Updated: We predict the headliners of 2011

The bands likely to be topping the bill this summer

Chris Eustace - 13 January 2011

This was shaping up to be the most momentous headliners article ever. Unfortunately it fell on the floor and smashed before we could use it. But who knew that a menacing expression and a few shards of glass could be just as effective when it comes to getting those in the know to spill the beans?

A couple of restraining orders later and this is who we believe will be gracing those big festival stages this year...

U2
In the end, only The Edge made it onto the Pyramid Stage last year, joining Muse for a rendition of ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’ after Bono's back injury had forced the band to pull out. For all the sneering that had greeted their booking, once that guitar line rang out across Worthy Farm there was a sense that actually, The Biggest Band In The World (TM) would have been pretty good. Well, Michael Eavis very publicly asked them back for 2011 almost immediately and fans on the band's messageboard were being encouraged to buy tickets by manager Paul McGuinness. Recent shows have seen them playing a song, written for last year's festival, entitled ‘Glastonbury’. Surely this year's worst-kept festival secret?Might see them at: Glastonbury Festival

Prince
Every year, without fail, Prince is tipped to play Glastonbury. Every year, without fail, he doesn't. This year however, Michael Eavis has been quoted as saying that "an American artist I've wanted for years and yonks" is coming to headline. "A source" told The Sun last October: "Eavis is a huge fan of Prince and has been trying to nab him for years. The fact it's been tied up so quickly is a big but welcome shock." Certainly Prince is having one of his less reclusive periods, as attendees of his recent American live dates will attest. If it's ever going to happen, it'll be this year it seems.
Might see him at: Glastonbury Festival

Coldplay
“They've played four or five times already but they'll be back next year, I'm sure." said Eavis of Gwyneth's favourite band. He also let slip one of Glasto's headliners has done so before, so now we're pretty sure too. Racking up the European festival dates, it's about time they added one on home soil. There's a mutual love-in between the Coldplay camp and the Eavises for sure, so if they're ready to play, and it seems that they are, you'd be a fool to bet against them gracing the Pyramid Stage once again.
Might see them at: Glastonbury Festival

Arctic Monkeys
Another band joining more European festival bills by the day, and gearing up for a new album, the Arctics already have Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds headlining slots in their locker, now it's time to add topping the bill at V to the list. “The band weren’t that pleased at how their last Reading and Leeds Festival shows went down so they feel V might be a better choice this time around,” says “a source” in the Daily Star. With Oxegen already confirmed, expect that Friday night top spot at sister festival T In The Park to go their way as well. 
Might see them at: T In The Park and V Festival

Eminem
After finally headlining a UK festival last year at T In The Park, and an acclaimed show just across the water at Oxegen, Marshall Mathers is arguably bigger than ever. After scoring 2010’s biggest-selling single in the UK with ‘Love The Way You Lie’, all the signs point to a big celebration in Chelmsford and Stafford in the summer, with the Daily Star suggesting that duet partner Rihanna may also be along for the ride. This could well be V’s very own Jay-Z moment.
Might see him at: V Festival

The Strokes
After getting a taste of festival action at the Isle Of Wight Festival and RockNess, Julian Casablancas and Co have said that we can expect new material in March and Reading and Leeds Festivals seem to be the most eager to hear it first. It has been a while since they wowed the rock weekender, but they seem to be the most likely candidate for that 'indie' headliner slot.
Might see them at: Reading Festival and Leeds Festival

Muse
We might not get the UFO that hovered over the Wembley crowd, but it looks like Teignmouth’s finest will be bringing their spectacular stage show to Reading and Leeds this year. After a sensational Glastonbury in 2010, it’s likely this is where the UK fans will get to give ‘The Resistance’ a big festival send-off before the band disappear for a while. They’re the band most festival-goers on the messageboards want, and at this point they seem to believe it’s a done deal. It doesn’t look like they’ll be disappointed.
Might see them at: Reading Festival and Leeds Festival

My Chemical Romance
Strongly rumoured for last year’s festivals after Mikey Way’s “Reading/Leeds” tweet, it never materialised in the wake of all the trials and tribulations in making ‘Danger Days’. Now they’re ready for the festivals, and their UK arena tour in February will only satiate their rabid fanbase for so long. We confidently predict you’ll need to get your fringe ironed in time for the August Bank Holiday; it’s going to be emo.
Might see them at: Reading Festival and Leeds Festival

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