2023 Festival

[gfa]

7 hours ago, Chad888 said:

KSI does not deserve the spot in the Main Stage as a headliner. 

 

His music isn't good or enjoyable, his fans are fans of his celebrity status and not what he puts out. His tracks are only known because they are ear worms used in Tik Tok clips, and he is known for being the shit talking YouTube vlogger that fought Logan Paul.

 

However - the kids care about celebrity status rather than music. They want to post to their socials that they are seeing a person perform that everybody else knows.

Wes Nelson packed out the tent last month at 2pm, my wife and her mates couldn't wait to see him because he had been on Love Island. Joel Corry was a sub par DJ for years after appearing on Geordie Shore, but he was pulling in sell out crowds.

They did that because teenagers want to see the person they know from the tele over anything seeing talent as we'd call it.

 

But the crux is, this is a massive fucking slap in the face to R&L and music in general. They are overlooking actual talented artists and legendary line ups that will be looked at for the next 20 years as an "I was there" moment, in favour of these flavour of the month, viral tenders who will be a "who?" In 5 years.

If you put Kim Kardashian on the stage she'd draw record crowds and no matter how bad the music is, it would be number 1 world wide. Its the same argument here.

[TKOCF]

11 hours ago, Chad888 said:

KSI does not deserve the spot in the Main Stage as a headliner. 

 

His music isn't good or enjoyable, his fans are fans of his celebrity status and not what he puts out. His tracks are only known because they are ear worms used in Tik Tok clips, and he is known for being the shit talking YouTube vlogger that fought Logan Paul.

 

However - the kids care about celebrity status rather than music. They want to post to their socials that they are seeing a person perform that everybody else knows.

Wes Nelson packed out the tent last month at 2pm, my wife and her mates couldn't wait to see him because he had been on Love Island. Joel Corry was a sub par DJ for years after appearing on Geordie Shore, but he was pulling in sell out crowds.

They did that because teenagers want to see the person they know from the tele over anything seeing talent as we'd call it.

 

But the crux is, this is a massive fucking slap in the face to R&L and music in general. They are overlooking actual talented artists and legendary line ups that will be looked at for the next 20 years as an "I was there" moment, in favour of these flavour of the month, viral tenders who will be a "who?" In 5 years.

If you put Kim Kardashian on the stage she'd draw record crowds and no matter how bad the music is, it would be number 1 world wide. Its the same argument here.

Yeah whatever happened to the good old days of REAL music on the main stage like The Enemy or Hard Fi. 
 

Remember when they let Razorlight headline this thing?

[Chad888]

2 hours ago, TKOCF said:

Yeah whatever happened to the good old days of REAL music on the main stage like The Enemy or Hard Fi. 
 

Remember when they let Razorlight headline this thing?

Nah, this isn't it.

You can't go from Stormzy, in to Dave, the crowd next expecting an AJ Tracy or similar .. and then you throw out KSI. 

If it was old man complaining about real music, MGK would be in the firing line to - he is an artist that is big. Yungblud too, if he were given a shot I wouldn't enjoy but I'd say fair enough.

KSI is a wild swing way past the years that killed off V-festival. Thank god streams didn't count towards the chart 10-15 years ago or we would have Pewdiepie, Louis Theroux, and the guy that remixed those news clips. Just 5 years ago we could have had Big Shaq headlining.

 

There have been many moments where Reading and Leeds have swung to a newer demographic and older fans thought huh?! but this is well and truly a jump the shark moment. 

In 4 months when it is announced as a prank, all the people that gaslit themselves in to stockholm syndrome will have some major egg on their face as the joke for years will be "remember when we all believed KSI was going to headline". Last years Yungblud moment.

[Andre91]

30 minutes ago, Chad888 said:

Nah, this isn't it.

You can't go from Stormzy, in to Dave, the crowd next expecting an AJ Tracy or similar .. and then you throw out KSI. 

If it was old man complaining about real music, MGK would be in the firing line to - he is an artist that is big. Yungblud too, if he were given a shot I wouldn't enjoy but I'd say fair enough.

KSI is a wild swing way past the years that killed off V-festival. Thank god streams didn't count towards the chart 10-15 years ago or we would have Pewdiepie, Louis Theroux, and the guy that remixed those news clips. Just 5 years ago we could have had Big Shaq headlining.

 

There have been many moments where Reading and Leeds have swung to a newer demographic and older fans thought huh?! but this is well and truly a jump the shark moment. 

In 4 months when it is announced as a prank, all the people that gaslit themselves in to stockholm syndrome will have some major egg on their face as the joke for years will be "remember when we all believed KSI was going to headline". Last years Yungblud moment.

