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The Roots in Melbourne on New Year's Day. A proper bucket list gig for me, I've been wanting to see them live for about 20 years but on the very rare occasions they've been somewhere I'm at, I've missed them. It was their first time in Australia since 2013 and I made damn sure to bag a Front GA ticket and get right in the pit. Anyone who's enjoyed a full Roots live experience will know how amazing it is. An unrelenting wall of sound that doesn't stop for nearly two hours, with about a dozen musicians at various times prowling the stage with solos, features and an incredibly tight ensemble. The crowd were fantastic, the band clearly thrilled to be there and relishing the reception. I didn't stop moving and couldn't stop smiling. If you ever get the chance, go.

It’s probably BBC wanting to do a global livestream like this year of the headliners that he objected to and possibly interviews as well as broadcasting the whole show? The younger bands/artists would be happy for that exposure ( although SZA probably regretting that now) Neil probably wanted to be more exclusive to the festival itself ? BbC coverage is great for those who can’t make it - was quite happy to watch all of Elton John on tv given it was the first year I couldn’t get tix. not sure I would be that bothered about 2 hours of Neil Young on tv. He was great in 2009 live but I wouldn’t feel I was missing anything if he isn’t there.

It’s funny, I had to defend the bbc for allegations of bias from my Dad and his partner. Two more Brexity, Faragist boomers you couldn’t hope to find anywhere outside of Clacton. The fact that people on the left accuse it of the complete opposite version of bias simply proves that it tries (sometimes too hard and not always successfully) to tread a very narrow tightrope to deliver the impartiality dictated in its charter. It’s not perfect, but the fact is, it is the most trusted news channel in the U.K. and the US (YouGov 2024) for a reason. Its “cosy” relationship with Glasto is massively beneficial to both parties. The awareness the festival receives by being on the countries most watched channel is massively beneficial. Its mass popularity, and its cultural significance would drop really quickly if it were on anything other than a free to air channel, and the BBC’s ability to deliver massive outside broadcast and production is significantly better than ITV or Channels 4 or 5. Glasto headliners aren’t beholden to the bbc except that the BBC presumably have the contracted right to broadcast the event for which they are the contracted broadcaster. Seems fair to me, and would presumably be the same for Sky at the IOW for example. We don’t know what the BBC asked for that was so unreasonable, but I can’t imagine it was much beyond the ability to air it live and host it on the iPlayer, along with requesting a set list ahead of time. All of which seem completely reasonable to me, given their contract with the festival. The fact that some artists might have an issue with that seems to me to be an artist issue, not a festival or bbc issue.

How is it any different to the arrangement he would have had in place in 2009?

oh definitely, not saying she can’t headline or doesn’t deserve it, I’d be there for sure. Just feels odd that she’s everywhere at the moment but still can’t sell out what is effectively a half-sized All Points East… then again, that could well be a London festival thing

She could surely headline based off current cultural significance alone though? Plus her set on The Levels last year was incredibly busy

Were entering a bit of a ‘pop/hyper-pop’ era though, the festival has always moved with the times, you wouldn’t have seen people complaining about too many brit-pop artists in the 00’s, or too much techno in the 90’s

Charli is an odd one. Big act for sure, no doubt about that, but she’s not even sold out the new Lido festival in London which is only around 25-30k so not sure she has the massive pulling power needed for a pyramid headline

Thanks Beerqueen. That really is excellent information. I say that because I have since found out that various strands of friends have already committed themselves to certain festivals next year already. This is also now affecting the timing of any such event, However, the timing of Farmer Phil's might make it a suitable option for some - although those already booked for Latitude might find it a struggle after Glastonbury, Latitude, and The end of the Road festival ahead of them too. It is all very fluid at the moment.

The 1975 - Charli xcx - Olivia Rodrigo very Radio 1 Big Weekend that. There needs to be a counter balance otherwise that looks very weak and pop heavy

Yeah, I think that is the most likely scenario.

I agree. I think so many of the "moments" / guest appearances in recent years have been for the benefit of the BBC audience rather than those in attendance. It's getting a bit silly - when those watching at home will judge a headliner to be poor just because they didn't have some random guest they could watch on their phones.

