Changing a tried and tested formula has proved the undoing of the not only much loved, and usually well attended, Glastonbury Festival, with American rapper, and husband of Dreamgirls star Beyonce, Jay Z, heading the bill, but it has also caused other celebrities to think twice about attending.

Madonna had made plans to make Glastonbury the premiere of her documentary I Am Because We Are to be held at a summer music festival, after tickets for the event failed to sell. The documentary, which focuses on the plight of Malawian children, will now be scrapped from the festival which in past years has usually focused on a rock-orientated line up such as David Bowie, Oasis, Paul McCartney, Arctic Monkeys, Bjork, The Who and Pete Doherty.

According to the Mail On Sunday newspaper, the Queen of Pop wanted to follow the screening with a possible question and answer session with festivalgoers, but has been put off by the lack of interest in this year’s event.

A source tells the publication, “Madonna hoped the film could be shown on the Saturday and there was talk of a question and answer session.

“But poor ticket sales for the festival put her off. After talks with the organizers it was decided the festival was not the right venue to showcase the film.”

Glastonbury has been heavily influenced by hippie ethics and the free festival movement in the 1970s and with the exception of technical and security staff, the festival is mainly run by volunteers. Some 1400 stewards are organized by the aid charity Oxfam. In return for their work at the festival Oxfam receive a donation, which in 2005 was £200,000. The Festival, started by dairy farmer Michael Eavis in 1970, has grown into the largest music festival in Europe.

So because of the headlining act being snubbed, the charity will suffer, the children of Malawi will suffer and the revelers themselves will be disappointed!

Has anyone thought about scrapping Jay Z and bringing in, maybe, Amy Winehouse who topped the bill at the 2007’s festival, this could be the answer to poor ticket sales.

But whatever the solution, the message is strong, the Brits don’t want Jay Z and his rapping!

ABB