Headliners 2015

[FloorFiller]

Yeah there are some absolute truncheons that are vocally against Taylor Swift (and Florence) headlining without much reason. But Ghostdancer put in a pretty good point how Chemical Brothers would possibly attract more people than Taylor Swift and they were immediately swatted down because Taylor Swift is bigger than Jesus and they must be incredibly off the pulse or whatever. I just thought it was a very good point as they're packed with hits that people have grown up with and are so popular at Glastonbury they've already headlined the Pyramid so I felt compelled to rant against this thing.

but there's absolutely no way Chemical Brothers would attract a bigger crowd than Taylor Swift. it's a ludicrous statement (but then again, there's no way Taylor Swift would be put on the Other to begin with so it's incomparable as the Pyramid, 9 times out of 10, will have a bigger crowd than Other, regardless of who's playing). i'm not letting my fanboyism get in the way; it's just fact

maybe she will sub (or be lower down the lineup), but as i've said before, it'll be the first time (bar the Legends slot) that Glastonbury has had such a huge current act in a non-headliner position, and i don't really see why they would have her lower when they could easily stick her at the top of the lineup

[stuartbert two hats]

I'm not going to get into the TS size debate, but if we assumed for one minute that she was a Pyramid sub/Other headliner, then I'd just like to point out that as much as it seems obvious that a full on pop act would be on the Pyramid, Ellie Goulding played Other. It's not the NME stage anymore.

[A Guy Called Matt]

I popped in to catch up and see Jessie J, M Cyrus and more durge on the headliners thread.

HELP

[FuzzyDunlop]

it'll be the first time (bar the Legends slot) that Glastonbury has had such a huge current act in a non-headliner position,

Kasabian 2009 - not as big globally granted, but in the UK, I'd say they were / are.

Ed Sheeran 2014 - 3 nights at Wembley

Edited January 30, 2015 by FuzzyDunlop

[Matt42]

I'm not going to get into the TS size debate, but if we assumed for one minute that she was a Pyramid sub/Other headliner, then I'd just like to point out that as much as it seems obvious that a full on pop act would be on the Pyramid, Ellie Goulding played Other. It's not the NME stage anymore.

Ellie Goulding isn't even close to the size of taylor swift though

[FloorFiller]

Kasabian 2009

Ed Sheeran 2014

Kasabian is debatable. at the time they were still only playing academy sized venues (moving on to arenas later in the year). they were on the cusp on becoming headliners, but i'd say they comfortably subbed

on announcement Ed Sheeran wasn't nearly the mammoth name he is now. i don't think anybody could've predicted he'd get as huge as he now is

i'd argue that these are both acts who got bigger in hindsight. were any of us really saying 'wow, Ed Sheeran ISN'T headlining!?' on announcement day last year?

I'm not going to get into the TS size debate, but if we assumed for one minute that she was a Pyramid sub/Other headliner, then I'd just like to point out that as much as it seems obvious that a full on pop act would be on the Pyramid, Ellie Goulding played Other. It's not the NME stage anymore.

so was Lady Gaga. so was Jessie J. what's your point? if Taylor were to play Other, it'd be as a headliner, which simply isn't happening, as she's far too big for it (which the other two acts weren't at the time of being announced)

[Wooderson]

More aggression from the Swift fanboys.

[FloorFiller]

More aggression from the Swift fanboys.

hardly

[Matt42]

More aggression from the Swift fanboys.

I wouldn't say it's aggression, i'm not getting aggressive i'm just criticising points that very flawed.

I agree with FlooFiller, Ed got extremely massive about 2-3 weeks before glastonbury, and after glastonbury his album dominated so he dramatically grew in size around glastonbury last year.

Jessie J and Gaga both played at the start of their careers where they weren't as huge, Taylor is playing at a completely different point in her career where she's been around for a long time and has a huge fanbase, It's not comparable at all.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

Amy Winehouse subbed when she was at the peak of her career & I'd argue she was as big, if not bigger than Swift in the UK.

