2013 Headliners

[Mud Dweller]

Im not in favour of booking a 'newish band' to headline. In my view you've got to earn the right to top the bill

It's all well and good having a brilliant first album, but the problem is they have no back catalogue of songs which means there is little room to mix things up. If you've heard them play anywhere else the chances are it's the same set.

When the Arctics headlined they faced this problem

[Guest]

Im not in favour of booking a 'newish band' to headline. In my view you've got to earn the right to top the bill

It's all well and good having a brilliant first album, but the problem is they have no back catalogue of songs which means there is little room to mix things up. If you've heard them play anywhere else the chances are it's the same set.

When the Arctics headlined they faced this problem

[The Nal]

every time there was the slightest bit of momentum, they'd stand around for a couple of minutes between songs as if it was a rehearsal and they didn't know what song to play next

Edited February 7, 2013 by The Nal

[mike46]

I would agree with this, for all it's faults Reading does seem to have it's finger on the pulse in regard to new acts. Even if they are shit.

[Mud Dweller]

there are plenty of new bands who'd do a better job of headlining than the Arctics did. They were seemingly unaware of the fact that it was a big gig, and there were thousands of people there wanting to enjoy it... every time there was the slightest bit of momentum, they'd stand around for a couple of minutes between songs as if it was a rehearsal and they didn't know what song to play next

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I think that was due to a lack of on stage experience, it takes some performers years to hone this to perfection. I cant help but think the occasion got to them that night, a vast crowd and a prestigious headline slot so early on in their career must have been daunting.

Someone mentioned the KOL as being a newish and - they had 3 albums out by the time they headlined. Hardly new?

Edited February 7, 2013 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[Guest]

I think that was due to a lack of on stage experience, it takes some performers years to hone this to perfection. I cant help but think the occasion got to them that night, a vast crowd and a prestigious headline slot so early on in their career must have been daunting.

Someone mentioned the KOL as being a newish and - they had 3 albums out by the time they headlined. Hardly new?

[Mud Dweller]

as Nal says, it should be rule no. 1. Whether you're playing to 20 punters in a pub, or 50,000, you should always be aware of them. It wasn't their first gig ever.

[Guest]

Thats true, it was more a criticism of any new band than a defence of the Arctic Monkeys

Generally they dont command the stage as well as other more polished acts do

[Zero_Newnab]

If Glasto are struggling for headliners then this is the perfect year for them to re-assert that 'giving younger bands a chance' thing. Especially if they want to balance out the general oldness of the Stones.

I'd rather that meant Arcade Fire or even Dizzee before Mumford, but if Mumford want it and nobody else does then... Eh, I could think of worse headliners.

[LondonTom]

Reading has acts that are visible, and what NME are hyping at that time but in recent years Glasto played host to Jake Bugg, First Aid Kit, yuck, foster the people, group love, Bombay bicycle club etc all before their albums came out.

Glasto has some of the best new bands around, you just have to look for them.

[Mud Dweller]

But when do they earn it? Someone eventually has got to give them a chance to headline at some point, It seems around 3 albums is ideal as its a better variety of back catalogue but sometimes a band with big enough exposure is good enough.

The arctics are just really poor live on a big stage (still are), they just lack that stage presence that comes naturally to great live acts. I like most of their output on record but my god every performance I've seen has me bored. (And yeah I think its the stupid gaps between songs.)

Edited February 7, 2013 by Mud Dweller

[Tuna]

If Glasto are struggling for headliners then this is the perfect year for them to re-assert that 'giving younger bands a chance' thing. Especially if they want to balance out the general oldness of the Stones.

I'd rather that meant Arcade Fire or even Dizzee before Mumford, but if Mumford want it and nobody else does then... Eh, I could think of worse headliners.

[Matt87]

Arcade Fire have no shows booked, they're working on finishing up their new album. Would be a huge booking if they played, being their only show worldwide.

[Role Model]

Nowhere near big enough to headline under just the Jack White name.

[Matt87]

Has jack white been ruled out? Would love to see him headline the sunday, legend and new at the same time

[Englishdragon]

Has jack white been ruled out? Would love to see him headline the sunday, legend and new at the same time

[fatyeti24]

Nowhere near big enough to headline under just the Jack White name.

[weaz]

Aren't they rumoured for Bestival? That person posted the headliners a few hours before Rob Da Bank announced Snoop Dogg and Elton John, and I hadn't heard anything about Snoop Dogg before then, and they named Arcade Fire as the Friday headliner.

I think Arcade Fire could easily headline Glastonbury now. 3 albums with the 4th out soon so they have enough to make a good 2hr set list. But we'll have to see.

Are the Bestival headliners UK exclusives?

[Andre91]

Just for one year at least, Foo Fighters need to fuck off. I'm not normally anti immigration but they need to stay in their own country and not come here so often. Robbing us of our jobs and taking our women

[Andre91]

The Police to headline...

[alibear]

Just because an act isn't billed by Reading et al as a 'UK festival exclusive' does it necessarily mean they're definitely playing another UK festival? Offering that tag to a act could just be to entice them to the festival or be used as a tool to demand more money....

I'd friggin love Jack White to headline Other. He could just play Ball and Biscuit all night I'd be happy.

I'm bringing my hubby and parents for the first time this year and they want to see at least one act on the Pyramid to see what the fuss is about. FWIW, my ideal headliner weekend would be:

Fri/Sun: Jack White (other)

Sat: Stones, hoping and praying they're not shit (Pyramid)

Sun/Fri: Something on West Holts/Acoustic so I can get to the nightime area quickly after...

Lovely!

Edited February 7, 2013 by alibear

[scaryclaireyfairy]

Time to take Radiohead off the rumours list, I feel. Thom has confirmed in a French interview what Colin, the bassist, said the other week - they're on hiatus.

http://www.lesinrocks.com/2013/02/07/musique/thom-yorke-linterview-fleuve-11352798/

Et Radiohead ? Quels sont les plans ?

Le plan est de nous réunir, un jour. Mais nous nous sommes donnés un an avant de le faire. C’est le premier vrai break que nous faisons, et c’est étrange de se dire ça, car nous n’avons jamais été un groupe très rapide…

[Guest]

Jack White could easily headline. He has the presence, the songs, the track-record (White Stripes headlined)... if Basement Jaxx, Gorrilaz, Skunk Anansie, Stereophonics, Kings Of Leon, The Killers (arf arf..) can headline, then questioning if Jack could, is just silly.

Edited February 7, 2013 by tonyblair

[ghandi]

Neil seems absent today, day off or perhaps somethings coming soon?