Glastonbury 2014: Petition launched to ban Metallica from festival over James Hetfield's bear-hunting
The frontman has sparked outrage among protesting animal rights activists
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Metallica’s headline slot at this summer’s Glastonbury is under fire due to frontman James Hetfield’s associations with bear-hunting.
The heavy metal group’s booking had been met with controversy due to their sound not fitting the typical “hippy” vibe of the festival.
Now, the band’s co-founder, a member of America’s National Rifle Association, is set to narrate an eight-part TV series called The Hunt, documenting the killing of Kodiak brown bears in Alaska.
News of the show has been met with outrage from animal rights activists, with an online petition demanding that Metallica be removed from the Somerset festival’s line-up.
One angered music fan set up the Facebook page, “Remove Metallica from Glastonbury Festival for their Support of Bear Hunting”, which more than 13,000 people have ‘liked’ since its 25 May launch.
Creator Richard Fraser writes: “Metallica’s lead singer James Hetfield is a big game hunter and promoter. This is incompatible with Glastonbury Festival ideals and brings its good name into disrepute.”
There has also been a strong Twitter reaction to what many see as Hetfield’s “glorifying” of hunting, despite Alaskan laws siding in favour of the activity as a regulated sport.
The History Channel, which will host The Hunt from Sunday, issued the following announcement about their programme: “While getting a bear is no easy task, most hunters still value time-honoured traditions by hunting with bow-and-arrow, black powder single-shot rifles, and/or use the minimum amount of technology possible.
“Honouring the animal is paramount and taught to all hunters who come to the island. Hunters have an ethical and legal responsibility to strive for clean kills that is taken very seriously. There are pages of stringent regulations they must follow that ensure respect for the animal and the land.”
As of yet there has been no response statement from Hetfield.
Metallica are due to headline Glastonbury alongside Arcade Fire and Kasabian at the Worthy Farm event later this month.
Drummer Lars Ulrich was “ecstatic” at the booking, with organiser Michael Eavis describing them as “one of the most amazing rock bands in the world”.
Metallica have defended themselves from criticism, arguing that “the fact that everybody's got an opinion means people still care”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments