New Emily interview

[CaledonianGonzo]

Two hiphop artists have caused them some pushback in the media, indeed.

This is a different argument however. Repetition. Far more corrosive influence on their fest IMO.[/quote]

It's just the double whammy of Muse and Coldplay in the one year, a calamitous confluence of repetition, mediocrity and all that's wrong with British 'rock' music.

I dunno if that's symptomatic of a lazy booking policy from one year to the next, though. I'm not spotting a wider trend.

To me it still seems that they have the right idea in terms of trying to book debut and returning acts and keeping it as a mix of genres and newer and more established performers.

[danbailey80]

2 hours ago, russycarps said:

 

There is no excuse at all for the repeat bookings of both muse and coldplay. None.

But you don't suggest anyone else? Who's available and who would attract a sizable crowd in the biggest field of the biggest festival?

I'd get this argument if there were 2/3 stages like other festivals. But there's hundreds. So they book all the artists to satisfy everyone and obviously put the biggest draw (usually being who sell more records) on the biggest stages. It really isn't that hard to understand. Why would they put PJ Harvey headlining the Pyramid when she can play somewhere else (although I admit a headlining slot on a different stage would be better than other). If Muse/ Coldplay/ Radiohead are offering to play for much less than normal why would you say no? 

Think of all the slots at 10.30pm as headliners, ignore the fact that the pyramid happens to be the biggest, grab a cider, smile and get on with it.

[russycarps]

1 minute ago, danbailey80 said:

But you don't suggest anyone else? Who's available and who would attract a sizable crowd in the biggest field of the biggest festival?

I'd get this argument if there were 2/3 stages like other festivals. But there's hundreds. So they book all the artists to satisfy everyone and obviously put the biggest draw (usually being who sell more records) on the biggest stages. It really isn't that hard to understand. Why would they put PJ Harvey headlining the Pyramid when she can play somewhere else (although I admit a headlining slot on a different stage would be better than other). If Muse/ Coldplay/ Radiohead are offering to play for much less than normal why would you say no? 

Think of all the slots at 10.30pm as headliners, ignore the fact that the pyramid happens to be the biggest, grab a cider, smile and get on with it.

Virtually every time I mention it I suggest someone else...

foals? ellie goulding? 

 

[Wooderson]

"Easy" headliners theyve missed/felt inappropriate/gone back to the Coldplay well on from last couple of years:

Dakka, Madge, Swift, Timberlake, Gaga, Take That/Robby Williams, Eminem.

"Toughie" headliners theyve dropped bolick's on:

Floyd, Prince, Waits.

[stuartbert two hats]

14 minutes ago, russycarps said:

foals? ellie goulding? 

 

 

1 minute ago, Wooderson said:

Dakka, Madge, Swift, Timberlake, Gaga, Take That/Robby Williams, Eminem.

 

Herein lies the issue.  All shit.

[russycarps]

Just now, stuartbert two hats said:

 

Herein lies the issue.  All shit.

And muse and coldplay arent?

shit AND headlined multiple times. It's tragic.

 

 

[danbailey80]

22 minutes ago, russycarps said:

Virtually every time I mention it I suggest someone else...

foals? ellie goulding?

The Foals are playing!!! Probably headlining somewhere else

Edited March 10, 2016 by danbailey80

[Badlands]

Personal opinion on whether you like them is pointless when arguing over their merits as a headliner. Can't please all the people all the time. That list of maybes from Wooderson are all worthy of headlining, whether you like them or not.

 

[danbailey80]

Why get a smaller band like the foals to headline a massive field when you can get them to headline a different stage and put someone bigger on the bigger stage?

So basically the argument is "can we get bands that sell less records to play the festival this year cos that would be more interesting?"

[T-Mouse]

5 minutes ago, danbailey80 said:

Foals are playing!!! Probably headlining somewhere else

;-p

[chazwwe]

8 minutes ago, danbailey80 said:

Why get a smaller band like the foals to headline a massive field when you can get them to headline a different stage and put someone bigger on the bigger stage?

So basically the argument is "can we get bands that sell less records to play the festival this year cos that would be more interesting?"

Not because it would be more interesting because it would give that band/artist a jump up to headline festivals. Glastonbury used to do this all the time. Arctic Monleys, Muse, White Stripes off the top of my head all had their first 'major' headline festival at Glastonbury. Until one of the festivals jumps up and puts them in the position no one will. Repeating the same headliners causes a lack of interest from regular goers of festivals and also dilutes the festival headliner pool as a whole. 

