John L

Plus undercard details. Happy I’m there on the Friday with Cat Power and The Murder Capital amongst the support.

I’ve re-listened to the radio interview. Re the Friday he says -“there’s still a lot of acts to come. I think it might be a sell-out” so I’m not convinced it’ll be one massive name in that slot. Looking at the Superstruct Fests and who’s around my guess is still Shed Seven for that slot.

Jungle have previously been announced for 30 July

Too many Festivals over that Bank Holiday weekend. You have the majors Reading/Leeds APE and Victorious and several similar to this like Camper Calling.

Quite unusual I’d say, especially towards the top of the bill.

Capaldi, Flo and Foals are my guesses. Think that would look pretty strong to most?

Maybe add Idles as a possible. Can’t see how anyone can play third down and sell out all the tickets!

Are we sure the Castle headliners are not already announced? I could see The Wombats headlining against Nutini?

The move to August hasn’t helped IMO. Plenty of other options. I’m a Nick Cave fan but I’m off to Victorious instead which has a jam packed line up for my tastes. As said at the time you could make a good three day festival out of APE’s six dates. I reckon they think Londoners will just go for a day out almost irrespective of line up.

I think this is the most likely outcome. They are at Camper Calling that weekend with James so very much in the frame. Kaiser Chiefs would be my second guess. They’re also around. Not a fan personally but they seem to still retain some popularity. Agree that wouldn’t leave much for the yoof on the Friday but as I’m old I don’t really care 😂

Jamie T is “back in the game” but more likely to pop up at Reading/Leeds I reckon.

Boom! Suede playing Common Stage before Fender at 8pm. Perfect for me!

Tickets lifted, accommodation sorted, genuinely buzzing for this. Top line-up for me.

Think The Wombats will headline Castle against Nutini, which would make sense. Hope NBT are against Fender but I’ve got a horrible feeling it will be Suede which would be a nightmare for me.

Line up looks massive now TBF. That Sunday is great for me. Hoping Suede won’t clash with Fender.

If that’s true then I’m now in. Funny old game.

Was thinking maybe The Libertines as a “special guest”

Groan. What a disappointment that is. Looks like Nick Cave and maybe The National at APE for me then.

Aren’t Snow Patrol Irish? I’ll go for Biffy. There were some rumours of a “heavier” band ages ago and (prepares for abuse) I don’t think Gerry is big enough to headline a Festival of this size in England.

Think Cave is unlikely (sadly). He’s playing Rock en Seine and All Points East that weekend and three gigs in a row might be too much although technically he could play Saturday. Gorillaz are playing APE/Field Day so don’t know if that rules them out or not.

This Festival looks to have a bigger capacity than Boardmasters so I don’t think that’s impossible. I never said Foals weren’t big enough enough to headline, in fact I suggested them as possible headliners! As for Fender, I’m not disputing his current popularity but different festivals cater for different audiences and this Festival tends to have well established headliners. That said, if Fender was to headline, I think it would go down well.

Fender certain to be there but not sure he’d headline this yet. Maybe a co-headline with George Ezra. Think Foals a shout for other headline slot (Florence for Latitude perhaps) and agree Shed Seven and BBC (castle headline?) are likely to be there.

Unless they’ve been allowed more shows as a result of the cancelled years.

I know not all tickets sold are adult but as an example. £ 210 ticket price 5pc VAT is £ 10 a ticket at 20 pc is £ 35 a ticket. Difference of £25 a ticket at 25000 capacity = £ 625 000 more in their pocket. It’s a no brainer to do it this way. Unfortunately I think we could see quite big price increases next year in all Festivals.