Just how good is this year's line-up?

[Dirty Boots]

Mainstage

KOL vs GnR

No contest in my mind, especially when you consider the act that ''Guns n Roses'' are today. KOL have made 3 truly great albums and if it wasn't for the popularity of Only By The Night - musical snobs would still be fans. GnR are an old, tired band, KOL are the exact opposite (although their performance could have been much better last year). 2009 wins.

Arctic Monkeys vs Arcade Fire

Another two great bands of the noughties, Arctic Monkeys showed their maturity last year and exhibited what a great act they really are. Not just excellent song writers, but also good musicians. Arcade Fire are one of the best bands of our generation and will be the best headliner this year. Draw.

Radiohead vs Blink 182

No contest. An average at best American, rock pop group vs one of the best bands of all time. 2009 wins hands down.

Kaiser Chiefs vs QOTSA, 2010 wins, doesn't even need explaining.

The Prodigy vs The Libertines - One of the greatest electro/dance acts of all-time vs the most influencial British band of the decade. Hard to choose between the two for me, Draw.

Bloc Party vs Paramore

Another great British indie band, sure they've played a lot in recent years but always put on a good show and have a huge fanbase at Reading. Paramore do to, although I doubt them massively as live performers from what I've seen/heard. This is probably the biggest gig of their career but worthy of the second headline slot, f**k no. 2009 wins.

Placebo, Maximo Park, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. 2 great bands, one average band - still one of the most popular of mid-noughties Indie. Placebo are legends, whilst everyone was mourning the end of grunge they came and gave rock music a kick up the arse. Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a top, top band as well who will probably second headline the next time they play.

Biffy Clyro, Dizzee Rascal, Weezer. Biffy are a great musicians and songwriters, good old fashioned rock music alive and well in the British music scene. This is a big slot for them, they've made the big time. I used to be a big Dizzee Rascal fan, he really brought urban British music into popularity, he is an innovator as well as a musical genius. Although and it's a big although, he has turned his back on where he came from to appease the masses. His music is now half-hearted and made for the V crowd, where this year, he belongs. Weezer - Hopefully, they'll live up to all our expectations and blow us all away with a top performance, can't wait.

2010 wins ... just.

The rest of the mainstage would probably go to 2010, again only just.

NME Stage

LCD Soundsystem vs Faith No More

Two massive acts from their respective genres, but I think LCD Soundsystem will produce a legendary NME Tent performance this year. 2010 wins.

Pendulum vs Gossip

How the Gossip got to headline the tent last year still stuns me. Massively overrated group with one or two popular songs. Pendulum - can't stand them, another act that belong at V. Still, they will be needed to appease the new generation of Reading festival goer, the kids who want to rave and do meth as well as the muppets who don't appreciate musical genius like Arcade Fire.

Klaxons vs Lost Prophets

Neither of these interest me, I'll say Draw.

The rest:

2009 looks much, much stronger than what we have so far this year. Compare the likes of Glasvegas, Florence and The Machine, Jamie T, Friendly Fires, The Horrors (who's latest album is excellent, one of the best of the year), White Lies, AFI, The Maccabees, The Gaslight Anthem and Crystal Castles - to what we have this year.

They need to pull some top acts out for the Lock-Up, Dance Stage and FR stage this year to compensate for what looks a very poor NME stage compared to previous years.

Who wins, it's a tough call. One thing that is certain about Reading year in year out, it's pretty much always the same. There hasn't been an outstanding year, in my opinion since 2005.

[theramm]

No contest in my mind, especially when you consider the act that ''Guns n Roses'' are today. KOL have made 3 truly great albums and if it wasn't for the popularity of Only By The Night - musical snobs would still be fans. GnR are an old, tired band, KOL are the exact opposite (although their performance could have been much better last year). 2009 wins.

[VCK]

This year's line-up is miles more solid than last year's waste of £185. I didn't think there would be a line-up worse than 2007's, but I was wrong.

[Dirty Boots]

2007 was a very ''cool'' year.

[mrtourette]

Main Stage is better, last year there were only three slots that made me leave the bar and wander towards the stage (Prodigy, Ian Brown & Vampire Weekend) but this year there's five (Weezer, Maccabees, Cribs, QOTSA & Arcade Fire).

The tent is a big let down though, last year FNM and TCV were great bookings and were both something to remember the festival for while the Maccabees were really good. This year looks dire in comparison.

[VCK]

2007 was a very ''cool'' year.

[Dirty Boots]

It was the year that British Indie became saturated.

