The National

[russycarps]

You're the one in denial. You have spent the last 4 and a half years trying to convince yourself that Doves in JP tent was the right choice and now it has taken you over. The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one, mate!

Repeat after me, "I've been searching for a heart of gold.....and I'm getting old."

Catharsis will follow.

Doves v Neil Young is not something to be discussed here...

I like the national and doves just about equally on record I'd say. But I've seen both play glastonbury and doves have smashed it everytime, putting on fantastic memorable gigs. Whereas the national were pretty forgettable. You never see anyone reminiscing about their 2010 set on here do you....

And if you cant put on a perfomance at the best festival in the world, then you aint all that. All the best bands rise to the occasion at glastonbury. The national failed in the only test that matters.

Therefore, doves win.

[DL50]

They were great at Leeds fest 2011, but the crowd were shit - kids waiting for The Strokes - and I reckon if you weren't down the front it would have seemed forgettable. Would have been much better in the tent. Don't think they're really a festival band - no crossover appeal. Doves made the right choice in 2009 by turning down lower down on a bigger stage to headline JP.

The National would do well to follow their example.

I agree with you there, but i think The National are too big for the Park

They are one of my favourite bands but if they are 3rd/4th on the pyramid i probably wouldn't even see them, they'd be completely lost in no mans land and it would be a waste of a slot in my opinion

I think they would do pretty well as an Other stage sub headliner though with the sun going down, would get a similar crowd and a similar vibe that Foals got. Would work very well under somebody like Pixies

Edited January 28, 2014 by DL50

[russycarps]

They were great at Leeds fest 2011, but the crowd were shit - kids waiting for The Strokes - and I reckon if you weren't down the front it would have seemed forgettable. Would have been much better in the tent. Don't think they're really a festival band - no crossover appeal. Doves made the right choice in 2009 by turning down lower down on a bigger stage to headline JP.

The National would do well to follow their example.

Think, they'll bomb if they're third down on Pyramid or 2nd on Other as being touted on here. Much better headlining The Park and clashing with Eagles and EWF.

Edited to add: The only reminiscing on here about Doves' Glastonbury performance is by your good self as you cry yourself to sleep chanting "Keep on Rocking in the Free world" to yourself.

I dunno, they couldnt have hand picked a better slot than they had in 2010. Glorious sunshine, just setting. Massive crowd. It was the perfect setting for them wasnt it?

And they blew it.

As for doves, it is 2005 that people reminisce about! Similar slot that the national head actually (apart from being on the pyramid). And they put in an absolute stormer!

[Sweep]

I like the national and doves just about equally on record I'd say. But I've seen both play glastonbury and doves have smashed it everytime, putting on fantastic memorable gigs. Whereas the national were pretty forgettable. You never see anyone reminiscing about their 2010 set on here do you....

I was there and it was my highlight of the weekend. Before the show I was just about enough of a fan to pick them out on the lineup, but with that performance my true obsession with them began. Alligator never sounded the same to me again, it's now one of my most treasured records.

Plus: it seems very off-kilter to call their performance forgettable. They always put on an energetic and engaging show, I don't think you can fault them for that.

[russycarps]

I was there and it was my highlight of the weekend. Before the show I was just about enough of a fan to pick them out on the lineup, but with that performance my true obsession with them began. Alligator never sounded the same to me again, it's now one of my most treasured records.

Plus: it seems very off-kilter to call their performance forgettable. They always put on an energetic and engaging show, I don't think you can fault them for that.

I agree their own shows are ace, but that glastonbury gig was just, blah. Even my friend who is a bigger fan than me was a bit disappointed.

He doenst think doves are better though I must admit

[Zoo Music Girl]

Just announced for Primavera too. Would it be acceptable for me to quit my job and just follow The National from festival to festival all summer? I believe it would be a better, happier life.

[Porcelina]

The National sold out two nights of Ally Pally quickly so I would say they're in contention for an Other headline slot on the Sunday.

I'd love them up on the Park on Saturday night though.

[Zoo Music Girl]

The National sold out two nights of Ally Pally quickly so I would say they're in contention for an Other headline slot on the Sunday.

