2013 Headliners

[strummer77]

Since they headlined Glastonbury, they've releases two records, one of which is commonly viewed as their best, both marking a notable change/progression in sound, sold out several arena tours, headlined festivals around the world, played massive outdoor gigs of their own and are recording a new record after a track believed to be their best ever.

Edited January 22, 2013 by strummer77

[eFestivals]

Since they headlined Glastonbury, they've releases two records, one of which is commonly viewed as their best, both marking a notable change/progression in sound, sold out several arena tours, headlined festivals around the world, played massive outdoor gigs of their own and are recording a new record after a track believed to be their best ever.

and even if they actually are that fantastic, most people still don't give much of a shit about them.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

Whilst I disagree they have done nothing since 2007, I wouldn't say Humbug is 'commonly' viewed as their best. A lot of people on these boards might like it more (i don't know, I like it) its their first one which gets mentions in lists and amongst the public more often. I would quite like them to headline though.

[willutalk]

They've said they want to play. I'm not sure where they would play. They wouldn't headline Pyramid, but I'm not sure they'd be right to headline Other. They're a tough call, because I'm not sure there's many UK fests around that would still have them, and they're arguably on the way down.

[eFestivals]

oh yeah, I completely understand that, but aren't festivals full of acts people wouldn't give a shit about normally, but would at a festival?

not normally with the headliners, nope.

Arctic Monkeys are to me a sort of Oasis-very-lite - liked by many of the same people, but only a fraction of them. They manage to make as much noise as oarses fans tho.

[FloorFiller]

Don't think that's true, especially if you put him on a Sunday with Mac.

[FloorFiller]

I think it'd be good to get a couple of Download headliners/subbers Linkin Park SOAD RATM, also NIN or Deftones would be good to broaden the lineup!

[Wooderson]

Arctics far more barbed and bitter than Oasis ever were. From the two shows I've seen theyve developed a contempt I never saw in the Gallagher's lot. Yes Oasis had a sneer but it came from an (unwarranted) self confidence. Oasis would never have been able to make the "R U Mine" video for example. Theyre not that smart for a kickoff, but neither is there is the same (perceived) gulf between artist and audience.

[mrtourette]

People complain that there aren't enough big bands available to headline and that legends like The Who or The Stones aren't created any more, and yet when there are British bands like Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian who have managed to remain massively popular and relevant across a period of four albums they aren't deemed worthy enough. I'm not sure what people expect from new headliners coming through, or should it just be an endless rotation of 50 year-olds?

Edited January 22, 2013 by mrtourette

[thefaultinourstars]

^This. The fact is that Arctics, Kasabian, Muse, Foo Fighters, Coldplay and the Killers are pretty much the biggest bands in the world at the moment, and in 30 years time we'll all be wondering why new bands coming through aren't as good as 'back in the day'. Music was great in the 60's and 70's, its still pretty good now. So cheer up!

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

not normally with the headliners, nope.

Arctic Monkeys are to me a sort of Oasis-very-lite - liked by many of the same people, but only a fraction of them. They manage to make as much noise as oarses fans tho.

Edited January 22, 2013 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[eFestivals]

People complain that there aren't enough big bands available to headline and that legends like The Who or The Stones aren't created any more, and yet when there are British bands like Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian who have managed to remain massively popular and relevant across a period of four albums they aren't deemed worthy enough. I'm not sure what people expect from new headliners coming through, or should it just be an endless rotation of 50 year-olds?

thing is, do AM's really have a wide appeal? I'm far from sure they do, no matter how good they might be.

Kasabian are an odd one, in that lots of people like them despite thinking their output has been pretty ropey. I'm hardly down with the kids at my age, but from where I'm sat I'm of the opinion that they'd be much more welcomed as headliners by people of all ages than would AM.

[Wooderson]

thing is, do AM's really have a wide appeal? I'm far from sure they do, no matter how good they might be.

Kasabian are an odd one, in that lots of people like them despite thinking their output has been pretty ropey. I'm hardly down with the kids at my age, but from where I'm sat I'm of the opinion that they'd be much more welcomed as headliners by people of all ages than would AM.

