Headliners 2015

[another number]

I'm just not a fan. Can't stand him really. Roxette are a guilty pleasure! I was quite baffled when ed Sheeran got announced to play wembley, just don't see the appeal in his music at all. Each to their own I suppose, but for me he's just not a headliner.

[Gnomicide]

Sheeran is far from my taste. However I don't think you can throw the manufactured tag at him. The guy was a busker and although his rise to fame has been pretty meteororic, he does seem to have paid his dues.

I believe he writes his own stuff? How many shows did he play when he first appeared at Glastonbury? I think I read somewhere it was 8.

Like I say, not from me but looks the perfect fit for a first time headliner.

[Badlands]

I'm just not a fan. Can't stand him really. Roxette are a guilty pleasure! I was quite baffled when ed Sheeran got announced to play wembley, just don't see the appeal in his music at all. Each to their own I suppose, but for me he's just not a headliner.

A bloke that plays 3 nights at Wembley probably is headline material.

Anyway, not long to wait now, 2015 and all that.

Had a dream the Roses played. Set list was all new tracks that were released as their new album the next day. Too much xmas cheese I reckon.

[another number]

I'm a fan of noel Gallagher but I don't see him as a headliner. Sub headliner definitely but not a headliner. He is significantly more credible than ed Sheeran. Also think prodigy would be a better choice than Sheeran. Maybe I expect a bit too much but if be massively underwhelmed if ed Sheeran was announced as a headliner.

[GlastoSimon]

Sheeran is far from my taste. However I don't think you can throw the manufactured tag at him. The guy was a busker and although his rise to fame has been pretty meteororic, he does seem to have paid his dues.

I believe he writes his own stuff? How many shows did he play when he first appeared at Glastonbury? I think I read somewhere it was 8.

Like I say, not from me but looks the perfect fit for a first time headliner.

I certainly remember him playing a load of shows over the weekend in 2011, all over the site as well.

I too think that he is being lined up for a future headline slot but not this year, the Wembley shows are surely enough for him?

[FakeEmpire]

I'm going with Florence + the Machine, Foo Fighters and Elton John as this year's Pyramid headliners which seems entirely likely to me.

[ICGenie]

I'm a fan of noel Gallagher but I don't see him as a headliner. Sub headliner definitely but not a headliner. He is significantly more credible than ed Sheeran. Also think prodigy would be a better choice than Sheeran. Maybe I expect a bit too much but if be massively underwhelmed if ed Sheeran was announced as a headliner.

I'd be massively underwhelmed if The Prodigy were announced as a headliner...

I'm no particular fan of Ed Sheeran (until I saw him on NY TOTP I genuinely thought that huge hit of his was Justin Timberlake) but I think it's absolutely right he should headline. Someone who writes his own tunes, worked his way up and is now enjoying massive success. How can that NOT be headliner material?

[fatyeti24]

tbf, 'massively underwhelmed' is the default position for most of us on here about most of the headliners, most years.

[Matt42]

I don't believe it's fair to pin him as manufactured, but his recent success has shown what can happen to an artist when their second album is greater received than the first.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was being lined up for this year, but I don't consider him the likeliest of candidates. Mumfords did play three (or four can't remember) glastonburys on the trot and headlined on their last appearance so it's not impossible... but I don't know if it counts because there was a fallow year in between.

Probably have to consider that when Ed plays festivals again he's likely to be chased by other events wanting him on exclusive, so if Glastonbury wanted him as a headliner it may be easier to get him now?

[fatyeti24]

matt! happy new year! glad to have your input, this thread is a tad wayward recently.

[bennyhana22]

I'm a fan of noel Gallagher but I don't see him as a headliner. Sub headliner definitely but not a headliner. He is significantly more credible than ed Sheeran. Also think prodigy would be a better choice than Sheeran. Maybe I expect a bit too much but if be massively underwhelmed if ed Sheeran was announced as a headliner.

I'm not sure The Prodigy have ever been big enough to headline The Pyramid, have they? I understand that non-mass appeal headliners do come up from time to time, Metallica being an example, but The Prodigy have never been anywhere near as big as Metallica. Other Stage headliner would be a career max for them, IMO.