I've been going to Glasto for decades. The fact that Glasto headliners are now beholden on who the BBC dictate will improve their viewing figures is a issue. I am 100% for progression and new acts being giving the bump up. But the BBC - the mouth piece of Farage, Brexit and colonialist propaganda - should have no place influencing the line up whatsoever if the festival still espouses the ethos it claims to maintain. They've sold out. Anyone that's been going for long enough can see this. This latest news is just another demonstration.

Looks like a still from Robocop

Every 15 minutes?

Still far too many names not there I can see on the farm next year - bigger names such as Sabrina, Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams, Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, Weezer, a big rap name like Central Cee/AJ Tracey/J Hus (if he has new music out) etc. Then also a lot of names further down the bill who make a lot of sense but couldn't fit on e.g. Pale Waves, Cat Power, Kamasi Washington, Biig Piig, En Vogue, Everything Everything, Doves, Maggie Rogers, Pendulum, MARINA, either MJ Lenderman or mk.gee, The Dare, Overmono, Myles Smith, ScHoolboy Q, Run the Jewels, Poppy, either Lucy Dacus or Julien Baker & Torres... 50/50 on Muse headlining or Charli getting the bump up but I can see the latter happening. Feeling less likely on a KOL secret set as they're only free on the Saturday. Wanted Knocked Loose on Woodsies but they have European dates that weekend.

Yes. Even just for the adverts alone.

You spelled Nick Cave wrong on Saturday night

First update of 2025: Friday: Pyramid - The 1975, Paramore, Wet Leg, Alanis Morissette, Ezra Collective, Travis, CMAT Other Stage - Loyle Carner, Deftones, Franz Ferdinand, The Wombats, Inhaler, Japanese Breakfast, Cast, Shed Seven (openers) West Holts - FKA twigs, Khruangbin, Doechii, JPEGMAFIA, Magdalena Bay, Yussef Dayes, Cymande, Master Peace Woodsies - Underworld, Foster the People, TBA (Wolf Alice), Viagra Boys, Lola Young, Alfie Templeman, Antony Szmierek, SOFY The Park - St. Vincent, Laura Marling, Public Service Broadcasting, Ethel Cain, Faye Webster, Berwyn, The Lemon Twigs Saturday: Pyramid - Muse, Biffy Clyro, Jorja Smith, Public Enemy, Snow Patrol, Train, Cat Burns, Olly Murs Other Stage - Charli xcx, Skepta, The Libertines, Beabadoobee, Kneecap, The Lathums, The K's, Hard-Fi West Holts - Basement Jaxx, Goat, Pa Salieu, Black Country, New Road, Rizzle Kicks, Nilufer Yanya, Caravan Palace, Pozer Woodsies - King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Blossoms, Wunderhorse, Kelly Lee Owens, The Chats, Fat Dog, Paris Paloma, Sprints The Park - The Maccabees, Father John Misty, Parcels, English Teacher, Royel Otis, Lauren Mayberry, Jessica Pratt Sunday: Pyramid - Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Rod Stewart, The Script, Sigrid, Belinda Carlisle Other Stage - The Prodigy, Jamie T, Tate McRae, Future Islands, The Kooks, Nieve Ella, Jake Bugg, Red Rum Club West Holts - Maribou State, Denzel Curry, Shygirl, The Maytals, Geordie Greep, Hak Baker, Elmiene, Ibibio Sound Machine Woodsies - Clairo, Cage the Elephant, The Japanese House, TBA (HAIM), Bashy, Alessi Rose, The Royston Club, Competition Winner The Park - Amyl and the Sniffers, Beth Gibbons, Tom Misch, Hinds, Katy J Pearson, Osees, Fabiana Palladino

Parklife and Glastonbury headliner in the same year. Hmmmmm.

I reckon it’s to do with what songs they wanted him to play - e.g. maybe he was like ‘i’m not playing 3 recognisable covers’ i think this is the right decision to be honest - I don’t know if he would have pulled anywhere near a big enough crowd for the pyramid stage.

Make the pyramid green goddammit!

I'm absolutely convinced Charli XCX has been booked as an act that could step up to headline. Make the call, Emily!

Looking at the line up, it's a fair assumption. It was certainly expensive, but again, looking at the line-up, you'd expect that.

Eat a peach.