What was the best set of R&L headliners?

[jump]

Bored so here's a poll, I've only gone back to 1999 as that was the year Leeds was introduced.

I went for 2005. There's only been 2 years when I have wanted to see all 3 headliners (the other being 2010) and ultimately Foos & Maiden were both better than Blink & Guns with both Pixies & Arcade Fire were brilliant.

[Andre91]

Went for 2008. Although 2009 was a close 2nd

Edited September 5, 2012 by Andre91

[allan14]

Went for 2008 even tho i wasnt there, looked like it would have been brililliant tho. Out of the Years I have been it would have to be this year i think

[Sparticus]

08 for me, only year I watched all 3 main stage headliners, was going to see maniacs but got drunk and convinced to go see the killers instead, even though they were going through the motions a bit a good singalong to finish the weekend with.

Saying that, 09 was pretty fantastic with faith no more and radiohead, shame arctic monkeys phoned it in. I quite like humbug but shoving it down people's throats when it had been out half a week was a bit much.

[thetime]

2002 for me.

strokes when they were on top of there game, everything they have done since the first 2 albums have been below average.

Foo fighters were interesting and new in headlining festivals.

Prodigy were amazing that night aswel..

[Vieuphoria]

I was inclined to say 2012 but I didn't see Kasabian, and found Foo Fighters a bit tedious at times.

I didn't go in 2005 but watching on the TV I was awestruck by Iron Maiden and I remember being very upset by not being able to see Pixies in person who just looked phenomenal. Foo Fighters set was shorter too, not as legendary or a passionate as this year but if I had to choose I'd go for that one.

Overall 2005 seems to be the only year in which all the headliners were solid bookings and each of them all performed really well.

[mrtourette]

Tough call, went for this year narrowly over 2008.

Every other year had at least one that I had no interest in or who were dire.

[RichieParf]

I decided to stick to years that I had attended. Went for 2010 on the strength of AF and Blink. Close call though.

[rug568]

2005 but could quite easily have been 2012.

[LEMON_WOLF]

2004 though 2006 and 2009 were close

[TYLER_4]

2008 incredible having RATM and Metallica and i was there which helped 2006 was good with Muse and Pearl Jam though!!

[LondonTom]

As a set 2006 for me but thats down to album tastes really more than anything else

[2rare2die]

I went for 2011. Thought MCR were excellent, Pulp are always good, and OOS in full was something else. I also think that it was the first year since 2000 that i'd actually watched all three main stage headliners.

[evilduck]

I went for 2011 as well as it was the only year that I watched all three headliners entire sets and not a single one was rubbish.

[5co77ie]

Went for 2005, even though I missed Pixies as it was my old man's funeral. The other two rocked. For all the others there's only been one highlight each year for me except 2008. 2002 had what on paper could have been my favourite but I didn't go.

2012: The Cure

2011: none

2010: Arcade Fire

2009: Radiohead

2008: Rage Against The Machine, Metallica

2007: none

2006: Pearl Jam

2005: Foo Fighters, Iron Maiden

2004: The White Stripes

2003: Metallica

2002: didn't go dammit! - The Strokes, Foo Fighters, Guns N' Roses/Prodigy

2001: none - didn't go

2000: Oasis

1999: Blur, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Edited September 6, 2012 by 5co77ie

[Dan R]

Went for 2005, even though I missed Pixies as it was my old man's funeral. The other two rocked. For all the others there's only been one highlight each year for me except 2008. 2002 had what on paper could have been my favourite but I didn't go.

2012: The Cure

2011: none

2010: Arcade Fire

2009: Radiohead

2008: Rage Against The Machine, Metallica

2007: none

2006: Pearl Jam

2005: Foo Fighters, Iron Maiden

2004: The White Stripes

2003: Metallica

2002: didn't go dammit! - The Strokes, Foo Fighters, Guns N' Roses/Prodigy

2001: none - didn't go

2000: Oasis

1999: Blur, Red Hot Chili Peppers

[DL50]

2008 clear winner for me

That and 2012, 2009, 2005, 2003 and 2006 clearly stand above the rest

And for me personally i think the best headliner i've seen was Foo Fighters this year, absolutely legendary

[rug568]

Im guessing it was because the acts were more exciting back then, but im just curious as to why you say 2002 were your favourite on paper, but then didn't list The Strokes, Foo's or GNR for any of the last 3 years as favourites?

[Dan R]

To be fair GNR and the strokes were w*nk

[VCK]

2002, with 2009 in second although the only headliner that put effort into their performance that year was Radiohead.

No votes for 2001 and 2007 Is that a testament to how people don't like Travis, Eminem, Razorlight and RHCP round these parts? (I refuse to believe that the Manics and Pumpkins are unpopular on here, for the record, just because I love both bands. )

2001 actually had a really good undercard, with Green Day, The Strokes, Eels, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Supergrass Feeder, Rancid, Frank Black, QOTSA, The Cult and Elbow all playing. 2007, however, was a good example of how not to book a festival line-up!

Edited September 7, 2012 by VCK

[Vieuphoria]

I would vote for 2007 if it wasn't based on headliners. but Razorlight were average and Chilis were... well we all know. Pumpkins were disappointing but they're still one of my favourite bands. but in terms of other bands... Nine Inch Nails beat everything.

[VCK]

I would vote for 2007 if it wasn't based on headliners. but Razorlight were average and Chilis were... well we all know. Pumpkins were disappointing but they're still one of my favourite bands. but in terms of other bands... Nine Inch Nails beat everything.

[thetime]

I thought the Pumpkins were good, it was never going to be mindblowing, epiphany inducing stuff for me as it wasn't the classic line-up involved, but it was a solid set and I came out of it feeling satisfied.

RHCP, on the other hand were a pile of anti-climatic w*nk although I don't think it was the worst headline set in Leeds Festival's history, because for me that accolade belongs to Arctic Monkeys in 2009. I still shudder at how mind numbing that set was. And yeah, NIN as well as Arcade Fire and Bloc Party were really good that year.

[VCK]

Worst for me has to be eminem....missed mercury rev for him aswel.

[Bisque]

2008 for me, although I definitely didn't see The Killers after Bloc Party.