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I noticed a lot of talk in regards to this year having very low key headliners. Perhaps, there are just so many festivals that even headliner status bands are becoming watered down. Aside from a Pink Floyd reunion, David Bowie, Kayne/Will Smith collab, Prince w special guest Blue Man Group.....what else would be new and innovating for us festheads.
Jean Michel Jarre Dire Straits Culture Club Daft Punk The Kinks Rod Stewart Genesis w/ Peter Gabriel Justin Timberlake Led Zeppelin Rage Against The Machine Talking Heads Rush Van Halen Original Lineup of Guns 'N Roses
Depends on the fest and who is touring or willing to do a show. Though I don't really get interested in Bonnaroo until Plant and the Shapeshifters (don't mind Florence who apparently broke a foot at Cochella or Kendrick), Billy Joel is pretty big. Foo Fighters is giant, and you'll see them at Hangout and probably ACL. Voodoo had Pearl Jam, NIN and the Cure in '13. And of course (despite my feelings ranging from love to hate) Jazzfest 2015 has The Who, T.I., Keith Urban, Lenny Kravitz, Tony Bennett w/Lady Gaga, Ed Sheran, No Doubt, Pitbull (lmfao), Panic, Original [tm] Meters, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Cliff, Ryan Adams, Dr. John, Neville Bros farewell show, etc. So there are big ass headliners at some fests.
To answer the question, Tool. It's time. Last time I saw them at a fest was Lolla 93. I really want them at Voodoo and hopefully Black Sabbath as well.
Post by craigishere on Apr 14, 2015 21:29:56 GMT -5
I've been reading the same things regarding headliners. It will be interesting to see if/how the festival landscape changes over the next 5-10 years, and if this will be a trend.
I've been reading the same things regarding headliners. It will be interesting to see if/how the festival landscape changes over the next 5-10 years, and if this will be a trend.
Do you think maybe it's a combination of so many acts rising to the top out of nowhere and fading back just as quickly, so many genres, sub-genres and sub-sub-genres and the massive amount of festivals that exist now? Those are all legit factors IMHO. That 13 Voodoo note in my post.above (Pearl Jam, NiN, Cure) also included Calvin Harris, Afrojack and Bassnectar We might not all like electronica or maybe some aspects of it, but those are 6 giant names in the industry all totaled.
But what's big? I'm fairly jacked about seeing Earth Wind and Fire late night at Bonnaroo, and they had their time in the early 80s where they were giant. Maybe a few hundred will be at that set? On the other side people love Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons now, and to some people those are critical acts. Me? I might catch 5 or 10 minutes of either barring a conflict. And there are some rumors that Voodoo 15 might get Van Halen w/DLR. That is stadium circa 1983, but to see them now, would they only be big to me? It's a complicated premise that regarding what is and isn't headliners. And then some festivals focus more on midcards, buzz acts or up and coming shit eschewing headliners almost altogether.
Post by mattlikesrock on Apr 14, 2015 22:00:46 GMT -5
I thought it was strange that there are a lot of final or rare tours that no festivals really booked. I wonder if the festival money has peaked and it wasn't worth it for them.
The Who (last tour) Grateful Dead lite (last tour) Black Sabbath (maybe) (last tour) Shania Twain (last tour) Rolling Stones Rush Prince Madonna Garth Brooks ACDC (although Coachella did get them) Fleetwood Mac Van Halen
Most of these would have been the biggest name on almost every festival's bill.
I thought it was strange that there are a lot of final or rare tours that no festivals really booked. I wonder if the festival money has peaked and it wasn't worth it for them.
The Who (last tour) Grateful Dead lite (last tour) Black Sabbath (maybe) (last tour) Shania Twain (last tour) Rolling Stones Rush Prince Madonna Garth Brooks ACDC (although Coachella did get them) Fleetwood Mac Van Halen
Most of these would have been the biggest name on almost every festival's bill.
I really think Roo may have tried to get the Rolling Stones, but were just to late reaching out. My theory, based on the Roo AMA, is that they thought they had Prince and maybe even The Grateful Dead locked in as two of their headliners, and when they backed out the Stones were already making plans elsewhere for their tour. I mean they are lined up perfectly to play Bonnaroo, and that would've been great.
I really think Roo may have tried to get the Rolling Stones, but were just to late reaching out. My theory, based on the Roo AMA, is that they thought they had Prince and maybe even The Grateful Dead locked in as two of their headliners, and when they backed out the Stones were already making plans elsewhere for their tour. I mean they are lined up perfectly to play Bonnaroo, and that would've been great.
