With their ninth studio album A Moon Shaped Pool released earlier this year and cries for them to return and headline Glastonbury, ever since they last did in 2003 – was Radiohead’s announcement as Glastonbury’s first headliner for the 2017 festival ever in doubt? I don’t think so. London’s intimate 3,500 capacity venue Roundhouse was chosen to host the only three UK gig dates after the release of their highly anticipated and well received latest album, so a headline slot a mainstay event shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise for all supporters Radiohead.
I myself – a Glastonbury-goer in my infancy – will revel in witnessing an artist truly able to match the grand nature of with Pyramid Stage with an equally grand in scale performance. Last year saw two disappointing headline acts in the form of Coldplay and Adele; in my humble opinion Radiohead won’t find it necessary to rely on cheap forms entertainment as Chris Martin and co did only a year ago, giving a performance befitting of Glastonbury as a truly global music spectacle. Although Radiohead may not be everyone’s cup of tea in terms of musical direction, I think there will be few able to discredit their stake in kicking off Glastonbury’s weekend of music on their most renowned stage.
As for who will fill the two other headline slots remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: come traditional rainfall or more prayed for sunshine, all eyes will be on Radiohead and the Pyramid stage come Friday 23rd June 2017.
Niall Ballinger
(Image: Rukkus)