Festivals 2008 - Part 1

So here is the first in a series of posts of who to watch out for at festivals this year, whether you are watching them on TV or lucky enough to be going. Personally, I'm going to Glastonbury, Latitude and Leeds Festival.

Ill start with the big names (essentially the headliners), then bands who the media are going to said festival performance as "the turning point in their career", then bands I think are going to catch peoples eyes and be big next year off the back of their performances, then bands I'm looking forward to that probably won't get much media attention.

So, the big names.

Jay-Z
Playing: Glastonbury, O2 Wireless

Lots of controversy around this with various members of the music industry weighing in their opinions on whether or not he "belongs" at Glastonbury. Personally, I couldn't care less. I'm not a fan, and will end up watching Massive Attack on the Other Stage, but I think claiming it's because he's headlining that the festival hasn't sold out yet is unfair. However, I'm sure he will put on a great show with various special guests (Beyonce and Rhianna are almost certain to turn up at some point) and I'd probably catch a bit of his set if I was at home, will be broadcast live on BBC2.


The Verve
Playing: T In The Park/Oxegen, Glastonbury, V Festival (and maybe a few others)

I'll be watching them at Glastonbury. Hopefully with new material to showcase, along with the classics such as Bittersweet Symphony or Sonnet, they have the potential to be amazing.


Rage Against The Machine
Playing: Leeds/Reading, T In The Park/Oxegen

I'm so excited about this, a band I never thought I'd get the chance to see. Hopefully they will live up to the expectations of everyone going to see them. Arguably, they are just doing it for the money, but I can't wait to see them. Killing In The Name will probably be the best song I see live this summer.


Muse
Playing: V Festival

I'm gutted they aren't headlining Glastonbury, but never mind. They are the greatest live band in the world from what I've seen. They put on the best show and the bands performance itself is epic. They are planning to play some new stuff apparently so I look forward to hearing recordings when the surface, I'm looking forward to see if V is on TV again this year.


The Killers
Playing: Leeds/Reading

I'm so excited about finally getting to see The Killers, I've wanted to since I heard 2004's Hot Fuss, but after watching their stunning Glastonbury performance on BBC last year (where they obliterated Arctic Monkeys) I got more desperate to see them. They are playing the Sunday at Leeds and hopefully they will be the perfect way of rounding off the summer (weather permitting).


So, those are probably the sets to catch on TV if you can. Glastonbury, T In The Park (not Oxegen) and Reading (they say its Reading & Leeds but it just isn't) will be broadcast on the BBC, so theres the highlights on BBC2, BBC3 and BBCi for about a week after the festival finishes.