Graspop 2020

[Woke juice]

@Ken19 Should we still expect a bigger headliner worth the wait for Friday or has things changed and Aerosmith now fills that role? Just curious I am happy with Aerosmith.

[Ken19]

38 minutes ago, Woke juice said:

@Ken19 Should we still expect a bigger headliner worth the wait for Friday or has things changed and Aerosmith now fills that role? Just curious I am happy with Aerosmith.

Not sure how things exactly changed. There are some day switches happening. I think we'll know by the end of next week. 

[Archi]

2 hours ago, Ken19 said:

Not sure how things exactly changed. There are some day switches happening. I think we'll know by the end of next week. 

I guess all these changes explain why we still don't have any official poster from the festival!

[Mo6]

On 11/12/2019 at 11:54 PM, Ken19 said:

Sunday they have 4 potential ms2 headliners: deftones, disturbed, the offspring and deep purple. 
I expect a smaller, cheaper, headliner this day. Nightwish is a realistic option.

On Friday they have room for a very big name.

What happened? This post doesn't seem to make any sense anymore

[Ken19]

1 hour ago, Mo6 said:

What happened? This post doesn't seem to make any sense anymore

Yeah, some switches, that happens. 

Most important thing is that all these bands are coming to Graspop. 

 

I'm reading all over the internet the craziest stories. The Graspopfans are really too frustrated about System Of A Down. In fact, this band is already booked a long time ago. 

Long story short. In 2016, when the bookings for 2017 were happening, Graspop had all of his 3 headliners booked: Kiss, Ozzy & Avenged Sevenfold. Then came the opportunity to book SOAD (Live Nation offered them first), but with all headline acts already booked, they had to let go SOAD. After some talk RW decided to put them on Rock Werchter. The band and agent were really nice, easy going negotiations, they were happy to get a high spot and play on a festival with 90000 visitors. Closing the day was not a thing (Green Day doesn't want to co headline with SOAD, and they stopped the negotiations). That is really interesting for a band, the size of the festival, something that people forget too fast. 

The unbelievable thing happened then. All the 3 headliners of Graspop canceled their performances because of various reasons. In the time frame of a few weeks. 1 band can happen, but all 3 is never been seen. Live Nation tried to change SOAD from (nog announcements were already made) RW to Graspop. But the band refused. RW was far more interesting. Because Graspop was desperate, Herman Schueremans was lobbying and contacting all of his network, in search of a big headliner. Guns 'N Roses only wanted to play TW Classic, because it was a day festival with 4 support acts (that is how it was sold), their main focus was on arena shows. 

Back that day, Herman has a very good relationship with the agent of Rammstein (same agent as Kraftwerk, just a fun fact). Contacted some other festivals, and after some thinking from band and management, Rammstein did the tour. Graspop was saved. Be honest, they first announced Evanescence and Deep Purple. Which is too weak as headliners. Scorpions were offered later. Now is this impossible by the way, Rammstein changed their management and agent. These people refuse to work with Live Nation. 

The show on RW 2017 was an enormous succes. The band and entourage were very happy, RW had a nice time with them too (very professional, correct team to work with). When they were offered for 2020, Live Nation put Graspop also on the table. But for the band and management, it was clear, they want to come back to Werchter. And Werchter was also happy to do is off course. I already said that the booking of SOAD was very interesting on many bases. 

It is always the same. When a band is coming to RW, and they fit Graspop, they are always angry on Werchter, Live Nation, Schueremans. in 2004 Schueremans tried to put Metallica on Graspop. But Metallica only wanted to come back to Werchter. Their favorite festival. When Volbeat was booked for 2013, not really a succes but they are going to try it again this year, the Graspop people also mad. GNR 2017, again. And go on. But they forget that a band can choose too. They can choose different. There are each year bands that Werchter wants and they finally play on Dour, Les Ardentes, Cactus... because they get a nicer spot on the line up. 

I hope this make things clear. And that all these wild stories can stop. This business is complicated but also very easy to understand. Graspop is very important for Schueremans and Live Nation. They are co owner, they book a lot of the bands. Last fun fact, in the office of Live Nation Belgium hangs a portret of Iron Maiden (with Eddie), the face of Eddie is changed by the face of Herman Schueremans. A gift from the Iron Maiden entourage many years ago. 

[Karlos12345]

1 hour ago, Ken19 said:

Yeah, some switches, that happens. 

Most important thing is that all these bands are coming to Graspop. 

 

I'm reading all over the internet the craziest stories. The Graspopfans are really too frustrated about System Of A Down. In fact, this band is already booked a long time ago. 

Long story short. In 2016, when the bookings for 2017 were happening, Graspop had all of his 3 headliners booked: Kiss, Ozzy & Avenged Sevenfold. Then came the opportunity to book SOAD (Live Nation offered them first), but with all headline acts already booked, they had to let go SOAD. After some talk RW decided to put them on Rock Werchter. The band and agent were really nice, easy going negotiations, they were happy to get a high spot and play on a festival with 90000 visitors. Closing the day was not a thing (Green Day doesn't want to co headline with SOAD, and they stopped the negotiations). That is really interesting for a band, the size of the festival, something that people forget too fast. 

The unbelievable thing happened then. All the 3 headliners of Graspop canceled their performances because of various reasons. In the time frame of a few weeks. 1 band can happen, but all 3 is never been seen. Live Nation tried to change SOAD from (nog announcements were already made) RW to Graspop. But the band refused. RW was far more interesting. Because Graspop was desperate, Herman Schueremans was lobbying and contacting all of his network, in search of a big headliner. Guns 'N Roses only wanted to play TW Classic, because it was a day festival with 4 support acts (that is how it was sold), their main focus was on arena shows. 

