2025 Headliners

[Ben7amin_]

1 minute ago, Pipine said:

I don’t know much about Olivia Rodrigo atm but if she’s headlining I will definitely do some back catalogue research and most likely go and see her.  
 

It’s weird to assume that new pop artists only appeal to the younger generations.. I was on the catwalk barrier for Dua Lipa as I loved a lot of her singles and went away thinking it was one of my favourite sets in 27 years of glasto going.  Her music is universal, definitely not aimed at a particular demographic.  
 

Even if music is more directed to a specific demographic, which maybe one of my favourite artists at the moment - Charlie XCX is, I don’t think that should stop people of any age enjoying it.  Good music is good music, end of.  I’ve never felt too old for anything and I’m 51 now.. 

 

 I do not think acts like this necessarily target younger fans - I just think perhaps (and not tarring all of them). more older fans (again present company most definitely excluded).   Put up more of a fuss about trying new things -   

 

A lot of people get to an age and there music taste stagnates and they are suddenly reluctant to even consider new things -  and even worse they have a terrible habbit of writing acts of without even trying them -  Be willing to bet 80%+ of the people saying Olivia Rodrigo should not headline probably have never even tried listening to her

 

Yourself obviously not included  in this generalisation. 

[4AssedMonkey]

2 hours ago, Benjsh said:

 

That's fair enough but I think you can appreciate her lyrics aren't particularly aimed at our demographic are they? That was the point. 

 

I'm sure she will go down very well with the younger punters like Dua Lipa did. That did absolutely nothing for me either though. I just don't get all that pop stuff with huge sets distracting you from the fact there's not actually a proper band playing most of the time and the singer is only semi singing live as there's an obvious backing track in use.

 

Don't think they should be headlining personally if it's not 100% live but that's just my take. 

 

This is something I kind of agree with.  And even if there is a band on stage, they tend to get backstaged whilst the leagues of dancers are spotlighted at the front and the whole thing is choreographed to within an inch of it's life.  I get it's impressive, requires hard work and talent, but I'd rather just see a really good tight band absolutely killing it, acting spontaneously and having the time of their life.

[Pipine]

5 minutes ago, 4AssedMonkey said:

 

This is something I kind of agree with.  And even if there is a band on stage, they tend to get backstaged whilst the leagues of dancers are spotlighted at the front and the whole thing is choreographed to within an inch of its life.  I get it's impressive, requires hard work and talent, but I'd rather just see a really good tight band absolutely killing it, acting spontaneously and having the time of their life.

It’s just personal preference isn’t it.. I like to see bands and I also like big production pop shows. They can both be really thrilling to watch for different reasons.  
 

I don’t like it when people mime, but I’m happy for some backing track support as long as you can hear the live vocals (which you could for Dua).  Pretty sure Dua was having the time of her life in her headline slot last year.. even though it was a tightly choreographed set.. it can be all of those things and there’s a place for all of it on the farm if you ask me. 
 

 

[gfa]

13 minutes ago, 4AssedMonkey said:

 

This is something I kind of agree with.  And even if there is a band on stage, they tend to get backstaged whilst the leagues of dancers are spotlighted at the front and the whole thing is choreographed to within an inch of it's life.  I get it's impressive, requires hard work and talent, but I'd rather just see a really good tight band absolutely killing it, acting spontaneously and having the time of their life.

To play devils advocate, isn't a 'tight' band also choreographed within a inch of it's life

[4AssedMonkey]

2 minutes ago, gfa said:

To play devils advocate, isn't a 'tight' band also choreographed within a inch of it's life

 

You make an excellent point.  I would however state that there can be a slight variation in that the best bands can improvise on the hoof and do so as a unit.  I don't know this, but suspect backing dancers don't have that licence.

[CaledonianGonzo]

As a man in his 40s I can only identify with lyrics about going fishing, DIY and lower back pain.

[CaledonianGonzo]

4 minutes ago, 4AssedMonkey said:

 

You make an excellent point.  I would however state that there can be a slight variation in that the best bands can improvise on the hoof and do so as a unit.  I don't know this, but suspect backing dancers don't have that licence.

 

Depends on the type of music. There's a huge spectrum between something like the Grateful Dead and The JBs. 

 

Dua Lipa - in dispensing dance floorbangers - is best suited to having a band that's tight as a drum and ruthlessly efficient.

[dotdash79]

2 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

As a man in his 40s I can only identify with lyrics about going fishing, DIY and lower back pain.

 

and what bin day it is

[NorthernSoul52]

14 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

As a man in his 40s I can only identify with lyrics about going fishing, DIY and lower back pain.

Mortimer and Whitehouse to headline.

