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Even though I was pretty scathing about 'Working On A Dream' recently, I have to admit, the prospect of Bruce Springsteen headlining Glastonbury - which was finally confirmed today - fills me with excitement.
The drabness of his recent output aside, Springsteen is in many ways the ultimate Glastonbury act, one of those generation-uniting artists who is capable of providing a genuine moment - an explosion of communal joy that sweeps along even non-fans. I'm thinking of Brian Wilson in 2005, Paul McCartney in 2004, Radiohead in 1997.
Moreover, while Jay-Z's triumphant set last year taught us to abandon quaint notions of an 'appropriate' Glastonbury act, you have to say that Springsteen is a closer fit with what many people have come to think of as Worthy Farm 'values'.
Community, brotherhood, charity, a broad sense of warm-fuzzy, we're-in-this-together liberalism... these are concepts that Springsteen has evinced for almost as many years as Glastonbury has been going.
And without straying into luddite Noel Gallagher territory, it's possible to understand why loyal Glasto-goers felt that Jay-Z, with his sprawling business empire and greed-is-good braggadocio, jarred somehow with the 'spirit' of the Eavis' anti-corporate, family-run festival.
There is a contrary view, however. Taken together with that other likely headliner, Neil Young, you could argue that the Glastonbury 2009 line-up is looking decidedly middle-aged. Wasn't it only two years ago that Michael Eavis was telling NME about his desire to "get the kids back" in a bid to reverse the steady gentrification of the festival?
But what do you think? Is Bruce Springsteen the perfect Glasto headliner, or a fusty dad-rocker who'll have you scurrying for Trash City?
NME.COM blogs contain the opinions of the individual writer and not necessarily those of NME magazine or NME.COM.
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Jamie [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 15:33
YES
YES
and
YES
With bands around like Hold Steady and Gaslight anthem, The Boss is as relevant as ever, he's still got the massive tunes to headline a festival, and the Superbowl show proved he's still a big time performer.
Going to epic
johnny d [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 15:59
oh no...what next elton john.
Aff [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 16:26
Never really paid much attention to the 'The Boss' but I am certainly interested in looking
4kingkas [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 17:08
i find springsteen really boring. neil young however will be amazing. its not a problem, ill just go to the park stage when springsteen comes on.
Rob [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 17:44
If the headliners are going to be Young, Springsteen and Blur I think that's more an inditement of the current 2000s Britpack than a comment on Glastonbury.
I wouldn't want to see Arctic Monkeys play again so soon and they're really the only viable 'modern' alternative headliners on Worthy farm.
Doug [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 18:08
Personally I feel Madness would be an ideal headliner. They played a great set two years ago at Lost Vagueness, and have a wide selection of hits that would please a wide audience. Let's hope they make the line-up this year!
Mitch [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 19:14
Boring three chord Americana crap. ( and Im American)
Ed [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 22:09
I live in Scotland and am unlikely to be able to afford to go south to see Springsteen at glasto. But I would LOVE to see it. The man's a legend and will put on an ace show. What I really would resign fro my job for is if The Cure would headline Glastonbury (they have done three times in the past, but not since 1995).
DJ Dave [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 22:23
Bruce Springsteen is a great choice for headliner. I'm not going, have never gone, and never intend to go to Glastonbury, but still it's good to see a proper and significant act topping the bill. Tis a shame those muppets Blur are also on though. I guess Oasis were too busy.
2010 headliners?: The National, Arctic Monkeys, and The Smiths (re-formed)
Belinda [Visitor] //February 23 2009 at 23:49
No!!!!!!! Dissapointed!!!!
nicole [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 06:27
He ok, I will go to a different stage for that though but with Neil Young, uck borring and no WOW factor at all, the rest of the bill would want to be stellar! Dance is huge this year, they need to have a dance headliner again, Basement Jaxx or Underworld, Prodigy and Penduluim are must have's for the other stage this year.
bruce wyness [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 07:56
its about time he got a turn and he will blow glasto to bits its a shame it wont be the full three hr show tho
jon [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 08:32
Johnny D
Comparing Springsteen to Elton John is absolutely ridiculous.
