ABSTRACT
Empowering the host community, including them in the decision-making process, or co-creating the event experience with them have been found to be essential elements of the festival planning process and in ensuring the long-term success of a festival. The purpose of this chapter is to use a Critical Management approach to explore power relationships between organisers, the host community and other key stakeholders of Glastonbury Festival. It is argued that the lack of a shared vision and having to navigate a “political minefield” are major factors alienating the host community, making them feel powerless and hence threatening the long-term success of the festival. Recommendations for festival organisers are provided to build on the well-established community pride, but go beyond the allocation of free tickets in order to “engage” the host community.
