20 replies to this topic

[Delicate Balance]

I’ve been having a think about potential headliners for 2012 and the next few years. I know some members here think the long term predictions are pointless, and if that includes you reading this now then this probably isn’t a thread for you so go ahead and click the back button on your browser now.

Obviously there are the same predictions that get trotted out every year like Foo Fighters, Green Day etc and while one of these may well end up being correct I’m not really interested in that.

I’m more interested in potential up and coming headliners. I saw an interesting post by Neil re whether My Chemical Romance should be headlining where he talked about Reading wanting to be seen as progressive and that is what really got me thinking.

I think Reading’s clientele is probably one of (if not the) youngest of the major UK festivals. I think I’m quite typical in that at my first Reading (2006), I was 16 and just coming off the back of finishing my GCSEs. Last year I was 20 and almost felt like I was too old to be there, looking at the majority of people around me. I don’t want to overstate the point as obviously there are older people in attendance too but I don’t think many other festivals have such a young demographic.

A lot of this is down to the booking of bands, the festival likes to go for what is new and fresh, not only in the undercard but also for the headliners and this fits in with its target audience. Obviously you get classic acts thrown in like Pearl Jam, the Pumpkins, Rage, Blink etc but every year since I have been going there has been one band that was at least somewhat new to headlining.

Another pattern I have noticed about these headliners is they have tended to have played a significant slot at the festival in the preceding 3 years:

Franz Ferdinand (2006 Headliner) – Had played 4th from top main stage 2004
Razorlight (2007 Headliner) – Had played 3rd from top main stage 2005
The Killers (2008 Headliner) – Had played 2nd from top main stage 2005
Kings of Leon (2009 Headliner) – Had played 2nd from top main stage 2007 and 2005
Arctic Monkeys (2009 Headliner) – Had played 2nd from top main stage 2006
Arcade Fire (2010 Headliner) – Had played 2nd from top main stage 2007
My Chemical Romance (2011 Headliner) – Had played 3rd from top main stage 2006

I realise MCR don’t quite fit the pattern due to the longer gap between appearances, but I think the 3 year thing is slightly coincidental. More important than having played the festival recently is that all these bands were either brand new or new within the last year or so to headlining major festivals.

Whilst these choices are often controversial due to being new, as people question whether they are ready/ capable of headlining, they keep young festival goers coming to Reading. Rather than some festivals constantly recycling the same choices, at least FR are trying to keep the headlining scene fresh even if we don’t always agree with the choices.

Long post I know and I realise my point was rather convoluted and I probably could have made it a lot quicker but what can you do. I was really just hoping to speculate over which bands could be pushed up into headlining for the next 3 years. The evidence suggests it is likely they will have played recently already but this is by no means certain. Some that have played the festival recently.

Queens of the Stone Age: Have subbed very capably twice now and always go down well at the festival. Not sure what Josh’s plans with TCV are but one well more solid album good perhaps propel them to the top

Bloc Party: Another Reading regular and I saw the issue of them perhaps headlining discussed in another thread. I’m a big fan but don’t see it personally. Another effort as well received as Silent Alarm though could do the trick though.

Paramore: Not really my thing and was amazed to see them as high up as they were last year. They seem very popular though and if they can make it up to subbing so soon, you never know.

Biffy Clyro: Another one I’ve never really got into myself but have friends who have been raving about them for years now I think. Headlining Sonisphere I think so could easily make the step up.

Dizzee Rascal: Massively popular whenever I’ve seen him at Reading so headlining one day might not be that much of a push. Organisers might be a little wary of pushing a hip-hop act to the very top of the bill though.

Sorry again for the excessively long post but any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Edited by Delicate Balance, 22 March 2011 - 12:06 AM.

[lharris92]

out of the lot i think it will be Bloc Party just for the reason that they will probably have a new album out in 2012 and that will "justify" the move to make them headliners especially when they come back from hiatus

[JWC126]

I think they're all good shouts to headline. Dizzee is like one of three HipHop acts I'd actually take as a headliner. Lostprophets are one great album away from a jump to headliner I think.

