Acts Returning to Glastonbury

[notlikeitused2b]

Alright, 

I have a question I can't seem to satisfy the answer to. How often/common is it for the more minor acts to return to Glastonbury. 

Case in point - I didn't go in 2014. So for instance I missed Chance the Rapper and The War on Drugs, but it would be pretty decent to see them next year... is there any possibility of that or does it depend more on the artist's schedules?

Generally - how common would we say it is it for bands to reappear?

[theouterlimits]

A good number of artists appear in consecutive years, actually.

Tends to only happen when their career has had some kind of step up in the intervening period, though. For example Jungle appeared early afternoon in the JP in 2014, and were mid-afternoon Other this year. 

Otherwise, artists only tend to play again once they are on a new album cycle. So if The War On Drugs are touring a new release next year, it's reasonably likely that they will be back. If they are not, it's almost certain that they won't be back next year.

Clearly there are many exceptions to this, it's definitely the general pattern though.

[eFestivals]

Alright, 

I have a question I can't seem to satisfy the answer to. How often/common is it for the more minor acts to return to Glastonbury. 

Case in point - I didn't go in 2014. So for instance I missed Chance the Rapper and The War on Drugs, but it would be pretty decent to see them next year... is there any possibility of that or does it depend more on the artist's schedules?

Generally - how common would we say it is it for bands to reappear?

The m0ore-current acts can re-appear regularly for as long as they remain current - tho it's not particular hugely common for the same act to appear in consecutive years. Two-yearly is more likely.

It's also more likely, I'd say, for acts that play JP/Other /Pyramid than it is for acts for other stages (apart from the almost 'house acts' that some of the other stages sometimes have).

[CaledonianGonzo]

The fewer the better will suit me. I bought a ticket to Glastonbury 2016, not Glastonbury 2014.

And that goes double for Coldplay and Muse.

[CaledonianGonzo]

But doesn't apply to Mik Artistik.

[stuartbert two hats]

There are smaller acts that if they have a niche can play year after year.  Eatstatic and Dreadzone are two examples of bands that play almost every year.  But in general, I agree with theouterlimits, assuming a band is big enough to play JPT (maybe even Park), they really need to be growing year on year to keep coming back.  

The extreme example of this is Mumford + Sons who played 2008, 2 from the bottom on The Park, missed one year in 2009, but then played 2010 + 2011 before finally headlining in 2013.  The bigger the band, the less likely they are to return as there are simply fewer places to put them as they outgrow each stage, secret sets aside.  E.g. Hot Chip can't be scheduled on a stage smaller than W Holts now, since they're already at headliner status there.

As for those two acts, it doesn't seem unreasonable that they would come back with one festival off.  That's far from saying they'll be back, but if they have more success with new material, then it could happen.  There's still time (not that I know what their release schedules are).

The other thing to bear in mind when considering whether a band 'has got bigger', is it's not based when they played to when they're booked again, rather from when they were last booked to next time.  Taking the Mumford example again, blew up between being booked in 2010 and playing, so were already pretty much guaranteed a bigger slot in 2011 before they had played the 2010 festival.

[eFestivals]

But doesn't apply to Mik Artistik.

he falls within the 'house acts' thing I said.

The Egg, too, of course. Dreadzone. Eat Static. Beans on Toast. Nik Turner. Eric Bibb. Etc, etc, etc.

[theouterlimits]

There are smaller acts that if they have a niche can play year after year.  Eatstatic and Dreadzone are two examples of bands that play almost every year.  But in general, I agree with theouterlimits, assuming a band is big enough to play JPT (maybe even Park), they really need to be growing year on year to keep coming back.  

The extreme example of this is Mumford + Sons who played 2008, 2 from the bottom on The Park, missed one year in 2009, but then played 2010 + 2011 before finally headlining in 2013.  The bigger the band, the less likely they are to return as there are simply fewer places to put them as they outgrow each stage, secret sets aside.  E.g. Hot Chip can't be scheduled on a stage smaller than W Holts now, since they're already at headliner status there.

