Headliners?

[whatmidlifecrisis?]

Freinds of mine went to see her recently (O2 I think) and are both fans (ish). They walked out halfway through as she was awful.

It is an odd choice (if it comes to pass) to close the festival for two years and taking a straw poll amongst friends indications are that the Pyramid field may be the emptiest it has ever been for the last act.

But hey, this is the best Festival in the world by a mile and one act will never make or break it. Now put the Fun Lovin' Criminals on Holts up against her and I'll be happy. Actually I'll be happy anyway - it's Glastonbury.

[swede]

The Stones have made their money (mainly) from music though. The tax dodging etc is protecting what they’ve already earned. U2 do it too.

In fairness to the Stones, they don’t give a shit and they’ve never claimed to give a shit. They’ve never claimed to be nice.

[The Nal]

I heard Geldof and Bono say before that they asked the Stones to play Live 8 and they turned it down. No reason, they just didn’t want to do it. Couldn’t be arsed.

You have to respect that in a way!

[Guest blackcockerel]

Still not as baffling as Skunk Anansie headlining last in 99!

[MEGABOWL]

Freinds of mine went to see her recently (O2 I think) and are both fans (ish). They walked out halfway through as she was awful.

It is an odd choice (if it comes to pass) to close the festival for two years and taking a straw poll amongst friends indications are that the Pyramid field may be the emptiest it has ever been for the last act.

But hey, this is the best Festival in the world by a mile and one act will never make or break it. Now put the Fun Lovin' Criminals on Holts up against her and I'll be happy. Actually I'll be happy anyway - it's Glastonbury.

[MEGABOWL]

I heard Geldof and Bono say before that they asked the Stones to play Live 8 and they turned it down. No reason, they just didn’t want to do it. Couldn’t be arsed.

You have to respect that in a way!

[mr flow]

Freinds of mine went to see her recently (O2 I think) and are both fans (ish). They walked out halfway through as she was awful.

[The Nal]

That's quality. Also, to be fair to Mick, could he do any more for charity than that cover of 'Dancing In The Street' where he and Bowie try to out-flounce each other on the video?

[In transit]

It is an odd choice (if it comes to pass) to close the festival for two years and taking a straw poll amongst friends indications are that the Pyramid field may be the emptiest it has ever been for the last act.

[The Nal]

Completely agree with the first part of that - even Coldplay Sunday would be better.

Think you're wrong on the Pyramid field though. Check out the crowds that swarm there for the Scissor Sisters and the other pop acts. It will be packed enough.

[whatmidlifecrisis?]

Completely agree with the first part of that - even Coldplay Sunday would be better.

Think you're wrong on the Pyramid field though. Check out the crowds that swarm there for the Scissor Sisters and the other pop acts. It will be packed enough.

[eFestivals]

I can't see it being that empty. Not judging by the size of the crowds for the likes of Dizzee, Lily Allen, Scissor Sisters and Shakira.

Every year there's the same old arguments, yet every year acts like these pull in HUGE audiences at Glasto.

I sometimes wonder if people walk around with their eyes shut.

[ICGenie]

I also think citing Doherty's drug use or supermodel girlfriend (and hence his celebrity status) as an anti-Libertines argument is completely irrelevant and pointless.

[robith]

Every year there's the same old arguments, yet every year acts like these pull in HUGE audiences at Glasto.

I sometimes wonder if people walk around with their eyes shut.

[bluejeans10]

Only as irrelevant and pointless as using Beyonce's cosmetics deal and clothing line

Edited February 10, 2011 by bluejeans10

[happinessisawarmgun]

Only as irrelevant and pointless as using Beyonce's cosmetics deal and clothing line

[The Nal]

I sometimes wonder if people walk around with their eyes shut.

[eFestivals]

Florence and the Antagonising Voice

PMSL

[cortezuk]

I love how this debate rages time and time again- that this act isn't big enough, or too mainstream, or criticised for being million sellers, or not hip enough! Glastonbury 'needs' memorable headline performers - its what keeps the festival at the very top and what gets shown time and time again on television. But being great or the current 'in' band does not make a memorable headline performance. I have seen too many 'great' bands turn up and just perform their act as if that is whats makes it into the annals of history of Glastonbury. To be a memorable performance there has to be a connection, a performance that grabs the moment and where there is a clear relationship between act, audience and the festival.

Think last year of how Damon by his own admission got Gorillaz performance wrong by alienating the crowd - nothing wrong with the performance but not going to go down in Glastonbury history. Or Muse who were musically perfect but a show lacking in emotion. Now compare with Blur in 2009 (which I tragically decided to miss - for Gong?) and see how the moment and the crowd's reaction and the passion of Damon made that a truely memorable headline set. I am a huge Neil Young fan but he didn't nail it - the reviews were excellent (he is a class performer after all) but the performance did not grasp the moment at all. Why is Radiohead's 1997 headline slot more memorable than their (instantly forgettable) 2003 one? The answer is simple - given the unexpected opportunity to grab the moment they took it with passion and determination whilst the on-stage sound problems created an edge and a conection between the audience and the band. Being the band of the moment isn't the issue its about what the act puts into the performance and how much they want it to be remembered. Bowie did it whilst Oasis showed utter contempt for the festival and refused to talk to the crowd. Its why Arcade Fire shouldn't headline yet (their last appearance showed a dislike of the festival and failed to grab the crowd) but why despite the sneers Take That could provide a memorable headline slot!

