Headliners 2015

[FloorFiller]

But not at Glastonbury so I don't see the problem.

just quite unlike Glastonbury to play second fiddle to other festivals. it's not impossible - the 20 years since they were last supposed to headline definitely plays in their favour - but i just don't see them headlining without new material. sad state of affairs when an act can play the same setlist they were supposed to play in their cancelled performance 20 years ago

[Rose-Colored Boy]

I can't remember ever having met someone who was remotely interested in anything Madonna has done in the last ten or so years, I'm sure those people exist it's just they've managed to allude me for the 19 years of my life.

Confessions on a Dancefloor was massive (4x platinum in the UK) and the lead single from Hard Candy was a huge number one hit as well. It's since she left Warner Bros that things have really gone downhill.

Edited March 23, 2015 by Zac Quinn

[The Nal]

It'd still be fair to note that their artistic glory days were behind them, though.

No question. But so are most bands who are "worthy" of headlining, unless they're booked on the 2nd album.

[ClementsMike]

There is a nagging doubt about Take That, the treesome are free, Robbie is free and I persume the other one is too. Theyve spoken about it not being entirely over and loosley planning to recollabertae foran anniversay tour in the future. It strikes me they wouldnt be beyong doing likewise for a headline slot I hope not.

As much as I dont initially think Madonna would do a straight forward nostalgia/hits set, she did make a lot of effort when married to Guy Ritchie to be all 'English' and so might 'get' Glastonbury. I wouldnt put it past her to do a one off for the exposure, moreso after the Brits humiliation? Again, I hope not.

Stone Roses? My fave bet I think, but likley hood? Who knows? It all seems to have come from nothing and wishful thinking. Thats no bad thing by the way

Pr*nce ... under the radar and being kept quiet so I do think he might me the one. The 'secrecy' would then make some sense.

Taylor Swift - sub act for Glastonbury despite her sales figures. Michael said so in an earlier interview.

However, after all this, Noel G is free on the Sunday, wants to play the festival and despite his initial comments he wont be hanging about all weekend waiting the for the sunday night gig. He fits the part, will satisfy the NME/Indie/BBC audiences and provide a finale singalong with Dont Look Back ... and Wonderwall. It'll be predicatable, a bit dull through the set but will end with a warm feeling. Id say he's the best of whats left on the table.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

several large tours in 10 years eh? metallica have pretty much been on the road constantly for those 10 years........you want to get personal with me mate ill just laugh at you

Personal? Nah. If you come on a public forum & spout utter nonsense you'll be called out on it, simple as that.

[The Nal]

Ok then, in the last ten years Madonna has had 3 UK number 1 studio albums, a number 2 studio album & a number 1 greatest hits album. Also several top 40 'hits' including a few number 1's.

In that respect, she's more 'relevant' than the Stones. She's also sold more records than them.

9 UK number 1 albums. Her last 6 have got to number 1. Not including the most recent album which got to number 2. It would be a huge booking.

But doesnt look like it this year.

[alexwetherell]

So with balance window open next week. When do we think we'll get an announcemen?

[Bignews]

Yeah, I was taking the piss. Didn't expect it to be taken serious to be honest. Its fucking Razorlight.

That pic of them is one of the most unintentionally hilarious things I've seen.

took me a while to even work out who that was

[klipper]

Is george Michael a possible headliner. I know it's dreadful, but personal feelings aside, is he big enough?

Any excuse to post this.

[brettredmayne]

So with balance window open next week. When do we think we'll get an announcemen?

Could be this week, real question is will Neil get the final headliner before it is announced

[mrtourette]

Ok then, in the last ten years Madonna has had 3 UK number 1 studio albums, a number 2 studio album & a number 1 greatest hits album. Also several top 40 'hits' including a few number 1's.

In that respect, she's more 'relevant' than the Stones. She's also sold more records than them.

Relevant to who?

I'm playing devil's advocate here of course, she's still a big name and would probably fit in well with the media juggernaught that accompanies the festival. The whole thing about Pyramid headliner is that arguments about relevance are largely, um, irrelevant because simply by being announced as a Glasto headliner the machine kicks in and ensures that act receives enough PR to make them appear relevant/big enough (and once they appear relevant/big enough, the public will fall into line with a predictable pattern of behaviour that fuels the fire). Obviously there's a lower limit but as long as that is met eventually enough people will be cajouled into being interested in seeing an act simply because of where they're playing and that fact that they think they 'should'. At the moment I'd imagine that Madonna isn't really interesting enough to what people may think is the Glastonbury crowd, but once announced the fawning and circlejerking media outlets would burst into action and she'd start getting coverage in all kinds of publications, radio stations and websites that she never would normally, culminating in a whole weekind of BBC presenters declaring her to be the ultimate influence on their lives despite never having mentioned her at all in the last 10 years.

