Neil Young now out

[elfimaju]

Yes, yes - lots of speculation threads already but the loss of the Friday headliner is new news and has opened up a big new opportunity for guesswork.

So given that Neil Young will exclusively headline IoW - putting money first as Neil had tipped - this supports the comment made by Emily Eavis about big changes at the last minute.

Its now certain that Bruce and Blur will be Saturday and Sunday headliners so who will fill the Friday slot. Most discussion so far here has been on the 4th headliner to support Bruce on Saturday but this is surely now a bigger slot that has come free.

From the debate so far we can maybe guess the following are probably out:

Killers - too soon

Arctic Monkeys - probably a Reading/Leeds exclusive

U2 - Bono has already said not

Depeche Mode - already ruled out

Elbow - too small to headline and not playing anyway

Pet Shop Boys - too small to be headliners?

The Cure - back in vogue but headliner days are gone?

Flaming Lips - as above

AC/DC - too much of a 'risk'

Metallica - as above

Foo Fighters - no touring or festival plans this year

Libertines - if it happens, they'll take big cash elsewhere surely

Oasis - have their own dates

Muse - no touring or festival plans this year

Kings of Leon - too soon and appearing elsewhere

Fleetwood Mac - appearing but surely not being viewed as one of the 4 headliners?

Which doesn't leave a huge number of alternatives for the two 'headliner' slots left:

Radiohead - this appears unlikely as they are expected to play elsewhere. Maybe back in the running to help Glasto out in their hour of need?

Coldplay - looking increasingly likely to me

White Stripes - very possible if they show signs of doing more live stuff over the next few months

Green Day - not sure about fit but profile and timing could work

Morrisey - is he really big enough these days to fill one of these two slots?

Who am I missing? Don't say Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd or Stone Roses etc as that is just not going to happen.

[parsonjack]

Prodigy?

[russycarps]

it doesnt look like it is an exclusive for IOW.

And since when are flaiming lips "back in vogue"??

[Neville Street]

A reformed Smiths?

[LRW]

Nowhere has it said exclusive!

[Tugger2k]

Foo Fighters - no touring or festival plans this year

Radiohead - this appears unlikely as they are expected to play elsewhere. Maybe back in the running to help Glasto out in their hour of need?

Coldplay - looking increasingly likely to me

White Stripes - very possible if they show signs of doing more live stuff over the next few months

[Paul ™]

I think he will still play

[Block]

Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd or Stone Roses...

[Chimps in Balaclavas]

I think he will still play

[Young Lover]

just to wind everyone up and spread more seeds of false hope/doubt, here are some more acts that I reckon could carry the headline slot on the Pyramid stage (a mate told me they're all playing this year):

Weezer

Kanye West

Bob Dylan

Prince

The Prodigy (I know one of the repliers mentioned it)

The Pixies

Eddie Vedder / Pearl Jam

Van Morrison

Sigur Ros

R.E.M.

Kate Bush

Surely Prodigy will turn up this year? And wouldn't it be great if Pearl Jam played? I have also yet to see Sigur Ros, and I would be absolutely made up if they were on the line up, although I know they'd probably do the Other Stage.

[theboytaff]

For over forty years Neil Young has pioneered musical genres and influenced generations of fans and now rock’s most intriguing chameleon will be sharing his ‘Heart of Gold’ in an exclusive headline performance at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.

[Matt 100]

I would love the Foo's to play but no chance of this happenin. Think its goin to be White Strips & Coldplay, with them already bein on the rumour mill. There are goin to be a good few annoyed people on here if NY doesn't play.

[ThomThomDrum]

Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd or Stone Roses...

[Aragorn]

A reformed Smiths?

[Wooderson]

[Tugger2k]

[ralph250]

I still think Young will play, but I think it'll be sunday legend spot.

...as for friday, I really hope not, but one name on the rumour list not mentioned above who sticks out as perhaps given the chance to step up...

...keane

*shudders*

[Wooderson]

stop, STOP IT NOW

[Drinky]

I still think Young will play, but I think it'll be sunday legend spot.

...as for friday, I really hope not, but one name on the rumour list not mentioned above who sticks out as perhaps given the chance to step up...

...keane

*shudders*

[harrisonmuse16]

You might be onto something there.

[windy_miller]

I reckon it'll be one of either Prince, Kylie or the Rolling Stones

[eFestivals]

That says exclusive to me

it says "exclusive headline performance" - and because it doesn't say "exclusive festival performance" there's defo something to be read between the lines there.

[The Nal]

it says "exclusive headline performance" - and because it doesn't say "exclusive festival performance" there's defo something to be read between the lines there.

[laid back in the sun]

so does this suggest that the rumour about coldplay playing after neil young is true then?

[ralph250]

it says "exclusive headline performance" - and because it doesn't say "exclusive festival performance" there's defo something to be read between the lines there.