So to this year. U2 have not played a UK festival for god knows how long (remember seeing them at Rock on the Tyne!), they have a real sense of the occasion (Live Aid, Red Rocks) and remember the audience reaction when The Edge walked onto Muse's set - the ingredients are there for something special. Coldplay are not everyone's cup of tea but they love the festival, know how to involve an audience and how to construct a set-list to build and hold the connection. I never listen to Coldplay albums but do listen to the bootlegs of their 2000, 2002 and 2005 performances - they are powerful stuff. I decided not to watch 2005 and went to see Robert Plant but after 15 minutes of disappointment returned to the Pyramid and I am glad I did - the banter, sing-alongs and Kylie tribute made it a memorable headline performance. From that early afternoon Other Stage slot they just got it. Beyonce is not my cup of tea but then again neither was Jay-Z and i got something from that one too!

Not the edgiest of acts but acts who could provide Glastonbury 2011 with some memorable headline performances - we have a role in making Glastonbury history - sometimes see the ingredients and potentially allow yourself when you are as old as I am to say "i was there when...! Damm i wish I had listened to myself for Blur!!

[zahidf]

Hahaha, yeah, totally ^this.

Creepiest experience last year was cutting across the Pyramid field before Dizzee Rascal and it was deserted. I mean properly, properly empty. An eerie ghost town of rubbish and paper cups.

We were cutting to West Holts to get dinner before the double whammy of Hot Chip and Flaming Lips. It was then we discovered as we got caught in the middle of it, that the ENTIRE pyramid field had decamped to the Other for Florence and the Antagonising Voice and was stampeding back for Dizzee

[Guest blackcockerel]

I love how this debate rages time and time again- that this act isn't big enough, or too mainstream, or criticised for being million sellers, or not hip enough! Glastonbury 'needs' memorable headline performers - its what keeps the festival at the very top and what gets shown time and time again on television. But being great or the current 'in' band does not make a memorable headline performance. I have seen too many 'great' bands turn up and just perform their act as if that is whats makes it into the annals of history of Glastonbury. To be a memorable performance there has to be a connection, a performance that grabs the moment and where there is a clear relationship between act, audience and the festival.

Think last year of how Damon by his own admission got Gorillaz performance wrong by alienating the crowd - nothing wrong with the performance but not going to go down in Glastonbury history. Or Muse who were musically perfect but a show lacking in emotion. Now compare with Blur in 2009 (which I tragically decided to miss - for Gong?) and see how the moment and the crowd's reaction and the passion of Damon made that a truely memorable headline set. I am a huge Neil Young fan but he didn't nail it - the reviews were excellent (he is a class performer after all) but the performance did not grasp the moment at all. Why is Radiohead's 1997 headline slot more memorable than their (instantly forgettable) 2003 one? The answer is simple - given the unexpected opportunity to grab the moment they took it with passion and determination whilst the on-stage sound problems created an edge and a conection between the audience and the band. Being the band of the moment isn't the issue its about what the act puts into the performance and how much they want it to be remembered. Bowie did it whilst Oasis showed utter contempt for the festival and refused to talk to the crowd. Its why Arcade Fire shouldn't headline yet (their last appearance showed a dislike of the festival and failed to grab the crowd) but why despite the sneers Take That could provide a memorable headline slot!

So to this year. U2 have not played a UK festival for god knows how long (remember seeing them at Rock on the Tyne!), they have a real sense of the occasion (Live Aid, Red Rocks) and remember the audience reaction when The Edge walked onto Muse's set - the ingredients are there for something special. Coldplay are not everyone's cup of tea but they love the festival, know how to involve an audience and how to construct a set-list to build and hold the connection. I never listen to Coldplay albums but do listen to the bootlegs of their 2000, 2002 and 2005 performances - they are powerful stuff. I decided not to watch 2005 and went to see Robert Plant but after 15 minutes of disappointment returned to the Pyramid and I am glad I did - the banter, sing-alongs and Kylie tribute made it a memorable headline performance. From that early afternoon Other Stage slot they just got it. Beyonce is not my cup of tea but then again neither was Jay-Z and i got something from that one too!

Not the edgiest of acts but acts who could provide Glastonbury 2011 with some memorable headline performances - we have a role in making Glastonbury history - sometimes see the ingredients and potentially allow yourself when you are as old as I am to say "i was there when...! Damm i wish I had listened to myself for Blur!!

[zahidf]

Does it matter who headlines?

It's sold out now anyway. Most people will go for the atmosphere, and any returns for Beyonce will be hoovered up by U2 fans.

[The Nal]

Does it matter who headlines?

It's sold out now anyway. Most people will go for the atmosphere, and any returns for Beyonce will be hoovered up by U2 fans.

[eoinca]

If people bought tickets not knowing who would headline and now look for a refund based on Beyonce they really need their head examined. With a large rusty hammer.

[Gregcharlie]

Yeah its all about who's on in the Queen's Head on the Thursday night anyway.