I really think Roo may have tried to get the Rolling Stones, but were just to late reaching out. My theory, based on the Roo AMA, is that they thought they had Prince and maybe even The Grateful Dead locked in as two of their headliners, and when they backed out the Stones were already making plans elsewhere for their tour. I mean they are lined up perfectly to play Bonnaroo, and that would've been great.
C'mon now.
Did you read the AMA? I definitely think having both of them is a little far fetched, but if someone could pull it off it'd be Roo. The Dead were offered $3 million and later turned it down, and Prince was also in talks with Roo for a while before also backing out.
I've been reading the same things regarding headliners. It will be interesting to see if/how the festival landscape changes over the next 5-10 years, and if this will be a trend.
Do you think maybe it's a combination of so many acts rising to the top out of nowhere and fading back just as quickly, so many genres, sub-genres and sub-sub-genres and the massive amount of festivals that exist now? Those are all legit factors IMHO. That 13 Voodoo note in my post.above (Pearl Jam, NiN, Cure) also included Calvin Harris, Afrojack and Bassnectar We might not all like electronica or maybe some aspects of it, but those are 6 giant names in the industry all totaled.
But what's big? I'm fairly jacked about seeing Earth Wind and Fire late night at Bonnaroo, and they had their time in the early 80s where they were giant. Maybe a few hundred will be at that set? On the other side people love Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons now, and to some people those are critical acts. Me? I might catch 5 or 10 minutes of either barring a conflict. And there are some rumors that Voodoo 15 might get Van Halen w/DLR. That is stadium circa 1983, but to see them now, would they only be big to me? It's a complicated premise that regarding what is and isn't headliners. And then some festivals focus more on midcards, buzz acts or up and coming shit eschewing headliners almost altogether.
You do raise some good points about the many genres of music these days. So many bands at a much cheaper cost than these massive headliners, and probably attract almost as many people in the festival setting. EDM has also totally changed everything for better or worse, and that definitely has an impact on our perception of the lineups.
Don't know how to tag people but matt likes rock raises a good point with these big time classic bands hardly doing festivals. It'd be interesting to see some numbers showing the difference between a stadium tour and doing festivals.
Headliners are overrated. I look at a festival like Firefly that booked one of the best headliners any fest could possibly book; and then since they spent all that money the rest turned out pretty shitty for the most part. I'd rather go to a fest that has 40-60 acts Id like to see, than one that has one huge act and then a handful of lower tier stuff. Personally, I am most looking forward to attending Osheaga this year because it has one of the deepest lineups. If Roo had traded out Billy Joel and just let Florence headline or booked a smaller scale headlining act like say The Strokes; but then were also able to get Hot Chip, Ratatat, St. Vincent, Future Islands, Alt-J, Pixies, Tame Impala,ect. I think a lot of people would've been disappointed at first glance. But then once the depth of the lineup set in; people would see Roo as having the most bang for your buck.
Headliners are overrated. I look at a festival like Firefly that booked one of the best headliners any fest could possibly book; and then since they spent all that money the rest turned out pretty shitty for the most part. I'd rather go to a fest that has 40-60 acts Id like to see, than one that has one huge act and then a handful of lower tier stuff. Personally, I am most looking forward to attending Osheaga this year because it has one of the deepest lineups. If Roo had traded out Billy Joel and just let Florence headline or booked a smaller scale headlining act like say The Strokes; but then were also able to get Hot Chip, Ratatat, St. Vincent, Future Islands, Alt-J, Pixies, Tame Impala,ect. I think a lot of people would've been disappointed at first glance. But then once the depth of the lineup set in; people would see Roo as having the most bang for your buck.
Spot on. Festivals are built to see a multitude of acts in one stop. Spending millions on a huge headliner really won't mean anything if your undercard is shit.
Headliners are overrated. I look at a festival like Firefly that booked one of the best headliners any fest could possibly book; and then since they spent all that money the rest turned out pretty shitty for the most part. I'd rather go to a fest that has 40-60 acts Id like to see, than one that has one huge act and then a handful of lower tier stuff. Personally, I am most looking forward to attending Osheaga this year because it has one of the deepest lineups. If Roo had traded out Billy Joel and just let Florence headline or booked a smaller scale headlining act like say The Strokes; but then were also able to get Hot Chip, Ratatat, St. Vincent, Future Islands, Alt-J, Pixies, Tame Impala,ect. I think a lot of people would've been disappointed at first glance. But then once the depth of the lineup set in; people would see Roo as having the most bang for your buck.
