2025 Headliners

[NorthernSoul52]

Gaga's tour chat for 2025 has been floated for a while now - certainly, her passing on a few acting gigs made it feel like there was a jaunt coming. I guess the question is whether it will just be two-dozen shows worldwide or something a little less taxing overall.

[Suprefan]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

It is. I saw GD had the space in their dates a while back and thought it just would be so not Coachella and to adapt them their booking policy would have to start being good again.

 

Gaga they've absolutely chucked the cheque at given she doesn't even have any dates in place yet. I'd guess Gaga is replacing Rihanna and Green Day weirdly enough Kenny. I can't see Post not having been an original option.

 

if its to be believed then Post was going to sub for Taylor. And had to move on. They did try for Rihanna again and she said no.

[NorthernSoul52]

So Post got the old bump-up, eh.

 

Money to burn if they had got Swift, Gaga and Rihanna in one year. Surely, Beyonce aside, as close to the Holy Trifecta of Twenty-First Century Pop as you might get.

[NorthernSoul52]

Will say that, aside from the lack of correlation, Rihanna passing on a likely ton of cash for Coachella does not make me think she'll accept a block of cheddar and the test pressing to Princess of China for topping the G.

[K2SO]

New Miley Cyrus album coming in 2025, and teases that she's gearing up for live performances. Think we should put her in the frame for it.

 

The female pool of potential headliners at the moment is unreal tbh

[northernangel]

7 minutes ago, Suprefan said:

 

if its to be believed then Post was going to sub for Taylor. And had to move on. They did try for Rihanna again and she said no.

I don't think Post was going to sub anyone while doing a stadium tour.

 

I also dont think theg ever stood a chance of getting the trio of Taylor, Rihanna and Gaga. Even if they got the last two, Taylors tour is close to finishing and regardless of what money Coachella could have chucked at her she didn't need it or to say yes. It's probably pocket change for what she has made.

[Suprefan]

4 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Will say that, aside from the lack of correlation, Rihanna passing on a likely ton of cash for Coachella does not make me think she'll accept a block of cheddar and the test pressing to Princess of China for topping the G.

 

the issue with Rihanna was that they were negotiating with her back in early 2022. Things were going fine and then the Nfl stepped in with Jay Z and offered the Super Bowl. It got dicey. Then Rihanna got pregnant and it just got pushed aside.  Its all on her if she wants to do anything or not. She was gonna do Coachella and then have a residency type tour  after but all fell through. 

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, K2SO said:

New Miley Cyrus album coming in 2025, and teases that she's gearing up for live performances. Think we should put her in the frame for it.

 

The female pool of potential headliners at the moment is unreal tbh

I guess that's the difference between female pool of headliners to choose from and female pool of headliners that will do it for the money. Loads of younger girls will go to see them, they will pay whatever and parents will take them etc etc...Christmas presents and what have you. 

[Rose-Colored Boy]

4 minutes ago, K2SO said:

New Miley Cyrus album coming in 2025, and teases that she's gearing up for live performances. Think we should put her in the frame for it.

 

The female pool of potential headliners at the moment is unreal tbh

Heck yeah. Thought she’d never tour again so hopefully that’s changed. 

[Suprefan]

Just now, northernangel said:

I don't think Post was going to sub anyone while doing a stadium tour.

 

I also dont think theg ever stood a chance of getting the trio of Taylor, Rihanna and Gaga. Even if they got the last two, Taylors tour is close to finishing and regardless of what money Coachella could have chucked at her she didn't need it or to say yes. It's probably pocket change for what she has made.

 

you understand that Aeg also has  Coschella in their portfolio? So Aeg which put on Taylors tour already was in the green. Money wasnt really the issue when its essentially the same company offering you a cherry on top to the biggest tour ever. Last year they apparently told Goldenvoice they wanted $15 mil per weekend and they said no. But that was essentially a f**k off please offer. They tried again. At least its out there. And give me a break. Post Malone literally did guest spots at festivals here this year. He did a set at Stagecoach and at Outside Lands. He seemingly wouldnt have cared about the billing. And why did Bjork, Calvin Harris and Gorillaz accept less than headliner slots in 2023 when theyve headlined before? It doesnt matter as long as these artists agree to play.  There can still be more acts on this thing which you could argue might headline or would. If Fred is still onboard they somehow demoted him when he was signed on months ago to be at the top. Coachella has thrown tons of acts by the wayside over the years and its either been the right move or a disasterclass. Moreso the latter lately. Why you tell Shakira no is a mystery. Kicking My Chemical Romance to the curb and rolling with Frank Ocean cost them dearly. 

