2025 Headliners

[max98]

Not able to get my head around booking Neil Young at all. Listening to his top songs on Spotify and genuinley not heard a single one? 

 

I know he headlined in 2009 but would people seriously suggest someone like The Verve who headlined 2008 would still be relevant to play? 

 

There's so many better artists that are obvious that would fit the bill better but even someone who nobody on here would ever say should headline like The Pixies have about the same monthly listens on Spotify and have the added benefit of actually having some songs that I would expect most people to have heard!

[Suprefan]

3 hours ago, Superscally said:

I don't think Chappell should headline either. I was saying she was in better shape than Sabrina, even with only one album. I think Charli will do great on Other, but for the Pointo? Nah not for me, with 1975 and O-Rod as others. Think she would have done fine with a McCartney and another big one.

What you have to remember is that 90% of artists who are at the big stages could put on a show at the Pyramid to those who turn up and are psyched. However, they won't necessarily generate the buzz that Glasto wants. Weirdly, Charli would  given the brat chat, but I don’t think we should start handing out headline slots for gimmicks. 

 

Sabrina has 5 albums btw. She has been making music since she was 14. Maybe check her discography.....

[wro_lap]

Just checked lads, my mum's not only heard of Neil Young, but likes him. He's a surefire headliner

[CaledonianGonzo]

1 minute ago, Suprefan said:

 

Sabrina has 5 albums btw. She has been making music since she was 14. Maybe check her discography.....

 

Not really any need to count her juvenalia though.  Noone's expecting O-Rod to do a High School Musical section on the Pyramid.

[Quark]

1 minute ago, wro_lap said:

Just checked lads, my mum's not only heard of Neil Young, but likes him. He's a surefire headliner

 

Ah, the golden days of the Stormzy debate 

[Jamm]

3 minutes ago, max98 said:

Not able to get my head around booking Neil Young at all. Listening to his top songs on Spotify and genuinley not heard a single one? 

 

I know he headlined in 2009 but would people seriously suggest someone like The Verve who headlined 2008 would still be relevant to play? 

 

There's so many better artists that are obvious that would fit the bill better but even someone who nobody on here would ever say should headline like The Pixies have about the same monthly listens on Spotify and have the added benefit of actually having some songs that I would expect most people to have heard!

We’ve been over this multiple times.

 

There’s a difference from someone like Neil Young and someone like say The Verve.

 

The Verve, without slating them as I think they’re okay, were “of the moment” - the zeitgeist if you will.

 

Neil Young is an evergreen artist with cross generational appeal. Most song writers or guitarists on the farm would list him as an inspiration.

 

Its fine to admit he’s not just for you, but there’s plenty of people here ranging from ecstatic to positive about the booking.

 

If you don’t know or like him, that’s fine, but he’s completely a sensible booking and balances out against the other headliners.

[NorthernSoul52]

1 hour ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

Even after watching this I don't think I could name a Neil Young song. I don't even know what a guitar is.

 

 

I do like a bit of Neil Young, but I'll be honest, I watch this and wonder how people thought he blew the socks off Springsteen that weekend.

 

This comes with some big caveats - I wasn't at the festival that year, it was long before I was particularly invested in the minutiae and I am a bigger Springsteen fan than I am a Young fan. I'll accept quite happily that Springsteen broadly fumbled his setlist choices for Glastonbury, but I don't think Young's looked like an all-timer on paper to me either.

 

But, it is very much each to their own, of course!

[joshgardna]

4 hours ago, Superscally said:

I don't think Chappell should headline either. I was saying she was in better shape than Sabrina, even with only one album. I think Charli will do great on Other, but for the Pointo? Nah not for me, with 1975 and O-Rod as others. Think she would have done fine with a McCartney and another big one.

What you have to remember is that 90% of artists who are at the big stages could put on a show at the Pyramid to those who turn up and are psyched. However, they won't necessarily generate the buzz that Glasto wants. Weirdly, Charli would  given the brat chat, but I don’t think we should start handing out headline slots for gimmicks. 

Chappell shouldn't be anywhere near headlining other - one album = tea time slot at best in my opinion

[CaledonianGonzo]

2 minutes ago, Jamm said:

The Verve, without slating them as I think they’re okay, were “of the moment” - the zeitgeist if you will.

 

The Verve were a bit of a swing and a miss on the basis that their comeback would have some mileage in it.  When it tanked they wound up sticking out like a sore thumb, not helped by R Ashcroft's subsequent acceleration into human cartoon territory.

[CaledonianGonzo]

3 minutes ago, joshgardna said:

Chappell shouldn't be anywhere near headlining other - one album = tea time slot at best in my opinion

 

People have headlined the big one on one album.

[joshgardna]

12 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

People have headlined the big one on one album.

Yeah - Just think the Stormzy (and soon to be Olivia R model) works well.