[FloorFiller]

maybe it's because i favour Arctics over Kasabian myself so i'm a little bias, but i've always thought of Arctics as the bigger pull over Kasabian. whist Arctics recent output hasn't had the world-conquering effect that the first two albums did, i think a lot of people still view them in that way, whereas Kasabian are just... Kasabian, doing what they do

[pyramidsong]

Do you SEE what happens, Larry?

[thefaultinourstars]

I'm 18 and Arctics are probably the best supported 'Rock' group, except maybe the Beatles, amongst my generation. Far more of a pull than Kasabian, who are just fun to get drunk to and dance .

A lot of fans still pine for the first two albums, but I'd still say most of them have stuck with them and enjoy the last two.

[zahidf]

I think Glastobury should give Dizze Rascal a headline slot over Artic Monkeys. He has more pop tunes and would be a more mainstream choice. I've seen Arctic Monkeys a couple of times at festivals, they are a decent enough band for smaller venues, but don't have the charisma or stage craft for big slots on the main stage.

Kasabian are probably a good bet for playing, just becuase they seem to be doing sod all else this summer, they said in a few interviews last year they want to headline, and Glasto will need a last minute replacement when/if the Stones blow them out.

[Mardy]

As for pull, probably Kasabian have got more suction but for me, they're just dull. I couldn't be more tired of yet another alpha male in the Jagger/Ian Brown lineage and their chugging sound.

Despite myself, I like the Arctic Monkeys, smart with great lyrics, a definable sound but still a willingness to experiment, sounds blinding when you hear it coming out of a radio or it pops up on your headphones. They're going to be a huge band for a long time, and no doubt their 9th album in 2025 will be a triple album stinker of clashing egos but now, for me, they're exciting, clever and sharp.

[eFestivals]

i've always thought of Arctics as the bigger pull over Kasabian.

that might be the case, but that's not necessarily the same thing as having a wide appeal.

I wouldn't bother to ever buy a Kasabian ticket, but I'd be vaguely interested in seeing them again live at a fest (other options dependent), because they've got some decent songs which they really bring alive on stage.

The AMs? meh.

[pyramidsong]

arctic monkeys have a much better and i would say more loved arsenal of songs. that first album cemented their status for a long time and i think it holds more meaning to more people than any kasabian record.

and i'd say they still have a wider appeal, that's why their status as headliner is not being particularly doubted, while kasabian's quite clearly is

[mrtourette]

The problem is that I can't see the point in whether a band is 'good enough' to headline, or saying that someone shouldn't headline because their music is dull or ropey. Whether we personally like someone or not is completely subjective and bears absolutely no relevance to whether they get booked or not. Who is considered 'better' on these forums means absolutely nothing, what is relevant is the band's size in the wider world (a speculative mix of gig sales, record sales, festival history, other festival slots, etc.) and I can't see how either Arctic Monkeys or Kasabian could be considered not big enough.

[zahidf]

arctic monkeys have a much better and i would say more loved arsenal of songs. that first album cemented their status for a long time and i think it holds more meaning to more people than any kasabian record.

and i'd say they still have a wider appeal, that's why their status as headliner is not being particularly doubted, while kasabian's quite clearly is

[jackarmy]

Having seen both on numerous occasions I would say that Kasabian are by far the better live act. However, they've toured the last 2 albums to death on the Festival circuit. Think they've headlined every major festival in the UK bar Global Gathering, Bestival and Download since 2008.

They need to take a break this year and come back fresh with a new album for 2014, where they will probably headline.

[surfwaves]

Does it really matter that new bands aren't headlining? I would much prefer to watch a band in a small tent at a festival with people that actually like the band.

[sisco]

I used to be sold on headliners until I saw what Glastonbury has to offer. The closer we get the more excited I am about the smaller bands that I like during the day.

Yes of course I would love headliners that I love but 1 is more than enough.

Any other festivals I can understand being sold on the headliners but Glasto! Nope.