[stuie]

2 hours ago, Suprefan said:

No Doubt sold out all their merch this year and for good reason. 

Even more cash registers?

[henry bear]

39 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Will say that, aside from the lack of correlation, Rihanna passing on a likely ton of cash for Coachella does not make me think she'll accept a block of cheddar and the test pressing to Princess of China for topping the G.

I really think that the era of Glasto getting these kind of stadium-shagging superstars is very much on the wane. We may still get friends of the festival, acts on the way up, and acts on the way down, but what’s in it for those established acts that know they can charge a fortune for stadium tickets and still sell out, and don’t need the Glasto exposure (that probably doesn’t mean much outside the UK)?

[northernangel]

29 minutes ago, Suprefan said:

 

you understand that Aeg also has  Coschella in their portfolio? So Aeg which put on Taylors tour already was in the green. Money wasnt really the issue when its essentially the same company offering you a cherry on top to the biggest tour ever. Last year they apparently told Goldenvoice they wanted $15 mil per weekend and they said no. But that was essentially a f**k off please offer. They tried again. At least its out there. And give me a break. Post Malone literally did guest spots at festivals here this year. He did a set at Stagecoach and at Outside Lands. He seemingly wouldnt have cared about the billing. And why did Bjork, Calvin Harris and Gorillaz accept less than headliner slots in 2023 when theyve headlined before? It doesnt matter as long as these artists agree to play.  There can still be more acts on this thing which you could argue might headline or would. If Fred is still onboard they somehow demoted him when he was signed on months ago to be at the top. Coachella has thrown tons of acts by the wayside over the years and its either been the right move or a disasterclass. Moreso the latter lately. Why you tell Shakira no is a mystery. Kicking My Chemical Romance to the curb and rolling with Frank Ocean cost them dearly. 

Doesn't matter at all, they said no and her tour was ending. They wanted more than double was Macca was paid to do it when he did.

 

Purely because Gorillaz and Bjork aren't as big now as what they were then and no one knows who Damon Albarn is in America. Gorillaz headlined a festival in 2022 in England that wouldn't have put them top of major festival bills and if it's not happening in the UK, be thankful they got sub. He went back with his main band this year and could only make 3rd down. Coachella 23 has alright undrrcard but on the face of it it's the worst lineup of seen then put out as a festival. Calvin Harris actually played the late night slot Saturday night in 23 so he was a the closing set, technically he returned as headliner however much it might look lile Blackpink....never seen a Coachella headliner go on stage at 9pm.

 

[NorthernSoul52]

Swift will do festivals in her own time, but still not entirely unconvinced she won't just make Lover Fest a reality on her own terms again without the need for existing festivals.

 

I know we have this info that Rihanna was in talks way back in 2022, and nor do I wish to rubbish them either, but it always felt a bit like price would be the stumbling block with her.

 

Fascinated to see Cyrus come around. Didn't think her line about touring was ever going to stick when it is still a massively profitable avenue, though did wonder if she might have gone all in on a residency-type arrangement instead.

[NorthernSoul52]

7 minutes ago, henry bear said:

I really think that the era of Glasto getting these kind of stadium-shagging superstars is very much on the wane. We may still get friends of the festival, acts on the way up, and acts on the way down, but what’s in it for those established acts that know they can charge a fortune for stadium tickets and still sell out, and don’t need the Glasto exposure (that probably doesn’t mean much outside the UK)?

Concur with this. I honestly think it's why Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo and The 1975 is a cracking set of headliners in their own rights.

 

How many of the stadium crowd as well haven't come with a degree of caveat? Guns N' Roses remains a fascinating one, because I still don't quite get the link other than Duff being very effusive about it and Slash being from Stoke-upon-Trent.

 

Arctic Monkeys and Coldplay both came with prior slots and a good relationship, Elton John came with the shrewd understanding of a cultural moment. It is a fascinating one.

[FKA SOSOTWS]

2 hours ago, northernangel said:

 

 

I can see music quality of choreography because I mean if it wasn't better then there's real problems. Girls shake there arse in town on a Saturday night with more swag.