I'd love them up on the Park on Saturday night though.

I'm starting to think they might be up to headlining Other too. Sunday night would be glorious, whatever stage.

[Trebor]

I have to say I've seen them twice and the Green Man set in 08 was astounding and I'd never heard of them back then, whereas I had all their stuff by Glasto 10 and that show didn't compare. Would love to see them again though, even if I found the new album a letdown.

[Neville Street]

2010 show was not that bad at all. We were in the thick of it, when Matt came out into the audience he ended up just in front of us. I thought that they were great that day. I enjoyed the 2008(?) JP Sunday Night less but was less familiar. Warwick and Ally Pally were better than either of the Glasto sets I have seen.

I would say they would go down very well subbing for Arcade Fire. I thought Elbow blew Coldplay away a couple of years ago in that slot (on the Saturday, but timing wise).

Just hope the Strong Rumour converts to TBC/Confirmed this year, and that they don't clash with AF.

[Mr.Tease]

I enjoyed their 2010 performance, but I think they're more of a night time band- their music doesn't really suit blazing sunshine. They were also good when they headlined John Peel in 2008, though I remember the crowd was tiny!

[Dog Burger]

I think they've probably got to a position as a band where, having paid their dues for 15 years, they can afford to pick their shows now. If they can't get headline slots in England, they can get them in Europe. They like to take their time with their music and their sets at their own gigs have been two hours plus recently - I don't think playing for 45 minutes fourth on thebill really suits them. From everything I've seen so far - bar the Neil Young gig, they're looking for headline shows this summer. Perhaps that's why the negotiations broke down with Glastonbury last year - The National wanted to headline the Other Stage, Glastonbury said no. I have them down as likely Other Stage headliners this year.

[mrtourette]

I think they've probably got to a position as a band where, having paid their dues for 15 years, they can afford to pick their shows now. If they can't get headline slots in England, they can get them in Europe. They like to take their time with their music and their sets at their own gigs have been two hours plus recently - I don't think playing for 45 minutes fourth on thebill really suits them. From everything I've seen so far - bar the Neil Young gig, they're looking for headline shows this summer. Perhaps that's why the negotiations broke down with Glastonbury last year - The National wanted to headline the Other Stage, Glastonbury said no. I have them down as likely Other Stage headliners this year.

That makes perfect sense and it's their perogative to pick and choose their shows (and they've certainly reached a level wehere they have the right to), although it still seems odd when they feel the need to misreport the truth when announcing that they aren't playing. Makes them sound bitter.

[Dog Burger]

That makes perfect sense and it's their perogative to pick and choose their shows (and they've certainly reached a level wehere they have the right to), although it still seems odd when they feel the need to misreport the truth when announcing that they aren't playing. Makes them sound bitter.

Well, he was onstage with a head full of wine and said 'we wanted to play, but they turned us down'. It's not exactly a mistruth, just a way of perceiving that they wanted a certain slot and Glastonbury wouldn't give it to them, perhaps. Fair enough.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Dog Burger

[FloorFiller]

i'd be pretty surprised if they headlined Other. i know they've got a pretty big and loyal fanbase but i don't see them as having that kind of pulling power if put up against a big headliner on the Pyramid. maybe i'm underestimating their appeal but they don't seem like the kind of band that could bring in casual listeners / passers by. Other sub seems right for them

[Yesiamaduck]

i'd be pretty surprised if they headlined Other. i know they've got a pretty big and loyal fanbase but i don't see them as having that kind of pulling power if put up against a big headliner on the Pyramid. maybe i'm underestimating their appeal but they don't seem like the kind of band that could bring in casual listeners / passers by. Other sub seems right for them

I mean they aren't as big as Outkast and some people on here seem to think they aren't big enough to headline the Other Stage, and by that token I say The National aren't big enough to headline The Other Stage. This isn't Primavera or ATP where everyone at the festival carries a Kindle and knows at least 5000 bands.

