Results tagged “Glastonbury” from Birmingham Mail - Blog Rockin' Beats

So the rumour is Midland rock legends Led Zeppelin are set to follow up their O2 Arena reunion shows with a full UK tour next year? My immediate reaction was that this was great. But then I got thinking (always a dangerous thing) that perhaps this isn't manna from heaven as some people believe the news to be.

Firstly, there's no point me getting excited because the tickets will probably sell out within a nano-second of going on general sale. In these cases I ALWAYS miss out (White Stripes in Wolverhampton 2001, Glastonbury 2003 and Sex Pistols in Birmingham earlier this year, to name three).

And secondly, do I really want to see a band potentially sully their legacy with shows not up to their records. Yes, their O2 shows were well received but those were supposed one-offs - could they sustain it over a number of shows, up and down the country?

Unlike the Rolling Stones or Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin have not continued to tour relentlessly and the magic of the band has been sustained. I love their records and, sure, would love to have seen them in their 70s pomp but I'd be too worried that they wouldn't match up to my hopes and expectations in 2009. In fact, I've spoken to Dylan fans who saw him for the first time within the last few years and they were left gutted because he clearly wasn't as good as he was back in his prime.

Of course, they could come back and be brilliant. But they could end up being a shadow of their former selves and that would be a terrible shame.

I bet Noel Gallagher and a few Glastonbury "traditionalists" are still feeling a little stupid today. It's been four days since Jay Z headlined the Pyramid Stage at the sacred festival and, you know what? The world has not ended.

Well done Jay Z for (a) mocking the narrow-minded has-been by kicking off your set with a tongue in cheek cover of Oasis' Wonderwall; (b) attracting a huge crowd which organisers predict is one of the biggest ever for a single act and (c) producing the goods with a widely acclaimed performance.

And, of course, well done to Michael and Emily Eavis for sticking their necks out and refusing to stay in the comfort zone. Hopefully a few other festivals will realise that there are thousands of fans of "guitar bands" that also appreciate other genres, such as hip hop.

I've never actually been to Glastonbury. And, while I'd have loved to have seen certain, legendary performances (Radiohead in 97 and Orbital in 94 spring to mind), I've never felt as though I've missed out on the whole. Plus I get the impression many people see it as a badge of honour - something to brag about in a pub conversation - and that it's a predictable "indie" thing to have experienced.

But, by booking Jay Z as a headliner, the Eavis' have shown that they are far from predictable and that anything goes. I'm already starting to wonder what they have up their sleeve for next year.

Gallagher's moronic "I'm not having hip hop at Glastonbury" comment deserved the contempt it got from some quarters. But hopefuly, it will inspire the organisers to do one thing: never book Oasis as headliners at the festival ever again!