Edited March 30, 2010 by Dirty Boots

[Sparticus]

2009 (in the end) turned out to be fantastic for me, but 2010 edges it for one simple reason. They've done what festivals are supposed to do, book acts you don't usually get chance to see, whether this is intentional or they've just got lucky i don't know, but last time the headliners played in this country varies from three to six years, libertines haven't played in six years, weezer haven't played in the uk since 2005, few more examples. Compare it to last year where the other than arctic monkeys, all the top six had toured the uk a LOT recently.

[Dirty Boots]

I had a great time last year, it's not just the line-ups that make festivals.

[kev1664]

Mainstage

KOL vs GnR

No contest in my mind, especially when you consider the act that ''Guns n Roses'' are today. KOL have made 3 truly great albums and if it wasn't for the popularity of Only By The Night - musical snobs would still be fans. GnR are an old, tired band, KOL are the exact opposite (although their performance could have been much better last year). 2009 wins. Agreed

Arctic Monkeys vs Arcade Fire

Another two great bands of the noughties, Arctic Monkeys showed their maturity last year and exhibited what a great act they really are. Not just excellent song writers, but also good musicians. Arcade Fire are one of the best bands of our generation and will be the best headliner this year. Draw. Dis-agree, the arctics made a fantastic last album but they are so poor live it is unbelievable, against a top quality live band like arcade fire they lose hands down! 2010 wins

Radiohead vs Blink 182

No contest. An average at best American, rock pop group vs one of the best bands of all time. I'm going to have to say draw, yes Radiohead are one hell of a band live and on record they lack the ability to inspire others than fans to listen to them, as proven by the poor turn out...

Kaiser Chiefs vs QOTSA, 2010 wins, doesn't even need explaining.Agreed

The Prodigy vs The Libertines - One of the greatest electro/dance acts of all-time vs the most influencial British band of the decade. Hard to choose between the two for me, Draw.Although IMO the prodigy are the better act, I'd have to say the exclusivity of the Libertines is a factor too big to ignore therefore 2010 wins

Bloc Party vs Paramore

Another great British indie band, sure they've played a lot in recent years but always put on a good show and have a huge fanbase at Reading. Paramore do to, although I doubt them massively as live performers from what I've seen/heard. This is probably the biggest gig of their career but worthy of the second headline slot, f**k no. 2009 wins.Two bands that I don't care for, both totally overrated Neither wins.

Placebo, Maximo Park, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. 2 great bands, one average band - still one of the most popular of mid-noughties Indie. Placebo are legends, whilst everyone was mourning the end of grunge they came and gave rock music a kick up the arse. Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a top, top band as well who will probably second headline the next time they play.

Biffy Clyro, Dizzee Rascal, Weezer. Biffy are a great musicians and songwriters, good old fashioned rock music alive and well in the British music scene. This is a big slot for them, they've made the big time. I used to be a big Dizzee Rascal fan, he really brought urban British music into popularity, he is an innovator as well as a musical genius. Although and it's a big although, he has turned his back on where he came from to appease the masses. His music is now half-hearted and made for the V crowd, where this year, he belongs. Weezer - Hopefully, they'll live up to all our expectations and blow us all away with a top performance, can't wait.

2010 wins ... just.Agreed, but only just as well!

The rest of the mainstage would probably go to 2010, again only just.Definately has to go to 2010 hands down, there are a lot more established acts as compared to one or two album wonders that filled up last years line-up. The Indie type bands are much better in quality added to the better quality and greater variety of the types of acts there is absolutely no question 2010 wins

NME Stage

LCD Soundsystem vs Faith No More

Two massive acts from their respective genres, but I think LCD Soundsystem will produce a legendary NME Tent performance this year. 2010 wins.Dis-agree I'd say its a win for FNM

Pendulum vs Gossip

How the Gossip got to headline the tent last year still stuns me. Massively overrated group with one or two popular songs. Pendulum - can't stand them, another act that belong at V. Still, they will be needed to appease the new generation of Reading festival goer, the kids who want to rave and do meth as well as the muppets who don't appreciate musical genius like Arcade Fire.2010 wins

Klaxons vs Lost Prophets

Neither of these interest me, I'll say DrawLost Prophets hands down, big back catalogue beats the one effort that the klaxons have put out. 2010 wins

The rest:

2009 looks much, much stronger than what we have so far this year. Compare the likes of Glasvegas, Florence and The Machine, Jamie T, Friendly Fires, The Horrors (who's latest album is excellent, one of the best of the year), White Lies, AFI, The Maccabees, The Gaslight Anthem and Crystal Castles - to what we have this year. IMO 2010 wins this category as well. The bands that are playing this year are of better quality than last year only stand out ones for me from last year are florence and the machine and the gaslight anthem, I'd consider Phoenix, WAS, Frank Turner and Enter Shikari better than that lot.

