2014 1st headliner

[The Placid Casual]

I really doubt Metallica would be booked for a festival that might not go ahead

[kipper64]

Their booking agent co-owns the festival so it's not really impossible. But aye, I thought they might play, if it's back, but part of me is thinking they'd be much more certain if Metallica were a cert...I think if they can bring it back without them as well, it'd look a whole lot better than "relying on metallica" to sell well as some are saying.

[Andre91]

I'm not sure where I heard this or if it is bull or not, but weren't Paramore supposedly offered a Sonisphere headline slot in 2012, but turned it down so they could sub The Cure at R&L as Hayley loves them?

[Gucci Piggy]

Their booking agent co-owns the festival so it's not really impossible. But aye, I thought they might play, if it's back, but part of me is thinking they'd be much more certain if Metallica were a cert...I think if they can bring it back without them as well, it'd look a whole lot better than "relying on metallica" to sell well as some are saying.

[Gucci Piggy]

I'm not sure where I heard this or if it is bull or not, but weren't Paramore supposedly offered a Sonisphere headline slot in 2012, but turned it down so they could sub The Cure at R&L as Hayley loves them?

[luckysalt]

Will, I'd hazard a guess at an act more like Bullet headlining. Like when Biffy got the push.

They're playing arena's but not selling them out, having to whack a big supporting line up and just subbed Download, again. They're at act which could be borderline headliner at a smaller fest like Soni, but not big enough to sell it alone.

Think we're looking along those lines.

[metalicbear]

Don't believe either of these arse-burgers, the amount of back-tracking here is unreal.

[The Placid Casual]

Don't believe either of these arse-burgers, the amount of back-tracking here is unreal.

[kipper64]

He allowed them to be booked by Download in 2012 when Sonisphere was dying the most tragic death possible, so I doubt he'd be that desperate to get them to sign up for a Sonisphere they aren't sure is going ahead. They'll play R&L or their own shows if they're in the UK next year.

Anyway, if we're going to believe Lucky's info that they're after a big headliner, and it's cancelled if they don't get them, we also have to believe his info that the other two aren't strong enough alone, which rules out Metallica 100%.

Edited October 30, 2013 by kipper64

[metalicbear]

Lucky Salt, if Sonisphere had 2 genuinely weak/shit headliners, why would they bother looking for another headliner at this stage in the process as it would be obvious that it would be a non-starter. I notice you haven't mentioned the name of this so-called big band either, keeping your options open to whatever band is rumoured next perhaps.

Black Crow, how could Sonisphere afford 3 massive headliners, they lost their main financial backer and are a fully independent organisation now, if anything they will keep everything in-house and go with bands they have worked with before and trust. Look at the events this year, all the bands, were bands they have worked with for years.

[Gucci Piggy]

Lucky Salt, if Sonisphere had 2 genuinely weak/shit headliners, why would they bother looking for another headliner at this stage in the process as it would be obvious that it would be a non-starter. I notice you haven't mentioned the name of this so-called big band either, keeping your options open to whatever band is rumoured next perhaps.

[The Placid Casual]

Lucky Salt, if Sonisphere had 2 genuinely weak/shit headliners, why would they bother looking for another headliner at this stage in the process as it would be obvious that it would be a non-starter. I notice you haven't mentioned the name of this so-called big band either, keeping your options open to whatever band is rumoured next perhaps.

[huntyyy]

Well Sonisphere is still going to be early July yes? So I'd hazard a guess they're after Rage Against The Machine (Similar to Rock Wertcher.etc)

[dentalplan]

Well Sonisphere is still going to be early July yes? So I'd hazard a guess they're after Rage Against The Machine (Similar to Rock Wertcher.etc)

Edited October 30, 2013 by dentalplan

[thewayiam]

We all have Lucky's respect? Thanks, Lucky.

Is it well documented? Genuine question; I haven't seen it anywhere.

Because the other two are Paramore and Nickelback?

So, if they have booked the other headliners and plan on cancelling if the third one doesn't come off, that's surely going to ruin them completely? Cancelling a second festival in a row after booking acts? I'd be a bit pissed off.

In all seriousness now, I could see one being Paramore. I can't see them headlining anywhere else, and they'd fit the "not strong enough" thing. Wonder who they could be, though. Paramore? QOTSA? Tool? NIN?

[SOAD]

I reckon Soni should go for something like:

System of a Down or Rage Against the Machine or Tool

Biffy Clyro

Metallica

I know it's a lot like 2011 but they did well that year. Biffy have got much bigger. Metallica didn't do the UK this year. Tool could be a decent draw due to the time they have spent away from this country... a co headline with NIN could work well there... RATM are always gonna be a decent draw and System have only done one headline show in the country since their reunion so prob a decent draw. Or do a co headline thing with any of those four bands.

PS I'd love this Although would like RATM the least but would still like them there.

Edited October 30, 2013 by SOAD

[metalicbear]

If the third headliner was AC/DC, they could easily pull it off with two weaker headliners, who wouldn't be enough to make the festival viable by themselves.

[Com Truise]

That's true, but why would they book 2 weaker headliners, knowing the 3rd headliner is in the balance

[foolee]

because they don't have the money to book 3 strong headliners?

[dentalplan]

They won't have handed over the fee to them yet so I don't see why not.

[luckysalt]

I asked the same questions you are asking. I haven't been told the acts and I doubt will be told the acts.

What I was told was they have other headliners in place but feel they won't be strong enough to sell the festival alone so they're trying to get this big headliner, if they don't they simple won't bother.

It seems mad I know, just passing on what I was told, I can only guess the acts involved that are headliners would have no possibility of playing at Download if this is the case which makes me think one is Bullet. Otherwise why would they pass up on Download for a maybe its going ahead at Soni.

[Andre91]

Bullet and Machine Head...

[metalicbear]

But I think what he's saying is why didn't they book the solid sell out band first then add later, surely then it's a defo go ahead, a ticket seller and a foot back in the market. This strange way sounds like they're making it do or die for themselves and why would a business do that?

Edited October 30, 2013 by metalicbear

[jammy2211]

It would be nuts for Soni to be trying to go ahead and not lining themselves up with enough bands to fill a line up - if they haven't got the ticket seller they need yet they still need to get everything else in place incase they do. If they waited on one big band then threw it together at the last minute then the line up would be thin.

While it seems illogical to do it this way the reality is there is no other way for them to handle it. You can't just make that big band sign up and play for definite, but even if they haven't you have to prepare under the assumption they do play until they do or don't.

[mrtourette]

Don't believe either of these arse-burgers, the amount of back-tracking here is unreal.