The sun burning your face while you are enjoying your favourite artist with a lukewarm beer in your hand. Festivals, we have seen them spring up like mushrooms in recent years. However, we had to skip a year and so the only thing we could do is doing what we do best at Gigit; bringing music memories back to live (see what we did there?)

That’s why we’ve listed a few of the very best festival headliners of all time.

Who else should be on the list?

10. The Police – Pinkpop 1979

When? 4th June, 1979

Where? Geleen, The Netherlands

To kick off the list we start with the - then fairly unknown - band, The Police. It became their big breakthrough in the Netherlands and they certainly live up to the 1979 Dutch newspapers’ headlines: ‘the discovery of Pinkpop’.

During an impressive performance the band played almost their entire debut album Outlandos D’amour. However, the band seemed to have some time to spare, so lead singer Sting says “Good, we are starting all over again” and the band plays the first track of the set again.

9. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Hologram Tupac - Coachella 2012

When? 22th April, 2012

Where? Indio, California, U.S.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Tupac, together at Coachella 2012 is probably every hip-hop fan’s ultimate dream. But wait.. Tupac died in 1996, right?

Using the latest technologies, Tupac was brought back to life, 15 years after his death; creating controversy just like he did when he was alive.

And if that wasn’t enough, the star-studded show also featured Eminem, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa and Kendrick Lamar. But well, if Tupac is on stage, who cares right?

8. Daft Punk – Coachella, 2006

When? 29th April, 2006

Where? Indio, California, U.S.

February 2021, during times in which all news seems to be about Covid-19, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter shock the (music) world with a video.

Guy and Homem who?

Daft Punk.

Well, the DJ duo formerly known as Daft Punk. In the 8-minute video called “Epilogue”, they announce that - after 28 successful years - they call it quits.

Many of their gigs, but especially the one at Coachella 2006, will forever be remembered as an electronic music revolution. A revolution that had a big impact on the mega EDM industry as we know it today. With an immense LED display, live mixing and a spectacular show, Daft Punk kick-started a new generation of electronic music performances. The show blew all expectations; even their manager’s, since he wasn’t allowed to see the set in advance.

7. Prince – Coachella, 2008

When? 26th April, 2008

Where? Indio, California, U.S.

Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, dancer and actor; was there anything this man coundn’t do? The Purple One’s performance at Coachella is by all means one of the most memorable Prince gigs.

A special moment was when Prince surprised the audience by playing a cover of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’. It became even more legendary when Prince’s management took down all the online footage of this cover the day after the gig. It wasn’t until 7 years later that the video would appear back online for fans to enjoy. So enjoy!

6. Bob Dylan – Newport Folk Festival, 1965

When? 25th July, 1965

Where? Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.

Everyone was surprised when Bob and his crew arrived at Newport Folk Festival and started plugging in heavy sound equipment during the soundcheck. It would become the first time that Bob Dylan would go electric.

The public could not appreciate the performance at the time. The poor sound quality let to louder jeering and yelling from the audience, making Bob almost inaudible.

Looking back years later, it turned out to be an iconic moment in (live) music history. A moment that inspired many new artists and genres.

5. Beyonce – Glastonbury, 2011

When? 26th June, 2011

Where? Pilton, Summerset, U.K.

Let’s be honest, we all love Beyonce. And when in doubt, just watch her 2011 Glastonbury performance. Weirdly enough, many media announced her to be the first black female artist to headline Glastonbury. Did we collectively forget about Skunk Anansie in 1999?

Anyhow, Beyonce’s show will most certainly still go down in history as one of the most spectacular ones. Hydraulic platforms, fireworks, synchronised dance moves and blistering energy… if Glastonbury would have had a roof, it would have been on fire!

And all that while she was already three months pregnant.

Some people are just born to perform!

4. Queen – Rock in Rio, 1985

When? 12th January, 1985

Where? Rio, Brazil

Attended live by 250.000 people and watched on television by 200 million people in 60 countries. Even in this digital age, these are incredible numbers that will not easily be matched.

But hey, we are talking about one of the best live acts of all time... Queen, of course.

It goes without saying that the huge audience got what they came for. With countless hits and the flawless voice of Freddie, Queen pulled off another one of their magical performances.

3. Nirvana – Reading Festival, 1992

When? 30th August, 1992

Where? Reading, U.K.

As rumours of the lead singer’s health problems went round, Kurt took the piss by being pushed onto the stage in a wheelchair. Wearing a hospital gown and a wig, he pretended to be struggling to get up and then fell to the ground. The rest is history.

He stood up and put on a memorable show that would be Nirvana’s first headliner gig at Reading but also their last performance in the UK, ever.

Clearly not all heroes wear capes.

2. David Bowie – Glastonbury, 2000

When? 25th June, 2000

Where? Pilton, Summerset, U.K.

After being absent for nearly 30 years, the rock legend stopped by to say hi at England’s biggest music festival.

And how!

Hit after hit followed, with as a final blow an encore of ‘Heroes’. Many music journalists joined festival organiser Michael Eavis in concluding that this was the best performance ever at Glastonbury. That might explain why so many people climbed over the festival fence that year to catch a glimpse of the English rock star.

Would you?

1. Jimi Hendrix – Woodstock, 1969

When? 18th August, 1969

Where? Woodstock, Bethel, New York, U.S.

Woodstock 1969 is undoubtedly the most iconic festival of all time. But which performance will go down in history as the most legendary?

Most certainly, Jimi Hendrix’s 2 hour set on Monday morning 9AM. His breathtaking guitar solos were heard from kilometres away, with his electrifying version of ‘The Star-Sprangled Banner’ as the absolute highlight.

Too bad for the 300.000 people who had already left for school or work…

What is your favourite festival headliner?

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