2025 Headliners

[Wildglastotheo]

Wow - I thought I'd quickly catch-up on what's been going on here before starting work.... 3 hours later just finished reading! thanks everyone for this chat it's always filled with great stuff!

A question for the folks who have been paying attention to Glastonbury headliners for a long time, have we seen constant change in what types of acts are booked going back to the 80's and 90's or is there a clear 1 time change that has happened with the advent of Spotify?

- here is my perspective based on my limited knowledge and viewpoint - types of headliners are slowly changing to match the alternative to the zeitgeist, in the 70's/ 80's it was very much the alternative to the mainstream, the roots of the festival, in the 90's it was all about the biggest bands like Oasis but still opposing mainstream pop music like the spice girls, in the 00's it was about breaking the mould and encompassing all types of music but championing the artist over the manufactured band, now embracing certain pop acts but also starting to see more heritage acts performing (but heritage acts at this time were not the mainstream and perhaps could be argued as a different type of alternative to the mainstream pop industry), then in the 10's it became about booking the biggest and best world-leading acts and once in a lifetime shows, it seems like by this time we are not seeing as much of a focus on non-mainstream?
So what is in store for the second half of the 20's, is there such a thing as alternative to the mainstream any more? My guess is that the music industry will find a way to take back control from streaming sites and create a mainstream again. but what that will look like is anyones guess?

Or maybe festival aging with its punters? and we can just expect to see a continue of this trajectory into a nostalgia festival?

 

To link this back to 2025 headliners - I think we are at a pivotal year for change, 2024 saw a break in the tradition, all be it a change forced by Madonna pulling out, could we start to see the emergence of a new formula beginning this year? maybe we'll get a trio of three breaking acts for the first time since the 90s, perhaps something like Fred Again, O-rod, Sam Fender.

I think the big-show era could be over and we are heading towards something new...
🙂

 

[gfa]

58 minutes ago, Wildglastotheo said:

Wow - I thought I'd quickly catch-up on what's been going on here before starting work.... 3 hours later just finished reading! thanks everyone for this chat it's always filled with great stuff!

A question for the folks who have been paying attention to Glastonbury headliners for a long time, have we seen constant change in what types of acts are booked going back to the 80's and 90's or is there a clear 1 time change that has happened with the advent of Spotify?

- here is my perspective based on my limited knowledge and viewpoint - types of headliners are slowly changing to match the alternative to the zeitgeist, in the 70's/ 80's it was very much the alternative to the mainstream, the roots of the festival, in the 90's it was all about the biggest bands like Oasis but still opposing mainstream pop music like the spice girls, in the 00's it was about breaking the mould and encompassing all types of music but championing the artist over the manufactured band, now embracing certain pop acts but also starting to see more heritage acts performing (but heritage acts at this time were not the mainstream and perhaps could be argued as a different type of alternative to the mainstream pop industry), then in the 10's it became about booking the biggest and best world-leading acts and once in a lifetime shows, it seems like by this time we are not seeing as much of a focus on non-mainstream?
So what is in store for the second half of the 20's, is there such a thing as alternative to the mainstream any more? My guess is that the music industry will find a way to take back control from streaming sites and create a mainstream again. but what that will look like is anyones guess?

Or maybe festival aging with its punters? and we can just expect to see a continue of this trajectory into a nostalgia festival?

 

To link this back to 2025 headliners - I think we are at a pivotal year for change, 2024 saw a break in the tradition, all be it a change forced by Madonna pulling out, could we start to see the emergence of a new formula beginning this year? maybe we'll get a trio of three breaking acts for the first time since the 90s, perhaps something like Fred Again, O-rod, Sam Fender.

I think the big-show era could be over and we are heading towards something new...
🙂

 

I think they go for the once in a lifetime as first call where possible, but this is clearly not sustainable. Elton John being a recent one - this pool is tiny and hard to get so never going to get 2 of them i think (i'd say less than 10 acts are in it that haven't played with most of them years inactive)

 

They then go for these new breaking acts, for at least 1-2 slots. I can't see them going for 3 in one year like you suggested.

 

They are also slowly repeating older headliners, e.g. return of Macca and what would have been a Stevie return. Bruce will come back eventually if they can get him i'm sure - Oasis in this too if they can get them

 

If they can't get suitable newer acts thats when they call up your AMs, Coldplays, Killers etc. I'd put Oasis above these just because rarity / time since last played

[assorted]

1 hour ago, Wildglastotheo said:

Or maybe festival aging with its punters? and we can just expect to see a continue of this trajectory into a nostalgia festival?

 

To link this back to 2025 headliners - I think we are at a pivotal year for change, 2024 saw a break in the tradition, all be it a change forced by Madonna pulling out, could we start to see the emergence of a new formula beginning this year? maybe we'll get a trio of three breaking acts for the first time since the 90s, perhaps something like Fred Again, O-rod, Sam Fender.

