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A variation to the Glastonbury Festival license increasing the number of attendees by 7,000 has been granted.

Mendip District Council (MDC) has given the go-ahead for the largest greenfield festival in the world to increase its capacity to a total of 210,000.

Gates to the 2019 event will open in four months time as it returns from a fallow year in 2018, and so far the only acts officially confirmed by the festival are Stormzy, Kylie Minogue and Janelle Monae.

Glastonbury Festival ticket license break-down Public tickets Tickets sold to regular punters in the public ticket sales. 135,000 + new variation of additional 7,000 Local Sunday tickets Tickets sold to local people that live within a specified radius of the festival These tickets grant the holder to access to the site on the last day of the festival only. 5,000 Staff/complimentary/performer passes Tickets covering all staff and performers. This includes medical, security, volunteers, traders and more. 63,000 Total capacity available on current license - 210,000

It was noted at an MDC Licensing Board meeting that the extra 7,000 people would travel via public transport, and that the increase was sought "in order to avoid an increase in the ticket price".

Although the festival now has the scope to increase its capacity, it has been revealed that this will not happen in 2019.

Glastonbury Festival has confirmed to Somerset Live that the numbers attending the 2019 event have not changed and will be the same as those that attended the 2017 event.

Speaking to Somerset Live, an MDC spokesman said: "We have been advised there will be no increase in 2019, but acknowledge the licence does allow an increase."

The current Glastonbury Festival license runs until 2024, at which point the festival will have to re-apply for a brand new license.

On its website, MDC states it has "a good working relationship with the festival organisers and all of the partners involved in the running of the event, which is what helps to make it one of the best music festivals in the world".

Gates to the 2019 festival will open in four months time as it returns from a fallow year in 2018.

Tickets to the event have now sold out, but a resale will take place in April.

The MDC spokesman added: "During the statutory consultation period three representations were received but all were withdrawn before the end of the period so the licence was granted with no decision by the council necessary.

"A decision by the council by way of the Licensing Sub-Committee is only required where representations exist."

More Glasto news

"Metal slot" will return to Pyramid Stage in 2019

Emily Eavis has revealed that a "metal slot" has now become a feature of the Pyramid Stage line-up, as the Glastonbury Festival organiser gears up for this year's event.

Speaking to George Ezra on his podcast, she appeared to confirm the festival now has an official "metal slot" on the Pyramid Stage on the Friday (June 28) of the festival.

She said: "We have a metal slot on a Friday. Which is on the Friday at about 5pm, and that's a new thing that has just started.

"That is now a really big slot. I quite like this, I'm quite into the expansion of the line-up beyond those three headline slots."

Both Gallagher brothers set to appear

Liam Gallagher is set to be a sub-headliner on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2019, according to reports.

The Brit-pop icon will be the "second to last on the main stage just before headliner Stormzy" on the Friday of the event, The Daily Star is claiming.

The national newspaper also claims that both Liam and Noel Gallagher are set to perform at the festival separately, as they did in 2017.

Read more here.

Stormzy fires back at critics

Stormzy has fired back at critics of his elevation to Glastonbury Festival headliner, and has vowed to wow the Pyramid Stage crowd.

With only one album to his name, the South London grime artist has said he has "mad underdog syndrome" ahead of his headline performance on the Friday of the festival.

However, he feels he is meant to headline Glastonbury and has the confidence to deliver a fitting performance, after a highly successful Other Stage show in 2017 described by festival organiser Emily Eavis as "phenomenal'.

"I can't wait. I've got mad underdog syndrome, but I got confidence, too," he said, speaking to Elle Magazine.

Read more here.

Three new areas for 2019

Emily Eavis also revealed that three new areas will be appearing at Glastonbury Festival 2019.

She confirmed that a "whole new area" will be making an appearance at the festival near to The Park field.

This is in addition to new attractions at the Arcadia field and the Block9 field, which Emily described as "incredible" and "mind-blowing".

Read more here.

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