DJL

Yeah, this.

‘I'm also not quite sure how having a white woman from an affluent background such as Taylor Swift would make the line-up more "diverse"?’ (Lost the quote somewhere) I mean, given that Emily has spoken at length about diversity of gender (though not necessarily about headliners) it clearly would but, equally clearly, not in terms of ethnicity and affluence. It’s not an easy balance to find and it won’t be achieved across 3 headliners every year but imo it’s good that it’s being discussed and whilst Emily isn’t the immediate solution I don’t think we can see her as the problem.

I’m in no way championing that it is happening but aren’t they playing along King John’s Castle in Dublin (which I think is outdoor?) a few days after the festival?

I like Kraftwerk and they clearly fit being 'electronic' as WH previous headliners often have, but they're not really a party. That said neither is Cat Stevens and he's playing what has been one of the biggest 'party' slots for most of the past decade. I'm also not sure Glastonbury has a stage/slot that fits Kraftwerk much better.

Did Dizzee get a poor crowd does anyone know? It was a safe and boring booking which went down poorly on this forum, so a good comparison with Rudimental. Just wondering if that did/would result in a small crowd.

They are a business whose model is that they have to sell out, who almost didn’t 15 years ago which they said put them in significant trouble, they had to cancel two festivals, got criticised for selling too many tickets in 2022 and when they announced this year’s line-up spoke about the current financial issues affecting them. I don’t agree they would sell out pretty much regardless - a couple of very wet years and some crowd trouble could make a big difference and some people (likely not us!) quickly start considering if they can catch big acts elsewhere.

The vast majority of parents you see at Glastonbury are giving their kids the time of their lives. Sometimes you see the kids compromising to do what the adults want to do and vice versa - all fine. In 25 years of festivals I can only think of two examples where I was worried or really felt sorry for the kids. One was young kids getting trampled on, sleeping under coats in the dark, close to the crowded front of the woodlands stage at Latitude. Another was youngish teenagers we got chatting to with their (very high) parents lateish at the Glade, parents wandered off without them and the kids clearly would have preferred they hadn’t, had no money on them and didn’t seem entirely clear on where they were camping. I think it’s a sensible rule but to be applied pragmatically. If someone is basically sober and going for a wander with their kids, keeping an eye on them, I wouldn’t judge them for that at all. Fair play to anyone who parents responsibly at Glastonbury. I separately taking the kids to another festival where I care less about the line-up and barely drink but make sure the kids have an amazing time. Glastonbury I’m not sure I have the self-control!

It’s absolutely fair to point out as part of the discourse. She made the comments ao is clearly aware of, and cares about, the issue - I’d just suggest she didn’t do it for a reason and, whilst not above criticism, she knows a lot more about running a festival than we do 🙂

I respectfully disagree - I'm not sure it's a good idea to turn Arctic Monkeys away if you have the option (when they are talking about not being able to put on the same show as last year without hiking costs more than they already have). I don't like them, won't see them and would/will watch Lizzo either way but as has been said if, you can get them, having Lizzo + Arctic Monkeys (with a great undercard of female artists) is better for the festival than just Lizzo imo.

Yeah, they do.What is relevant for deciding suitability for a headliner though, it’s very subjective.

Fair point about her arena sales, more monthly listens on spotify than GNR, though that's a flawed metric admittedly. It's quite subjective what makes a headliner but as has been said GNR + Lizzo is clearly stronger than Lizzo + another sub act (my personal preference would be to not have AM, then have Lizzo headline and add Pulp as sub but that's personal taste)

Completely agree it shows we have progressed, and also that we are not yet there. It's easy click bait to make the gender split the focus as many will either be critical they've failed or angry that it is even a discussion, unfortunately the latter still exists, whether at the festival or not. I think a significant proportion also agree with the principle but also to some degree the pragmatic choices the festival makes. I for one consider Lizzo to be one of my headliners- and she's legitimately got a bigger billing than Cat as the legend, which hasn't usually been the case in the past. Hope she gets lots of the headliner type promo in the lead-up - West Holts set on iplayer, Radio 1/2 interviews and a BBC documentary etc.

Completely agree with the above. I didn't enjoy them as much on the Park or more recently at The Warehouse Project as I did on West Holts but that may be more about me, and it being less of a novelty, as them. It may depend on who comes before or after - as has been said Young Fathers, Fred, Hot Chip and I'll add the Chems DJ on Arcadia (though I guess that is unlikely if they are playing live the night before in Finland?)... and that's a banging Friday night.

GNR Elton Candi Staton Lizzo Young Fathers Completely agree with others re lots I'd like to see but not many I have to and think it highlights the number of good repeat bookings. I don't have to see Hot Chip or The War on Drugs but I can pretty much guarantee I will love it if I do

I think they’ve evolved and personally I prefer it. West Holts is a great stage and has suited the likes of Bicep, Hot Chip, Justice etc more than any other stage would at the time. I think there are still links between stages and genres but prefer the flexibility. Some years there may be no classic Disco Funk Soul or Hip Hop West Holts headliner size acts touring, other years there may be three. Some years there may be several up and coming John Peel headliners, other years they may be suited to more prominent slots on, say, the Park and someone like Primal Scream headline a tent?

Not the most exciting of the last decade but that's mainly because of how many I have seen before (and at Glastonbury). Candi Staton and Carly Rae syand out, plus I was already excited for GnR and Lizzo. My take on the 4th headliner thing is that if you are going to claim that, Lizzo should have been the 2nd name on the poster accompanied by the statement of it being headline length. it doesn't really make any practical difference but (having done a few European fests) I don't think the last act should necessarily be the biggest anyway. I'll see both but if all goes according to plan I'll REALLY enjoy and remember Lizzo then be a mess by the time GNR are on so will care less if their bangers aren't spot on. Can't remember the last time I was so equally excited for the top two on the Pyramid tbh.

When Jungle Brothers said they were coming to the UK I was hoping for them to be on West Holts but they've since announced for Readipop in August so it's probably unlikely - shame.

This is the question thread I got advice from last Summer. Parked by the skate ramp (which has a decent view itself), followed these instructions/maps from there. We were just heading back to the car when Michael drove past and was excited to see us as we were him - all time GLastonbury highlight. Enjoy!

If the three headliners are AM, GNR and Elton then... I'd have them sub.

Yep. Them walking out and starting with that in 2011 on the Park is probably one of my favourite ever Glastonbury moments - even when you are 99% sure who a secret act is, it's still exciting when it's confirmed and after days of rain and mud, the sun just coming out. Twas good 👌

I don't know what it is about Rod Stewart but his voice is like nails on a black board to me. Hope others enjoy it though and my enjoyment of Glastonbury doesn't remotely rest on the legend slot.

I'd be all over this. No idea how big they are, West Holts 4-5pmish?

M83 are in Italy the week before and France/Spain the week after. No idea when/where they would play, headlined JP last time and don't think they've got any bigger so earlier on either Park or West Holts?

Does that rule him out (genuine question)? I thought a fair few acts did things like that over Glastonbury weekend, or is that less possible now?

I was going to disagree with the post about them all being older acts, then I realised Alex Turner was 37 and I had to have a lie down.