Nobody other than you will remember it or continually bring it up. 

[Guest]

Ksi headlining is cool because it brings out this reaction.

[SleepingGiants]

Have any of you attempted to listen to KSI's music?

Generally poor rapping or heavily auto tuned singing supplemented by a big name feature (e.g. Rick Ross, Craig David, Anne-Marie, Tom Grennan) and very good production.

Unless he's bringing his rabble of features to Leeds, I'm not sure on the serious quality of music he will produce.

[BenG92]

I remember when people were whinging about Disclosure headlining too. "They just press play on an iPad!"

50 minutes ago, SleepingGiants said:

Have any of you attempted to listen to KSI's music?

Generally poor rapping or heavily auto tuned singing supplemented by a big name feature (e.g. Rick Ross, Craig David, Anne-Marie, Tom Grennan) and very good production.

Unless he's bringing his rabble of features to Leeds, I'm not sure on the serious quality of music he will produce.

I don't think anyone here is arguing about the quality of music, but that's subjective as always - he's objectively a good booking if they have him because he'll shift tickets to the young lad demographic. Probably gives them more money to spend on acts like Billie, too. Some of you don't play fantasy premiere league, you can't have six Haalands! 

[foolee]

Does anyone have a presale code for All Time Low at Wembley they’re not using please? 

[Andre91]

2 hours ago, SomeoneListeningIn said:

Ksi headlining is cool because it brings out this reaction.

Excellent post. 

[FeverDream]

If KSI headlines MSW then I see no issue; at least there will be an alternative on for those who aren’t bothered by him on a different stage. If it was MSE then yeah, shite booking, but there’s no way he’s MSE level so that’s fine. Does make me think though if he’s the only rapper headliner we’ll have particularly as others have said above he’s a bit of a step down from Stormzy and Dave.

A trio of Green Day, Billie Eilish and Sam Fender on MSE is pretty damn strong IMO (assuming they’re the favourites and this info is correct). I would have doubted Fender’s status as an MSE headliner but the more I think about it the more I realise he’s undeniably at that level. Let’s just hope his voice doesn’t let him down!

Edited October 5, 2022 by FeverDream

[Benj]

7 hours ago, TKOCF said:

Yeah whatever happened to the good old days of REAL music on the main stage like The Enemy or Hard Fi. 
 

Remember when they let Razorlight headline this thing?

Festival sold out in 2 hours that year!

Paramore opening the main stage…

Edited October 5, 2022 by Benj

[Benj]

38 minutes ago, FeverDream said:

If KSI headlines MSW then I see no issue; at least there will be an alternative on for those who aren’t bothered by him on a different stage. If it was MSE then yeah, shite booking, but there’s no way he’s MSE level so that’s fine. Does make me think though if he’s the only rapper headliner we’ll have particularly as others have said above he’s a bit of a step down from Stormzy and Dave.

A trio of Green Day, Billie Eilish and Sam Fender on MSE is pretty damn strong IMO (assuming they’re the favourites and this info is correct). I would have doubted Fender’s status as an MSE headliner but the more I think about it the more I realise he’s undeniably at that level. Let’s just hope his voice doesn’t let him down!

As long as there’s someone decent on in the R1 tent all will be fine

D’oh

This is the main problem with the festival. It’s not a festival anymore. 

KSI in the big tent against Green Day would be a perfect booking.

[Benj]

9 minutes ago, Benj said:

Festival sold out in 2 hours that year!

Paramore opening the main stage…

Saddest thing about this again is the loss of the other stages. Look at who played relatively low in the FR/ Pit

BBC, Foals, Frank Turner, Kate Nash, Manchester Orchestra, Silversun Puckups, Tokyo Police Club…

Big tent is pretty shit but still manages Shikari, Buddy, Dinosaur Jr, Jamie T, Maccabees.

All acts on the way up, 2 or 3 of which may now get a slot on the main stage at 1-2pm, otherwise nothing of the sort

To be fair the growth of smaller festival has hamstrung Readign somewhat in that front but if they could manage it in 2019…

[gfa]

11 minutes ago, Benj said:

As long as there’s someone decent on in the R1 tent all will be fine

D’oh

This is the main problem with the festival. It’s not a festival anymore. 

KSI in the big tent against Green Day would be a perfect booking.

This would be stupid dangerous imo

[Benj]

Just now, gfa said:

This would be stupid dangerous imo

Against Green Day?

Maybe KSI, will be the biggest headliner of the weekend!

[gfa]

Just now, Benj said:

Against Green Day?

Maybe KSI, will be the biggest headliner of the weekend!