It all depends who else is on the line up. After all if we're expected to believe Beyoncé was intended to sub in 2011 & Metallica were going to headline the Other last year, I'd argue those placings are more bizarre than Swift potentially subbing the Pyramid.

[FuzzyDunlop]

Kasabian is debatable. at the time they were still only playing academy sized venues (moving on to arenas later in the year). they were on the cusp on becoming headliners, but i'd say they comfortably subbed

on announcement Ed Sheeran wasn't nearly the mammoth name he is now. i don't think anybody could've predicted he'd get as huge as he now is

i'd argue that these are both acts who got bigger in hindsight. were any of us really saying 'wow, Ed Sheeran ISN'T headlining!?' on announcement day last year?

As much as I cant stand Ed Sheeran, I was surprised he wasn't at least subbing. (Admittedly, this may be wrong but...) I think his first album did better in this country than any of swifts? I said as we left Dolly "I bet Sheeran pulls a bigger crowd than Kasabian, he could have headlined"

Kasabian, you may be right, it is 6 years ago! I seem to remember expecting them to headline other rather than sub.

I think for me it was a shock to read she would headline because I know so little of her tunes. If it was other pop stars, I'd have known more and realised how "big" they were. I was shocked to see how big she is here.

It's a big site though, I'll find something to do!

[FloorFiller]

Amy Winehouse subbed when she was at the peak of her career & I'd argue she was as big, if not bigger than Swift in the UK.

It all depends who else is on the line up. After all if we're expected to believe Beyoncé was intended to sub in 2011 & Metallica were going to headline the Other last year, I'd argue those placings are more bizarre than Swift potentially subbing the Pyramid.

but could a 2 album Winehouse have headlined? if people were unhappy about Jay Z headlining imagine the scenes of it being her instead. she had a slow rise to the top as well - she didn't sub until two years after her album release, whereas Taylor is firmly at the top now

and i agree about your other points, but considering neither happened (and who's to say they were ever really gonna happen?) it's all conjecture really. if Beyonce had subbed, then i'd definitely be in the mindframe that Taylor could, but she didn't, so i'm not. maybe this year will finally be the year when one of these 'bigger than life' subs comes to fruition instead of falling on it's arse like it seems to have in previous years (hilariously, always because of Prince)

Edited January 30, 2015 by FloorFiller

[glimmers_of_hope]

The Libertines are at T in the Park - does that make them more or less likely? Was it rumoured that they might do TiTP and Reading/Leeds?

Hopefully it rules them out. Not because I don't like them but because I think it is a very bad idea.

[Woffy]

Kleenex must be sleeping soundly in the knowledge that tissue sales to TS Fanboys will remain healthily constant on the announcement that Swift is either playing or not playing.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

but could a 2 album Winehouse have headlined? if people were unhappy about Jay Z headlining imagine the scenes of it being her instead. she had a slow rise to the top as well - she didn't sub until two years after her album release, whereas Taylor is firmly at the top now

and i agree about your other points, but considering neither happened (and who's to say they were ever really gonna happen?) it's all conjecture really. if Beyonce had subbed, then i'd definitely be in the mindframe that Taylor could, but she didn't, so i'm not. maybe this year will finally be the year when one of these 'bigger than life' subs comes to fruition instead of falling on it's arse like it seems to have in previous years (hilariously, always because of Prince)

If you're asking me do I think Winehouse would have been better received as a headliner in 2008 than Taylor Swift would be in 2015? Then yes I think she probably would have been.

I agree with the other points, until something is confirmed it is indeed just hearsay... But, I don't think it's a totally unrealistic possibility for Taylor to sub to someone like Elton on the Sunday. Mainly because much like Metallica, she's big enough to headline, but Glastonbury isn't traditionally her stomping ground so to speak.