[Buko]

Biffy Clyro are defiantly a headliner of the future.

[Delicate Balance]

lharris92, on 22 March 2011 - 12:16 AM, said:

out of the lot i think it will be Bloc Party just for the reason that they will probably have a new album out in 2012 and that will "justify" the move to make them headliners especially when they come back from hiatus

I'd be happy with Bloc Party personally, especially with them potentially having 4 albums worth of material to choose from. Just not sure they would be able to create enough of a buzz to headline. I quite liked AWITC and Intimacy myself but I think its fair to say there has a been a general decline in both quality anc commercial success since Silent Alarm that they would need to reverse with album 4 in order to headline.

JWC126, on 22 March 2011 - 12:16 AM, said:

I think they're all good shouts to headline. Dizzee is like one of three HipHop acts I'd actually take as a headliner. Lostprophets are one great album away from a jump to headliner I think.

I think Dizzee headlining would be great, has a lot of huge tunes to choose from now and the showman in him would really come out with a big slot. I'm guessing Em and Jay-Z for the other 2? If so I think I would probably agree.

Lostprophets seems to have been hovering about the top of the lineup for a while now but the recent placing suggest they're going backwards in terms of populairty since they managed to headline Download. Not really followed them much myself though so not too sure really.

Buko, on 22 March 2011 - 12:19 AM, said:

Biffy Clyro are defiantly a headliner of the future.

I was a bit sceptical when I put them down but thinking about it some more it does look quite likely. They've been building up a fan base gradually and already reached a stage where they are headlining Sonisphere which is no mean feat I guess. On that note, anyone think Slipknot are big enough to headline Reading?



Anyone else got any other shouts?

[lharris92]

slipknot could if they continue but who knows... we will have to see what the future holds for them

[rbranigan]

I've posted this before but it also interesting to look at the age of the band



My Chemical Romance - 10yrs
Strokes 13yrs (Pulp 23) - 18yrs
Muse 17yrs

Avg: 15yrs

Arcade Fire - 7yrs
Blink182 - 18yrs
Guns N Roses - 25yrs

Avg: 16yrs

Radiohead - 24yrs
Arctic Monkeys - 7yrs
Kings of Leon - 10yrs

Avg: 14yrs

Rage - 17yrs
Killers - 7yrs
Metallica - 27yrs

Avg: 17yrs

Razorlight - 5yrs
RHCP - 24yrs
Smashing Pumpkins - 19yrs

Avg: 16yrs

Franz Ferdinand - 4yrs
Muse - 12yrs
Pearl jam - 16yrs

Avg: 11yrs (Young year?)

Pixies - 19yrs
Foo Fighters - 10yrs
Iron Maiden - 30yrs

Avg: 20yrs (Old year?)




Its interesting to see that there is almost always a band ~5yrs old, a band ~15yrs old, and a band ~25 yrs old (Or more like 10, 15, 20 in some cases)

The question for the future is finding these new bands, but in general, bands aren't reaching super-status like many bands used to. Had you asked me a few years ago who might be headlining in a few years time, based on up and coming bands, I would have said MGMT or Vampire Weekend, or Gaslight Anthem, but bands have so much more competition these days that they don't get a break that they need to make it big.

[VCK]

Can't see QOTSA headlining, although I'd love it.

[Matticus]

Future headliners if they continue to see the growth theyve had will be

Biffy Clyro
Vampire Weekend
Bloc Party
Elbow
30 Seconds To Mars
Pendulum

[JWC126]

lharris92, on 22 March 2011 - 12:57 AM, said:

slipknot could if they continue but who knows... we will have to see what the future holds for them

I think it'd be hard for them to make the jump without them making another album.

[Cydonia_90]

VCK, on 22 March 2011 - 01:41 AM, said:

Can't see QOTSA headlining, although I'd love it.

Would love to see QOTSA headlining.
Can definitely see Biffy headlining either next year or 2013. Same goes with Bloc Party.

