Dream festival line up

I was asked to do this task for a university interview so here's what I put:

Arctic Monkeys- Possibly the biggest band in the world right now so they would make an ideal headliner. Their fifth and latest album (AM) has received rave reviews including a 10/10 from NME so therefore the critics definitely love them. Plus they’ve got five albums worth of hits that a lot of people would instantly recognise. All five of these albums reached number 1 in the UK and from these albums, 12 singles have reached the top 40 so there’s no denying that Arctic Monkeys aren’t popular.

Blur (cover stars)- Blur would be perfect because they would appeal to older audiences seeing as the band were huge back in the mid 90’s. Also the band don’t play many gigs these days so it would be a special occasion if they were on this dream line up. What on earth is going on with that new album as well? Will it be out soon? Or will we have to wait about 20 years just like Guns N Roses Chinese Democracy? Frontman Damon Albarn has been, and is a very busy man so it would interesting to ask him a few questions about his collaborations. For example will we ever get another Gorillaz album? It would be good to get a scoop on things such as this. Other questions that could be included are: what do you have in store for the setlist? Will there be any new songs? Why don’t you tour that much? Etc. There could also be questions about their Britpop rivalry with Oasis back in the day and how they felt about the whole situation. Overall, with so many topics to talk about, I think Blur would make ideal cover stars for a programme.

The Pixies- I have only just recently got into The Pixies but I am well aware that they keep changing their bassist. This could make for a fascinating article in the programme if we asked the band why they have changed their bassist twice? Also why does the bassist have to be female? Are you trying to get someone who is as close to original bassist Kim Deal as possible? Also The Pixies would certainly appeal to those who like their rock music a bit heavier so it would add a bit of variety to the line up. Plus the band are highly influential to many and Kurt Cobain famously said that he “ripped off The Pixies” whilst writing Smells like Teen Spirit. This booking for the dream festival would certainly be a special one given the fact that the band has done a lot for alterative rock.

Flight Of The Conchords- It might seem like a bit of an unusual decision putting Flight Of The Conchords on a dream festival line up but hear me out. The New Zealand comedy duo would surely belong on a comedy stage but I think that this act is big enough to fill up a main stage festival field. This is because the band have actually played at Wembley Stadium a couple of times and they have a large cult following too. A lot of people would probably find their quirky brand of folk/rap/pop/comedy quite entertaining too so this is why I think this would make a good booking. Also a humorous article could be written about how they feel about being the only comedy act on the bill.   

Vampire Weekend- The New York indie rockers have three albums worth of songs so they certainly have enough material to entertain a crowd. Also the band has a loveable twee like charm about them and they have played to a large Glastonbury crowd a few times. A nice booking if you ask me.

Florence and the Machine- This act would add more of a pop variety to the bill and plus she would be the only solo act so again, this fact adds more variety. Plus she has a few recognisable hits so this will please the audience.

Crystal Castles- This band would please the festival goer that’s looking for the more obscure. The duo are usually described as being noisy, electronic and gothic so this would add a bit more of an ambiguity feel to the line up. Plus they could certainly get a mosh or two started.  

Los Campesinos- Only really on here because of personal preference. I think this artist is criminally underrated so it would be good for them to get some decent exposure at this festival. They have opened the main stage at Reading and Leeds festivals before so it wouldn’t be a risky booking. They would pull in a decent sized crowd.    

Reactions to last weeks Reading and Leeds Festival 2014 announcement...

Reading Festival 2013 didn't seem to be very well received. Many people thought that the festival had become too safe and commercial because of Eminem headlining and the fact that they included a lot more artists on the dance stage. However, the announcements so far this year look promising and here's why...

Blink 182 were announced as a headline act firstly. The band have played the festivals twice before: once playing before Linkin Park back in 2003 and again as headliners back in 2010. A lot of people criticized their headline set in 2010 as being a bit sloppy and this is totally fair to be honest. Lead singer and guitarist Tom DeLonge looked quite drunk and you could tell that bassist Mark Hoppus was nervous in case Tom messed up and did God knows what. However there were a lot of funny moments from this set including Tom Delonge trying to playing "Sweet Child O' Mine" on guitar and failing miserably. A decent set overall but it could've been so much better as a lot was missing from it. For example, the band had only recently got back together in 2009 so therefore there was no new material at this point, just a greatest hits set and that's it. This headline slot coming up in 2014 will include two albums worth of new material: 2011's Neighbourhoods and an untitled album that has only recently been confirmed by Mark Hoppus. Here's to hoping that next years headline slot will be a lot tighter and exciting thanks to brand spanking new material.

Pop punk fans the world over rejoiced when Blink 182 got back together in 2009

Jake Bugg will surely go down a treat as he steps up to the main stage next year. The young man has risen through the ranks at ecstatic place and this gig at Reading and Leeds could well be his defining moment. Hits such as "Lighting Bolt" and "Two Fingers" will rope in the masses and get people singing along. Futhermore, the fact that his latest album "Shangri La" reached number 3 in the charts this year will further get more people listening to him.

Disclosure pulled in a huge crowd last year so this year should be no different. Monster hit "White Noise" will get everyone dancing, you can guarantee it. Critically acclaimed indie four piece Metronomy are loved by many and their 2011 album "English Riviera" was adored by critics. Hopefully their yet to be released album will enjoy the same success in 2014 and they'll win over the festival crowds. Of Mice and Men's metalcore sound should be enjoyable enough and I am Legion should also get crowds raving along.