Kneecap

[DL50]

1 hour ago, kalifire said:

Tricky one, re: stage placement. Moving them to a bigger stage is the only sensible thing to do from a crowd management perspective, given the heightened interest as a result of all this. West Holts will likely be closed again, and if any stage closes their area, the booking team f**ked up. Nobody with a wristband should be told ‘sorry mate, you can’t get in’.

 

However, they need to tread carefully here. Changing the stage could be perceived as megaphoning the message, and Glasto is a bit too much of a cultural institution to ruffle feathers now, not because the message isn’t important and valid, but from a depressingly corporate perspective. Sad but true. 
 

I don’t envy them the decision. 

This is all spot on. It’s a lose lose situation for Emily Eavis et al 

[TheDayman]

5 minutes ago, DL50 said:

This is all spot on. It’s a lose lose situation for Emily Eavis et al 

People are probably saying the same about Kneecap… but they’re still ploughing ahead true to their beliefs.

 

I don’t see it as a lose lose for the Eavis’ - its an opportunity to cement their position, whatever that may be.

[wro_lap]

My inclination is they'll keep them on WH, and whenever The Script/Kaiser Chiefs/whoever's on Pyramid/Other beforehand finish their set, they'll put the big "WEST HOLTS FULL, DO NOT GO THERE" sign on screens while Bob Vylan are finishing their set. I wonder if they'll slightly alter the set times of some sets that are anticipated to be rammed (the Bob Dylan tribute, JADE, potentially Mumfords) to be at the same time as Kneecap

[DL50]

17 minutes ago, TheDayman said:

People are probably saying the same about Kneecap… but they’re still ploughing ahead true to their beliefs.

 

I don’t see it as a lose lose for the Eavis’ - its an opportunity to cement their position, whatever that may be.

It’s lose lose in the sense that whatever they decide, a particular group of people are gonna be upset and offended. 
 

Anyway, I think maybe best solution for them is keep them on WH but have some really popular acts on other stages at the same time. Maybe one of the Mumfords / Haim secret sets etc 

[TheDayman]

My take on Kneecaps placement…

 

At this point, Glastonbury really doesn’t have much choice but to let the police handle whatever investigations they’re doing, that’s separate. 

 

However if Kneecap gets moved to the Pyramid, it’ll be read by many as a show of support for the broader message Kneecap are tied to, not the crimes they are accused of.

 

Now I get the argument that it might ruffle the feathers of some partners, the local council or government officials. However do I agree on the extent? Probably not. We’re well into what’s happening in Gaza and I think it’s fair to say that the political mood has shifted. If there is a credible concern that WH won’t have the capacity, which I think we’re all in agreement there is, leaving them there will effectively be the festival sitting on the fence at a time when there is clear and credible evidence of genocide in Gaza. For me, that is a far more a consequential decision than the appeasing of commercial partners and flies in the face of everything I thought the festival stood for.

 

Most people know where they stand already so it will be extremely disappointing if the festival takes the easy way out and sits on the fence for this issue. It’s now too big - and too consequential - not to have a position on what is happening in Gaza. 

Edited May 24, 2025 by TheDayman

[TheDayman]

 

Mention of Glastonbury @ 4:10…

[Sawdusty surfer]

8 hours ago, TheDayman said:

I’d view it as the opposite - what an opportunity for the festival.

 

I mean, whose feathers are they really going to ruffle that are of any real consequence?

 

Regarding the ruffling of feathers I suspect that the objectors are possibly starting to feel that their position is weakening.

I was rather surprised to see that the reviews of last night's gig by both The Times and, incredibly, The Telegraph were very good indeed! 

 Job done.

Fully expecting Kneecap to be bumped to Other Stage and possibly even Pyramid.

[suzie sue]

15 minutes ago, Sawdusty surfer said:

 

Regarding the ruffling of feathers I suspect that the objectors are possibly starting to feel that their position is weakening.

I was rather surprised to see that the reviews of last night's gig by both The Times and, incredibly, The Telegraph were very good indeed! 

 Job done.

Fully expecting Kneecap to be bumped to Other Stage and possibly even Pyramid.