I think the big-show era could be over and we are heading towards something new...

 

Rumors of Eminem and Stevie Wonder being considered counter that idea.

 

I doubt they will look at what happened in 2024 and think, “this is a trend we want to lean into.”

 

I don’t think it’s a binary, or that how they currently book leads to a nostalgia festival. The last decade or so has shown a general pattern of breaking act, established act, living legend when they can get it. Stormzy, The Killers, The Cure exemplifies this booking strategy nicely. 2024 seemed no different, they just fumbled on the living legend by all accounts, did a last minute promotion that they hoped would work out, and it led to what it led to. 

 

If you feel music is changing and this strategy needs to change, I’d look for that starting in 2027, not next year.

 

I think festival economics have changed, which is why you are seeing so many mid-tier festivals collapsing - basically the fests can’t afford the lineups expected for the ticket price under the new normal of inflated touring costs and pay expectations, so I do expect Glastonbury undercards to, by necessity, rely even more on friends of the fest that play near free to fill large slots over and over (and Glastonbury will continue selling out regardless, as more people love the weekend regardless of lineup than can fit in the festival). It could also lead to some more daring choices in the non-Pyramid headliner choices and sub slots, but I think this booking strategy for the big 3 headliners will stay as it works until there are no more living legends or established acts to book, at which point it will make the change you desire. 

[gfa]

1 hour ago, assorted said:

 

Rumors of Eminem and Stevie Wonder being considered counter that idea.

 

I doubt they will look at what happened in 2024 and think, “this is a trend we want to lean into.”

 

I don’t think it’s a binary, or that how they currently book leads to a nostalgia festival. The last decade or so has shown a general pattern of breaking act, established act, living legend when they can get it. Stormzy, The Killers, The Cure exemplifies this booking strategy nicely. 2024 seemed no different, they just fumbled on the living legend by all accounts, did a last minute promotion that they hoped would work out, and it led to what it led to. 

 

If you feel music is changing and this strategy needs to change, I’d look for that starting in 2027, not next year.

 

I think festival economics have changed, which is why you are seeing so many mid-tier festivals collapsing - basically the fests can’t afford the lineups expected for the ticket price under the new normal of inflated touring costs and pay expectations, so I do expect Glastonbury undercards to, by necessity, rely even more on friends of the fest that play near free to fill large slots over and over (and Glastonbury will continue selling out regardless, as more people love the weekend regardless of lineup than can fit in the festival). It could also lead to some more daring choices in the non-Pyramid headliner choices and sub slots, but I think this booking strategy for the big 3 headliners will stay as it works until there are no more living legends or established acts to book, at which point it will make the change you desire. 

I don't think who you quoted is arguing for it to change, its a great discussion point though (much better than the Eminem roundabout)

Edited September 25 by gfa

[assorted]

2 hours ago, gfa said:

I don't think who you quoted is arguing for it to change, its a great discussion point though (much better than the Eminem roundabout)

 

I felt that presenting a binary of "continue on this trajectory into a nostalgia festival" versus "a new formula" " of three breaking acts" inferred a preference  towards the latter (which is fine, I probably personally prefer how they currently do it, but don't feel that that's thereby a trajectory towards a nostalgia festival).

 

 I don't think the current headline formula that I think they aim for of 1 breaking, 1 established, 1 legend (sorry to use the afternoon slot term but it works here) is broke and needs fixing.

[stuie]

41 minutes ago, assorted said:

I don't think the current headline formula that I think they aim for of 1 breaking, 1 established, 1 legend (sorry to use the afternoon slot term but it works here) is broke and needs fixing.

Indeed… it’s one of its USP’s.

[Gnomicide]

From the Reading board.

 

14 hours ago, WhoOdyssey said:

Won't be O-Rod from what I've heard, she'll be at a certain other UK festival...

 

[NorthernSoul52]

3 minutes ago, Gnomicide said:

From the Reading board.

 

 

Set phasers to pop-punk revival stun.

 

Lines up with what else we've speculated.

[gorfield]

On 9/23/2024 at 4:26 PM, philipsteak said:

 

I remember having a lot of fun at that Basement Jaxx gig. And based on my one time seeing RHCP (2004 maybe?) I'd say absolutely the right call

agreed 100% id love to see Basement Jaxx again. RHCP bored me to tears last time I saw them at Leeds

[Wildglastotheo]

18 hours ago, assorted said:

 

 

I doubt they will look at what happened in 2024 and think, “this is a trend we want to lean into.”

😄 😄 - lol

 

 

18 hours ago, assorted said:

, at which point it will make the change you desire. 

 

Yeah it's definitely not something I 'desire' at all - who doesn't love watching a legend in the best place on earth!

