Alex DeLarge

I forgot about this gp, you're right. Hugo was a big step up for him artistically IMO - I wouldn't be surprised if he just goes to Glastonbury as a punter.

Nope. Despite being crap - Diana Ross could have headlined in 2022 instead of the legend. Most the acts that played are a bit cheesy/ dated but are good performers as well to singalong to. People like Dolly, Lionel, Tom Jones.

According to the West Holts leak we have Danny Brown confirmed for the farm this year. Feels like an interest booking - his album with JPEGMAFIA last year was fantastic. I can imagine we're going to get: J Hus - released an album last year, British, worked with Drake, currently going through a new wave of popularity. Afroswing influenced British hip-hop. Strandz - playing Parklife, British rapper with a 90s influence, more lyrically focused. Loyle Carner - 6music staple, played the farm loads, on tour in early July. Unknown T /D-Block Europe - fairly generic UK drill which I don't have much time for but would make sense looking at dates. I really, really am hoping for CASISDEAD - he released my album of last year. He's influenced by synth-wave and cyberpunk and the album is a loose concept based on a dystopian London. He's worked with Desire, Kyle Dixon of Stranger Things and Neil Tennant to get a darker, 80s sound. He's playing a lot of festivals around the time and it would be cool to see him. Obviously he won a BRIT last night so big things happening for CAS. Who else do we reckon? Who are you hoping for?

Amy Winehouse wasn't exactly the most original artist in the world - obviously Raye is influenced by her but she definitely has her own sound and style.

I'm mostly happy for CASISDEAD - if you're not into him, I'd definitely recommend you give his album a spin. He creates really dark, foreboding British hip-hop influenced by a lot of synth-wave stuff and Vangelis. He's worked with Desire, Neil Tennant and Kyle Dixon (Stranger Things) to create a dystopian 80s sound. His lyrics might be a little dark or too much for some which I think is fair, but he's been working on music for upwards of a decade and it's really nice for him to be recognised.

Thanks for letting me know.

Thanks for the lesson mate, had no idea. I might try turning up to a book club with the same attitude. "So, what did we think of The Catcher in the Rye?" "Load of bollocks mate, not worth your time" "Why do you think that Alex?" "I've never read it, let alone heard of it." "But J.D. Sallinger-" "WHO?!"

Wasn't referring to you CF if it seemed that way. If someone's not into SZA or don't know her work - who cares? It's the smug "I've never heard of this person, therefore they're shite" attitude which is just annoying.

I'm mainly taking the piss out of the "how can she big if I've never heard of her?" comments that add nothing to the discussion except to pretend ignorance is virtue. If SZA is announced the Neil Lonsdale's of the world will whinge until June so I'm sure they can take a bit of light ribbing.

It's going to be embarrassing for Emily when the field is completely empty because she didn't pay attention to 6music dad's posting "who?" SZA will try and get a sing-along going, but there will only be about twenty of us there.

It's the problem we hate with music these day Gonzo. We used to have squeaky clean lads like Led Zeppelin.

Because she already smashed it before she became insufferable.

" "SZA? Never heard of her mate. Load of old bollocks. Why don't they get someone really talented like The Levellers? Or if they're feeling more contemporary - maybe Orbital?"

SZA would be a great booking. Would also be the youngest Pyramid crowd in some time.

You'll be happy to know she's not headlining then.

Just get Dave.

Don't put a flag in front of a camera you wally. Otherwise they're fine. I've said this once or twice but people having massive piles of bags and stuff is a lot worse.

Such bollocks this. For one, (as you said) Future Islands are in America over Glastonbury weekend.

Cochella W1 has taken a few weeks to sell out. The line-up is considered very week this year.

It's been a few weeks, but I gave the new Lyrical Lemonade album a few spins. Some of the most generic production you could hope to hear. They're a production and music video company who basically do DJ Khaled collaborations with others. Some artists featured: Eminem, JID, Kid Cudi, Lil Durk, Chief Keef, Latto, Swae Lee, Joey Bada$$, Lil Yachty and Denzel Curry. This clean, TikTok friendly sound that sands down everything that makes those artists interesting on their own let the whole record down. The best tracks are the Juice WRLD (RIP) and Cordae collaboration which came out a few years ago, and Dave's track with Jack Harlow. Dave destroys Jack Harlow on this which is fine - it's just cool to hear more British hip-hop get attention stateside. If you're a hip-hop head you may enjoy this:

Shrinking a little. You have artists like Elton/ The Stones that are one and done. Fleetwood Mac/ Black Sabbath/ Bowie that are either breaking up or sadly passing on. It's part of the reason Reading and Leeds went to two headliners. It's easier to sell two slightly smaller headliners as "co-headlining". Then again - go back to 2019 (five years ago): Olivia Rodrigo was on High School Musical on Disney+, Sam Fender was playing academies, Fred Again.. hadn't released his debut album and was producing for Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat was a meme rapper, Lewis Capaldi, Dave, Lizzo and Billie Eilish had all not released their debut albums. Now they'd all be headlining or sub-headlining the festival.

Yes I'm joking. There's nothing worse than a band you love dying on their arse because no-one cares. The Pyramid is always going to book massive artists to headline - that's just the way it is. It would be daft to push artists who aren't ready and aren't going to command a crowd there.

I personally would much rather my favourite bands play to a half-full, disinterested Pyramid crowd than to their fans who are engaged with the performance on a smaller stage.

They're the definition of a cult band though. I love Young Fathers but there's probably less hype behind them then there was 7-8 years ago after their Mercury prize win.

He's headlining R+L this year. Got one of the biggest crowds at Glastonbury last year and was all over the coverage. He's massive.