[Andiee]

I'd personally love having at least one "fresh" headliner each year... i think its exciting to see whether new headliners can "make it or break it" as established headliners...
In the next few years id love to see these band s possibly headline... (yes i know not everyone will agree... but no one ever does with headliners)
- Slipknot
- Lostprophets (depending on next album & tour)
- Biffy Clyro
- Paramore
- Bloc Party

[hazzamid11]

I think it depends upon the festival. Bloc Party for r/l headliner. Biffy for TITP headliner. Possibly Elbow off the back of a new album for Glastonbury headliner. All of these bands suit the festivals so could headline possibly. Also if there is a new album, could anyone see Jack White making a headline appearance with The Racontuers?

[danvb]

for next years headliners i would expect these to be considered :

Blur,
Kasabian,
R.E.M,
Pixies,
Foo Fighters,
Iron Maiden,
greenday,
the darkness,
daft punk,
the cure,
noel gallagher,

BLUR-KASABIAN-FOO FIGHTERS-IRON MAIDEN- would be my choices for next year,with some of the above as special guest 2nd headliners.

i think the fest does need to try harder to book bands that havent appeared at all befor/not much/or not in a long time at  reading/leeds.

I would have these as some of next years possible main stage bands/a fair few of these added to this years line up:

mars volta,
wolfmother,
the darkness
,the coral
,rancid,
iggy pop,
less than jake,
gomez,
beastie boys,
suede,
billy bragg,
the kooks,
flogging molly,
east star all stars,
the specials.

[chappiepunk]

Noel Gallagher to headline? No chance, never going to pull a big enough crowd to headline.

[rexclark]

chappiepunk, on 23 March 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:

Noel Gallagher to headline? No chance, never going to pull a big enough crowd to headline.

Wow, that must be a great Crystal Ball you've got!

I agree that Noel gallacher can't just headline on his name alone but you can't dismiss him headlining in the future.

[chappiepunk]

rexclark, on 23 March 2011 - 08:21 PM, said:

Wow, that must be a great Crystal Ball you've got!

I agree that Noel gallacher can't just headline on his name alone but you can't dismiss him headlining in the future.

Well clearly its my own opinion, but a very good one I think.

[jump]

danvb, on 23 March 2011 - 07:09 PM, said:

for next years headliners i would expect these to be considered :

Blur,
Kasabian,
R.E.M,
Pixies,
Foo Fighters,
Iron Maiden,
greenday,
the darkness,
daft punk,
the cure,
noel gallagher,

BLUR-KASABIAN-FOO FIGHTERS-IRON MAIDEN- would be my choices for next year,with some of the above as special guest 2nd headliners.

i think the fest does need to try harder to book bands that havent appeared at all befor/not much/or not in a long time at  reading/leeds.

I would have these as some of next years possible main stage bands/a fair few of these added to this years line up:

mars volta,
wolfmother,
the darkness
,the coral
,rancid,
iggy pop,
less than jake,
gomez,
beastie boys,
suede,
billy bragg,
the kooks,
flogging molly,
east star all stars,
the specials.

R.E.M,
Pixies,
Iron Maiden,
the darkness,
the cure,
noel gallagher,

I don't think there's a chance in hell any of that lot will headline next year and I have doubts about Daft Punk too but maybe with people being taling about them this year FR will consider it but unlikely.

[danvb]

yeah,noel would be a suprise headliner for next year at the moment,but who knows,he might come out with a great solo album,and he will play oasis's best songs,im sure more than enough people would come to see that!,and i didnt say main stage or any stage,who knows ,if his solo albums not great he could possibly be NME headliner!.

I think some of those i mentioned are pretty unlikely,but possible!. Iron maiden and the darkness are fairly likely,the darkness have headlined before,and melvin loves his reformed bands!.

[Benj]

Delicate Balance, on 22 March 2011 - 12:05 AM, said:

I’ve been having a think about potential headliners for 2012 and the next few years. I know some members here think the long term predictions are pointless, and if that includes you reading this now then this probably isn’t a thread for you so go ahead and click the back button on your browser now.

Obviously there are the same predictions that get trotted out every year like Foo Fighters, Green Day etc and while one of these may well end up being correct I’m not really interested in that.