Springsteen is a superstar, yes, but NOT a run of the mill one.
He does not let his music be used for adverts (John even appeared in adverts).
Springsteen's music has encompassed the rights of Mexican immigrants to the US, the shooting dead of an unarmed African man in New York, the Iraq war, and so much more. His songs are not "Nikita"!
He is also unbelievable live. No tricks or gimmicks - just a great band.
Why not give him a try?
Jon
Joe [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 08:58
I'm not going to be making my way to see Bruce this year, but I wonder if the other Obama supporter might be U2?
Bill [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 10:56
I live in Greece and probably will not be able to attend. However, I saw Bruce last year in Paris and he is Unbelievable! Friends of mine who did not like B.S. much were really blown, You can never take yr eyes from him when he's on stage, TRUST ME ALL AND GO SEE HIM!
dvb [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 11:38
Hope this year has good mix of old and new,and just solid live bands.
(U2 have been officially announced as NOT appearing by Emily E.,and bashing bands due to thier nationality and how many chords u think they only play is really shallow and stupid)
Glad its finally confirmed bout springsteen,hope Blur are soon confrimed too,not as sure on seeing Neil Young, seems like theyre doing a u turn on thier getting down with the kids,but Blur will attract most people to Glasto,and Bruce has the tunes and is great live.
Im looking forward to seeing who the 4th headliner is,wish they could just announce whos playing when they find out themselves!,seems bit of gamble paying the money before you know whos headlining each stage and playing elsewhere on the bill,but sure itle pay off big time this year,got feelin this guna be great Glastonbury!.
i reckon the specials,madness and the cure to be attending aswell.Ide love to see good amount of classic english acts there aswell as span of genres appearing!!.
JC [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 11:42
Springsteen sucks, why make him as a headliner for this amazing festival? His music is like suicide... Get some indie-bands suchs as foals or battles or arcticmonkeys :D
Chris [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 12:37
Great choice, really pleased to see him at Glasto. The E Street band are incredible live and although the new album is below par they definately have enough in their locker to steal the show. Anyone wishing to see Arctic Monkeys instead needs to stay home and read smash hits magazine instead.
Jim [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 13:23
i bet the only people who are sayin "uurgghh boring, rubiish" etc are youngsters who still haven't discovered Springsteen yet. I trust you - go and check him out he will BLOW YOUR MIND.
Lazyitis [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 13:55
Young and Springsteen would be class. I'd love to see Klaxons given a headline slot... Hopefully, their new album will be ace and will put them up there for 2010... Kings of Leon weren't considered headliners until Glasto put them up there and they justified it. All for giving younger bands the chance but they have to be good enough, otherwise we'll end up with the Ting Tings headlining and nobody wants that.
Angry Baldman [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 15:12
Not happy about the confirmed acts so far and if I hadnt already bought my ticket I would be going Isle of Wight instead. If Young is confirmed as a headliner I will be really pissed off. Crossing my fingers for the Prodigy
Tom Poynton [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 17:03
Ooh yeah Basement Jaxx & Underworld! Those are two revolutionary Glasto acts aren't they? For fucks sake, Bruce is going to blow EVERYTHING else there out of the water. You don't know what is going to hit you when he hits that stage.
Sophie. [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 17:37
What a load of rubbish! They really need a decent headline band, like all the other festivals are confiming. Not Bruce Springsteen.. I'm 15 and this really is making Glastonbury seem middle aged. Even if my dad does know Micheal.. Best not put my surname.. :D
wayne [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 18:56
springsteens king of new jersey...jovis the prince..
jez [Visitor] //February 25 2009 at 11:10
is it just Bruce or is the E Street band as well
richard [Visitor] //February 26 2009 at 10:12
Should be good to see springsteen play a shorter set than usual there. Im not his biggest fan but i like about 5 of his songs and he,s meant to be good live so i think ill be watching him (as long as he dosent clash with anything better).
jonboy [Visitor] //February 27 2009 at 01:47
Have to laugh at the folks who say they will go to a different stage when the boss is on, i dont think so!! I have seen em all from the stones to u2, arctic monkeys to oasis and bruce is the greatest rocker/songwriter/entertainer this planet has produced.com
alex [Visitor] //February 27 2009 at 16:25
if you have a glasto ticket and don't go and see the boss it should be the biggest regret of your life.