I'm trying to go to both Osheaga and Firefly, but if I can only do one I'm doing Osheaga. Sasquatch and Osheaga look like super stacked undercards, but I can't help but feel they lack a big wow factor at the top. What I don't understand, is how Firefly sells 3x as many tickets as Osheaga for ~$85 more per ticket, but can't put together a lineup nearly as solid. You would think Firefly would have the budget to put out an undercard equal to Osheaga with two or three bigger names at the top.
Post by Jim the Luck DЯagon on Apr 15, 2015 1:53:30 GMT -5
Headliners matter a whole lot to me. Headliner crowds can really make a festival for you. I talk to people about Macca in 2013, and it really . Made the fest for them. Great headliners are something transcendent and special. Really once in a lifetime experiences. Shit that makes an attendee reminisce and say :I was there when ________ played ________.
Headliners matter a whole lot to me. Headliner crowds can really make a festival for you. I talk to people about Macca in 2013, and it really . Made the fest for them. Great headliners are something transcendent and special. Really once in a lifetime experiences. Shit that makes an attendee reminisce and say :I was there when ________ played ________.
I agree. A strong headliner is a great reference point for remembering and talking about festivals too if you go to a bunch every year as well.
Crappy headliners can make/break me going to a fest. I've seen almost every band I want to see, if some huge name is playing that I don't get opportunities to see, and I know I'm going to see them at a cool place, then that is a major motivating factor in getting me to drive to say, Roo.
Macca & Bjork in '13 are the best example. I'd been waiting to see them for so long, then I find out they're gonna play at f'n Roo? Way cooler than having to drive up to 6-8 hours to see just them for a lot of money.
The homogenization and oversaturation of the festi circuit is disappointing but it is what it is. I def get frustrated when I look at old lineups from the 2000's and see how diverse they are with tons of bands you can't see now or can only rarely see now for various reasons.
More music to go around is def not a bad thing but everything being sanitized and marketed like it is def takes away from the final product. I'm at the point to where I'm content with just doing Wanee, Jazzfest and Voodoo, with Hangout thrown in more as a beach vacation than a music festival experience. I'll go back to Roo if like Prince or Bowie or somebody ridiculous was there, but it's hard to justify all that effort & expense for a ton of bands I've already seen or ones I'm not into.
All that said, the APF/Levitation lineup is def the best of the year for where I'm at with music right now and I am beyond excited to be doing it this year finally.
Did you read the AMA? I definitely think having both of them is a little far fetched, but if someone could pull it off it'd be Roo. The Dead were offered $3 million and later turned it down, and Prince was also in talks with Roo for a while before also backing out.
Where'd that info come from? I remember hearing the rumors of the Dead getting offered $3 million but I don't recall it ever being confirmed.. And I don't remember even hearing anything solid about Prince being in talks.. Just curious.
1/30: Cold War Kids
2/6: Cherub
4/22: The Mountain Goats
5/25: Laura Jane Grace "Killing Me Loudly"
5/31: The Decemberists
6/11-6/14: BONNAROO 2015
6/28: Against Me!
6/30: Against Me!
Did you read the AMA? I definitely think having both of them is a little far fetched, but if someone could pull it off it'd be Roo. The Dead were offered $3 million and later turned it down, and Prince was also in talks with Roo for a while before also backing out.
Where'd that info come from? I remember hearing the rumors of the Dead getting offered $3 million but I don't recall it ever being confirmed.. And I don't remember even hearing anything solid about Prince being in talks.. Just curious.
The promoters said they made offers to both during the AMA.
Where'd that info come from? I remember hearing the rumors of the Dead getting offered $3 million but I don't recall it ever being confirmed.. And I don't remember even hearing anything solid about Prince being in talks.. Just curious.
The promoters said they made offers to both during the AMA.
1/30: Cold War Kids
2/6: Cherub
4/22: The Mountain Goats
5/25: Laura Jane Grace "Killing Me Loudly"
5/31: The Decemberists
6/11-6/14: BONNAROO 2015
6/28: Against Me!
6/30: Against Me!
Jean Michel Jarre Dire Straits Culture Club Daft Punk The Kinks Rod Stewart Genesis w/ Peter Gabriel Justin Timberlake Led Zeppelin Rage Against The Machine Talking Heads Rush Van Halen Original Lineup of Guns 'N Roses
Dire Straits or even just Mark Knopfler solo would have been pretty awesome. Imagine a Sultans of Swing superjam!
