Fans have dubbed one of Britain’s biggest music festivals ‘Nepo Fest’ because it will feature a host of performances by superstars’ kids. Up to 180,000 people will descend on the Reading & Leeds Festival next weekend to see top artists including Florence + The Machine, jazz and soul sensation Raye and rapper Dave.
But the event has sparked controversy because the Canopy stage will feature little-known big names Violet Grohl, Gene Gallagher, and Cruz Beckham. The 21-year-old youngest son of football legend David and Spice Girl Victoria will appear with his indie band Cruz Beckham and The Breakers.
Star Offspring on the Line-Up
Violet Grohl, 20, daughter of Nirvana and Foo Fighters star Dave and actress Jordyn Blum, will perform at Leeds on Friday and Reading on Sunday. Gene Gallagher, 25, son of the Oasis frontman Liam, will appear with his grunge band Villanelle.
Robin Kay, a senior lecturer in music business at Birmingham City University, said the nepo babies could be accused of having a leg up - but would have to deliver top tunes. “With Gene, Cruise and Violet, you’re going to have a curiosity. People are going to watch them,” he said. “Putting on bad music doesn’t sell. It doesn’t matter what your surname is.”
Beckham’s Musical Nods
Beckham has not tried to hide his family connection. His new EP features six tracks including one called Wannabe - a nod to the Spice Girls’ debut single - and another called Loneliest Boy rumoured to be about his estranged brother Brooklyn. It includes the lyrics: “Loneliest boy, mama don’t talk too much, it’s breaking hеr heart, it shows in the small things that you don’t do, I guess in thе end that it’s you, yourself, and you’.
Elspeth Merry, founder of music publicity agency Artists’ Way, said the kids may find having a famous name a hindrance to hitting the big time. It ‘removes what some people perceive as authenticity, touring in s***** vans in s***** venues, that storybuilding’, she said.
Fame as a Double-Edged Sword
“A name might open a door but it won’t keep the door open. The quality of the music will.”