Regarding young Master Sheeran - Glastonbury is, as I see it, a non-niche/genre mass appeal festival these days. Ed Sheeran is a non-niche/genre mass appeal artist, albeit one whose upward curve has gone a wee bit exponential of late. As said above, he's playing three nights at Wembley. That's more than Muse. Radiohead have never played there. Neither have Fleetwood Mac, have they? He's pop, he's popular, his latest is the top selling album in the UK for 2014. By what lunatic's calculation is he not entirely appropriate to headline Glastonbury.

Not saying he will, and if he did I'd not be there. I don't dislike him (I actually think he's a pretty damn fine musician. One may dislike his music, but he technically very proficient. Building up loops of that complexity, in real time, and making it sound clean, is not easy...!). I couldn't name or sing an ES song.

But is he 'a potential Glastonbury headliner'? Yes. He is.

Ben

Edited January 2, 2015 by bennyhana22

[Matt42]

matt! happy new year! glad to have your input, this thread is a tad wayward recently.

After some of the messages I received I thought it was fair to leave this forum, but now i've decided i'l just be a one off poster.

Happy new year to you too!

[tevaburger]

I'm not sure The Prodigy have ever been big enough to headline The Pyramid, have they?

how old were you in 1997?

[dentalplan]

I wouldn't be surprised if he was being lined up for this year, but I don't consider him the likeliest of candidates. Mumfords did play three (or four can't remember) glastonburys on the trot and headlined on their last appearance so it's not impossible... but I don't know if it counts because there was a fallow year in between.

Probably have to consider that when Ed plays festivals again he's likely to be chased by other events wanting him on exclusive, so if Glastonbury wanted him as a headliner it may be easier to get him now?

It's not the same as Mumfords though. They released an album in the fallow year so they had new material to headline with, and apparently weren't first choice anyway. Only really have V/IOW to compete with do him when he next tours so I don't think they'd resort to booking him twice this tour because they might not get him next time.

[DJL]

I'm not sure The Prodigy have ever been big enough to headline The Pyramid, have they? I understand that non-mass appeal headliners do come up from time to time, Metallica being an example, but The Prodigy have never been anywhere near as big as Metallica. Other Stage headliner would be a career max for them, IMO.

...As said above, he's playing three nights at Wembley. That's more than Muse. Radiohead have never played there.

Neither have Fleetwood Mac, have they?

Ben

I actually agree with a few of your points and it is difficult to argue that Sheeran isn't big enough to headline as he does tick a lot of the boxes (though i personally cannot stand him). As someone else said The Prodigy were once very much pyramid headliners though and the only reason Radiohead have never played Wembley is because they wouldn't want to. Fleetwood mac probably could at the moment but have been offered pay days elsehwere... whether any of them or Muse (or anyone else for that matter) could have ever done three nights at Wembley is debatable though. In terms of popularity that really is impressive.

I still think the fact he played third down last year (plus the three wembley shows) makes a headline this year unlikely.

Pretty certain he will do next tour/album though

[bennyhana22]

how old were you in 1997?

Well, I was 27!

I do remember their heyday, just not sure I would have seen them as widely enough appealing to headline Glastonbury! Obviously I don't know my A from my E! I guess FOTL was pretty massive, as were the accompanying singles. OK. 'Nuff said. Ignorance demonstrated!

Ben

[bennyhana22]

They've already headlined the pyramid

Sorry, are you suggesting that I actually know anything?!

Ben

[The Nal]

Well, I was 27!

I do remember their heyday, just not sure I would have seen them as widely enough appealing to headline Glastonbury! Obviously I don't know my A from my E! I guess FOTL was pretty massive, as were the accompanying singles. OK. 'Nuff said. Ignorance demonstrated!

Ben

Fat of the Land was number 1 in 26 countries. Including America. Firestarter and Breathe were both number 1. Firestarter was number 1 for 4 weeks on the trot. They were massive.

But no, they're not headline material now. Although they've a new single due in the next couple of weeks and a new album this year.

[Wooderson]

I'm not sure The Prodigy have ever been big enough to headline The Pyramid, have they? I understand that non-mass appeal headliners do come up from time to time, Metallica being an example, but The Prodigy have never been anywhere near as big as Metallica. Other Stage headliner would be a career max for them, IMO.

