Bestival 2012 Headliners

[Bisque]

It's worth trying to catch them at a gig. I caught them in Camden last year. Cracking show.

[kaosmark2]

Was that the itunes festival?

Got a feeling RDB wouldn't go for acts like Deadmau5 (+Swedish House Mafia) as they are perhaps too "sell out" for Bestival.

Have to admit, Deadmau5 is good fun to go see, but apart from the visuals its nothing special.

Thank god Skrillex won't be playing anywhere of notice!

[Bisque]

Look on the bright side, if we don't get the Chems then we still have Orbital who are equally immense. We can't lose!

[dingbat2]

I'd much rather have Chems. Orbital are good though. Just... Chems!!!

I just think Orbital are very 90's whereas Chems have carried on being current, if only in name & singles... IN MY OPINION.

I'm 24, & think almost 100% of my friends would rather have The Chemical Brothers.

I'm not saying Orbital are bad, just Chemical Brothers will have more buzz & shift (if perhaps slightly but I'm thinking of the age group of most of last years Besti demographic) more tickets.

[LondonTom]

YAY No flo,

clears the way Chase & Status and PULP

[Bisque]

I'd be happy with Orbital (Guilfest + DJ set on Arcadia OMFG!!!). Just think Chems would bring it with the stage show though.

[zeppelin]

Would never say no to the chems!

Exactly what I want!

[westie77]

very excited about the potential headliner above Sigur Ros, going to be my first time at bestival, just bought one of the early bird tickets yesterday

[coma girl]

cheer up peeps, it's looking like you've managed to avoid screaming Flo.

[rexclark]

Really hoping that Flo isn't playing. Still we're no further forward in working out who is though are we? Really hoping for Pulp as they were excellent both times I saw them last summer, I would prefer Suede though as I've never managed to see them live.

[smogo]

I'd prefer it not to be Pulp, or Suede, or any other band that's reformed after many years away. We've already got one of them in New Order; the other 2 headliners should be more current.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

I'd prefer it not to be Pulp, or Suede, or any other band that's reformed after many years away. We've already got one of them in New Order; the other 2 headliners should be more current.

[kaosmark2]

And thus ensues the debate about how there aren't that many 'current' bands big enough to headline or enough who are viable as headliners guaranteed to draw in the punters on a larger scale than smaller festivals do, and the few bands there are have already headlined. Exposes a lot problems with how people value and treasure music now; how things aren't what they used to be, etc. I mean, it's no coincidence there seems to be this strong undercurrent of newer successful festivals that are thriving on the nostalgia value of older bands; Hard Rock Calling, Hop Farm, Rewind, etc.

I just think major festival organisers shoot themselves in the foot by not taking risks occasionally. I suppose at the end of the day, if you want to see more current bands then you have to go to smaller festivals that allow them the chance to play, or resign to the fact you won't be spending much time at night staring at the mainstage.

[smogo]

If you look over the last few years' headliners, there's a bit of a pattern:

2011

Current: Pendulum

Long-Established: Björk

Vintage: The Cure

2010

Current: Dizzee Rascal

Long-Established: The Prodigy

Vintage: The Flaming Lips

2009

Current: Elbow

Long-Established: Massive Attack

Vintage: Kraftwerk

2008

Current: Amy Winehouse

Long-Established: Underworld

Vintage: My Bloody Valentine

New Order fill 2012's vintage slot, so that leaves a current act with 2 or 3 albums under their belt, and an act who started in the 80s or 90s and is still going strong.

Edited February 20, 2012 by smogo

[kaosmark2]

Not really sure you can class the Lips' as vintage. Their most successful albums are from 99 and 02, and they don't play many songs from the 80s/early 90s in their sets. The average age of the songs in their setlist is probably a lot younger than that of Prodigy.

[smogo]

Yeah, 2010 is the one where the headliners don't entirely fall into the categories I've designated! But you get the gist.

[Homer]

Blur are announcing live news tonight apparently (I reckon they're too big for Besti though).

[Dave The Hedgehog]

Blur are announcing live news tonight apparently

[rexclark]

I'd be so hapy if Blur played but I really can't see it. They'll probably do a couple of outdoor gigs in the summer.

[Homer]

Announcement is at midnight on their Facebook btw for those interested...

[Homer]

Just turned on 6Music, Graham's being interviewed on Lammo's show (4pm-7pm).

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

Sigur Ros followed by Blur would be some way to finish a festival

[Joe-]

Indeed, Rob tweeted about their new song. I wish it was a sign, ha.

[rhubarb]

Blur, the specials and new order to play the end of olympics concert

I would have those other 2 as headliners but cant see it after this gig announcement

That should be an ace gig tho

[eFestivals]

It's Blurs' only show according to the PR blurb.