I think I was wondering whether we needed to start to change our expectations for headliners, have we now run out of Elton John's? and if that happens then what is GF going to do?

[Bike_Like_A_Mum]

Oh my, I've started to get the ticket day butterflies reading this! Won't be long

[NorthernSoul52]

Lady Gaga would be a cracking headliner, but the joke about leaning on Harlequin would ring quite true. Very much an artist who could fill an absolute banger of a show with nothing but gold-plated hits, but have the disarming hunch she'd go in hard on the material for which there are less hoots given.

 

1 Good Morning

2 Stupid Love

3 Just Dance

4 Born This Way

5 Applause

6 That's Entertainment

7 Alejandro

8 Paparazzi

9 Judas

10 Perfect Illusion

11 Die With a Smile

12 Telephone

13 Shallow

14 The Edge of Glory

15 Poker Face

16 Rain On Me

17 Bad Romance

18 Hold My Hand

 

And even then, you're still missing some tunes.

[Skip997]

37 minutes ago, Wildglastotheo said:

😄 

I think I was wondering whether we needed to start to change our expectations for headliners, have we now run out of Elton John's? and if that happens then what is GF going to do?

Start booking interesting acts instead 

[stuie]

9 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

Start booking interesting acts instead 

 

Who do you suggest? 

[Skip997]

Just now, stuie said:

 

Who do you suggest? 

Give me a couple of days I may come up with someone 

[stuie]

1 minute ago, Skip997 said:

Give me a couple of days I may come up with someone 

 

OK...

 

I feel like I know what you don't like, so it would be good to know what you do!

[Jack H]

Just reflecting on an above quote, 'what is alternative to the mainstream now'. A really interesting question cause I'm not sure, at this time, there is a defined alternative. A few years ago you could have said Charli XCX and Chappell Roan would be classed as alternatives cause of the way they sound but now they're a big part of the mainstream. Who do you guys think could be considered big alternative acts now? 

[NorthernSoul52]

That is a point. A lot of "current" acts who will become the legends have already been and done it. How many of them haven't that could theoretically be picked as "legends" in a decade or two?

[not worthy]

1 hour ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Lady Gaga would be a cracking headliner, but the joke about leaning on Harlequin would ring quite true. Very much an artist who could fill an absolute banger of a show with nothing but gold-plated hits, but have the disarming hunch she'd go in hard on the material for which there are less hoots given.

 

1 Good Morning

2 Stupid Love

3 Just Dance

4 Born This Way

5 Applause

6 That's Entertainment

7 Alejandro

8 Paparazzi

9 Judas

10 Perfect Illusion

11 Die With a Smile

12 Telephone

13 Shallow

14 The Edge of Glory

15 Poker Face

16 Rain On Me

17 Bad Romance

18 Hold My Hand

 

And even then, you're still missing some tunes.

I've only heard of born this way and poker face......seem to have missed her completely 

[TiZuff]

"heritage acts" are soon going to acts from the 90s. not the 70s or 80s. Rarely you might be able to get a 70s / 80s acts but going to become rarer. Either they are not alive, not healthy enough, played already / recently or not touring . 

Edited September 26 by TiZuff

[Skip997]

1 hour ago, stuie said:

 

OK...

 

I feel like I know what you don't like, so it would be good to know what you do!

As mentioned by many, Lady Gaga is the obvious choice. Beyond that anyone lively, danceable to, no rock/indie/folk/crooners/MOR radio 2 guitar nonsense.

 

Off course there are some old duffers I’d like to see e.g. Kraftwerk..

 

Why not Chase and Status.

 

Beyond that I’d love to see the likes of Janelle Monae or Sampa the Great, but apparently they’re not “big enough”

[incident]

1 minute ago, Skip997 said:

Beyond that I’d love to see the likes of Janelle Monae or Sampa the Great, but apparently they’re not “big enough”

 

Given that Janelle Monae played 3rd from top this year, and even in that position attracted an astonishingly small crowd, you can remove the quotes around "big enough". That one's not up for debate.

[Chip Batch]

People just want the biggest names headlining the pyramid, regardless of quality or quantity of their output. I think that's here to stay and the genre of whatever music that is (pop more so in the last 10-15 years) continues to become less significant. 

 

 

 

 

[Skip997]

6 minutes ago, Chip Batch said:

People just want the biggest names headlining the pyramid, regardless of quality or quantity of their output. I think that's here to stay and the genre of whatever music that is (pop more so in the last 10-15 years) continues to become less significant. 

 

 

 

 

Sad but true 

 

🐑

[balti-pie]

If it wasnt for the Pyramid and Other absorbing the majority of the crowd, the rest of the site's headliners would be horribly oversubscribed. So i am proper happy when they get a great big crowdpuller, cos itll make my experience elsewhere more fun 👍