Was crazy to put them on WH to start with 

[Nathan Explosion]

I mean, it's just nonsense to say "Nobody with a wristband should be told ‘sorry mate, you can’t get in’". Happens literally all the time - any secret set, any surprisingly popular performance. It's not difficult, they just let it go ahead as planned, or they give it a cheeky little boost. It's a win win, not a lose lose. As long as they let them play.

[Suprefan]

46 minutes ago, Nathan Explosion said:

I mean, it's just nonsense to say "Nobody with a wristband should be told ‘sorry mate, you can’t get in’". Happens literally all the time - any secret set, any surprisingly popular performance. It's not difficult, they just let it go ahead as planned, or they give it a cheeky little boost. It's a win win, not a lose lose. As long as they let them play.

 

Do you want there to be "crushing incident at Kneecap performance" headlines? Put them on a bigger stage and give zero f**ks about what its gonna be seen as with that decision. Because again, tv wise this is gonna have big numbers. So might as well let the ones who are there in person get their chance. 
this is gonna be so stupid if it stays the same.

Edited May 24, 2025 by Suprefan

[smogo]

4 minutes ago, Suprefan said:

 

Do you want there to be "crushing incident at Kneecap performance" headlines? Put them on a bigger stage and give zero f**ks about what its gonna be seen as with that decision. Because again, tv wise this is gonna have big numbers. So might as well let the ones who are there in person get their chance. 
this is gonna be so stupid if it stays the same.

There was no crushing incident at West Holts last year when Sugababes packed the field. They just stopped people going in when it was at capacity. It'll be fine.

[efcfanwirral]

I don't think a move for them would have to be announced or be a big deal, we don't yet have stage times so they could just...be on a different stage when the times come.

 

Outside of the Glastonbury bubble nobody cares what stage acts were originally added to, they only care where they actually play on the day. To be honest, not even that. As far as most people are concerned Kneecap are just "playing Glastonbury" and probably assume it's the Pyramid anyway.

 

Taking all other circumstances out of it and focusing just on the band and their size, I think if someone else had blown up in popularity like they have in between booking/original announcements and the festival, it'd be expected they'd move. 

[modefan]

All of this is also applicable to Green Man where currently Kneecap are the Thursday headliner in the tent. GM do not run the main stage on the Thursday. But if it was oversubscribed for Sleaford Mods, it sure as hell will be for Kneecap

[Nathan Explosion]

1 hour ago, Suprefan said:

 

Do you want there to be "crushing incident at Kneecap performance" headlines? Put them on a bigger stage and give zero f**ks about what its gonna be seen as with that decision. Because again, tv wise this is gonna have big numbers. So might as well let the ones who are there in person get their chance. 
this is gonna be so stupid if it stays the same.

 

Personally I'm all for bumping them up, but I don't think it's a catastrophic decision if they choose not to. As others have said, they can close access if they need to. It's not a guaranteed "crushing incident" if they manage it properly. They have in the past, and I'd be confident they will again if they need to.

 

Just wish I actually had a ticket to see it! I'd 100% be there regardless of any clashes.

[MrHew]

Problem with moving them is someone else then loses their slot, which hardly seems fair. Or stage times need shortening to squeeze them in. It's logistically implausible at this stage plus programmes are probably printed.

 

[Tiesto13]

2 hours ago, MrHew said:

Problem with moving them is someone else then loses their slot, which hardly seems fair. Or stage times need shortening to squeeze them in. It's logistically implausible at this stage plus programmes are probably printed.

 

yeah, are there any instances of someone being bumped up in the recent past that haven’t involved another artist pulling out? Last year Barry can’t swim went absolutely huge in between being booked on the park stage and playing, and they just closed the park when it got full. 

[Suprefan]

1 hour ago, MrHew said:

Problem with moving them is someone else then loses their slot, which hardly seems fair. Or stage times need shortening to squeeze them in. It's logistically implausible at this stage plus programmes are probably printed.

