We have our festival back!

[Azzy G]

Well after last year, which all i can say, was a complete shambles, we can safely say, we have our festival back, the chavs and such who i saw at reading last year have all been shifted onto V this year, and we finally have a mix of bands, rather than last years mainstream pile of doggy doo!

discuss...

[theramm]

I agree with your sentiment but I think there'll still be a large number of chavs/posers etc there just to be there rather than for the bands. The negative response to this years line-ups on facebook etc is encouraging but I reckon most of the tw@ts stiill bought tickets.

[scottt]

Yeah there will still be a lot of people like that, because its a chance to get pissed and have a good time for them. However, there should be A LOT less with this line up. Ive heard a lot of disgust from girls mainly, complaining how Dizzee and Pendulum are the only good acts on the bill.

Good riddance to them people i say

[jammy2211]

Line up has changed, audience won't.

See 2008.

[Ice Fatality]

I reckon it won't change much this year, but for next year it might mean people will hesitate a bit before buying their tickets - especially if they follow through with this zero-tolerance of dick'eds they're proposing.

[jonnyx]

I don’t agree with this at all.

If anything the festival has shifted even further away from where it should be, and even more mainstream. Despite all of you seeming trying to convince yourselves otherwise, Blink 182, Paramore, Limp Bizkit, etc are simply pop music, and shite pop music at that.

Personally I’d have loved it if they’d leaned more to 'ATP' type bands, than this.....

[rexclark]

I'll reserve judgement till after the festival.

[Rock_and/or_Roll]

I don’t agree with this at all.

If anything the festival has shifted even further away from where it should be, and even more mainstream. Despite all of you seeming trying to convince yourselves otherwise, Blink 182, Paramore, Limp Bizkit, etc are simply pop music, and shite pop music at that.

Personally I’d have loved it if they’d leaned more to 'ATP' type bands, than this.....

[pink_triangle]

I find it funny how some people seem to think all indie is mainstream while all punk/heavier bands are not. Reading and leeds is and will always be a commercial mainstream festival like v. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion. If people want to go to a non mainstream festival there are lots of alternatives.

[Vieuphoria]

last year was not bad. The lineup was good, and if you actually searched around there were some classic performances.... Anyone here see Soulsavers' stunning performances?or how many at Kaiser Cheifs or Jamie T? i like Jamie T, but my point is if you want you festival "back" then go see bands which will actually put on a very good show and eventually thetimes will changes.

Edited April 1, 2010 by Vieuphoria

[mrtourette]

Last year had some excellent moments but the disappointment for me was that none of the three headliners put on a show. Radiohead had some lights but that was about it. That's the reason I'd have liked to have seen Kasabian/Foo Fighters/Green Day, bands that will engage the crowd and put on something special. Hopefully this years headliners can do that.

When there are bands who treat the festival as something special rather than just another gig it will be 'our' festival again.

[2reese2]

thanks god festival republic have got there acts together, there is a place for everything and mainstream indie should be at v, with punk/rock ect at reading and leeds

[Vieuphoria]

Last year had some excellent moments but the disappointment for me was that none of the three headliners put on a show. Radiohead had some lights but that was about it. That's the reason I'd have liked to have seen Kasabian/Foo Fighters/Green Day, bands that will engage the crowd and put on something special. Hopefully this years headliners can do that.

When there are bands who treat the festival as something special rather than just another gig it will be 'our' festival again.

[mrtourette]

Well for me Foo Fighters are a sensational live band, but what I'm talking about goes beyond quality. Part of being a headliner for me is involving the crowd, talking to them, doing something different and not just playing the songs as they appear on record with the same set that they've used for the last year. I'm fairly apathetic towards both RHCP and Metallica but for me RHCP were a disgrace as headliners in 2007 due to their attitude but despite only knowing about three Metallica songs I was blown away by them in 2008 because of the effort they put in. Tenacious D aren't a great band but they made the festival for me that year because of the show they put on. Little things like FNM and the Eastenders theme tune last year, things that they wouldn't normally do. Maybe I'm too demanding.

EDIT: I'll concede I may have been harsh on Radiohead, they are the type of band R&L should be attracting. I just wish they'd have done more with the headline slot.

Edited April 1, 2010 by mrtourette

[Kyelo]

When did R&L start selling out really fast?

[mrtourette]

Five or six years ago?

[Kyelo]

Five or six years ago?

[jaab]

I think there will be a few less chavs and general idiots, but on the whole, there will still be too many people at LR who are ignorant enough to believe that '09 was better.

Fair enough if people are actually fans and prefer it, but thats different to saying that it was outright better.

[Vieuphoria]

Overall 09 was better though =/ I'm not ignorant?

[Lithium05]

Overall 09 was better though =/ I'm not ignorant?

[Vieuphoria]

meh for me last year way more great bookings than this year. This year is still very good though what with Gogol Bordello, The Libertines, Weezer, Cypress Hill, Limp Bizkit, GnR and QOTSA all on mainstage. Just last year i had a headliner every night that i was either excited (FNM), unbearably excited (Radiohead) or happy enough to see (AM).