I for one cannot wait to hear Mark Radcliffe claim that Like A Virgin touched him in places that he's never been touched since.

Edited March 23, 2015 by mrtourette

[eFestivals]

She would pack that Pyramid field.

but so would Wsstlife or Take That.

Popularity only proves that act as popular, nothing else.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

but so would Wsstlife or Take That.

Popularity only proves that act as popular, nothing else.

But isn't popularity by far the biggest consideration for a Pyramid headliner?

[The Nal]

but so would Wsstlife or Take That.

Popularity only proves that act as popular, nothing else.

I really don't think Westlife would. Not with a Glasto crowd. Take That maybe.

But it seems the headliners are the festival these days. This thread is a good example of that. As is this petition. No one could realistically complain about Madonna. Considering we've had Beyonce.

[Glastoboy]

ELO, ELO, ELO. Let's be avin' you.

[Big Vern]

Relevant to who?

I'm playing devil's advocate here of course, she's still a big name and would probably fit in well with the media juggernaught that accompanies the festival. The whole thing about Pyramid headliner is that arguments about relevance are largely, um, irrelevant because simply by being announced as a Glasto headliner the machine kicks in and ensures that act receives enough PR to make them appear relevant/big enough (and once they appear relevant/big enough, the public will fall into line with a predictable pattern of behaviour that fuels the fire). Obviously there's a lower limit but as long as that is met eventually enough people will be cajouled into being interested in seeing an act simply because of where they're playing and that fact that they think they 'should'. At the moment I'd imagine that Madonna isn't really interesting enough to what people may think is the Glastonbury crowd, but once announced the fawning and circlejerking media outlets would burst into action and she'd start getting coverage in all kinds of publications, radio stations and websites that she never would normally, culminating in a whole weekind of BBC presenters declaring her to be the ultimate influence on their lives despite never having mentioned her at all in the last 10 years.

I for one cannot wait to hear Mark Radcliffe claim that Like A Virgin touched him in places that he's never been touched since.

excellent post.

Madonna has as much relevance to be there as Beyonce, and she drew a big enough crowd.

And as much relevant as Kanye and he will draw a huge crowd.

[Superscally]

I see The National play in Spain on 1 May then America on 17 July. Hello... P.s. I don't care if they're not big enough/British or if they decide to bring a selfie stick...

[TheNewUnion]

We're out of ideas, aren't we. Thwarted at every turn. Can we expect the main chunk of the lineup before balances need to be paid then? Fi not a right test of faith for those for whom the lineup is the most important thing. (FWIW, I think The National would be a good brave choice. Saw them at Pukkelpop and they were pretty darn good)

Edited March 23, 2015 by TheNewUnion

[eFestivals]

But isn't popularity by far the biggest consideration for a Pyramid headliner?

I point you at the name of Kanye and the reaction to it.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

I point you at the name of Kanye and the reaction to it.

Hahaha very good point

[thewayiam]

aye thought Blur were out of the running anyway but it's nice to have a confirmation. definitely at IOW. i know i shouldn't tempt fate but i'm gonna say it's Prince (with Swift subbing as a backup headliner as they seem so accustomed to do with the little purple shit).

Weren't you saying not long ago Blur sounded more feasible? Changing your mind more than me lol ;P

[Mardy]

I really don't think Westlife would. Not with a Glasto crowd. Take That maybe.

But it seems the headliners are the festival these days. This thread is a good example of that. As is this petition. No one could realistically complain about Madonna. Considering we've had Beyonce.

It's really interesting. To the outside world, and the media, sure it's all about the headliners, definitely. They, as it were, write the headlines.

What's surprised me is how that is also the case for people attending the festival. That 'how many headliners have you seen' thread absolutely gobsmacked me.

So, yeah, it clearly does have a resonance and importance, more than I'd realised

[neil999]

madonna would please a large demographic i think

[eFestivals]

I really don't think Westlife would. Not with a Glasto crowd. Take That maybe.

the fact of Take That being acceptable shows that Westlife would be too.

Times have changed and the aurally challenged have taken over the festival world. How has it passed you by?

[The Nal]

the fact of Take That being acceptable shows that Westlife would be too.

Times have changed and the aurally challenged have taken over the festival world. How has it passed you by?

It hasnt. But it hasnt got as bad as Westlife. Not yet anyway.