I’m more interested in potential up and coming headliners. I saw an interesting post by Neil re whether My Chemical Romance should be headlining where he talked about Reading wanting to be seen as progressive and that is what really got me thinking.

I think Reading’s clientele is probably one of (if not the) youngest of the major UK festivals. I think I’m quite typical in that at my first Reading (2006), I was 16 and just coming off the back of finishing my GCSEs. Last year I was 20 and almost felt like I was too old to be there, looking at the majority of people around me. I don’t want to overstate the point as obviously there are older people in attendance too but I don’t think many other festivals have such a young demographic.

A lot of this is down to the booking of bands, the festival likes to go for what is new and fresh, not only in the undercard but also for the headliners and this fits in with its target audience. Obviously you get classic acts thrown in like Pearl Jam, the Pumpkins, Rage, Blink etc but every year since I have been going there has been one band that was at least somewhat new to headlining.

Another pattern I have noticed about these headliners is they have tended to have played a significant slot at the festival in the preceding 3 years:

Franz Ferdinand (2006 Headliner) – Had played 4th from top main stage 2004
Razorlight (2007 Headliner) – Had played 3rd from top main stage 2005
The Killers (2008 Headliner) – Had played 2nd from top main stage 2005
Kings of Leon (2009 Headliner) – Had played 2nd from top main stage 2007 and 2005
Arctic Monkeys (2009 Headliner) – Had played 2nd from top main stage 2006
Arcade Fire (2010 Headliner) – Had played 2nd from top main stage 2007
My Chemical Romance (2011 Headliner) – Had played 3rd from top main stage 2006

I realise MCR don’t quite fit the pattern due to the longer gap between appearances, but I think the 3 year thing is slightly coincidental. More important than having played the festival recently is that all these bands were either brand new or new within the last year or so to headlining major festivals.

Whilst these choices are often controversial due to being new, as people question whether they are ready/ capable of headlining, they keep young festival goers coming to Reading. Rather than some festivals constantly recycling the same choices, at least FR are trying to keep the headlining scene fresh even if we don’t always agree with the choices.

Long post I know and I realise my point was rather convoluted and I probably could have made it a lot quicker but what can you do. I was really just hoping to speculate over which bands could be pushed up into headlining for the next 3 years. The evidence suggests it is likely they will have played recently already but this is by no means certain. Some that have played the festival recently.

Queens of the Stone Age: Have subbed very capably twice now and always go down well at the festival. Not sure what Josh’s plans with TCV are but one well more solid album good perhaps propel them to the top

Bloc Party: Another Reading regular and I saw the issue of them perhaps headlining discussed in another thread. I’m a big fan but don’t see it personally. Another effort as well received as Silent Alarm though could do the trick though.

Paramore: Not really my thing and was amazed to see them as high up as they were last year. They seem very popular though and if they can make it up to subbing so soon, you never know.

Biffy Clyro: Another one I’ve never really got into myself but have friends who have been raving about them for years now I think. Headlining Sonisphere I think so could easily make the step up.

Dizzee Rascal: Massively popular whenever I’ve seen him at Reading so headlining one day might not be that much of a push. Organisers might be a little wary of pushing a hip-hop act to the very top of the bill though.

Sorry again for the excessively long post but any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Great post.

Personally I think MCR are a great choice of headliner and exactly what Reading should be about

Mist of the moans on here seem to be coming from old(er) heads, who have been to 3-4-5 Readings and don't like how the lineup is forming these days. Things move on, they're no longer the target demographic, the kid they were when they first came in 06, 07 is

You get people moaning about having the same old shit on the bill, then moaning about MCR headlining, instead of the Prodigy, or some other long established act that has been doing the rounds for years. Yes there should be a place for these acts, it needs to be alongside the new generation of acts though, as when you're 28 hoping for a promotion at work as your first kid is on the way, not thinking about festivals, they'll still be a 16 year old kid mega excited about his first

Re the bands you mention, bar QOTSA, I can see them all headlining and being worthy of it over the next few years