kingcrawler

I would swap Harry Styles and The War on Drugs. Obviously Harry Styles is bigger I think he’d fit much better as a Sunday Pyramid act. The War on Drugs in between Diana Ross and Alicia Keys would be a real mood killer and they fit much better as one of the smaller, critically acclaimed subs they usually have (The National, Tame Impala, Beck etc). A decent dad rock replacement for Noel too.

Someone posted a couple of months ago saying they’d heard Dua Lipa is headlining. She would make a lot of sense as a backup to Taylor Swift.

I think there’s still two headliners to be announced so I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re waiting on her to announce all her dates at once.

New acts announced for Mad Cool. Haim seemed nailed on to return but hoping for The War on Drugs, Sylvan Esso, Phoebe Bridgers and Gang of Youths too. Also that’s the first time I’ve seen Reignwolf’s name since his 2014 JP set which was great, would happily have him back.

I’m looking forward to @eastynh’s reaction to that lineup.

Reissues for the first two albums and most importantly the Cherry Tree EP, in fancy colours if you’re part of the fan club.

I agree on Tame Impala and Idles but I was surprised how much I enjoyed The Strokes album. Admittedly I went in with low expectations but I think it’s easily their best since Room On Fire and it’ll probably make my top 10. I really like the Haim album too, though it’s definitely stronger if you consider the bonus tracks as part of the album.

This is a couple of months old but one music promoter was aiming for 8th April. That still feels slightly ambitious to me just now but if everything goes to plan that might just work out perfectly.

I think this is an interesting point. I’m not really one for big crowds or events anyway, though music festivals and gigs have always been an exception, but I’ve become so used to not being around many people and social distancing that being in amongst thousands of people again will feel really strange. It certainly won’t affect my summer plans (Primavera and Glastonbury) if they can happen but I think going from a year of isolation and lockdowns to a normal summer would be a struggle for some people.

It was originally meant to be that July/August weekend this year so I’m surprised CHVRCHES have dropped out. As you say, potentially busy with their own stuff. Kraftwerk playing five minutes down the road from me is wild though, I’m all for it. Yeah Friday-Sunday headliners in that order. There’s no camping and it’s 15-20 minutes or so outside the city centre but plenty of transport links.

Should live albums count for AOTY lists?

Definitely one that I think you'll enjoy. I really liked it when it was released then forgot all about it until I revisited it last week but it's a great album. Reminds me a lot of DIIV's last album.

She’s got a new EP with orchestral versions of four songs from Punisher out later this month. There’s a preorder for the vinyl on Rough Trade if anyone’s interested, limited to 1500 copies.