Back that day, Herman has a very good relationship with the agent of Rammstein (same agent as Kraftwerk, just a fun fact). Contacted some other festivals, and after some thinking from band and management, Rammstein did the tour. Graspop was saved. Be honest, they first announced Evanescence and Deep Purple. Which is too weak as headliners. Scorpions were offered later. Now is this impossible by the way, Rammstein changed their management and agent. These people refuse to work with Live Nation. 

The show on RW 2017 was an enormous succes. The band and entourage were very happy, RW had a nice time with them too (very professional, correct team to work with). When they were offered for 2020, Live Nation put Graspop also on the table. But for the band and management, it was clear, they want to come back to Werchter. And Werchter was also happy to do is off course. I already said that the booking of SOAD was very interesting on many bases. 

It is always the same. When a band is coming to RW, and they fit Graspop, they are always angry on Werchter, Live Nation, Schueremans. in 2004 Schueremans tried to put Metallica on Graspop. But Metallica only wanted to come back to Werchter. Their favorite festival. When Volbeat was booked for 2013, not really a succes but they are going to try it again this year, the Graspop people also mad. GNR 2017, again. And go on. But they forget that a band can choose too. They can choose different. There are each year bands that Werchter wants and they finally play on Dour, Les Ardentes, Cactus... because they get a nicer spot on the line up. 

I hope this make things clear. And that all these wild stories can stop. This business is complicated but also very easy to understand. Graspop is very important for Schueremans and Live Nation. They are co owner, they book a lot of the bands. Last fun fact, in the office of Live Nation Belgium hangs a portret of Iron Maiden (with Eddie), the face of Eddie is changed by the face of Herman Schueremans. A gift from the Iron Maiden entourage many years ago. 

Man Ken, those storys. I would love to have a beer with you. I'd be on the edge of my seat all night.

[BlackFoxx]

Does that mean Volbeat for Rock Werchter then? Playing same day as SOAD I'd assume, what sorta slot would that be?

[Metalrockx]

48 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

Does that mean Volbeat for Rock Werchter then? Playing same day as SOAD I'd assume, what sorta slot would that be?

I hope they place Gojira on the same day as SOAD, that could convince me to go.

Volbeat can be a bonus, but nothing more...

[Mo6]

I loved reading that story man ?

[Endersix]

22 hours ago, Ken19 said:

Yeah, some switches, that happens. 

Most important thing is that all these bands are coming to Graspop. 

 

 

Thank you @Ken19 for this, and the story.

I would love to have your job and see the other side of the mirror 

[Archi]

Faith No More headliner on Friday!

[LovelessNL]

No AC/DC, no GnR, interesting. Curious to see if one of those ends up at RW.

[Mendez]

So, they swapped dates in the end.

[Ken19]

Just now, Mendez said:

So, they swapped dates in the end.

?

[xydroh]

Just now, Ken19 said:

?

Did they do all of this for pinkpop? so they can have faith no more on sunday?

[Ken19]

2 minutes ago, xydroh said:

Did they do all of this for pinkpop? so they can have faith no more on sunday?

No, is for Aerosmith. By the way, Aerosmith came in the picture not that long ago (in festival terms). They are trying to put some extra solid names on Friday now. FNM is nog strong enough to have all the weight on their shoulders. Great name nonetheless. 

Edited December 9, 2019 by Ken19

[Set]

2 minutes ago, xydroh said:

Did they do all of this for pinkpop? so they can have faith no more on sunday?

FNM will not be playing at Pinkpop. 

[xydroh]

Just now, Ken19 said:

No, is for Aerosmith. By the way, they came in the picture not that long ago (in festival terms). 

so the big booking didn't go through?

[Ken19]

Just now, xydroh said:

so the big booking didn't go through?

Aerosmith not big enough? 

But I think where you are referring to, no. But it was worth trying. 

[lightsnowpatrol]

Just now, Ken19 said:

Aerosmith not big enough? 

But I think where you are referring to, no. But it was worth trying. 

Would love to have your insight on all this festival stuff sounds very interesting, any chance you can say the name or is that asking too much 

[xydroh]

Just now, Ken19 said:

Aerosmith not big enough? 

But I think where you are referring to, no. But it was worth trying. 

Sure they are big, but when you say a band bigger than usual for graspop, aerosmith is not exactly what i'm thinking off since they've already played graspop. 

 

Don't know how the sales are at the moment but I do think this year will be harder to sell out then last 2 years looking purely at the headliners.

[Ravenouz]

1 minute ago, xydroh said:

Sure they are big, but when you say a band bigger than usual for graspop, aerosmith is not exactly what i'm thinking off since they've already played graspop. 

 

Don't know how the sales are at the moment but I do think this year will be harder to sell out then last 2 years looking purely at the headliners.

When looking at the other 72 names, I'd think it will be a different story to be honest.

[demontje]

It isn't all about the headliners, the strength is in the package of all the bands together in one day. My opion. They will certainly sell out again.

[Ken19]

The ticket sales are really going well. I expect them to sell out their combi's and day tickets expect Friday. 

The last couple of years they had a lot 'new' visitors, people that would normally don't go to a metalfestival. But the vibe is amazing there, and these people keep on going. 

Edited December 9, 2019 by Ken19

[xydroh]

32 minutes ago, Ken19 said:

The ticket sales are really going well. I expect them to sell out their combi's and day tickets expect Friday. 

The last couple of years they had a lot 'new' visitors, people that would normally don't go to a metalfestival. But the vibe is amazing there, and these people keep on going. 

does graspop/livenation ever look at the reactions on facebook or other social media ?

Edited December 9, 2019 by xydroh