What makes a Pyramid headliner? (Geek alert)

[Zacko]

41 minutes ago, jimmillen said:

 

OK, let's have a look at this lot then. 🙂

I'm going to break these down using my original categories. 

 

First as "Legends" - some others are using "Heritage" acts which I guess may avoid confusion with the Sunday afternoon Legends slot. Let's stick with calling them heritage.

NC&TBS - Has the back catalogue to do it, but not really quite on the same level as other Heritage headliners. Also has subbed on the Pyramid 3 times, don't see a headline slot happening now.

PJ - Legendary band with success over 3 decades. Great headliner and would follow precedent of bands like Foo Fighters and Metallica. Could easily headline if they want to & if Emily wants them.

Depeche Mode - As above, more than qualified to fill a heritage headliner slot. 

Eminem - Yes he is a heritage act, been around since 1996 and had an undeniable impact on music. Not sure if he'd want to headline and not sure the festival would want him based on previous controversies. On balance I reckon probably not.

Out of these heritage acts Pearl Jam & Depeche Mode are by far the most likely IMO.

Note I'm not working out the albums etc. - I'm lumping acts into the "Legend/Heritage" category when you can take it for granted they have hugely popular albums, tours etc, over at least 20 years.

 

A bit of an anomaly - Rage Against the Machine. Although they've been around for a long time, that's included extended hiatus periods and they only actually have 4 studio albums - the most recent of which was released in 2000! So IMO they are better classified as a cult favourite band than a heritage act.

I don't think data helps us much with RATM. They don't seem an especially good fit with Glastonbury, no new material and more committed to Reading & Leeds perhaps? I dunno, it's an odd one. Thinking probably not, much as I'd love to see them on the farm.

 

Onto the popular acts!

Olivia Rodrigo is too new to headline anytime soon. Her debut album is incredible but no idea of her as a performer yet - crazy to speculate at this stage of her career. Let's see how the next few years go for her. 

Next, acts that have huge commercial success but don't "fit" the festival. These are Justin Bieber and BTS - in both cases you'd probably get a big crowd of under 25s at the Pyramid but everyone else would avoid - I don't think that's what the festival wants for Pyramid headliners. I'd question whether either act would want to perform to an indifferent festival crowd - they would probably prefer to sell out stadiums full of their own fans.

Now it gets interesting (sort of 😆). Acts where the data might actually be relevant. Here I have dug into the spreadsheet again, I clearly needed something to do on my lunch break.

Dave - would be bucking the trend according to the data, but OTOH would be following Stormzy's trajectory from Other sub to Pyramid headliner. Possible but IMO unlikely.

Rihanna - huge back catalogue, absolutely ridiculous commercial success, until I looked at her discography I had no idea just how successful she was. If she wanted to return to music & do the festival I reckon Emily would have her booked in a heartbeat. Big if there though! Again, possible but unlikely.

Imagine Dragons - probably a bit of a jump to headline the Pyramid, their previous performance was 4th down on the other. Data suggests unlikely to happen.

The Weeknd - another astonishingly successful performer, multiple no 1 albums and singles, critically acclaimed. Could definitely headline if he & the festival want to make it happen.

Post Malone - he's actually had more albums and chart success than I realised, with 2 top 5 albums in the UK and 3 in the US. This is a bit weak though compared to past performers whose Glastonbury debut has been as Pyramid headliner. I don't see it happening.

21 Pilots - as above really, they've never played the festival before and their popularity doesn't seem to warrant a debut Pyramid headline slot. As others have said, also more of a R&L act than Glastonbury.

Bruno Mars - another megastar - in his case I was a bit surprised how few albums he's had, just 3. But all of them have reached the top 5 in US & UK, he's got endless single hits and is a great performer. Similar to Rihanna & The Weeknd, he could definitely headline.

The National - now, this is interesting. I'd assumed the National would be an unlikely act to headline. But actually they've had more success than I realised with 4 top 5 albums in UK and US. They've performed at Glastonbury twice before, most recently subbing on the Other. Reckon they'd only be on if the other two headliners had a big "wow" factor, but definitely possible.

So, out of all that lot? I'd actually say either Bruno Mars or The Weeknd are most likely, followed by The National. Rihanna a shoe-in if she comes back to music. Dave an outside chance.

Phew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rage would be absolutely massive and I'd be front row. That Finsbury gig remains a high point for me - an utterly brilliant set that very few gigs have come close to in the ten years since. 

Their political views also align well with the festival, so that's one reason why they might be more likely. But yeah, presumably they'll be back at Reading before they even consider Glasto. 

[stuartbert two hats]

52 minutes ago, Hugh Jass said:

Wouldn't say their time has gone. If The Cure can headline in 2019 there's no reason why DM can't.

Agreed

[blutarsky]

Eminem’s homophobia form might rule him out I’d say 

[Gnomicide]

6 hours ago, Leyrulion said:

Bruno Mars...  I almost think he's too big for Glastonbury. 

[guypjfreak]

DM very good for a headliner imo.. 

[John the Moth]

There be only one way to be a headliner, get booked.