Rumours of who could play next year's Glastonbury festival have been circulating since the gates of Worthy Farm closed this year. According to several different publications and word of mouth, I have put together a list (in no particular order) of the 10 acts that are most likely to be on the lineup of the summer 2017 event.
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British/American folk rock band who, over the last 50 years, have become one of the biggest selling acts of all time, with over 100 million album sales. The band's name has frequented the Glastonbury rumour mill for several years now. However, festival founder Michael Eavis has said several times that they're just too expensive to book. Could next year finally give them the chance to prove themselves as Glastonbury worthy? After their set at last year's Isle of Wight festival I think it's about time they were booked.
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses are currently on the road with their "Not In This Lifetime" tour. After many years apart, the group's original lineup decided to put their differences aside and give their fans a string of performances they actually wanted to see. The classic hard rock group played Coachella earlier this year and their set was mostly regarded as a success. They have completely missed out the UK when announcing gigs this past year so a series of large open air or arena shows for next year are looking more than likely. With a backcatalouge as large and well known as theirs, they'd be a sensible (and possibly slightly dull) booking for next year's event.
Radiohead
The Oxford five-piece have been one of the biggest names in alternative rock music over the last 30 years and are a band that are sure to go down well with the Glastonbury audience. Next year's festival will arrive just as the band have finished touring their latest album "A Moon Shaped Pool", and it'll be 20 years since their career defining headline set on the pyramid stage. The group have played a relatively large amount of European and American festivals this summer so some UK festival dates will surely be on the cards next year. However, they've been known to play the occasional secret set, so even if they aren't booked as a headliner I wouldn't completely write them off.
AC/DC
This Australian band are another veteran hard rock group who are currently touring. They've been circulating the rumour threads of UK festival online forums for several years now and if they're going to play any it may as well be the biggest and best festival in the country. The four piece would surely pull a huge crowd at the pyramid stage and have enough material recorded to perform about 12 headline sets so I wouldn't be surpirised if they topped the bill next year.
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are a four piece indie rock band from Manchester. They reformed in 2012 after being at the head of the "Madchester" subculture music scene in the late '80s and early '90s, and played several huge outdoor shows. The band then went off the radar for a short while and returned this year with two new singles and a 4 date sold out stint at Manchester's Etihad stadium. With the possibility of a third coming looming, a headline set at Glastonbury 2017 would be an appropriate step up from their show at this year's T in the Park.
Foo Fighters
Formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters have been one of the biggest names in rock music, releasing a seemingly endless stream of albums and headlining just about every festival in the world. They were booked to headline Glastonbury in 2015 but were forced to pull out after Grohl broke his leg. They were rumoured to top the bill at this year's event but were not included, so a set from them next year is looking like a very likely (and uninspired) possibility.
Diana Ross
Diana Ross is one of the biggest names in Motown and Soul music, and although she isn't quite big enough to headline the festival, the famous Sunday afternoon "legend" slot could quite easily be occupied by her in 2017. This slot has seen the likes of Lionel Richie and Brian Wilson, as well as this year's performance by Jeff Lynne's ELO. She's well known enough to get everyone, young and old alike, to sing along so don't be surprised if you see her name on the lineup poster.
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath formed in Birmingham in the late '60s and are regarded across the whole world as one of the pioneering bands of the heavy metal genre. They are currently touring and have stated that this stint of arena shows and festival appearances will be their last, claiming that next year will be when they retire from music. What better way to end a career than to play Glastonbury festival? they've definitely got the material and the fan base.
Kendirck Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is a Compton born hip-hop recording artist and rapper. Since 2010 he has become one of the biggest names in the genre and after the release of his 2014 album "To Pimp a Butterfly" he became an acclaimed artist throughout the world by fans of all genres. The themes the album explores ensure that many people can understand and appreciate it, therefore practically guaranteeing him a place at the top of most festival bills. Although he may not be quite capable of headlining the pyramid stage, a sub-headline slot or a headlining slot on the other stage is seeming very likely.
Gorillaz
Gorillaz are a virtual band, created in 1998 by Blur front-man Damon Albarn. Their music focuses on genre's such as alternative rock, electronica and alternative hip-hop. Their first two albums went platinum several times and the band's previous Glastonbury headline slot in 2010 was a resounding success. With new material on the way in 2017, a Glastonbury comeback could be the perfect opportunity to put the band back at the forefront of the music scene after a six year hiatus.
Words: Liam Navey.
