Headliners 2015

[eFestivals]

....especially considering the tiny metallica crowd. Hardly a roaring success.

Yup.

I reckon that they'll be thinking that while Metallica was enough of a success to book another suitably-big heavy band in the future, they'll be wanting to avoid it this year if possible to avoid getting pigeon-holed as a fest that always has a heavy band as a headliner.

If that was to happen it would start to close off the attractiveness of the fest to a significant chunk of the people it hopes to attract, because that attractiveness has been built on the headliners being "friendly" to most people.

Heavy acts are, as a generalisation, a bit too marmite for what Glastonbury has always been about - plus they're already over-catered for in the rest of the UK festivals market.

Edited October 3, 2014 by eFestivals

[CaledonianGonzo]

They were wasted on the pyramid though. That crowd would have comfortably fitted into the other stage. So in that respect it was a failure on the pyramid.

I know they were originally intended to go on the other stage, so it's not the bookers fault. But surely they proved that "heavy" music has no place on the pyramid.

Nah - it was fair enough for the fest to give thrash metal its moment. It was never going to be tsunamis of people, but it wasn't an embarassing no show either. No one deserves to hang their head over it.

As for other 'heavy' acts, if it's AC/DC being mooted then they're no heavier than the Stones.

[eFestivals]

They were wasted on the pyramid though. That crowd would have comfortably fitted into the other stage. So in that respect it was a failure on the pyramid.

I know they were originally intended to go on the other stage, so it's not the bookers fault. But surely they proved that "heavy" music has no place on the pyramid.

I think the smaller crowd was particularly telling when so many people struggled to find anything else they were keen to see as an alternative.

The lack of other options should have brought Metallica a much bigger crowd really. The fact that it didn't shows how comparatively few they were of interest to.

Edited October 3, 2014 by eFestivals

[eFestivals]

As for other 'heavy' acts, if it's AC/DC being mooted then they're no heavier than the Stones.

while that might be the truth of things (tho I'd disagree), they're much more of a niche act than the Stones are, just as Metallica proved themselves to be.

Tho i reckon that AC/DC would be hugely more popular than Metallica were.

Edited October 3, 2014 by eFestivals

[CaledonianGonzo]

I'd say any type of music has its place on the Pyramid if they have a practitioner that's popular enough. In terms of yer actual metal metal there is only Metallica that have that sort of international clout - and that's it. it;'s happened, probably never to be repeated unless someone we've no idea about comes along and makes a massive global success of thrash metal.

[CaledonianGonzo]

while that might be the truth of things (tho I'd disagree), they're much more of a niche act than the Stones are, just as Metallica proved themselves to be.

Tho i reckon that AC/DC would be hugely more popular than Metallica were.

Yeah - AC/DC are niche, but what they do have are a fair slew of cracking pop songs. It might be difficult for the non-partisan to get fully on board with Creeping Death or Master of Puppets or what have you, but something like You Shook Me All Night Long is pretty 'easy', accessible music.

[Gucci Piggy]

But surely they proved that "heavy" music has no place on the pyramid.

Whilst that's true to some extent, the "heavy" band being suggested was Foo Fighters, who would draw as big a crowd as anybody.

What you're saying would hold true for bands like Iron Maiden, though.

[Purple aki squat]

I think the smaller crowd was particularly telling when so many people struggled to find anything else they were keen to see as an alternative.

The lack of other options should have brought Metallica a much bigger crowd really. The fact that it didn't shows how comparatively few they were of interest to.

Was the crowd small?

Was pissed but it seemed lively enough where we were.

I'd much rather have any metal band over some shite like Mumfords any day

[CaledonianGonzo]

I honestly sometimes forget the Foo Fighters even exist. I honestly don't think I've even heard a single song by them. Nickleback have had a couple of their tunes that have gone viral due to their sheer awfulness, but the 'Foos' don't even have that going for them.

[eFestivals]

See also back in black and highway to hell.

They've a handful of songs that nonfans will know unlike metallica

yep, that's my take - that AC/DC have better entered the mainstream, perhaps partly due to being around for longer, but also i think because they come across as less earnest and more tongue-in-cheek.

[eFestivals]

Was the crowd small?

Was pissed but it seemed lively enough where we were.

I'd much rather have any metal band over some shite like Mumfords any day

For a headline crowd, yep it was small.

It was pretty busy down the front, but it thinned out pretty quickly behind the mixing desk, and for the time that I was there watching (the first 20 minutes or so) it thinned out a lot more.

[russycarps]

Whilst that's true to some extent, the "heavy" band being suggested was Foo Fighters, who would draw as big a crowd as anybody.

What you're saying would hold true for bands like Iron Maiden, though.

yeh true, I'd rank foo fighters alongside muse, killers, kings of leon, kasabian etc in terms of "heaviness". Soft rock. Perfect for the pyramid I suppose.

Though do foo fighters have as many "hits" as those other bands I've mentioned? I know not a lot about them, aside from that I dont like them

Edited October 3, 2014 by russycarps

[Stokesy10]

I'm absolutely amazed Green Day have never headlined or even played at Glasto. Their live sets are incredible. There's no way you couldn't be impressed by it unless you don't like live music. Even if you're not a big fan of theirs. I'd absolutely love to see them there. I wouldn't even put them in my top 5 favourite bands ever but they're one I'd wish to see on the Pyramid!

[CaledonianGonzo]

but also i think because they come across as less earnest and more tongue-in-cheek.

Never underestimate the appeal of a gnome-like bloke dressed as a naughty schoolboy and a big, bouncy inflatable.

[CaledonianGonzo]

I honestly sometimes forget Green Day even exist. I honestly don't think I've even heard a single song by them. Blink 182 have had a couple of their tunes that have gone viral due to their sheer awfulness, but the 'Day' don't even have that going for them.

[russycarps]

green day have that horrific song when september comes or something. Christ I hate that, utter plops.

I think it's about soldiers in the iraq war or something. Really dreadful stuff.

[CaledonianGonzo]

I like that one they do about the Year 3000.

[Icewulf]

McBusted for the Main Stage pls.

[Winslow Leach]

I'd take Busted over Green Day any time. (Can't believe we're having this conversation)

Edited October 3, 2014 by Winslow Leach

[kemosabe]

Although I wont happen I have to ask that please no Green Day (So boring at Leeds '13) or Blink (Apparently shite at Leeds '14) and selfishly please no Foo's (having seen them at Leeds '12)

[TomViolence]

Foo Fighters easily have enough hits to headline.

[TomViolence]

green day have that horrific song when september comes or something. Christ I hate that, utter plops.

I think it's about soldiers in the iraq war or something. Really dreadful stuff.

It's about his Dad dying I think but I seem to remember the video having a war element to it. Either way I don't like the song though

[tullux]

foo fighters, fleetwood mac, ac/dc, oasis and prince.

i am sure the headlineres recrutes from this five.

[Winslow Leach]

foo fighters, fleetwood mac, ac/dc, oasis and prince.

i am sure the headlineres recrutes from this five.

Sounds legit.

[eFestivals]

foo fighters, fleetwood mac, ac/dc, oasis and prince.

i am sure the headlineres recrutes from this five.

I'll be mildly surprised if it's more than just one of them - with that being FM.