Daily Star reports...

[Mike Patton]

I know they're popular & have racked up the ticket sales, but this years supposed headliner's just don't seem to have that 'wow appeal' that last years did. Greenday would be worth a watch, but Arctic Monkeys & KOL have toured the f**k out of the UK, this appearance would follow on from the KOL 2nd arena tour of their last album. Last year the RATM reunion was pretty special & Metallica hadn't played in ages. Same applies to previous years with Pearl Jam, Pixies & The Pumpkins...this years lot just seem a tad underwhelming.

[Mike Patton]

I do have a sneaky feeling that Faith No More may well be the second to last band on the Sunday though, which will mean a day ticket just for that...if it is the case.

[Mike Patton]

Not entirely. We've been waiting for a Green Day comeback for years. And this could be KOL's defining show.

[Mike Patton]

2010? If I'm a good boy hopefully we'll get Blur AND The Stone Roses.

As for Pixies. Not the biggest headliner Reading/Leeds has had but the fact that they're one of the three most influential Indie bands ever (other two being Smiths and Stone Roses) and Reading/Leeds is pretty affiliated with the Indie scene, it'd make sense to for them to headline. And also maybe they couldn't find anyone that year to fit typical Friday headline criteria.

[thomasowen]

I agree mate.

Kings of Leon have turned into a pop group. They weren't great before, but their new album is a total sellout.

Arctic Monkeys have always been a pop group, whether they or sections of their fans like it or not, and don't excite me.

Green Day play the same show every time they play at Reading and I don't need to see them do it for a third time.

[VCK]

"we"..?

Speak for yourself mate! I wasn't fussed by them in 2001 or 2004.

[theramm]

I really like KOL, but what makes you hink this could be their 'defining show' ahead of their Glasto spot or any of their other numerous arena shows? Arctic Monkeys have played every Academy, Apollo, Arena & festival pretty muc hin the UK several times so the fact they've had 12 months off is hardly a cause for excitement. I just think that a festival headliner should be someone special who you don't get a chance to see on a regular basis.

[VCK]

I really like KOL, but what makes you hink this could be their 'defining show' ahead of their Glasto spot or any of their other numerous arena shows? Arctic Monkeys have played every Academy, Apollo, Arena & festival pretty muc hin the UK several times so the fact they've had 12 months off is hardly a cause for excitement. I just think that a festival headliner should be someone special who you don't get a chance to see on a regular basis.

Edited January 27, 2009 by VCK

[theramm]

They headlined Glasto last year & were good but pretty forgettable. Based on your logic, anyone who hasn't headlined Reading before is a worthy headliner purely because it 'might' be a special performance?

[VCK]

They headlined Glasto last year & were good but pretty forgettable. Based on your logic, anyone who hasn't headlined Reading before is a worthy headliner purely because it 'might' be a special performance?

[theramm]

I wasn't aware anything special was going on with them at the moment apart from touring the shit out of the new album. I don't doubt that headlining a festival would be special for any band....it's how special it is for the audience that concerns me.

[Mike Patton]

Your talking about pop as if its a bad thing. Some of the greatest bands of all time are pop. KOL are not sell outs, that is how cheap journalists have described their new album. It has been a natural progression over 4 albums, and touring with u2 has rubbed of on them.

Edited January 27, 2009 by Mike Patton

[Mike Patton]

What makes you think it couldn't be? It could well be because it would be their first UK headlining slot after their massive breakthrough. Nirvana '92 anyone?

And surely seeing Green Day in the past three years would be a rarity?

[Mike Patton]

Alright, chill. I said "we" meaning a lot of people, including myself and, I'm sure, a lot of people on here.

If it would sell tickets, which it will. Especially if Squire and Reni are on board.

[deegs]

The Roses ever playing Leeds/Reading would be a waste with the youth of today that go to Leeds/Reading. They'd be much better at Glastonbury, or maybe even V.

Not that it's ever going to happen!

[ste4_20]

Pixies aren't a large band, but there was enough hype around them then to headline. If the cure had been away for that long then maybe they could headline, but at the moment they really aren't 'big' enough (I'm talking album sales and ticket sales) compared to the average headliner. I know they sell a fair amount of tickets but not necersarily to a reading leeds audience.

[Mike Patton]

The Roses ever playing Leeds/Reading would be a waste with the youth of today that go to Leeds/Reading. They'd be much better at Glastonbury, or maybe even V.

Not that it's ever going to happen!

[Mike Patton]

Pixies were heavily hyped by NME at the beginning of their reunion, that sparked a lot of it.

If the same thing happens to The Cure, don't bet against them headlining, especially if they're struggling for headliners now GD aren't doing it.

*Should point out I'm still very much hoping, rather than expecting The Cure to play.

[deegs]

Do we take from this that you think V and Glastonbury's main stages have a more discerning crowd than the main stage at Reading..?

[Chavmeisterdeluxe]

What makes you think Green Day aren't headlining?

The Cure, although worthy, are not really big enough to headline the main stage at Reading. In fact, I would rule any possibility of it happening out altogether.

Perhaps they could headline the NME tent...but that'd be all the headlining they would be doing.

[thomasowen]

No, I don't agree.

They have moved away from their roots and original style, which was decent enough, but they are now squarely in the mainstream pop market. The term 'pop' doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, but when a band shifts from what got them going in the first place to a generic and bland pop sound, it's quite disappointing.

Edited January 27, 2009 by thomasowen

[ste4_20]

What makes you think Green Day aren't headlining?

The Cure, although worthy, are not really big enough to headline the main stage at Reading. In fact, I would rule any possibility of it happening out altogether.

Perhaps they could headline the NME tent...but that'd be all the headlining they would be doing.

[eFestivals]

American idiot was a triumph and arguably the greatest punk album since London's calling.

COMEDY GENIUS

Stadium Arcadium by the Chili Peppers was a little bland but easily their most acomplished album to date with both music and lyrics.

and again - COMEDY GENIUS

[thomasowen]

and again - COMEDY GENIUS laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif

Edited January 27, 2009 by thomasowen

[eFestivals]

In RHCP's case I dont see how you could argue differently. In terms of Lyrics it's an unquestionable step up, and they have become some of the best players in 'stadium music' again unquestionably. I dont see how my opinion of it being 'their most acomplished album' is 'comedy genius'. I didn't know I was that funny.

American Idiot was a massive departure from Greendays typical sound, and it was brilliantly recieved. Whilst I say its arguable to say its the best punk album since london's calling, I cant even think of a 21st century punk album that comes close.

how can anyone give RHCP's lyrics (from any album) any praise? There's deeper nursery rhymes.

And I'd forgotten that London Calling was released in 1999.