[russycarps]

Can one of the Swift fanboys please explain how if she's so huge, she cant even sell out hyde park despite the tickets having been on sale for months and not being particularly overpriced?

You fuckwits.

[FloorFiller]

Can one of the Swift fanboys please explain how if she's so huge, she cant even sell out hyde park despite the tickets having been on sale for months and not being particularly overpriced?

You fuckwits.

did Neil Young sell out Hyde Park? did Neil Young headline Glastonbury? what's your point here russy, because it seems to be the only real point you've made on the matter, and it's instantly flawed

[The Nal]

Do grown ups really like Taylor Swift? Seriously I mean? Buy her records and stuff. And actually want her to headline?

The Saturday 5pm slot no?

Edited January 30, 2015 by The Nal

[russycarps]

did Neil Young sell out Hyde Park? did Neil Young headline Glastonbury? what's your point here russy, because it seems to be the only real point you've made on the matter, and it's instantly flawed

Neil young headlined based on his musical output, not his "size".

People keep saying over and over that she is the biggest act in the world. Yet she cant sell this out which throws that in to question.

The only reason given for her to headline is that she is the biggest act in the world. If in fact she isnt as big as people seem to be claiming, then why is she headlining? It's not like anyone has made a strong case for her awful music.

Edited January 30, 2015 by russycarps

[CaledonianGonzo]

Do grown ups really like Taylor Swift? Seriously I mean? Buy her records and stuff. And actually want her to headline?

Belting pop records. Properly smashing.

[A Guy Called Matt]

Who is 'big'?

Well all the artists talked about here are 'big' in some ways. Is one bigger than another? Impossible to say as 99.9% is just personal opinion.

For me TS is not big as I do not like her music and have no interest in looking to see what she sells where - but that does not mean she is not 'big' especially not to those who love her.

I love AC/DC - would I say they are bigger than the Stones? In my musical world yes as I am not that much into the Stones. In the real world, who knows. Some modern measures thnat are used are Facebook likes - that means AC/DC are far more popular than the Stones, or does it mean that lots of Stones likers do not use Facebook or does it mean nothing at all?

I really do not get the constant arguments about who is bigger or better - we all like what we like and will always think what we like to be bigger and better than what we do not like.

Anyway, good morning all, stay safe.

Love and Peace.

[A Guy Called Matt]

Do grown ups really like Taylor Swift? Seriously I mean? Buy her records and stuff.

I am sure many do.

I do not.

Edited January 30, 2015 by mattyc1965

[Spindles]

I think that the festival audience are a different demographic to the chart record buying public by a long stretch. To use sales of a current pop act as justification for this argument seems immaterial to me, it's about whether an act is a good fit for the crowd who attend, not whether they are currently selling truckloads of singles.

[Wooderson]

Swift fanboys really need to take something from the Lana Del Rey fanboys. Laid back bunch, them men.

[FloorFiller]

Neil young headlined based on his musical output, not his "size".

People keep saying over and over that she is the biggest act in the world. Yet she cant sell this out which throws that in to question.

The only reason given for her to headline is that she is the biggest act in the world. If in fact she isnt as big as people seem to be claiming, then why is she headlining? It's not like anyone has made a strong case for her awful music.

what kind of 'strong case for her awful music' would you like russy? what statistics would win you over? 'biggest artist in the world' doesn't necessarily mean 'biggest artist in the UK' - we're a very small part of the world. that still doesn't mean she's not huge over here and undoubtedly big enough to headline, and just because she hasn't sold out one mammoth of a gig doesn't change that - i'm sure a lot of Glastonbury's past headliners would also struggle to sell out such an event, and your defence that 'well they headlined based on their musical output' point is shite - do you want all our headliners to have a forty year back catalogue before they can be deemed headliner worthy?

when / if she headlines, i think a lot of people are gonna be surprised at the size of the crowd she pulls - the festival demographic has changed