Group A
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Synthpop meets Britpop. London meets Sheffield. Who will come out on top?
Venue - The O2, London
Depeche Mode - 1980-present, 15 albums
The Basildon boys are true synthpop royalty, they have a huge following across Europe and are still a big live draw 45 years on from their formation (feel old yet?).
Feels a bit of an odd one that we have never seen them headline Glastonbury, given the wealth of iconic tracks at their disposal.
Notable tracks - Enjoy The Silence, Just Can't Get Enough, Personal Jesus
Pulp - 1978-present, 8 albums
Seen the Sheffield band referred to as "reluctant figureheads of the britpop movement". The group hit a rich vein of form in the 90s, with a 3-album run of His'n'Hers, Different Class and This Is Hardcore. Headlined Glastonbury in '95 and '98.
Fun fact - when Jarvis Cocker was arrested at the Brit Awards for invading the stage during Michael Jackson's performance of Earth Song, he was then accompanied to the police station by Bob Mortimer, acting as his solicitor in that moment.
Notable tracks - Common People, Disco 2000, Babies
The Human League - 1977-present, 9 albums
Another big synthpop band, another Sheffield act. Hit big with their third album Dare. Started out pretty experimental then hit on a line up change and a more mainstream sound on toe aforementioned Dare. Lost two key members, who went on to form Heaven 17.
Notable tracks - Don't You Want Me, Love Action, Fascination
Blur - 1988-present, 9 albums
Known primarily (to those that don't pay that much attention) as Oasis' main rival in the britpop "wars", some would argue whilst Oasis won the commercial battle, Blur may have gone on to win the critical war. Since 1988, the band have weaved their way through different styles - madchester-influenced, near shoegaze, Beatles/Kinks-esque odes, electronic and more experimental stuff besides.
Fun fact - Drummer Dave Rowntree has worked as a County Councillor in Norfolk. He stood (unsuccessfully) for election as a Labour MP in 2010 and 2024.
Headlined Glastonbury in '98 and '09.
Notable tracks - Song 2, Girls & Boys, Parklife
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Reminder - Two qualify from each group into the Round of 16. You have ONE vote per group - and you cannot change it once submitted, so use it wisely. If you can see that your preferred choice is looking likely to win comfortably, you can vote tactically to help your second choice qualify.
Please feel free to link to relevant YouTube videos, or justify your chosen band in writing. Seen them live? A particular track really affected you? We want to hear it.
Each Group will run for 5 days, to allow plenty of time for voting.
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GUBC25 Group Stage Draw
