Will Glasto be taxing for U2?

Direct action protestors are set to turn their attention away from Topshop and towards Glastonbury next week, with U2’s headline slot becoming a target for the ‘Art Uncut’ group.

Art Uncut, who are affiliated with tax avoidance protestors UK Uncut aim to put together a giant inflatable banner illuminated with the slogan ‘Bono pay up’ at the sold-out music festival at Worthy Farm on Friday June 24.

A spokesman for Art Uncut told The Guardian: "Bono claims to care about the developing world, but U2 greedily indulges in the very kind of tax avoidance which is crippling the poor nations of this world".

U2 drew criticism in 2006 when it was reported that they had moved parts of its business affairs from Ireland to the Netherlands due to a cap on generous tax breaks for artists in the republic.

Although the band has not responded, their Manager Paul McGuinness has previously stated: “U2 is a global business and pays tax globally. At least 95% of our business takes place outside Ireland and as a result the band pays many different kinds of taxes all over the world.”

Glastonbury will also be headlined by Beyonce and Coldplay this years and recently published the stage times for all acts playing on its website.