Who Will Headline Glastonbury 2017? We Round Up The Rumours
BY JORDAN BASSETT
26TH SEPTEMBER 2016
The mud probably still hasn't even settled on Worthy Farm yet and we're already speculating about next year's potential headliners. The rumour mill for Glastonbury Festival 2017 is well and truly in motion; as far back as this time last year, organiser Michael Eavis let slip that two thirds of the 2017 Pyramid Stage headliners were in place and bookmakers William Hill are releasing odds on the acts most likely to do the honours. Here are some of the possibles who might be on this year's bill.
Headliners
Guns N' Roses
Axl Rose and Slash recently reunited after 21 years and played shows in their native Los Angeles and (so far) there's been no tour bust-ups between the pair. They'll likely follow whoever can splash the cash, but William Hill have named the hard rockers as their favourites to headline, meaning Worthy Farm might just be Paradise City for a night.
Odds: 4/6.
Kasabian
Surprisingly, having headlined the Pyramid Stage in 2014, there are whisperings that the Leicester lads might return three years later to celebrate their new album, which will reportedly be released in autumn this year. They've shared new single 'Comeback Kid' already, so expect a glut of material to follow soon.
Odds: 6/4.
Stone Roses
Ian and Brown and co. packed out Manchester's 60,000-capacity Etihad Stadium for four nights earlier this summer and there's much speculation about a new album, after two new singles, 'All For One' and 'Beautiful Thing', sent the web into meltdown. The band also have a Glastonbury score to settle, having pulled out of their last Pyramid set, in 1995, due to a mountain biking injury suffered by guitarist John Squire.
Odds: 4/1.
Radiohead
It's been suggested that the Oxford band's well-received latest album, 'A Moon Shaped Pool', could be their swan song, as it features songs they've played live for years but not recorded until now. If – and it's a big if – that's on the money, could there be a better way to bow out than by performing those songs on the Pyramid Stage?
Odds: 6/4.
Ed Sheeran
They laughed when Adele was suggested as a headliner on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, but it was a triumph. Ed's got his haters, but he's sold out Wembley before and just might be able to pull off Adele's trick: making a massive Pyramid Stage set feel intimate.
Odds: 4/1
Foo Fighters
The Foos should have done the honours back in 2015, but pulled out when Grohl broke his foot, meaning Florence And The Machine took their place instead. The rock band didn't return to make up for it this year, meaning 2017 could be theirs for the taking.
Odds: 5/4
Rihanna
Badass Ri-ri certainly has the hits – 'Diamonds', 'Bitch Better Have My Money' and 'We Found Love', to name just few – to get the Pyramid Stage moving. But the weather at Glastonbury can be unpredictable, so make sure you bring your umbrella-ell-ella.
Odds: 6/1.
Lady Gaga
Gaga is back and if her new video is anything to go by - she could be pitching herself for a headline performance next year. If the new album is a success, and both Kevin Park and Mark Ronson fancy popping down to Worthy Farm again, we could be in for a headline slot for the ages.
Odds: 16/1
Gorillaz
A new Gorillaz album has been teased endlessly by messrs Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn over the last year, with a release date for the new album constantly changing. Either way, when it does arrive the group are set to head out on the road in support of the album and having headlined once before - they’d be more than comfortable on the big stage.
Odds: 9/1
Daft Punk
The Robots are rumoured for Glasto just about every year, from headlining the Pyramid to a tiny DJ set down at the Stonebridge bar, but of course it never materialises. However this time it seems like the rumours of a live return are more credible than ever, and being ten years on from their last jaunt, you’d bet the Eavis would leap at the shot to book the elusive duo.
Odds: 9/1
The best of the rest
Diana Ross
Just days after appearing during Coldplay’s closing set, Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees let slip that taking The Legends spot next year is Diana Ross. Her team were quick to deny it, saying it wasn’t “definite” just yet, but there appears to be a mutual interest between both sides.
Elton John
The Rocket Man has been touring consistently throughout his career, but revealed earlier this year that he has never been asked to play the festival. Next year he’ll be touring the UK in June so his active schedule around the festival could suggest that he might finally get asked next year.
The Avalanches
The group made their long-awaited return in July this year with ‘Wildflower’, and even played a few chaotic live shows to boot. They’ve announced a handful of shows in their native Australia for December and January 2017 and also confirmed that they would head stateside next year for some shows. Fancy stopping over for a Worthy Farm slot on the way, lads?
Kraftwerk
Though the German electro pioneers are known for their formidable live performances, the group haven’t played on these shores since 2013. However, they’ve just announced a UK tour, which suspiciously ends the day before Glastonbury begins…
Green Day
After a four year absence, the greatest living punk band are back with new album ‘Revolution Radio’ and are heading on a mammoth tour in support. They were recently announced for headline slots at Germany’s Hurricane and Southside festivals over the same weekend as Glastonbury, so perhaps a fleeting secret show would suit their schedule…
Bon Iver
The original sad-boy Bon Iver returns with new album ‘22, A Million’ and extensive touring in the UK will follow in February 2017. Whether he’ll take the show to festival circuit is yet to be seen, but with his own festival, Eaux Claires set for the weekend before in Wisconsin (and strong likelihood that he’ll play it), a Park slot would be perfect for him if he decides to pop over.
http://www.nme.com/blogs/festivals-blog/glastonbury-festival-2017-headliners
