So sick of people

[matt123]

Why is everyone questioning why AF are above Libs?!

The Libs were never that big when they were at there peak, but now there on a comeback, everyone expects them to be headline material? Even if they were respected or talented enough to play above AF, there no where near reliable enough on Pete's part.

Maybe FR wouldn't ever take the risk of them not turning up or Doherty ending up in the slammer (or dead )

[DTichborne]

Arcade Fire are a much (much) better live band than The Libertines, having seen both. The fact that this festival always sells out means the promoters can actually plan something like this. And I defy anyone that hasn't seen AF before to watch them at Reading and not be impressed.

Meanwhile, there are articles all over the web regarding The Libertines going out their way to say "don't worry, we won't bail on you". How ridiculous is all this? They're being paid a small fortune to play two gigs and have to reassure us that they will have the self-discipline to, like, turn up, like little children. If only the rest of us could be that lax in our jobs and keep getting another chance.

This isn't a pointless Libs-bash... I think Up The Bracket is a good record. I guess ultimately I'm just concurring with you that it's crazy for anyone to say that Arcade Fire aren't good enough to headline the event irrespective of whether they like them or not, and whether they habitually forgive Pete's many failings or not.

[gr4h4m]

Why is everyone questioning why AF are above Libs?!

The Libs were never that big when they were at there peak, but now there on a comeback, everyone expects them to be headline material? Even if they were respected or talented enough to play above AF, there no where near reliable enough on Pete's part.

Maybe FR wouldn't ever take the risk of them not turning up or Doherty ending up in the slammer (or dead )

[matt123]

Meanwhile, there are articles all over the web regarding The Libertines going out their way to say "don't worry, we won't bail on you". How ridiculous is all this? They're being paid a small fortune to play two gigs and have to reassure us that they will have the self-discipline to, like, turn up, like little children. If only the rest of us could be that lax in our jobs and keep getting another chance.

[matt123]

your moaning about people bashing Arcade Fire about how they above Libertines but to befair neither are big enough to be that high up, Libertines are one of the most over rated bands of the last 10 years. They were never big enough the first time around and still ain't big enough, as for Arcade Fire

WHO?

[theramm]

does anyone remember KOL back in the days of the bucket?

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

As you might have guessed from some of my posts, i am a bit of a Libertines/Doherty fan but even i agree with this thread. They were never big enough to headline when they split up, although they could have been if they carried on, and therefore I don't think they'd be big enough to headline just because they got back together. I love them, but I think the AF booking is a great risk to take for FR and this way they have The Libertines to fall back on/draw in a crowd for AF. I'd have been slightly disappointed if The Libertines did headline but this way it makes much more sense. The AF and Libertines bookings are both risks for FR but I think it'll work well.

Edit: And I don't think second is too high. They were third before, and would have reached second.

And just to add a bit more, K.O.L have been big in England for quite a while, it's just America they never broke untill recently.

Edited April 1, 2010 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[pink_triangle]

I think both arcade fire and libertines would be decent headliners. Part of me howver thinks arcade fire would do better headlining glastonbury as I dont think the average reading/leeds festival goer is going to take too well to them and suspect their crowd wont be massive. The whole libertines being unreliable argument is rubbish, doherty has been booked in recent years and always turned up, there is no chance he isnt turning up for that pay cheque.

As for who deserves to headline out of the 2 it depends what you look for in headliner, if its musical ability you may choose arcade fire if its better known songs and crowd drawing power its the libertines.

[georgegabriel]

I'd like to think that more people going to Reading and Leeds will have heard of The Libertines than Arcade Fire.

Plus, your post doesn't justify why Arcade Fire should be headlining, it's just more Pete-bashing.

[matt123]

I'd like to think that more people going to Reading and Leeds will have heard of The Libertines than Arcade Fire.

Plus, your post doesn't justify why Arcade Fire should be headlining, it's just more Pete-bashing.

[likelyladtom]

I think you'll find the majority of Libertines fans are happy to see Arcade Fire above them.

Frankly it is tiring seeing endless moans about Arcade Fire being a no-name, and Pete being junkie scum. If you don't like it go elsewhere. Simples.

[she bangs the drums]

Arcade Fire are a much (much) better live band than The Libertines, having seen both. The fact that this festival always sells out means the promoters can actually plan something like this. And I defy anyone that hasn't seen AF before to watch them at Reading and not be impressed.

Meanwhile, there are articles all over the web regarding The Libertines going out their way to say "don't worry, we won't bail on you". How ridiculous is all this? They're being paid a small fortune to play two gigs and have to reassure us that they will have the self-discipline to, like, turn up, like little children. If only the rest of us could be that lax in our jobs and keep getting another chance.

This isn't a pointless Libs-bash... I think Up The Bracket is a good record. I guess ultimately I'm just concurring with you that it's crazy for anyone to say that Arcade Fire aren't good enough to headline the event irrespective of whether they like them or not, and whether they habitually forgive Pete's many failings or not.

[scottt]

If The Libertines are serious about this, and plan on making new material, then i think if they proved reliability, they are definitely big enough to headline.

However, i also think now is the perfect time for AF to headline too. Most people get a "how are they headlining?" at some point in the career. They are a good enough live band to win over lots of people.

Due to the whole Pete maybe in jail thing, i think FR have got it spot on putting them below AF.

[rexclark]

I can't be bothered getting into another who's better arguement but lets just say Arcade Fire will be going for long after the Libs have imploded yet again.

[matt123]

I can't be bothered getting into another who's better arguement but lets just say Arcade Fire will be going for long after the Libs have imploded yet again.

[she bangs the drums]

I can't be bothered getting into another who's better arguement but lets just say Arcade Fire will be going for long after the Libs have imploded yet again.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

If The Libertines are serious about this, and plan on making new material, then i think if they proved reliability, they are definitely big enough to headline.

However, i also think now is the perfect time for AF to headline too. Most people get a "how are they headlining?" at some point in the career. They are a good enough live band to win over lots of people.

Due to the whole Pete maybe in jail thing, i think FR have got it spot on putting them below AF.

[scottt]

They aren't big enough to headline this time round. Maybe two years time, after a new album (if they're around that long).

[VCK]

It's reminiscent of last year, when people were asking why Arctics were headlining above The Prodigy. Don't think I need to comment this time around, but in short, they should do some research...

[swordfish]

I think that if there is one less act on the friday (leeds) mainstage Arcade fire can headline but libertines could have a longer set say an hour and a quater

[Vieuphoria]

How about this....

All the headliners were booked becuase the Libertines had declined last year.

The Libertines then decided they might want to reunite so R/L said "well you can't headline any more but do you still want to play"... so they did.

Seems more likely to me. They are definatly headliner quality/size.

[Kyelo]

They are definatly headliner quality/size.

[Vieuphoria]

Nah i woudl say V would book them as headliners, as would Glasto, T and Oxegen maybe. But this is dodgey territory as there is no factual answer here. But yeah...

[moz4pm]

i only caught the last two songs of arcade fire last time and i said right then, next time they play they should headline

[Role Model]

if they close out their set with the same combo they did last time they played (Rebellion (Lies), Wake Up) will be beyond f'ing epic