 

 

Huh, Charli is the queen of ass shaking.

[FKA SOSOTWS]

42 minutes ago, henry bear said:

I really think that the era of Glasto getting these kind of stadium-shagging superstars is very much on the wane. We may still get friends of the festival, acts on the way up, and acts on the way down, but what’s in it for those established acts that know they can charge a fortune for stadium tickets and still sell out, and don’t need the Glasto exposure (that probably doesn’t mean much outside the UK)?

 

I could actually see Lady Gaga headline the Pyramid at some point, since she did play the fest in 2009 and therefore has a history with them.

[CantWaitForGlasto22]

5 minutes ago, FKA SOSOTWS said:

 

I could actually see Lady Gaga headline the Pyramid at some point, since she did play the fest in 2009 and therefore has a history with them.

She was excellent in 2009 but my memory of it was that she did about 6 outfit changes in 50 mins and we all wished she’d just sung more songs. She would be a fantastic headliner though 

Edited Wednesday at 08:50 PM by CantWaitForGlasto22

[FKA SOSOTWS]

3 minutes ago, CantWaitForGlasto22 said:

She was excellent in 2009 but my memory of it was that she did about 6 outfit changes in 50 mins and we all wished she’d just sung more songs 😂

 

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/lady-gaga/2009/worthy-farm-pilton-england-7bd0465c.html

 

That's a better setlist than what she would do at any forthcoming set.

[charlierc]

9 minutes ago, FKA SOSOTWS said:

 

I could actually see Lady Gaga headline the Pyramid at some point, since she did play the fest in 2009 and therefore has a history with them.

Sounds like my uncle's experience of a year where Beyonce and Kings of Leon both played V Festival and he found Beyonce's outfit changes just broke momentum too much in comparison to KoL, even if I can imagine a lot of people would've probably just gone with Beyonce's flow for a chance to belt the hits.

[charlierc]

42 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Concur with this. I honestly think it's why Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo and The 1975 is a cracking set of headliners in their own rights.

 

I genuinely don't think this is a bad headline trio tbf - even if I'm not arsed by the three, it's still three acts with popular songs and who'd draw a crowd.

 

I guess it's part of the conversation about what people want this slot to be and whether topping El Pointo should be for up and coming acts breaking into the truly big shows, arena/stadium borderline acts or the creme de la creme who have mega-hits and could play anywhere they want.

[NorthernSoul52]

22 minutes ago, FKA SOSOTWS said:

 

I could actually see Lady Gaga headline the Pyramid at some point, since she did play the fest in 2009 and therefore has a history with them.

 

I've always maintained Lady Gaga is the more likely of the American pop megastars who haven't played it. Let us not forget this is the woman who lived for four months incognito in Leeds.

 

The issue, ultimately, will be creative control. If they can convince her to simply scale back and go for it with the crack band - and boy, she has enough presence to do it without the need for the usual pop paraphernalia - then green light means go for that.

 

Alternatively, if they can meet her demands for it, I don't think price would be a sticking point to the highest level. But then again, who knows. 

[charlierc]

2 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

I've always maintained Lady Gaga is the more likely of the American pop megastars who haven't played it. Let us not forget this is the woman who lived for four months incognito in Leeds.

 

... wait, did she?

 

That's a story in and of itself ngl.

[jadedj]

Miley headlining would be incredible, a dream 😍

[NorthernSoul52]

12 minutes ago, charlierc said:

I genuinely don't think this is a bad headline trio tbf - even if I'm not arsed by the three, it's still three acts with popular songs and who'd draw a crowd.

 

I guess it's part of the conversation about what people want this slot to be and whether topping El Pointo should be for up and coming acts breaking into the truly big shows, arena/stadium borderline acts or the creme de la creme who have mega-hits and could play anywhere they want.

I've always shouted for all three.

 

If I'd been a man with a finger on the booking pulse, I'd probably have tried to get the following post-pandemic:

2022: Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Paul McCartney

2023: The 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Elton John

2024: Dua Lipa, P!nk, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

2025: Sam Fender, Coldplay, Billy Joel

 

But again, that's a reflection of my booking strategy and personal taste. I'll be the first to point at that and say it could be more diverse. It also comes with the caveat that you're shortchanging other rising stars like Olivia Rodrigo. It is very blokey.