Bloc Party or Biffy ?

[Dan R]

I think if Biffy were to headline they would put on an averagely good set, whereas if Bloc party were to do it, they would put on an exceedingly good show.

Although I'm a bloc party fan so would say that.

It all depends on bloc party's next album, if its a pop/dance album then I wouldn't want them to headline. However if its more like silent alarm and as popular, I would be all over it.

Wouldn't complain with either band. However if Bloc were to headliner, they would need 2 other strong headliners alongside them.

Agree with what JusticeForceDave said also, couldn't see them headlining any other major UK festival. Would love for them to be given the chance to do reading though.

[Vacant0]

I think if Biffy were to headline they would put on an averagely good set, whereas if Bloc party were to do it, they would put on an exceedingly good show.

[thetime]

I've seen Bloc Party four times and have never seen them put on an exceedingly good show...

[kaosmark2]

All about opinion isnt it though?

Saw them at leeds in 2009 and they were fantastic.

[thetime]

Bollocks to that. It's an absolute fact that RHCP were unforgivably awful at Reading 07.

[kaosmark2]

RHCP have been awful live for a very long time, got to try and avoid them at rock werchter damn it!!!

[thetime]

Bit harder at Rock Werchter with them only having 3 stages and a lot less alternate stuff on. Probably best chilling at the campsite or a roadside cafe if there's not an alternate act on.

[lightning1000]

I've seen Bloc Party four times and have never seen them put on an exceedingly good show...

[thetime]

This. So introverted and boring.

[insideaway]

For me its biffy over bloc party however i think either would be a weak headliner next year.

[Lewis Cato]

I think both would work very well; both are Reading favourites who've worked themselves up the bill and I think seeing either one headline would be really satisfying as a fan of both of them. But if it came down to it I'd say that Bloc Party are the band who are in more need of a push of extra popularity to get them to a stage where it'd really work at the top of the line-up; however I reckon a co-headline between Bloc Party and Biffy would work in both of their favours to truly justify their slots and sell some day tickets.

[thetime]

I think both would work very well; both are Reading favourites who've worked themselves up the bill and I think seeing either one headline would be really satisfying as a fan of both of them. But if it came down to it I'd say that Bloc Party are the band who are in more need of a push of extra popularity to get them to a stage where it'd really work at the top of the line-up; however I reckon a co-headline between Bloc Party and Biffy would work in both of their favours to truly justify their slots and sell some day tickets.

[jump]

I don't understand why people keep going on about co-headliners, 2 weak headliners don't equal 1 strong headliner and I think people are more intrest in the novelty of it more than anything else.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

I don't understand why people keep going on about co-headliners, 2 weak headliners don't equal 1 strong headliner and I think people are more intrest in the novelty of it more than anything else.

[kaosmark2]

I have to agree with this, it worked for PULP & the Strokes, but the dynamics where different, when you have a big legendary band and a very current popular band then it works, when it's two up and coming bands (in terms of being headliners) who could just as easily be subs I don't think it would & may look weaker than just one out right headliner.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

Which of them is current? Is This It was a decade old last year.

[RichieParf]

So one could headline by themselves but both of them together wouldn't work?

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

No, one of them could headline if their next album is as big commercially as their previous out puts... having both of them co-headline at this stage would look weak, like they've cobbled two sub-headliners together in an attempt to make one big draw, which doesn't work and wasn't the way the Stokes & PULP was done. As stated previously, I don't get the hype with this 'co-headline' thing, it rarely happens, but then after it has people seem to get the idea that it'll be a recurring thing, which just isn't true.

[RichieParf]

No, one of them could headline if their next album is as big commercially as their previous out puts... having both of them co-headline at this stage would look weak, like they've cobbled two sub-headliners together in an attempt to make one big draw, which doesn't work and wasn't the way the Stokes & PULP was done. As stated previously, I don't get the hype with this 'co-headline' thing, it rarely happens, but then after it has people seem to get the idea that it'll be a recurring thing, which just isn't true.

[kev1664]

Co headlining is a poor idea. I like to know who the actual headliner is and see who is up against them. Last year happened to work in my favour both times as I got to see the streets and muse, as well as rival schools and pulp (at Leeds). I would hate to have it work in reverse as a possibility. I'd rather just accept that I was going to miss an act.

Plus having co-headliners takes another place away from the main stage which could easily have a better act in third. It especially sucks if people don't like the headliners and/or co-headliners.

I also couldn't see it working with two non-similar bands as one would look out of place on the top of that day (I know this year looks like a wierd flow on the main cure day). Also the non-similar act to the rest of the day would then probably clash with a similar act on the NME stage.

Personally I'm hoping it's a Biffy headline appearance, if not I won't be too downhearted because I think Biffy will probably have an arena tour the back end of this year/ early next to promote there album. Probably one of the reasons they are sub-headlining download and iow as well as topping rock ness this year is that next year their place will be limited to only a couple of appearances, most likely T and r/l. Plus download announce early now and that would be smack bang in the middle of their tour.

Bloc party in the other hand have plenty of options open to them as sub-headliner next year and if the album is a success then I think r&l would take them as headliners 2014, otherwise they will have missed their chance. I also think if Biffy decided to take sub-headlining at r/l or elsewhere they may miss their chance.

Edited May 8, 2012 by kev1664

[Gucci Piggy]

Plus having co-headliners takes another place away from the main stage which could easily have a better act in third. It especially sucks if people don't like the headliners and/or co-headliners.

[RichieParf]

I'm pretty sure two co-headliners takes up the same amount of time as a headliner and a sub, as they both have inbetween-length sets, don't they?

[Gucci Piggy]

At reading pulp had 90mins, strokes 75 I think, and there was one less main stage act than usual that day if memory serves.

[The Mean Bean]

I think they'd both be pretty much the same in their ability to sell tickets, really isn't worth arguing over. If I had to pick one I'd pick Bloc Party, haven't played the UK for years, only about 3 tiny shows upcoming, new album on the way and went down really well in 2009, but maybe I'm biased because I much prefer Bloc Party. Either of them could easily take the top slot along, along with 2 other very big acts you'd have a good line-up. I think it's more likely for Bloc Party to play, Melv is a big fan isn't he?

[alex28]

It's a narrow margain but I think Biffy would have higher demand. Having said that I wouldn't mind tbh I think they will both headline in the next two years. I've seen both on numerous occasions and they've always been good. I think Biffy would edge Bloc Party in putting on a better show but Bloc Party love Reading and would probably put on the show of their lives.