A LOT of 16-20 year olds wouldn't give a shit about Green Day and just go to see KSI.

[Benj]

2 minutes ago, gfa said:

A LOT of 16-20 year olds wouldn't give a shit about Green Day and just go to see KSI.

Yup, as has happened over years and years at reading, which is why it would be a good booking. Rammed tent with kids having a great time.

If he’s a bigger draw than Greenday, Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, sounds like he’s an MSE cert

[gfa]

Just now, Benj said:

Yup, as has happened over years and years at reading, which is why it would be a good booking. Rammed tent with kids having a great time.

If he’s a bigger draw than Greenday, Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, sounds like he’s an MSE cert

Not really what I was saying but i think you got the general point

[Logan1996]

39 minutes ago, Benj said:

Festival sold out in 2 hours that year!

Paramore opening the main stage…

As good as this line up is and how all over it I would be , this wouldn't sell out today. RnL book on what is popular on Tik Tok/Charts/ streams,at the time this would have been massive with what is popular. Now what RnL book is massively popular , I've accepted RnL isn't a rock festival anymore it is basically what is most popular with 16-21 year olds. Whilst the festival keeps selling out by booking KSI etc (which it will) they will keep doing it 

Edited October 5, 2022 by Logan1996

[gfa]

1 minute ago, Logan1996 said:

As good as this line up is and how all over it I would be , this wouldn't sell out today. RnL book on what is popular on Tik Tok/Charts/ streams,at the time this would have been massive with what is popular. Now what RnL book is massively popular , I've accepted RnL isn't a rock festival anymore it is basically what is most popular with 16-21 year olds. Whilst the festival keeps selling out by booking KSI etc (which it will) they will keep doing it 

Even though the festival has changed a lot this 100% would sell out today given it has about 10 headliners nowadays. You cannot really compare such old lineups because of this reason, it would cost a fortune to book this in 2023.

[Logan1996]

1 minute ago, gfa said:

Even though the festival has changed a lot this 100% would sell out today given it has about 10 headliners nowadays. You cannot really compare such old lineups because of this reason, it would cost a fortune to book this in 2023.

Sorry , you've worded what I meant lol. I agree , they book what is popular and at the time that was as popular as todays lineups are

[Benj]

10 minutes ago, gfa said:

Not really what I was saying but i think you got the general point

So you’re saying it wouldn’t be dangerous as Green Day would be a big enough draw?

There’s been many rammed tents over the years at different times. When it came to it, by the sounds of it he’d ram it out but it would be no worse than 1975  and 21 pilots in 2016, Bloc Party 2005, Ash 2001 etc…

A great booking offering a great alternative, as opposed to now…

[Benj]

9 minutes ago, Logan1996 said:

As good as this line up is and how all over it I would be , this wouldn't sell out today. RnL book on what is popular on Tik Tok/Charts/ streams,at the time this would have been massive with what is popular. Now what RnL book is massively popular , I've accepted RnL isn't a rock festival anymore it is basically what is most popular with 16-21 year olds. Whilst the festival keeps selling out by booking KSI etc (which it will) they will keep doing it 

That wasn’t my point. The point was there were so many more slots to allow so many more acts to be properly scheduled in decent positions.

The majority of acts I mentioned wouldn’t have been on the bill if they had the two main stage set ups and the few that did would’ve been on at 1pm on one of the main stages.

There are far more acts on that bill that have dissapeared than have made it. When you chop 80% the slots that they played the 13 quickly becomes 2…

TLDR…Im whining about the new format not the bookings, which I don’t mind, I just want more of them!

[wro_lap]

If KSI gets the crowd and sells the tickets he deserves to headline. I know nothing about his music, but, like, he sells records, albeit thanks to other stuff he's done in past.

Lewis Capaldi wouldn't be massive if he wasn't funny. Hell, Harry Styles probably hasn't gotten where he is solely on musical talent, and has turned out to be great. Both have deservingly headlined huge festivals and pulled massive crowds. Love them or loathe them, they aren't often accused of being unserious artists.

It does feel like a shortcut that he can get to the same point as Foals, Paramore, BMTH and other huge bands like that, but hey, FR won't see it that way. Dude has his talents and will sell tickets.

[Chad888]

4 hours ago, gfa said:

A LOT of 16-20 year olds wouldn't give a shit about Green Day and just go to see KSI.

Like Arrdee vs 1975? 

Arrdee with his middle class white boy act is still bigger than KSI. 

If you put Kylie Jenner in the tent taking selfies with fans, that would get the biggest crowd of the weekend. Doesn't mean its a good booking.