Jean Michel Jarre Dire Straits Culture Club Daft Punk The Kinks Rod Stewart Genesis w/ Peter Gabriel Justin Timberlake Led Zeppelin Rage Against The Machine Talking Heads Rush Van Halen Original Lineup of Guns 'N Roses
Dire Straits or even just Mark Knopfler solo would have been pretty awesome. Imagine a Sultans of Swing superjam!
Considering you've found the need to respond to my threads as if you are threatened by me I offer you some peace my confused counterpart. May you find peace in your restless soul.
3post1jack1
Which Ditch Bridge Troll Wannabe God-King of the Cone
Post by 3post1jack1 on Apr 15, 2015 9:17:46 GMT -5
Stating the obvious:
-Headliners sell tickets. As much as festival enthusiasts say the undercard is what we primarily care about, I believe the majority of tickets are sold because somebody wants to see a BNA. And I like what Sarge and others said about headliners creating a focal point for the experience, I agree wholeheartedly.
-We are running out of "classic" headliners. We are running out of reunions. This is partially because all the legends are getting older, partially because of the market saturation of festivals over the past several years.
-EDM has staying power. I doubt many of us are looking at EDM as a passing fad anymore (again just stating the obvious here) but electronic dance music is here to stay. By here I mean the US, electronic dance music in whatever form has been popular everywhere else in the world since the 70s, we're just the ones late to embrace it. As such, we'll continue to see headliners for festivals which are more traditionally rock drawn from this pool. I definitely think we'll see Skrillex and Pretty Lights on the What in the years to come.
-Hip-hop has staying power, in fact I think hip-hop artists are the most talked about musicians in the wider media. We will continue to see headliners drawn from this pool.
-Having said all that, there are some "classic" artists that aren't necessarily 60s/70s classic rock that we could see headline Bonnaroo, for the first time or again. I'm thinking 90s type artists: Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Foo Fighters (I know others have mentioned these already).
-Phish could always headline Bonnaroo and probably will again for its over with. I don't think there is any other jamband at this time that could, including Panic. Phish definitely sells tickets to people that otherwise would not attend Bonnaroo.
-As has been discussed ad nauseum around here, pop could definitely make its way to Bonnaroo, and would sell a ton of tickets. Timberlake, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, etc., all huge stars that would be a big deal to have on the What.
-Daft Punk. I believe they will tour again, under what circumstances (festivals or not) I could not even venture to speculate.
-New rock or non hip-hop/edm/pop type headliners. I just don't see it happening right now. Arcade Fire happened, sure, and they could definitely be back, but as far as a new rock band achieving headliner status? Possibly in several years, but I don't see it happening in the next 3-5 festival seasons.
To conclude, yes I've thought about the headliner demise a lot, and have gone all over the place in my head with it. Basically we will continue to see "non-traditional" headliners gracing the What and filling out the top of the lineup. Whatever happens in the next several years I just hope its interesting.
Festivals always have off years. It all boils down to who's touring and how much money is in the bank. It's a little surprising Roo didn't snag the Stones given where they'll be in mid-June, but I'm sure it wasn't for lack of trying. '13 was Macca, then Elton was like Macca-Lite, and now Billy Joel is Elton-Lite - but I would hardly call that a demise.
I think it's more of a sea change, too - there simply aren't as many near-universally loved bands now as there were in the '60s and '70s. I might even say Nirvana was the last band to reach that kind of crossover between artistic innovation and mainstream commercial appeal. But if Floyd, Bowie, or Prince feat. Blue Man Group (really?) are what it takes to get you jazzed up, then you are officially jaded beyond all repair.
Post by BOLD FLAVORS on Apr 15, 2015 9:25:03 GMT -5
The problem is that there is a finite number of acts which are considered "big enough" to headline a major festival, so with so many festivals taking place each year, that well runs dry pretty quick and people complain about the boring headliners. Conversely, when a festival tries to step outside the box and elevate an artist to headliner status or bring in a choice out of left field, people complain that the act isn't big enough or whatever. People basically want Radiohead and Daft Punk every year, or some insanely rare reunion or massive legacy artist, but there aren't enough of those to go around. What needs to happen is for festivals to really make a concerted effort to bump some acts into the loop, whether it works or not. You're seeing some of this in 2015, with acts like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Florence + the Machine, Sam Smith, Mumford, etc. getting the nod. Over the next few seasons, I'd be surprised if acts like Bon Iver, the National, Vampire Weekend, and acts of that level don't start headlining major festivals.