[Andeeroo]

I would've thought Dakka would be a tough rather than 'easy' headliner, what with their supposed price/demands.

Who's to say they haven't sent out feelers to those acts but have been firmly rebuffed for whatever reason? None of us really has a fucking clue what goes on, it's all guesswork.

[Wooderson]

Just now, Andeeroo said:

I would've thought Dakka would be a tough rather than 'easy' headliner, what with their supposed price/demands.

Who's to say they haven't sent out feelers to those acts but have been firmly rebuffed for whatever reason? None of us really has a fucking clue what goes on, it's all guesswork.

They were "around" last year. Take your point on cost however.

[Wooderson]

Pointy-headed Pyramid overview past 20 fests:

60 headline spots '93-'16
39 one appearance wonders / 21 return performers made up of 10 maj of which being "indie" type bands

Years without a repeating act = 5 (25%) / Years with single repeat = 9 (45%) / Years with double repeat = 6 (30%)

Last time there were no repeat appearances at the top of the bill 2 years in a row: '93/'94

What can we take from this?

- Very few "risks" taken in past decade by GFL
- If a "big act" plays, go see 'em cuz theyre not coming back
- Festival loves having their matey indie bands back to play

Ultimate takeaway - If the fest had more interesting headliners we'd have more Jens Wildman types hanging around here.

[russycarps]

13 minutes ago, danbailey80 said:

Why get a smaller band like the foals to headline a massive field when you can get them to headline a different stage and put someone bigger on the bigger stage?

So basically the argument is "can we get bands that sell less records to play the festival this year cos that would be more interesting?"

Yes. Repeat headliners make the festival seem dull unimaginative and tired. I cant see how having a reputation as being "that festival who books muse and coldplay all the time" will end well.

 

[5co77ie]

4 minutes ago, russycarps said:

Yes. Repeat headliners make the festival seem dull unimaginative and tired. I cant see how having a reputation as being "that festival who books muse and coldplay all the time" will end well.

 

If Michael said 2 new headline names in the next 2 years last year - then if he meant new to the festival - we'll have 2 new ones next year. If Adele is counted as new - then only expect one new one next year as well.

[CaledonianGonzo]

Counterbalanced a bit by being the only festival with sufficient clout and reputation to be able to secure Adele.

[stuartbert two hats]

10 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

That's not the point. I'd have less of an issue with any of them (apart from Take That) than I have with coldplay. 

 

And dakka aren't shit.

I'm embarrassed to ask (I'm sure Neil will pop up to mock me), but who are Dakka?

I was exaggerating for effect a bit, but for most of those acts, it's pretty uncontroversial that they are shitter than Muse or Coldplay, Foals might do it one day and Dakka I can't comment on.  Is this like Shakey, where I do know them, but it's just a nickname?

[Andeeroo]

1 minute ago, stuartbert two hats said:

I'm embarrassed to ask (I'm sure Neil will pop up to mock me), but who are Dakka?

AC/DC. Akka Dakka.

[stuartbert two hats]

1 minute ago, Andeeroo said:

AC/DC. Akka Dakka.

Oh right.  Yeah, I agree that they should headline if Glasto can get them.

[Andeeroo]

11 minutes ago, Wooderson said:

They were "around" last year. Take your point on cost however.

Yeah, I got what you meant. I was just playing devils advocate and being a smarky c***. 

[CaledonianGonzo]

If they'd booked AC/DC for June they'd be in the same last-minute scramble for a replacement as they were with The Nicest Man in Foo.

[russycarps]

8 minutes ago, 5co77ie said:

If Michael said 2 new headline names in the next 2 years last year - then if he meant new to the festival - we'll have 2 new ones next year. If Adele is counted as new - then only expect one new one next year as well.

blimey...

It's symptomatic of the festival as whole though really. SE corner is the same every year, same old shit at arcadia, same old pyramid headliners etc etc

 

 

Edited March 10, 2016 by russycarps

[giantkatestacks]

I have been totally distracted by that dream Floyd/Prince/Waits festival.

[russycarps]

2 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

The repeats next year could be macca, and Shakey though. 

 

More likely to be mumford and the killers i suppose. 

I'm getting beyonce, mumfords and ed sheeran vibes

then the usual tits on here will be pointing to record sales and claiming sheeran is keeping things fresh.

Desperate times.