ShortList is supported by you, our amazing readers. When you click through the links on our site and make a purchase we may earn a commission. Learn more

Who will headline Glastonbury next year?

Who will headline Glastonbury next year?

Who will headline Glastonbury next year?

The clean-up job has barely begun, but already, being the impatient five-second Snapchat generation that we are, thoughts are turning to who will be taking on the Pyramid Stage at next year's Glastonbury Festival.

This year's bill-toppers were certainly interesting: Foo Fighters replacement Florence And The Machine seemed to be universally liked, with Flo putting her heart and soul into the performance. Unless you've been hiding under a rock all weekend you'll know about Kanye's performance: an uncompromising, brave one-man show of defiance, or dull, insular karaoke depending on your point of view. The Who closed everything off nicely with a farewell Sunday slot, so they certainly got the scheduling right, at least.

Festival organiser Emily Eavis has already revealed that next year's main acts are booked, saying, "we've got three headliners for next year, so that's completely sorted. We're in a really good position in that respect because it means we can now focus on the rest of the bill."

So who will they be? We take a look at the runners and riders and make our predictions.


The Friday Night Party-starter

Last five events: Florence and the Machine, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, U2, Gorillaz (originally U2)

Obviously, there's a clear favourite for this one; it's hard to look past Foo Fighters, 'doing a U2' and simply coming back a year late to take their original slot. Indeed, a 'source' has already told The Sun that "Dave [Grohl] was beyond gutted about pulling out of Glastonbury, especially at such short notice. But Michael [Eavis] was quick to book him for next year as he's desperate for the Foos to headline. He knows they'll go down a storm at Glasto. Dave agreed within seconds".

The Friday night slot is traditionally most open to a 'new' act looking to jump up to headliner status - such as Florence, Kings of Leon back in 2008 and Arctic Monkeys in 2007 - but there's also been plenty of big acts too. Foo Fighters, having only played the festival once before in 1998, are both 'new' and massive, so it looks like a shoe-in.

Our prediction: Foo Fighters

Dave knew he should have check the earth connection on that plug

The Saturday Night Big One

Last five events: Kanye West, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Muse

Glastonbury doesn't mess about on Saturday nights. They simply book one of the biggest acts in the world, whatever the genre. Previous headliners Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, The Killers and Radiohead have all got to be in with a shout, considering they should all have new records on the way by next year. A possible curveball could be Iron Maiden; they'll be in the middle of a world tour, with a double album due this September, and Bruce Dickinson just recovered from cancer. Metallica worked in 2014 so could it be their turn? Or perhaps the almost-guaranteed success of Adele's third album could see her vocal powerhouse fill the slot? However, we have a feeling they might go with Ed Sheeran. He's now got two mega-selling albums, two sold-out Wembley Stadium shows coming up, it would retain Glasto's preference for promoting previous acts (he was third on the bill on the Pyramid Stage in 2014), and it would be hugely interesting to see the crowd respond to his one-man show a year on from Kanye's.

Our prediction: Ed Sheeran


The Sunday Night Festival Finisher

Last five events: The Who, Kasabian, Mumford & Sons, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder

Every year everyone says it'll be Prince. It's never Prince. But it has to be someone either massively pop, or massively legendary. We'd love to see Kylie headline after her 2005 slot never happened, but we fear it's a bit late for her now. Taylor Swift is a possibility; she'll likely be wrapping up her 1989 World Tour and would bring glitz and glamour to Worthy Farm, but her and Sheeran on the bill could push it a bit too pop. It could be Elton John; the perennially-touring superstar has never played Glastonbury and a hit-laden set would go down an absolute storm. However, our money is on Fleetwood Mac finally gracing the Glastonbury stage. They headlined the Isle of Wight Festival to huge acclaim this year and, as they take in a victory lap with the returned Christine McVie completing their classic lineup, they surely won't be able to resist the call next year.

Our prediction: Fleetwood Mac


(Images: Rex)