As for those two acts, it doesn't seem unreasonable that they would come back with one festival off.  That's far from saying they'll be back, but if they have more success with new material, then it could happen.  There's still time (not that I know what their release schedules are).

The other thing to bear in mind when considering whether a band 'has got bigger', is it's not based when they played to when they're booked again, rather from when they were last booked to next time.  Taking the Mumford example again, blew up between being booked in 2010 and playing, so were already pretty much guaranteed a bigger slot in 2011 before they had played the 2010 festival.

It doesn't necessarily follow that bands can't move down the lineup too. Examples would include past headliners the Manic Street Preachers who have played at least twice since they headlined. Also bands like Editors - 3rd from top on Pyramid in 2008, 3rd from top on Other in 2013. 

[dentalplan]

I looked it up recently just out of interest and I think there were about 10-15 that went on to appear the next year on each of '13-'14 & '14-'15, and most of those were John Peel acts so basically acts just getting big.

I know that's not what the OP is asking though. And yeah, acts do reappear a couple of years down the line as long as they're still popular and/or current and - most importantly - touring.

Edited November 2, 2015 by dentalplan

[matt2007]

I wonder if Billy Bragg will play next year?

[stuartbert two hats]

It doesn't necessarily follow that bands can't move down the lineup too. Examples would include past headliners the Manic Street Preachers who have played at least twice since they headlined. Also bands like Editors - 3rd from top on Pyramid in 2008, 3rd from top on Other in 2013. 

That's true, but I was focussing on the implied question that we're talking about returning within a couple of years.  Bands can get smaller and return, but as your examples show, not normally that soon after their previous appearance.

[johnomatic]

On this issue, and amid all the Stone Roses panic on Twitter this evening, this member of Swim Deep (the singer I believe?) has appeared to hint they'll be back in '16. Would fit the 'current bands' thing I suppose, though he might just be speaking hypothetically/presumptuously.  

[SwedgeAntilles]

Could see Wolf Alice playing again next year

[bsolxiv]

Much less likely to return if the band isn't from the UK. Those who do return regularly are generally locals. I would say that unless WOD and CTR are touring the chances of them appearing in 2016 are slim to none. 

[rubenz]

Some uk bands are pretty frequent  eg the Vaccines 2011, 2013, 2015

[Smeble]

I think seasick Steve has appeared every year since 2007

[home to you]

James Blake - 2011, 2013, 2014... 2016? 

[Spindles]

I think seasick Steve has appeared every year since 2007

I don't remember him being on the bill this year.

It seems quite common for bands to move up the bill from bbc introducing stage to JP to Other/Pyramid to me.  The most recent example I can remember of a large act returning the following year was the Primals, who gave a great headline other set in 2011 and a disaster of a pyramid sub in 2013.

As with everything Glastonbury if your looking for any reliable pattern you'll be guessing forever and still finding exceptions.

[theouterlimits]

I don't remember him being on the bill this year.

It seems quite common for bands to move up the bill from bbc introducing stage to JP to Other/Pyramid to me.  The most recent example I can remember of a large act returning the following year was the Primals, who gave a great headline other set in 2011 and a disaster of a pyramid sub in 2013.

As with everything Glastonbury if your looking for any reliable pattern you'll be guessing forever and still finding exceptions.

On that one though they were doing 2 extremely different tours. One was celebrating a classic album, the other was on the tour of their (then) new album. So the story had moved on and the festival had a good reason to re-book them.  If they were still touring Screamadelica I find it unlikely that they would have been booked in 2013

Edited November 3, 2015 by theouterlimits

[matt2007]

We need Suzanne Vega back, again

[5co77ie]

I hope Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs,  and Pronghon are going to be there

[Gnomicide]

It's been too long since Hattie Hatstarput in an appearance.

[matt2007]

We need Bodger and Badger to make their long awaited return!!!!!!

[cdm22]

We need Suzanne Vega back, again

Only if they sort the sound out in the Acoustic tent as it was terrible last time!

[matt2007]

Only if they sort the sound out in the Acoustic tent as it was terrible last time!

Did you know she lives in the crew field behind the stage, in a yurt,