Regarding young Master Sheeran - Glastonbury is, as I see it, a non-niche/genre mass appeal festival these days. Ed Sheeran is a non-niche/genre mass appeal artist, albeit one whose upward curve has gone a wee bit exponential of late. As said above, he's playing three nights at Wembley. That's more than Muse. Radiohead have never played there. Neither have Fleetwood Mac, have they? He's pop, he's popular, his latest is the top selling album in the UK for 2014. By what lunatic's calculation is he not entirely appropriate to headline Glastonbury.

Not saying he will, and if he did I'd not be there. I don't dislike him (I actually think he's a pretty damn fine musician. One may dislike his music, but he technically very proficient. Building up loops of that complexity, in real time, and making it sound clean, is not easy...!). I couldn't name or sing an ES song.

But is he 'a potential Glastonbury headliner'? Yes. He is.

Ben

Thanks Ben.

[bennyhana22]

Thanks Ben.

What for, Wooderson?

For showing myself to be an ignorant tit, regarding The Prodigy? Or for writing something half-sensible regarding the legitimacy of Mr Sheeran headlining The Lord's Own Festival?

Ben

[ghostdancer1]

He probably is being lined up as a headliner but not for this year. I can see why people who might not realise he played lower down last year are speculating but no chance he'd do both third down and headline on the same album.

if he's being "lined up" for headliner (whatever that actually means), then it would be for 2015.

he'll be well finished his touring of this album by the time Glastonbury 2016 comes around, and unlikely to have released another album by that time. he'll more than likely be taking time off to write/record his new album in June 2016.

i don't see why playing last year and this year is an issue. he's bigger now than he was in June.

plenty of acts play higher up the bill in consecutive Glastonbury festivals, and plenty have done so as headliners for other festivals.

depending on what headliner size acts are actually around (and at the moment there doesn't seem to be many), then he's surely in with a shout.

[dentalplan]

if he's being "lined up" for headliner (whatever that actually means), then it would be for 2015.

he'll be well finished his touring of this album by the time Glastonbury 2016 comes around, and unlikely to have released another album by that time. he'll more than likely be taking time off to write/record his new album in June 2016.

i don't see why playing last year and this year is an issue. he's bigger now than he was in June.

plenty of acts play higher up the bill in consecutive Glastonbury festivals, and plenty have done so as headliners for other festivals.

depending on what headliner size acts are actually around (and at the moment there doesn't seem to be many), then he's surely in with a shout.

Lined up as in agreed for a couple of years in advance. That's how it works in festivals nowadays.

Show me an act that has played an evening slot and a main stage headline slot on the same album tour. It doesn't happen.

I'm sure there are many acts around or not that Glastonbury could reach out to before booking a lower down act in for another half hour.

Edited January 2, 2015 by dentalplan

[kingcrawler]

Lined up as in agreed for a couple of years in advance. That's how it works in festivals nowadays.

Show me an act that has played an evening slot and a main stage headline slot on the same album tour. It doesn't happen.

I'm sure there are many acts around or not that Glastonbury could reach out to before booking a lower down act in for another half hour.

I'm trying to think of an example of this but I'm struggling. The only one that comes to mind is The Strokes at Reading in 2001 and 2002 but even that's an extreme example as they didn't do an evening slot on main and I don't think Is This It came out until the year after.

Calvin Harris headlined the Radio 1 Stage and Main stage at T in consecutive years but that's the closest thing I can think of.

[bennyhana22]

Probably mentioned many times before, but just as an illustration of meterioc rise to Pyramid headliner, and despite the almost universal (probably not invalid, if a little mean!) vitriol:

Mumford & Sons

September 2009 - open End of the Road with a 30 minute slot to...not very many people

June 2013 - well, you know the rest...! (with just two LPs)

As said, Wembley may make this not Ed Sheeran's year, but precedent says he's 'ready'.

Ben

[the wonderwhy]

I think Foo Fighters are nailed on this year so I'd be surprised if two of the headliners were doing 5 nights at Wembley between them.

I imagine that whoever said 'lined up' was talking about the next couple of years, too.