Tried and Tested, a good launch pad for the big one

[Suprefan]

3 hours ago, jadedj said:

Throwing a public tantrum and backpedaling two days later was not something I expected from a grown adult 😅

even Madonna knew to just leave it be and throw shade by taking the Brazil gig instead. 

[Suprefan]

9 minutes ago, joshgardna said:

Yeah - Just think the Stormzy (and soon to be Olivia R model) works well.

Tried and Tested, a good launch pad for the big one

 

you mean arctic monkeys? Olivia is purely timing more than anything. Couldve just waited til album 3. 

 

thing with putting Chappell up there its its literally too much too soon. And you can tell she doesnt want to fully take advantage of what her agents and such would do with lots of acts on the same trajectory. Cause she didnt go and keep touring in bigger venues after this past summer. Wants to be in it for the long haul. Sam Smith did that and now is just there for lack of a better term.

[ghostdancer1]

40 minutes ago, max98 said:

Not able to get my head around booking Neil Young at all. Listening to his top songs on Spotify and genuinley not heard a single one? 

 

I know he headlined in 2009 but would people seriously suggest someone like The Verve who headlined 2008 would still be relevant to play? 

 

There's so many better artists that are obvious that would fit the bill better but even someone who nobody on here would ever say should headline like The Pixies have about the same monthly listens on Spotify and have the added benefit of actually having some songs that I would expect most people to have heard!

Congrats on your lack of musical knowledge I guess? Some would be afraid to highlight their ignorance of a pretty well-known and massively influential artist.

I'm pretty sure almost everyone that knows a few Pixies songs would know a few Neil Young songs. Especially considering the influence that a track like HHMM (Into the Black) would have had on alt.rock and then grunge.

 

As for "so many better artists that are obvious that would fit the bill better", please list 15.

Edited Friday at 03:59 PM by ghostdancer1

[CaledonianGonzo]

Even Pixies probably haven't heard if Neil Young

 

 

 

[Spindles]

38 minutes ago, wro_lap said:

Just checked lads, my mum's not only heard of Neil Young, but likes him. He's a surefire headliner

Have we checked in with Chris Martin's mum?  I'm fairly sure she is the true barometer of public opinion.

[devonhammer]

35 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

I do like a bit of Neil Young, but I'll be honest, I watch this and wonder how people thought he blew the socks off Springsteen that weekend.

 

This comes with some big caveats - I wasn't at the festival that year, it was long before I was particularly invested in the minutiae and I am a bigger Springsteen fan than I am a Young fan. I'll accept quite happily that Springsteen broadly fumbled his setlist choices for Glastonbury, but I don't think Young's looked like an all-timer on paper to me either.

 

But, it is very much each to their own, of course!

I was there and wasn't a fan of either before, but had a hardcore Springsteen fan with me. Neil Young was awesome, but Springsteen played loads of stuff I'd never heard and I got bored and joined the crowds that were leaving. Saw Jarvis at John Peel IIRC. You can't play obscure songs for hardcore fans at music festivals.

[richarddep]

How good is the info on The 1975? I think they are the w*nk choice among mooted headliners.

[NorthernSoul52]

1 minute ago, devonhammer said:

I was there and wasn't a fan of either before, but had a hardcore Springsteen fan with me. Neil Young was awesome, but Springsteen played loads of stuff I'd never heard and I got bored and joined the crowds that were leaving. Saw Jarvis at John Peel IIRC. You can't play obscure songs for hardcore fans at music festivals.

There in lies the rub. I do love Springsteen, but I'll happily concede that setlist could have been far more festival-friendly.

[gfa]

15 minutes ago, ghostdancer1 said:

Congrats on your lack of musical knowledge I guess? Some would be afraid to highlight their ignorance of a pretty well-known and massively influential artist.

I'm pretty sure almost everyone that knows a few Pixies songs would know a few Neil Young songs. Especially considering the influence that a track like HHMM (Into the Black) would have had on alt.rock and then grunge.

 

As for "so many better artists that are obvious that would fit the bill better", please list 15.

 

Neil Young is 100% a headliner but heaps of people clearly don't have a clue. Myself included - I will have a listen and know he's a headliner but literally cannot name a single song beside the ones people are saying today.

 

All of my lot also have no clue but we are pretty young! Unfortunately most of us aren't too bothered by O Rod or 1975 either but not to worry 😄 plenty of other stuff on

 

This is a discussion board where discussions will be had - likely for the next 3 months on this topic so best get used to it.

 

EDIT: For clarity i know of the name neil young just not songs

Edited Friday at 04:14 PM by gfa

[northernangel]

2 hours ago, K2SO said:

I don't know if this shows my age, how uncultured I am or what... But on reflection, I do not think I know a single Neil Young song. Am I being silly or missing something obvious?

 

I actually think I'd be more likely to recognise a SZA song than one of his at this point

 

I think think you're being silly or missing something. Sometimes you just don't know someone and they aren't for you. I know a Neil Young song more but she was still a car crash.

 

On the upside Underworld on The Park potentially on Saturday night sorts the clash out.

