Next 'New' R+L Headliner?

[j...rox]

Kasabian followed by Florence + The Machine who of course already headlined Latitude.

Also to the person saying Pendulum would never headline they need to check the SouthWest 4 and Global Gathering lineups.

[saints15]

Kasabian followed by Florence + The Machine who of course already headlined Latitude.

Also to the person saying Pendulum would never headline they need to check the SouthWest 4 and Global Gathering lineups.

[Vacant0]

Also to the person saying Pendulum would never headline they need to check the SouthWest 4 and Global Gathering lineups.

[jump]

Am curious as to what those circumstances are, as my thoughts are:

Bullet For My Valentine will almost definitely headline Download at some point in the near future - but Reading, I'm struggling to see how they'll ever get that mainstream appeal.

Kaiser Chiefs have no chance of getting 'massive' again if they keep releasing lacklustre albums/songs.

Gaslight Anthem I could see doing the same as The National and shooting up the bill - but as headliners, if they were to manage that then it isn't happening any time soon.

Nine Inch Nails sadly I'm not quite sure Reading would go for them to headline even on a comeback - but y'know, maybe.

---------

I agree with all that have said Kasabian and Biffy Clyro. Reckon Mumford & Sons are very possible as well depending on just how well received the new album is.

Bloc Party are certainly a possibility but I'm really not sure why so many people seem to think it a given that they'll be absolutely massive (and actually all that good) with their comeback.

[theramm]

It's strange as I never think of R&L being a festie that gives acts the chance of stepping & headlining. More like they let other fests take the risk & then book what's a dead cert, the only one I can think of is Arcade Fire who were a massive failure as a headliner (before I get flamed I meant commercially, not artistically. They put on a great performance but the crowd at Leeds was TINY & people were audibly moaning all weekend about their slot). Download gave Slipknot the chance & they absolutely stormed it & would only healdine now. Soni are giving the Biffy the chance this year & if they pull a big show out of the bag that'll put them up there.

With regards to Gaslight Anthem, they're currently on the same career path as Foo Fighters in regards to the venues they're selling out at this stage of their career. One big radio song & a solid 4th record will see them rocket up festie bills (they're 4th from top at Download this year).

[jump]

It's strange as I never think of R&L being a festie that gives acts the chance of stepping & headlining. More like they let other fests take the risk & then book what's a dead cert, the only one I can think of is Arcade Fire who were a massive failure as a headliner (before I get flamed I meant commercially, not artistically. They put on a great performance but the crowd at Leeds was TINY & people were audibly moaning all weekend about their slot). Download gave Slipknot the chance & they absolutely stormed it & would only healdine now. Soni are giving the Biffy the chance this year & if they pull a big show out of the bag that'll put them up there.

With regards to Gaslight Anthem, they're currently on the same career path as Foo Fighters in regards to the venues they're selling out at this stage of their career. One big radio song & a solid 4th record will see them rocket up festie bills (they're 4th from top at Download this year).

Edited June 5, 2011 by jump

[rexclark]

I would say R&L is the best fest for new acts and acts on the up. 90% of the time the bookers seem to get it right and book acts who are perhaps not well k nown when the line up comes out but by the time the fest comes around they're massive. The festival takes chances and they don't always pay off but at least they try.

[hazzamid11]

White Lies will headline on the back of another 1 or 2 successful albums.

Bloc Party are an obvious choice, but will definately do it.

Im also thinking that Editors are possible, they are very similar to KOL were before there 4th album, with 3 albums and getting near to the top of most bills, maybe 1 or 2 huge albums and they could headline.

[mrtourette]

It's strange as I never think of R&L being a festie that gives acts the chance of stepping & headlining. More like they let other fests take the risk & then book what's a dead cert, the only one I can think of is Arcade Fire who were a massive failure as a headliner (before I get flamed I meant commercially, not artistically. They put on a great performance but the crowd at Leeds was TINY & people were audibly moaning all weekend about their slot).

[Vacant0]

White Lies will headline on the back of another 1 or 2 successful albums.

Bloc Party are an obvious choice, but will definately do it.

Im also thinking that Editors are possible, they are very similar to KOL were before there 4th album, with 3 albums and getting near to the top of most bills, maybe 1 or 2 huge albums and they could headline.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I doubt it, their latest album did quite well but was also panned by many. I see them being a bit like Editors (and Maximo Park spring to mind n' all) in that they're just not particularly innovative or interesting enough to break as an absolutely massive band.

[hazzamid11]

I doubt it, their latest album did quite well but was also panned by many. I see them being a bit like Editors (and Maximo Park spring to mind n' all) in that they're just not particularly innovative or interesting enough to break as an absolutely massive band.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

Arcade Fire were a lot bigger before Suburbs than Editors are now.

[hazzamid11]

Arcade Fire were a lot bigger before Suburbs than Editors are now.

[jump]

The difference between Editors & Arcade Fire is AF were on the rise, Editors have already released what will probably be their defining album with lot's of chart singles and have been far more exposed to the general public (they were in the FIFA game at one point) than AF were who always had a load of critical praise but not exposure.

I can see Editors headlining fests in Belgium as they are massive over there apparently.

[benc16]

What ever goes on next year, R+L have to go back to having 1, if not 2 heavier headliners. IMHO I think they're deliberately moving away from their roots due to the emergence of Sonisphere and ever increasing prominence of Download. Look at 2008 - it was an incredible line up, even 2009 without a supposed "heavier" headliner was still pretty damn awesome. Maybe they're paying the price for previous expensive bookings but they sure as hell need to pull their fingers out next year, possibly with a HUGE reunion headliner or something new and risky.

I can see heavier, more risky bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet, maybe even Black Veil Brides looking further ahead. Avenged would defo put on an incredible show if given the chance to headline, atm their sets aren't really long enough for them to play all their hits or pull out the full stage show.

As for the more traditional indie scene, i.e. Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party etc. I can't see an up an coming headliner ready to play next year, whereas with the more rock side of things, I'm sure QOTSA can pull it off, likewise with Weezer, Biffy and maybe even 30STM

[Hart Attack]

Bloc Party, Biffy Clyro or Paramore will be next I reckon.

[saints15]

I can see R&L trying to appeal to as many people as possible next year meaning i can see a Hip Hop or Dance headliner next year

[Banana Co]

I can see R&L trying to appeal to as many people as possible next year meaning i can see a Hip Hop or Dance headliner next year

[saints15]

Maybe it will be Kanye and Jay-Z as their joint album is out at some stage in the future

[Yellow_Fellow]

Kanye West would pull every self respecting hipster out to Reading. If they got him as a UK Exclusive, it would sell out. I'm almost sure of it.

[saints15]

Kanye West would pull every self respecting hipster out to Reading. If they got him as a UK Exclusive, it would sell out. I'm almost sure of it.

[mrtourette]

Interesting comment by yellow - a lot of people complain about R&L (mainly Reading) being full of hipsters, losing it's character, not catering for "it's people" any more, but also want more diversity and rap/hip/dance acts - does one not lead to the other?

[jump]

I'll make my usual Kayne West comment and say he's a f**king pretentious c**t and hope to god he doesn't headline.

Rather see Eminem (if he's actually gonna sing and not just move his lips) or Jay Z who's great live.

[Banana Co]

I'll make my usual Kayne West comment and say he's a f**king pretentious c**t and hope to god he doesn't headline.

Rather see Eminem (if he's actually gonna sing and not just move his lips) or Jay Z who's great live.