Sonic Youth

[Red_Eye_Jedi]

They have to play.. surely?

Grrr...

[folkpunk]

No it was Bob Dylans crowd in 98 I remember quite clearly - worringly. Tony Bennett played a well received and popular set and Dylan was due to go on after him. The rumour was Dylan refused to follow the well received Bennett so Sonic Youth were moved to play before Dylan. So most people were waiting for Dylan and pissed off at Sonic Youth. Then when Dylan finally came on he was not on form so Cider bus called.

[robith]

I'd have thought that most acts would feel honoured to play at Glasto TBH. I know that it's hardly an exclusive club, but it's a legendary live music event with almost unrivalled heritage. To claim that you aren't bothered because you don't get a soundcheck strikes me as petulant bordering on ridiculous.

[robith]

Nah this isn't about compromising their "art" this about them not being headliners in some capacity. Hence the "last time we played to Bob Dylan's crowd" which isn't true at all they played to Sting's crowd. Ha ha.

[sifi]

It's their choice. No need for the pitchforks "THEY SLIGHTED GLASTONBURY! GET THEM!". All they said was it's not their cup of tea any more. Chill out.

[st00ka]

Sonic Youth are amazing, but their music is quite "difficult", they have 19 albums and other than Teenage Riot no real "hits".

Edited October 28, 2009 by st00ka

[robith]

Dirty reached No. 6 in the UK album charts 100% and Youth Against Facism were both top 10 singles as well if my memory serves me correctly. Jet Set No Star top 20 in album charts, Washing Machine and A Thousand Leaves both top 40. They were probably at there most mainstream when they played Glastonbury so what exactly is difficult about their music? Nick Cave was on that day too and I can't see how his music is any more or less "difficult" than Sonic Youth.

This to me smacks of "don't you know who we are?"

[st00ka]

When they played in 1998 the types of bands that played the bigger stages of the festival were a lot different to what they are today. The types of bands that play those stages has massively changed.

Edited October 28, 2009 by st00ka

[mandypants]

Whatever their reasons, I'm still pretty gutted they aren't going to play They only ever play gigs in London when they come over so I miss them, living up in the frozen north

[Vieuphoria]

Holy shit... i never regarden as headliners before, but they would be amazing headliners. Obviously would never happen, but jeeze that would be cool.

But yeah its a shame if they dont play... i hope i get to see them one day =/

[attackofthemongs]

They would piddle all over most of the lightweight , music by numbers indie mush that so clogs up Glasto nowadays , they are that rare thing , a truly great band.

[Pilgrim S]

Nah this isn't about compromising their "art" this about them not being headliners in some capacity. Hence the "last time we played to Bob Dylan's crowd" which isn't true at all they played to Sting's crowd. Ha ha.

[st00ka]

98 was the year Bob Dylan played, not Sting.