What surprised you the most from this years lineup.

[Matt42]

For me, it was Jake Bugg subbing, simply because in no way is he a sub in my eyes...

There's no justification for that big of a bump up, I think R&L just kept it too safe/weak with the bump up. In my eyes the worst booking. Much worse than getting Blink back, at least people are excited to see Blink... I don't see anyone 'excited' for Jake Bugg's sub slot!

Edited March 11, 2014 by Matt42

[giantwagon]

Yeah, unfortunately this years biggest surprises have been pretty negative, baring in mind that last years biggest surprise was probably NIN subbing.

[Asdaprice]

Jake Bugg subbing, Macklemore subbing, and ID 3rd down were all pretty what in the holy shit moments.

[Matt42]

Jake Bugg subbing, Macklemore subbing, and ID 3rd down were all pretty what in the holy shit moments.

[dentalplan]

I dunno if people have forgotten but I think Blink by a fair distance.

[PDAD]

I dunno if people have forgotten but I think Blink by a fair distance.

[Gucci Piggy]

If Matt uses someone's international popularity to justify something again I think I'm going to fall into the floor.

[DomDom1984]

If Matt uses someone's international popularity to justify something again I think I'm going to fall into the floor.

[Asdaprice]

I dunno if people have forgotten but I think Blink by a fair distance.

[The Placid Casual]

Definitely Macklemore and Blink, who on earth would have saw that top 2 coming?

[Gucci Piggy]

Macklemore subbing

Blink headlining

Jake Bugg subbing

Would be my top three, in that order. I'm surprised by Vampire Weekend seemingly coming over just for a third down slot at R&L. If they were doing it for a sub slot I wouldn't have been that surprised.

[The Placid Casual]

Macklemore subbing

Blink headlining

Jake Bugg subbing

Would be my top three, in that order. I'm surprised by Vampire Weekend seemingly coming over just for a third down slot at R&L. If they were doing it for a sub slot I wouldn't have been that surprised.

[lightning1000]

As has nine inch nails.

[Yellow_Fellow]

True. Sign of things to come.

[dentalplan]

Definitely. 'I thought Jake Bugg would be 3rd instead of subbing and Imagine Dragons would be 4th instead or 3rd', i don't think is that surprising, it's just a bit shit. A headliner from 4 years ago however (and Blink at that) i thought was just never gonna happen.

[justanothername]

Got to be Macklebore (or Macklewhore) subbing

[Com Truise]

As has nine inch nails.

[the wonderwhy]

I'm surprised by Vampire Weekend seemingly coming over just for a third down slot at R&L

[kaosmark2]

Blink followed by Macklemore. Jake Bugg subbing is shit but the other two I think it's ridiculous that the fest have booked them at all let alone in the slot they've got.

It's definitely Blink though, until it was announced, even those of us who knew Lucky had credibility were doubting him for the sheer fact it seemed so ridiculous. The idea of Macklemore playing seemed plausible if unpleasant.

[lightning1000]

NIN's was post Leeds though, and VW's pre Leeds so they could have knocked them down for that, while they couldn't have for NIN

[mentalmat]

I'm not shocked about jake bugg. Has worked his way up the stages with great performances, has a new album out and he's gone electric so the music will suit a big stage better. Just possibly a slot or 2 high that's all.

For me it's macklemore. Never heard of em!

[footix2]

Courteeners headlining the NME for me. If you come back to R&L enough times do you eventually just get given a headline by default?

Probably says more about the state of indie rock than the band itself I guess.

[jump]

Courteeners headlining the NME for me. If you come back to R&L enough times do you eventually just get given a headline by default?

Probably says more about the state of indie rock than the band itself I guess.

[dentalplan]

Courteeners aren't on the rise though. They played third down the NME last time and their new album was turd. This is gonna be one of those 'somebody obviously pulled out' things.

[mrtourette]

I think it's a combination of them getting a decent crowd for their last slot, being up against Queens/Paramore and being some kind of exclsuive. They certainly aren't on the rise but they'll get a good crowd.