in the coming months, with planning and approval still required in the lead up to the planned event.

No camping will be allowed at the event.

In the meantime, Glastonbury is broadcasting a live event from Worthy Farm on May 22 - with Jorja Smith, Kano, Honey Dijon and a host of other musicians making an appearance on the livestream.

Tope Olufemi is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow them on Twitter