The Kooks must have a good shot

[rexclark]

There's probably a reason why they haven't played R&L since 2006.

[timafc3]

Saw them headline radio 1's big weekend a few years back (don't judge was a free ticket 5 minuites away from my house ) but yeah they were'nt very good tbh wombats, pigeon detectives and pendulum were all better on the day, that was all in a tent so i'd rather they just played low mainstage would make sing along to a few of there better songs cold beer in the sunshine for me that would go down well. i'd definately see them early main as would lots of people IMO but would hardly be anyones weekend highlight.

[Calzum]

they are still quite popular amongst my age (17) around the 14-21 is there main crowd which is most of reading

[KingOfTheRodeo]

If they haven't played for 4 years I highly doubt FR would book them this year considering they haven't done anything of note during that time. Can't see them playing R&L again.

[pink_triangle]

If they haven't played for 4 years I highly doubt FR would book them this year considering they haven't done anything of note during that time. Can't see them playing R&L again.

[jump]

I dont see why not, there are bands who have headlined the festival after doing nothing for 4 years. I cant see why a smaller band cant also play lower down the bill.

[KingOfTheRodeo]

I dont see why not, there are bands who have headlined the festival after doing nothing for 4 years. I cant see why a smaller band cant also play lower down the bill.

Edited March 13, 2011 by KingOfTheRodeo

[pink_triangle]

Yes but they are renowned acts with at least 2-3 solid albums behind them, and their long absence usually adds to the excitement of their return. Is possible yes but surely FR know it would be a very uninspired booking and pretty much a waste of a slot. I do think there's a good reason they haven't played in so long.

[mrtourette]

But would the Kooks be happy taking a slot like that? Sure having them 6th on the main stage would get a bigger crowd than other bands who normally play that position but they probably think they're better than that.

[pink_triangle]

But would the Kooks be happy taking a slot like that? Sure having them 6th on the main stage would get a bigger crowd than other bands who normally play that position but they probably think they're better than that.

[jump]

I suppose it depends where the slot is, macabees and brand new have both played 5th headliners and the kooks last album went to number 1, so I dont think it would be contreversial to place them as a 4th headliners. I agree they have lost popularity but think people are overestimating how much as they are between albums.

[pink_triangle]

1st album sold 4 million copies & the 2nd album sold about 600k, that's a huge drop that has nothing to do with being inbetween albums.

[Clemo]

Nobody is really into that brand of indie anymore, bands from that era (Kaiserchiefs, Fratellis, Kooks) have all experienced a drop in popularity & even Arctic Monkeys have had to adopt a new sound to remain relevant.

I'll play Naive & She Moves In Her Own Way on a stereo in the campsite if you want a sing-a-long so badly, just don't waste a spot by booking them.

[jump]

I was talking about the drop off between album 2 and now, no between 1 and 2. I would say that the majority of bands that play 4th/5th headliners (where I would suspect the kooks to play) havent sold that many. They could still play an enjoyable late afternoon slot and would draw a big crowd.

[pink_triangle]

The 3rd album will sell even less than the 2nd (with the bulk of those sales based on Naive still being on the radio/MTV etc. which isn't now) and I having trouble thinking of a band that has played R&L with that kind of drop in such a short space of time, maybe View but it was no where that bad.

[jump]

Well from my memory the gossip played 5th headliner on the main stage and headlined the nme tent on the basis of 1 single. So dont see why kooks couldnt on the basis of 3 or 4. Their next album probably wont sell well but will probably sell more than the macabees and brand new. The offspring have had a huge drop in popularity and some people think they could headline the whole festival!

Disagree about nobody being into that brand of music, people will always be interested in good pop songs that they hear on the radio. I think people underestimate the amount of people who go to the festival who arent huge music geeks and will happily sit by the main stage all day, looking for bands they have heard on radio 1. The kooks will appeal to this sort of casual fan.

[pink_triangle]

That was before the album afterwards had a huge drop, they wouldn't be booked again now.

[Clemo]

R+L is not a pop festival, radio airplay (especially airplay 5 years ago) isn't solely what they're looking for when they book bands, look at Arcade Fire this time last year.

[jump]

I agree with that, however would still maintain many less popular bands play in that slot. Do you believe brand new and the macabees who have never had a hit single in britain would get a bigger crowd than the kooks in the same slot. Even figring in a loss of fans, I think kooks would outdraw these 2 bands and go down better.

Edited March 14, 2011 by jump

[pink_triangle]

Those 2 bands have been consistently the same level, a better comparison would be say Hard Fi or Hoosiers (I know both ain't played before but I'm struggling for examples) where R&L wouldn't book them now based on past glories and have lost a huge number on fans.

[jump]

Weezer are my favorite bands but they defintely got their slot based on past glories. I think people on here take against the band because they have a dislike of indie/pop. If a metal/punk band on the way down sold half as many copies as the kooks last album, I think many on here wouldnt have a problem with them being in a similar position. Rancid for example?? I still maintain they are a good festival band and put them in the right slot, they will be enjoyed by many.

Edited March 14, 2011 by jump

[mrtourette]

The Kooks' popularity amongst the R&L target demographic has bottomed out massively, and without a new record to push there they aren't relevant enough to R&L to get anywhere near to the positions that have filled in the part. If you want to see indie pop bands who get played on commercial radio now and again then go to V. Weezer and Rancid don't get played on the radio but they are more relevant to the R&L target demographic in that the current bands that people want to watch cite them as influences and the magazines/sites that most R&L attendees read will mark them down as important. Yes a metal/punk band in the same sitation as an indie pop band will get a better placing but go to V and it will be the other way round.