[mrtourette]

Well, he was onstage with a head full of wine and said 'we wanted to play, but they turned us down'. It's not exactly a mistruth, just a way of perceiving that they wanted a certain slot and Glastonbury wouldn't give it to them, perhaps. Fair enough.

You say tomatoes, I say tomatoes. It's not a lie and yes technically it's correct, but it's misrepresenting what actually happened. Which is fine, just makes me wonder why he'd do that (although I hadn't considered his drinking and rambling, there's a very good chance he was trying to make a clearer and better point).

[Dog Burger]

You say tomatoes, I say tomatoes. It's not a lie and yes technically it's correct, but it's misrepresenting what actually happened. Which is fine, just makes me wonder why he'd do that (although I hadn't considered his drinking and rambling, there's a very good chance he was trying to make a clearer and better point).

Also, Glastonbury isn't spoken of in the hushed revered tones we lavish it with on here everywhere else in the world. To them, perhaps it was just a case of one of several dozen festivals that their booking manager or whoever dealt with for that summer, and while the others across Europe all offered them main stage headline slots, Glastonbury offered them tea-time on the Other Stage after the booking manager had pitched for a more high-profile slot. Under those circumstances why wouldn't you say you'd be turned down for what you wanted to do?

[mrtourette]

Also, Glastonbury isn't spoken of in the hushed revered tones we lavish it with on here everywhere else in the world. To them, perhaps it was just a case of one of several dozen festivals that their booking manager or whoever dealt with for that summer, and while the others across Europe all offered them main stage headline slots, Glastonbury offered them tea-time on the Other Stage after the booking manager had pitched for a more high-profile slot. Under those circumstances why wouldn't you say you'd be turned down for what you wanted to do?

Completely agree with that and that Glastonbury is just another stop on a tour, but he didn't say they'd been 'turned down for what they wanted to do', he just said they'd 'been turned down' (or wasn't it refused?). That omission changes it completely as it takes out the acknowledgement that the band had certain demands that they wanted to be met. But like I said, he could have just been pissed and rambling and didn't mean it to come out that way.

[Dog Burger]

Completely agree with that and that Glastonbury is just another stop on a tour, but he didn't say they'd been 'turned down for what they wanted to do', he just said they'd 'been turned down' (or wasn't it refused?). That omission changes it completely as it takes out the acknowledgement that the band had certain demands that they wanted to be met. But like I said, he could have just been pissed and rambling and didn't mean it to come out that way.

Yep, the quote was "We wanted to play, but we were refused".

[Winslow Leach]

I'be surprised, but pleasantly so, if they were an Other headliner. Sunday against Kasabian would be lovely.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Winslow Leach

[Dog Burger]

I'be surprised, but pleasantly so, if they were an Other headliner. Sunday against Kasabian would be lovely.

Works for me! (except I don't have a ticket. Let it go man!)

[russycarps]

i'd be pretty surprised if they headlined Other. i know they've got a pretty big and loyal fanbase but i don't see them as having that kind of pulling power if put up against a big headliner on the Pyramid. maybe i'm underestimating their appeal but they don't seem like the kind of band that could bring in casual listeners / passers by. Other sub seems right for them

they're more popular than the flaming lips I'd have thought? Though the lips have subbed the pyramid so maybe not.

I'm sure the national got a pretty decent sized crowd on the other stage the other year.

[Zoo Music Girl]

Personally, I think they're about the same size as Portishead or Orbital. But that's just me.

mrtourette and Dog Burger, were either of you actually at the gig where Matt supposedly said that? Just wondering...

[Dog Burger]

|I think The National's 'size' and popularity has grown a lot this last year, and they're at the point in their career where it's really happening for them - ironically this is happening after 15 years of relative banging their heads against the wall and at a point where they'd just started to talk about winding it down and concentrating on their family lives.

But I'd say two nights at the Ally Pally at 7,500 a night, headline shows across multiple European festivals this summer, touring with the Foo Fighters in America, their soundtrack work, the imminent release of the film Mistaken For Strangers, the 6 Music headline slot, and their large and high-quality back catalogue are all indicators that they're at the point where they could be 'big enough' to do this gig.