 

 

You know they moved Sam Fender in place of Doja Cat when she cancelled with 2 months to go to the festival and Sam benefitted from that? He got to sub Pyramid cause of that. Hardly fair huh.  Sorry, but this is just how things go. 

 

 

3 hours ago, Nathan Explosion said:

 

Personally I'm all for bumping them up, but I don't think it's a catastrophic decision if they choose not to. As others have said, they can close access if they need to. It's not a guaranteed "crushing incident" if they manage it properly. They have in the past, and I'd be confident they will again if they need to.

 

Just wish I actually had a ticket to see it! I'd 100% be there regardless of any clashes.

 

It can still happen even if they close the area off. But youll know why it happened, and its cause they didnt make the move so that possibility could be reduced. Just gonna be insane for myself having gone from seeing them in the states in a tiny tent ( which started this whole damn thing ) to possibly 50,000 people screaming at the top of their lungs.

 

 

Look, Chappell Roan had this happen to  her festival appearances after Coachella happened last year. So anyone who thinks its not fair or doable when it comes to glasto making the call is just trying to cope. Theyve been monitoring this and know its in their better interest to move them to a bigger stage.

[Tiesto13]

That said, don’t think it’s impossible that someone does pull out and Kneecap get bumped up. West Holts bookers will presumably be pissed off though. 

 

More of an issue is Kneecap’s shangri-la set. Don’t know what time that’s supposed to be but if it’s post headliner then that will just make the south east corner complete chaos. Don’t really know what the festival can do about that.

[CaledonianGonzo]

6 hours ago, Suprefan said:

 

Do you want there to be "crushing incident at Kneecap performance" headlines? Put them on a bigger stage and give zero f**ks about what its gonna be seen as with that decision. Because again, tv wise this is gonna have big numbers. So might as well let the ones who are there in person get their chance. 
this is gonna be so stupid if it stays the same.

 

Spoiler warning. That chance still exists if they play West Holts.

 

 

[philipsteak]

18 hours ago, clarkete said:

 

Not a hypocritical old whinging arsehole? 

 

Ever since he suggested the US working class should vote for a group of billionaires everything he says these days is arse gravy. 

 

(sorry the Trump thing and his recent hypocrisy on breakfast telly winds me up somewhat) 

 

 

 

Has he done an advert for that yet?

[CaledonianGonzo]

18 hours ago, kalifire said:

 if any stage closes their area, the booking team f**ked up. Nobody with a wristband should be told ‘sorry mate, you can’t get in’.

 

Sad to hear it.  I'll call the festival and ask them to axe the entire South East corner

 

[philipsteak]

1 hour ago, Suprefan said:

 

You know they moved Sam Fender in place of Doja Cat when she cancelled with 2 months to go to the festival and Sam benefitted from that? He got to sub Pyramid cause of that. Hardly fair huh.  Sorry, but this is just how things go. 

 

 

 

 

 

Eh?

You're not making the point I think you think you're making with this. 

Sam Fender got bumped up.  Good for Sam. No one lost out (except Doja Cat but it was her call)

 

If Kneecap get moved then someone had to lose their slot in order for Kneecap to take their place. Unless they get lucky and someone pulls out leading to a reshuffle.

[CaledonianGonzo]

All 200k people on site should be able to show up at every single performance just as the band takes the stage and still have the best seat in the house.  It's only fair.

[nikkic]

“Guys it’s getting really busy for The Rolling Stones, we’re going to have to put some safety measures in place”

 

”Damn it we’ve f**ked up, we should have booked Foals instead”. 

[Suprefan]

1 hour ago, philipsteak said:

 

Eh?

You're not making the point I think you think you're making with this. 

Sam Fender got bumped up.  Good for Sam. No one lost out (except Doja Cat but it was her call)

 

If Kneecap get moved then someone had to lose their slot in order for Kneecap to take their place. Unless they get lucky and someone pulls out leading to a reshuffle.

 

So if Brandi Carlisle got to play at 4pm instead of at noon cause Kneecap had to swap thats not going to be better for her? I am now wondering if everyone just wants it to be the same so that their precious schedule stays the same that theyve mocked Up on Clashfinder and they dont run into any issues.