[Slimeyc]

Olivia Rodrigo is touring with a very similar band setup to her other stage set few years back. They are exceptionally talented and whilst she also has Dancers they don't get lost in the background. 

 

Plenty of riffs for the guitar fans and strong lyrics for the younger insecure crowd 

 

(55 years old and I think she is brilliant)

[NorthernSoul52]

Also concur. A pop show needs a band who are as tight as a Yorkshireman at a carvery. A rock show can benefit immensely from a band who have a looseness, especially if the songs are more free-flowing and improvisational.

 

Generally, a rock-solid rhythm section is essential. The rest, you can play around with.

[NorthernSoul52]

1 minute ago, Slimeyc said:

Olivia Rodrigo is touring with a very similar band setup to her other stage set few years back. They are exceptionally talented and whilst she also has Dancers they don't get lost in the background. 

 

Plenty of riffs for the guitar fans and strong lyrics for the younger insecure crowd 

 

(55 years old and I think she is brilliant)

And dancers for those who like that sort of thing. Dancers, I guess, since it means they're not unemployed.

[FKA SOSOTWS]

4 hours ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

Tho she will be up onstage singing All-American Bitch

 

Indeed. So let's hope Emily doesn't go down the IDPOL crap route like suprefan is suggesting.

[FKA SOSOTWS]

5 minutes ago, Slimeyc said:

Olivia Rodrigo is touring with a very similar band setup to her other stage set few years back. They are exceptionally talented and whilst she also has Dancers they don't get lost in the background. 

 

Plenty of riffs for the guitar fans and strong lyrics for the younger insecure crowd 

 

(55 years old and I think she is brilliant)

 

Yes, and her pop punk sound will likely be appreciated by the nostalgia crowd.

[balti-pie]

Im a closed minded, curmudgeonly music fan in his mid forties, and having given Olivia Rodrigo a bash i think she's much, much better than i was anticipating. I tend to listen to music made by miserable hairy tattooed people of approximately the same age as me, and she's very very far from that demographic, but good music is good music. 

Would wait and see what there is on the other stages in terms of headline slots, but if i were dragged along to her i think i'd enjoy it quite a lot. People should give her a listen 👍 

[Pipine]

There’s a lot of great pop around atm and I’m all here for it.  I’ll start with Olivia’s tiny desk set and see how it goes.. 

[Slimeyc]

7 minutes ago, Pipine said:

There’s a lot of great pop around atm and I’m all here for it.  I’ll start with Olivia’s tiny desk set and see how it goes.. 

If you have Netflix her tour is being broadcast later this month which will give you a much better idea of the full sound 

[NorthernSoul52]

Beats Slade, I'd say.

[Gnomicide]

56 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Beats Slade, I'd say.

 

Now let's not get ahead of ourselves.

[RedJosh]

I know people weren't expecting The Cure, but they are definitely out this is what Robert Smith said to Uncut:

 

“We'll be playing an album show this year. We were going to play festivals next year, but a couple of weeks ago I decided

that we wouldn't be going to play anything next summer. The next time we go out on stage will be autumn next year. But then we'll probably be playing quite regularly through until the next anniversary - the 2028 anniversary - which is looming on the horizon. I'm 70 in 2029 and that's the 50th anniversary of the first Cure album. That's really it, if I make it that far. So in the intervening time, I'd like us to play concerts as part of the overall plan. The last 10 years of playing shows have been the best 10 years of being in the band. It pisses all over the other 30-odd years! There was an enormous freedom and great joy in just going out and playing music.”

[NorthernSoul52]

I could see The Cure as a potential repeat if they want an old-school act in 2028. Would tie in for fifty years.

[CaledonianGonzo]

How did we miss that Stevie is back gigging?:

 

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/stevie-wonder-new-york-madison-square-garden-review-1235132211/

 

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/stevie-wonder/2024/madison-square-garden-new-york-ny-7353dad9.html

 

I'd say this moves Smooth Jimmy Appollo one step closer.

 

[FKA SOSOTWS]

Stevie Wonder doing a short USA tour related to the election doesn't necessarily say much about whether he wants to cross continents though.

[CaledonianGonzo]

Just now, SwallowOrSleepOnTheWetSpot said:

Stevie Wonder doing a short USA tour related to the election doesn't necessarily say much about whether he wants to cross continents though.

 

Means he's active and has a band and a show in shape.  

 

More than can be said for e.g. Rihanna.

[FKA SOSOTWS]

1 minute ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

Means he's active and has a band and a show in shape.  

 

More than can be said for e.g. Rihanna.

 

The set seems tailored made for USA though, like with the opener Can We Fix Our Nation's Broken heart.

 

But yes, more than can be said for Rihanna and he obviously would be a much preferred booking over her.