Any Info On The Big January Announcement?

[Sipperana]

I get worried when people start mentioning bands as headline wants, that I've never heard of. I start to think I'm out of touch, or somebody has an agenda. So somebody enlighten me on who Magnetic Fields are and why they warrant a headline slot.

[Sipperana]

btw for the record I'm not a Beirut naysayer - have seen them live and they were very entertaining. However, as with all these things it depends who they're up against as to whether I would see them at EOTR. If, for instance, they clashed with the Fall headlining in the Big Top, they wouldn't stand a chance.

[MattL80]

I'm also slightly underwhelmed. I like Beirut but wouldn't have considered them headline material.

Plus the fact I'm not really familiar with any of the other acts.

However I reckon with a bit of Spotifying I will discover a few new favourites from todays list.

I trust the EOTR people fully and suspect their judgement to be better than my own.

At present, Midlake and Micah P Hinson are the most exciting names for me.

[MattL80]

I get worried when people start mentioning bands as headline wants, that I've never heard of. I start to think I'm out of touch, or somebody has an agenda. So somebody enlighten me on who Magnetic Fields are and why they warrant a headline slot.

[RedRockRick]

I get worried when people start mentioning bands as headline wants, that I've never heard of. I start to think I'm out of touch, or somebody has an agenda. So somebody enlighten me on who Magnetic Fields are and why they warrant a headline slot.

[seadragon]

Ok, after my initial disappointment I'm quite pleased with Joan as Policewoman, Perfume Genius and Timber Timbre. With Micah P Hinson and Midlake I'm pleased with those so far.

The announcements I'm most chuffed about though, as both bands were on my original wish list, are Woods (anyone going to the Bush Hall show in March?) and Dry the River. Check out those two in particular if you haven't listened to them yet.

Edited January 13, 2011 by seadragon

[cortezuk]

Beirut is a bloody amazing headliner (and for whoever said roll on no. 3 Beirut is the first headliner)!!!!!

[seadragon]

I get worried when people start mentioning bands as headline wants, that I've never heard of. I start to think I'm out of touch, or somebody has an agenda. So somebody enlighten me on who Magnetic Fields are and why they warrant a headline slot.

[oneplusone]

Presumably, that's Friday's headliner taken care of - trying to sell them as the Saturday night or festival closer would be a tad complacent. And it's true that the headliners haven't generally been the most compelling sets at the EotR - tho' Wilco exceeded expectations last year and Fleet Foxes were as good as they could be the year before.

More indie-pop would be appreciated, tho', and a ton less by-the-yard Willy Mason-esque dirt-track drabness...

Edited January 13, 2011 by oneplusone

[Elfy]

You know this is one festival where I never care who's headlining. It has always been non-headliners who have been the highlights of the EOTR's I've been to. In fact last year I didn't see any of the Garden Stage headliners in favour of bands playing in the Big Top and Tipi.

[MattL80]

Blitzen Trapper (2009)

[wackojackohighcliffe]

This is pretty much what I've been thinking as I've perused this thread.

Thinking back over my three EOTRs almost always the best bands I've seen have been ones which I'd never heard of before they were announced on the line-up...... Bands like Joe Gideon and the Shark, Blitzen Trapper (2009) and Wintersleep (oh, I'm obsessed with them now!), Citay (2010). We actually spent very much less time at the Garden Stage in 2010 than either of the two previous years, and more time in the Big Top, the Tipi and at the piano stage.

I'm delighted for them if they have big, popular headliners, because they deserve them, but I might still sneak off to the tipi to see some previously unknown band.....

[Sipperana]

More indie-pop would be appreciated, tho', and a ton less by-the-yard Willy Mason-esque dirt-track drabness...

[Nonlondoner]

This is pretty much what I've been thinking as I've perused this thread.

Thinking back over my three EOTRs almost always the best bands I've seen have been ones which I'd never heard of before they were announced on the line-up...... Bands like Joe Gideon and the Shark, Blitzen Trapper (2009) and Wintersleep (oh, I'm obsessed with them now!), Citay (2010). We actually spent very much less time at the Garden Stage in 2010 than either of the two previous years, and more time in the Big Top, the Tipi and at the piano stage.

I'm delighted for them if they have big, popular headliners, because they deserve them, but I might still sneak off to the tipi to see some previously unknown band.....