Professor Bez [Visitor] //March 2 2009 at 22:34
Until this generation gets their own Public Enemy/Clash/Springsteen/Dylan, the Eavises have no option but to book The Boss. Everyone pay attention.
loony [Visitor] //March 5 2009 at 11:04
he will be great, guarenteed.
and to the above, i agree. this generation needs a mind blowing band, who really speak there mind, and the enemy just don't cut it really! i really like them, but this new album title puts me off immensly, and the frontman is beginning to grind on me,
bobthebuilder09 [Visitor] //March 10 2009 at 11:06
for the people who say "ill be at another stage when hes on" thats sound, ill tell the boss ya couldnt make it, while he delivers the greatest glastonbury headline act EVER!!!!!! Ive seen him 4 times, and i like all that skinny jeans and "i dont bath" crap too, but nothing comes close to the boss
bobthebuilder09 [Visitor] //March 10 2009 at 11:31
for all those people who are saying "ill be at another stage when hes on", then thats sound, ill tell the boss ya couldnt make it as he delivers the greatest glastonbury headline performance EVER!!! I mean i like all that skinny jeans "i dont bath" s**t too, but ive seen the boss 4 times now, and no one comes close.
everton 12 [Visitor] //March 10 2009 at 16:22
for the haters, seriously, GO WATCH HIM. ive seen every big and upcomming band over the years, and springsteen is the best by miles and miles. seriously if you want a bookmark in your life, go watch him. If you want a skid mark in your life go watch lilly allen
Max [Visitor] //March 26 2009 at 13:32
I'm intrigued and would love it but it won't take much to drag me away - Franz Ferdinand anyone? It does strike me as odd when Eavis is trying to get a younger demographic to have Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young headlining. Either way I can't wait but who is the 4th head-liner?
fella 09 [Visitor] //March 31 2009 at 23:30
"Bruce Springsteen and the estreet band are THE greatest rock band ever formed, if you dont believe me, watch him."
fella 09 [Visitor] //March 31 2009 at 23:31
"Bruce Springsteen and the estreet band are THE greatest rock band ever formed, if you dont believe me, watch him."
miketyrell84 [Visitor] //March 31 2009 at 23:34
Im embarressed that lilly allen might be playing the same stage as the boss the night b4, i hope they clean the no- talent off the stage after shes waddled through there.
Kostas [Visitor] //May 3 2009 at 17:25
Bruce Springsteen & the E.Street Band is since years the world's greatest live performer. To me there is no question whether it is good or not. It is essential to watch him in the stage before you die. No music lover can declare to have seen the ultimate show, prior to attend the greatest Bar Band in this earth "EStreet Band".
Kostas [Visitor] //May 3 2009 at 17:50
Bruce Springsteen & the E.Street Band is since years the world's greatest live performer. To me there is no question whether it is good or not. It is essential to watch him in the stage before you die. No music lover can declare to have seen the ultimate show, prior to attend the greatest Bar Band in this earth "EStreet Band".
Kostas [Visitor] //May 3 2009 at 17:55
Bruce Springsteen & the E.Street Band is since years the world's greatest live performer. To me there is no question whether it is good or not. It is essential to watch him in the stage before you die. No music lover can declare to have seen the ultimate show, prior to attend the greatest Bar Band in this earth "EStreet Band".
the boss [Visitor] //May 6 2009 at 14:45
better than anything glastonbury has or will ever see
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