They need to pull some top acts out for the Lock-Up, Dance Stage and FR stage this year to compensate for what looks a very poor NME stage compared to previous years.

Who wins, it's a tough call. One thing that is certain about Reading year in year out, it's pretty much always the same. There hasn't been an outstanding year, in my opinion since 2005.

[Dirty Boots]

Of course, it's matter of taste, but on paper I think last years NME Stage looks much stronger.

[charley]

Would it be harsh to say it is a very old line-up this year. When i come on here saying they should put some of the older british bands who have reformed i get slated but on the mainstage this year...

Libertines

GnR

Weezer

NOFX

Cypress Hill

Limp Bizkit

Blink 182

QOTSA

Lost Prophets

Loads of bands who have been around forever or have got back together for the cash.

If Reading is gonna go down this route, they should add the likes of James & The Wonder Stuff to give it some vintage UK to go along with all the old yanks (yes i know all the above are not yanks).

Is there nothing new worthy of being higher up the bill?? I mean Paramore ... come on.

Blink and Paramore has to be the weakest headliner duo ever at Reading. Are they just trying to appeal to 12 year olds this year.

[Dirty Boots]

Shows just how desperate the music industry is at the moment.

[scottt]

Well with headliners, id take all 3 over last years.

Sub headliners id also take all 3 sub headliners over last years 3.

3rd down is a draw. Only YYY's and Weezer interest me so that's a draw.

Rest of the main definitely goes to this year too. Nofx, limp bizkit, cypress hill, modest mouse, gogol bordello. Last year only really had Deftones and Brand New that i was massively excited about.

NME headliners win last year though due to FNM.

[olly!olly!olly!]

IN MY OPINION...

KOL v GNR. kol 2009

AM v AF. AF 2010

Radiohead v Blink. Radiohead 2009

Kaisers v QOTSA. Will get slated for saying this, but I prefer kaisers. QOTSA are undoubtedly a better band, but I think kaisers are a perfect sub-headliner, really get the crowd going and always have a great atmosphere. 2009

Prodigy v Libs. Libertines 2010

Bloc party v Paramore. Bloc party 2009

NME:

FNM v LCD soundsystem. LCD 2010

Gossip v Pendulum. Pendulum 2010

Lostprophets v klaxons. LP 2009

5-4 to 2009, however overall I think 2010 looks better througout the main stage

[dan666]

NME Stage

LCD Soundsystem vs Faith No More

2010 wins.

[stephen07]

2009 (in the end) turned out to be fantastic for me, but 2010 edges it for one simple reason. They've done what festivals are supposed to do, book acts you don't usually get chance to see, whether this is intentional or they've just got lucky i don't know, but last time the headliners played in this country varies from three to six years, libertines haven't played in six years, weezer haven't played in the uk since 2005, few more examples. Compare it to last year where the other than arctic monkeys, all the top six had toured the uk a LOT recently.

[Dermot]

in your opinion

[mrtourette]

I'd love Kasabian but I have to admire that fact that Reading/Leeds has three headliners that nobody else would have thought of or tried so hard to get (as with Radiohead last year). It's just a shame that I'm only half-interested in one of them.

[tweemo freak]

Bar GnR and Limp Bizkit i'm loving this years line-up! Typical Reading and Leeds, impossibly ace

.

[tolywoly]

The line-up is really good this year. If I didn't already have plans for all my holidays I'd be going.

[jimmyd93]

Because I'm bored...

KOL v GNR: KoL - Despite their crappy new album, and the crappy crowd they pulled in, I much prefer them to GnR

AM v AF: Draw - Aaaaagh! That's a tough'un, both being in my favourite bands list! I chickened out and went for the draw

Radiohead v Blink: Radiohead - As a massive Blink fan, ever since I was about 10, it pains me to say this, but Radiohead are one of the best bands of all time and absolutely kick Blink's ass.

Kaisers v QOTSA: QOTSA - Because the Kaisers only had one decent album, and then disappeared. And I'm only just getting into QOTSA...

Prodigy v Libs: Prodigy - I'm too young to know anything about the Libertines, but will check them out for future reference!

Bloc party v Paramore: Bloc Party - Far better than people make them out to be!

NME:

FNM v LCD soundsystem: Pass - Don't really know anything by either of them

Gossip v Pendulum: Pendulum - Gossip...Headlining...? Wtf?