 

2 hours ago, foolee said:

Get Jack White in the slot below Neil, would be a perfect fit

 

Jack or Biffy seem the one.

1 hour ago, K2SO said:

 

I still feel as though I'm largely clued up on mega artists, though. I'm 30, so I don't think it's unreasonable for me to have expected to have known some Neil Young.

 

I gave a few tracks a play, including both of those you mentioned, and I honestly have never heard these songs in my life.

 

I think Neil apart from Rockin in the free world is one of those artists that if you didn't grow up listening to him through relatives you may not know. I was going to Glastonbury and festavalling for a few years by then and I didn't have a clue who he was when he was announced in 2009 and I've got 8 years on you.

1 hour ago, Glasto96 said:

The fact the instagram post didn’t even state what night he’s headlining show how much they saw their arse yesterday when he said he’s out and rushed an announcement. A terrible one of that 🚮 

 

Indeed, the fact people elsewhere have suggested Neil lost a battle on it makes me laugh. The festival have clearly been on their arse if they don't get him on board as the reasons for the pull out apply. It's a saving face little caption piece that's been put out.

 

1 hour ago, Ell99 said:

Neil Young, The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo really really isn't doing it for me unfortunately! Will be my 6th glasto and the first time I haven't seen a Pyramid headliner - which I am totally fine with as I know how much else will be on, but it is still a shame.

 

It is a dull set but it is what it is. I'm not sure who out of the serious options would change that. That's personal taste too though.

58 minutes ago, mufcok said:

I was quite enjoying the third headliner guessing game that had started, shame it ended so abruptly.

 

On The Cure 2019 - I also think about that set quite a bit. I took it in solo as pretty much everyone I'd gone with was elsewhere; The Streets, if memory serves. I wasn't missing that on the Pyramid though.

 

It was a wonderful moment, and ended up essentially being the festival closer for 3 years. In terms of the crowd size, it was very comfortable for space 1/3 to 1/2 way back up the field.

 

Janelle Monae was my headliner but it would have been The Cure had I not seen them at Leeds previously.

[mufcok]

2 hours ago, fraybentos1 said:

Congrats to @mufcokwho was the first to ever mention Neil Young for 2025. Thanks for the info.

 

He's locked in now for sure. 

 

Emily keeping my record going, just..

[joshgardna]

6 minutes ago, richarddep said:

How good is the info on The 1975? I think they are the w*nk choice among mooted headliners.

Does seem weird given the fact they have 0 tour dates locked in for 2025

[tickleyt]

Christ there are some dreadful takes on here. Remember, your personal opinion of an artist doesn't determine whether they are "worthy" of headlining the festival.

 

I've tried repeatedly to get into Olivia Rodrigo, but find her music so incredibly bland and forgettable. I'd sooner be back at my tent having a nap than watching her. She is still a worthy headliner, with a good story to go alongside given her previous visits and love for the festival, she'll likely be great PR for the festival too as she definitely seems to "get it". Hopefully she does well. 

 

1975? I've been perplexed for years at how big they've become, even with them having a total w*nker of a frontman. Glastonbury headliner size? Absolutely. Earned it too given how long they've been around. I'd love for them to disappear off the face of the earth though, his vocals make my skin crawl.

 

Neil Young with a career spanning decades, over 40 albums, a previous Glasto headliner and frequently touted as one of the all-time greats from a wealth of publications and critics, doesn't deserve it? Give me a break. 

 

I'm now praying that Neil and Charli don't clash, which sadly seems to be wishful thinking now. Saw Charli on her recent tour and she was INCREDIBLE and I wasn't even a big fan before I saw her, so if you're not keen on Neil and fancy a party then she will be perfect on a Saturday night. I think if Neil didn't come around, she would have smashed stepping up to headline but it would have been the weakest set of headliners in recent memory. I'd even bet that the festival were desperate to change his mind to avoid this exact scenario, given they're all pretty easy to catch on tour. 

 

Chill out and give them a try!

 

 

 

[northernangel]

16 minutes ago, ghostdancer1 said:

Congrats on your lack of musical knowledge I guess? Some would be afraid to highlight their ignorance of a pretty well-known and massively influential artist.

I'm pretty sure almost everyone that knows a few Pixies songs would know a few Neil Young songs. Especially considering the influence that a track like HHMM (Into the Black) would have had on alt.rock and then grunge.

 

As for "so many better artists that are obvious that would fit the bill better", please list 15.

 

This is a weird post? Why are we congratulations someone on lack of music knowledge?, it's a bit rude and to call it ignorant just because they know the songs of someone who's an influential act. If they don't, they don't and Pixies are regularly talked up being higher up than they get booked most the time these days, no I don't think they should headline.

 

I think we should just we a bit more accepting that some people dont know certain artists and people are allowed a view if they dont get it. 

2 minutes ago, mufcok said:

 

Emily keeping my record going, just..

 

Good job this is on here and not elsewhere where it might be laughed at for getting the wrong slot.