Fatboy Slim says he has “never been paid” to play Glastonbury

Fatboy Slim, real name Norman Cook, has said he has “never been paid” to play Glastonbury, despite performing at the festival more than 100 times, according to NME.

Speaking to Metro, he said he has never paid to attend either: Emily and Michael Eavis give him free tickets and let him play small, quiet gigs in unusual spots. Some years he is on the bill officially, and other years he is simply there as a sightseer. He called Glastonbury the most fun, forward-thinking and beautiful human experience of alternative culture.

In 2024, Cook joined his former Housemartins bandmate Paul Heaton on bass at the Pyramid Stage for “Happy Hour”. His first Glastonbury was in 1986 with that band. NME notes that the festival is known for paying artists relatively low fees because of its commitment to charitable donations.