Lostprophets v klaxons: Lostprophets - Been one of my favourite bands for as long as I can remember

Overall, for me, 2009 headliners are clear winners. But the rest of the bands from 2010 are better than those from 09. Tough call, but (mainly due to the fact that Radiohead were playing) I'm going to have to go for 2009 winning.

[Lithium05]

2009/2010

Friday (Reading)

KOL/GNR - Ok so it's just Axl left nowadays, but GNR are going to be remembered historically as a much more influential band imo, and I'm willing to give them another chance following some good recent live reviews

Kaiser Chiefs/QOTSA - Different bands, and this came alot closer than it possibly should have, but in terms of quality, QOTSA win... Kaisers were alot more fun than I expected last year though.

Placebo/Biffy Clyro - Close one, but Placebo edge it

Falloutboy/Lostprophets - Fall Out Boy don't look a bit low down in the 4th spot. LP do.

Deftones/NOFX - Personal preference only.

FFAF/Gogol Bordello - Probably the more entertaining band from a neutral perspective

New Found Glory/Billy Talent - A draw

NME

Faith No More/LCD Soundsystem - Not even remotely close

Jamie T/Phoenix - But only because I've heard of him

Friendly Fires/Mumford & Sons - Same as above

Saturday

Main

Arctic Monkeys/Arcade Fire - A braver booking that has got people talking. Neither are my cup of tea, but people seem more excited about AF than they were about AM last year

Prodigy/Libertines - Don't feel an explanation is needed.

Maximo Park/Dizzee Rascal - Providing some variety, and got some good tunes. Maximo Park strike me as a very average band

Ian Brown/The Cribs - No interest in either, but I hate the Stone Roses with a passion, so I'm gonna go with The Cribs

The Couteeners/The Maccabees - Couldn't name a song by either

Enter Shikari/Modest Mouse - ES just edge it

Eagles of Death Metal/The Gaslight Anthem - Draw

NME

Gossip/Pendulum - Not remotely close, and I'm no Pendulum fan!

Glasvegas/Enter Shikari - Again. It's not close

White Lies/Crystal Castles - Couldn't name a song by either

Sunday

Main

Radiohead/Blink 182 - Ok. Contraversial I know, but hear me out. I like Radiohead, but only in certain circumstances. They're not the sort of band I want to see headline a festival. I would chose Blink every time as I prefer a more fun and energetic performance to close a festival. Nothing against Radiohead, they just don't fit in with my ideal view of how the festival should be.

Bloc Party/Paramore - Not close. Paramore win extra points for NOT BEING F*CKING BLOC PARTY!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Weezer - I love the YYYs, but not as much as I love Weezer

Vampire Weekend/Cypress Hill - VW bore me, Cypress Hill all the way!

Brand New/Limp Bizkit - Another contraversial one, but I saw Brand New in 2007, and thought they were poor live. Personal preference.

The View/YouMeAtSix - Don't like either

The Living End/All Time Low - Don't know any songs by either

NME

Lostprophets/Klaxons - Not close. At all

AFI/We Are Scientists - No contest.

Gallows/Foals - No interest in either

Final score

2009 - 7

2010 - 16

2010 wins!

Edited March 30, 2010 by Lithium05

[mrtourette]

Bloc Party/Paramore - Not close. Paramore win extra points for NOT BEING F*CKING BLOC PARTY!

[kev1664]

Because I'm bored...

KOL v GNR: KoL - Despite their crappy new album, and the crappy crowd they pulled in, I much prefer them to GnR

AM v AF: Draw - Aaaaagh! That's a tough'un, both being in my favourite bands list! I chickened out and went for the draw

Radiohead v Blink: Radiohead - As a massive Blink fan, ever since I was about 10, it pains me to say this, but Radiohead are one of the best bands of all time and absolutely kick Blink's ass.

Kaisers v QOTSA: QOTSA - Because the Kaisers only had one decent album, and then disappeared. And I'm only just getting into QOTSA...

Prodigy v Libs: Prodigy - I'm too young to know anything about the Libertines, but will check them out for future reference!

Bloc party v Paramore: Bloc Party - Far better than people make them out to be!

NME:

FNM v LCD soundsystem: Pass - Don't really know anything by either of them

Gossip v Pendulum: Pendulum - Gossip...Headlining...? Wtf?

Lostprophets v klaxons: Lostprophets - Been one of my favourite bands for as long as I can remember

Overall, for me, 2009 headliners are clear winners. But the rest of the bands from 2010 are better than those from 09. Tough call, but (mainly due to the fact that Radiohead were playing) I'm going to have to go for 2009 winning.