mr flow

We will be operating as usual. Stu will be running it this year.

Boomtown have been leaving some clues in their recent district videos. I actually haven’t heard much line up related news this year, and also wouldn’t publicly announce anything I hear until it’s in the public domain as know how hard Boomtown try to keep it under wraps

Flogging Molly, Caravan Palace and Dubioza Kolektiv also playing

Fat Freddy's Drop and SBTRKT both definitely playing on Grand Central. So are Fjaak and Labat are both playing on Zenith

They'll definitely play Glastonbury on this reunion stint. For me it's just a question of this year or next. The festival means so much to the band, that there is no way that it hasn't been arranged. With so many UK festivals being booked last year, i always felt Glastonbury with be a stretch, but with little or no UK shows this year, I'm really hopeful that means we will get Glastonbury this year 🤞

What hotel have you booked? You'd probably be best booking the Holiday Inn which is on the roundabout near the festival if you want a hotel. It's more expensive, and about a 30/40 min walk to the hotel, but taxi's can be hard to get when leaving.

Just announced another gig in Amsterdam on 24th of May

They also played it a lot during their last reunion tour, and in fact i think it got it's live debut at The Park secret set in 2011.

I think the problem of them playing again is they absolutely nailed the 2009 slot, and may think why possibly ruin that legacy. Having said that, they were outstanding at Wembley last year, and I have no doubt they'd nail it if they played again, but with 09 leaving such a mark on the band, i'm not sure they'll do it. As others have said, a 75 min Churnups style slot would be perfect though.

I've taken both my children to festivals at around the 3 month mark, albeit it wasn't to Glastonbury. If it's a dry year, it should be do-able, and they are relatively easy at that age as sleep for a lot of the time. We did exactly the same as you, and booked a hotel for mum and baby to go and stay at every night, and they just dipped in and out of festival as and when they wanted to. Don't let people put you off though. As someone has said, as long as you can put them in ear defenders, then do it.

If this was on the Sunday or Friday, i'd say he's nailed on, but the fact the above is the Saturday means i'm not 100%, but he does seem to be playing back to back nights in Feb, so hopefully he makes an appearance on the Friday or Sunday

Chase and Status are doing their own show at Milton Keynes bowl, and playing Boardmasters same weekend, so that rules them out. I'd like to see all of your list playing, but i'd be surprised if we get many unfortunately. I'd say the ones we probably have the most chance of are Orbital, Underworld and Barry Can't Swim, but I've got no info on any of them playing.

Have they been announced as an exclusive? I assumed the fact they are touring that the IOW booking made them more likely for BT

I don’t know Fred is one of them, but I’ve seen it before with a few other acts where they have a massive summer and their price is hiked and Boomtown deem it not cost effective. Fred might want to play the festival, or someone he knows might tell him how great it is, and that might make it workable, but otherwise I think Fred will be too expensive now. in terms of a name that Boomtown nearly booked before they had a “golden” summer and price skyrocketed, one of them subbed Glastonbury this summer……

This. There is a few acts that BT have been close to booking previously, that have now priced themselves out of performing, and I would think that Fred is one of those. Obviously, you can never say never, but can imagine he'll be getting paid big bucks for the foreseeable, and BT aren't really ones to do that.

Out of interest, what do you look for in a festival?

I think the biggest issue is that prior to the pandemic, the drum and bass was almost exclusively in the bowl. Now, as everything is in the bowl, you are a lot more exposed to it. There are still lots of stages that aren't exclusively drum and bass, with examples being Grand Central, Engine Room, The Vault, Zenith, Hanger 101, Tangled Roots and a few others.

It's leaked fully on Reddit 👀

You're spot on with regards to the ultimate aim. They want the line up to be a bonus, but people that go to be more about the festival rather than the line up. It's obviously to be seen if they can achieve this aim though...

Ticket sales are about the same as they normally are from what I understand. It's been a long time since the festival has completely sold out. The secret line up side of things has always been aimed more at removing the "artist politics", and this years line up is only dropping a week earlier than last years. I think they are planning to keep the line up secret, but i wouldn't be surprised if they announce some of the bigger acts going forward, as they have with The Prodigy this year.

I haven't seen the full line up yet, so can't really give you too many crumbs!

Beenie Man confirmed as playing by James Cousins (head of music) whilst doing the Housequake Playlist on BBC radio 6 music

There's a big clash at the same time which will draw people away, and Grand Central space is much bigger than you think it is. Don't get me wrong, it'll be packed, but it's big enough to cope with The Prodigy.

I had bought four tickets for me and some friends and one dropped out, so I’ve stuck mine on Twickets. Certainly isn’t listed due to any issues and can’t wait the gig on Saturday!

Last year it was the Sunday before the festival, and I think the plan is for that to happen again this year. Although a rather large announcement will drop within the next few weeks 👀