[Hotcider]

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[oneplusone]

I suggest you look /index.php?showforum=15">here...

[Nonlondoner]

I suggest you look /index.php?showforum=15">here...

[Hotcider]

Whilst like others I was slightly underwhelmed by yesterday's announcement I think this was more due to the expectation built up by previous announcements of an 'amazing' headliner.

I love Beirut but was just surprised that they are a 'headliner', even more so that Midlake are not. However, hasn't it always been stated by EOTR that bands play where they are deemed to 'best suited' and not just because they are the 'biggest' ?

I am delighted with the line up so far ( better than last year at this stage in my opinion)and as ever with EOTR, its not just about the Garden Stage headliners its about all the other great bands and other events that are going on. Like many others, I spent far less time at the Garden Stage last year than I did at the other stages and I am already looking forward to the internal fight I have with myself about all the clashes and who I should actually go and see !

[ljsawyer]

Am I out of touch with band popularity or something? No one complained when Calexico were announced as headliners a couple years ago, and yet the announcement of Beirut (who must be at least 5 times bigger) is surprising people. The capacity of the festival isn't increasing so we shouldn't start expecting massive headliners like Sufjan Stevens year in year out. Which is also why it wouldn't surprise me if The Magnetic Fields were to headline. I probably misjudged their popularity in Europe but they still have a much bigger following than the likes of Lambchop who headlined a few years back.

[thespiral]

Am I out of touch with band popularity or something? No one complained when Calexico were announced as headliners a couple years ago, and yet the announcement of Beirut (who must be at least 5 times bigger) is surprising people.

[Splainc]

Am I out of touch with band popularity or something? No one complained when Calexico were announced as headliners a couple years ago, and yet the announcement of Beirut (who must be at least 5 times bigger) is surprising people. The capacity of the festival isn't increasing so we shouldn't start expecting massive headliners like Sufjan Stevens year in year out. Which is also why it wouldn't surprise me if The Magnetic Fields were to headline. I probably misjudged their popularity in Europe but they still have a much bigger following than the likes of Lambchop who headlined a few years back.

[veravera]

Of course The Magnetic Fields would be amazing but I am pleased that Perfume Genius has been announced. Also, just want to say RIP Trish Keenan from the wonderful Broadcast.

Edited January 14, 2011 by veravera

[MattL80]

I cannot believe Magnetic Fields will headline simply as it would be too good to be true for me. If Gillian Welch was announced on top of that i think i would cry.

[ThePrisoner]

I am really gobsmacked that people seem disappointed that Beirut are playing, each to their own and all that but I just hope that those who aren't keen on them don't go too near the stage when they're on - there's nothing worse than listening to a live band amongst people who aren't enjoying it, a reason why I don't go to festivals often and would prefer intimate 'fan only' gigs.

Beirut have the most uplifting beautiful tunes, and have made 3 amazing albums. The music is complex so you might not get into each album on first listen but give them a chance! Why is it so strange for Beirut to headline but perfectly ok for Midlake to? Midlake have made the same amount of albums as Beirut but have been around for 7 years longer and are far older than Zach Condon of Beirut, who is only 24! I thought EOTR was for real music fans but reading this thread makes me unsure and confused.

[brommers]

Dear Prisoner my poor old thing. Of course, many people like the band Beirut and many people don't; in this respect music is not only subjective but indeed a social construction in itself. If I read the Daily Mail I would probably vote Tory. You are a confused person and this is reflected in the music you listen to. Many people will also tell you that The Fleet foxes or Band or Horses or Titus Andronicus matter more than say Coldplay. This is obviously not the case as all four bands are very dull and have very little to offer. Especially the pretentious Titus Andronicus with their post Killers flag waving silliness. Are they a poster band for the Tea Party? I don't know but very possibly maybe. We live in a world where we inhabit musical tribes and look down on people who listen to music that we don't like. The V-festival thing is a case in point. This is perfectly natural as we are all yearning to find a place in the world. By wearing a plaid shirt and cultivating an outlandish beard we create a comfort blanket within which we stave off the world. We can now belong. However, hope is at hand in The Mighty Fall. Of course, this is because The Fall (Mark Smith anyway) eschew convention and live in a world of their own. But they are so much more than that. Everything else is just noise as they say.