Time for some of my favorite times of the year with this blog, spending loads of wasted time studying websites, tour calendars, and making spreadsheets to see if I can guess who is going to come to ACL.
To recap my process last year, my 2017 gut instinct band guesses in January were godawful. The year before, I batted .500, which is honestly better than I ever expected, with Mumford and Radiohead coming true and Coldplay and Dave Matthews being whiffs. But my 2017 ridiculously early predictions were 1 for 6, guessing only the Chili Peppers correctly. I also guessed The Killers and Ryan Adams further down in that same post, but I can't feel good about that set of predictions.
That being said, those were the gut intuition calls, before the benefit of research. Once I started doing serious research for 2017 and wrote my final predictions, I ended up going 4 of 6 (giving myself the benefit of a soft prediction for Gorillaz), with Chili Peppers, Chance the Rapper, The XX, and Gorillaz being correct, and Lorde and Arcade Fire being wrong. Still pissed I missed that Arcade Fire prediction because I wanted them here so very badly. That is pretty solid, if I can pat myself on the back. And I can, being that this is my blog.
So far, we have announced lineups from Coachella and Bonnaroo, and then some lesser ones like Shaky Knees and Governor's Ball and Firefly, so I'm starting to get all excited and curious to know what is coming. I'm well aware that we are months away from an announcement (May 5 for both 2015 and 2016, May 4 for 2017). In the past, I felt like we had to wait for Lolla as the best guide for what ACL would look like, but now that C3 also books Bonnaroo and the foreign Lollas and Shaky Knees, we'll have some information right now that we normally wouldn't, and that will be supplemented later with the Lolla news.
To recap my process last year, my 2017 gut instinct band guesses in January were godawful. The year before, I batted .500, which is honestly better than I ever expected, with Mumford and Radiohead coming true and Coldplay and Dave Matthews being whiffs. But my 2017 ridiculously early predictions were 1 for 6, guessing only the Chili Peppers correctly. I also guessed The Killers and Ryan Adams further down in that same post, but I can't feel good about that set of predictions.
That being said, those were the gut intuition calls, before the benefit of research. Once I started doing serious research for 2017 and wrote my final predictions, I ended up going 4 of 6 (giving myself the benefit of a soft prediction for Gorillaz), with Chili Peppers, Chance the Rapper, The XX, and Gorillaz being correct, and Lorde and Arcade Fire being wrong. Still pissed I missed that Arcade Fire prediction because I wanted them here so very badly. That is pretty solid, if I can pat myself on the back. And I can, being that this is my blog.
So far, we have announced lineups from Coachella and Bonnaroo, and then some lesser ones like Shaky Knees and Governor's Ball and Firefly, so I'm starting to get all excited and curious to know what is coming. I'm well aware that we are months away from an announcement (May 5 for both 2015 and 2016, May 4 for 2017). In the past, I felt like we had to wait for Lolla as the best guide for what ACL would look like, but now that C3 also books Bonnaroo and the foreign Lollas and Shaky Knees, we'll have some information right now that we normally wouldn't, and that will be supplemented later with the Lolla news.
After Live Nation purchased a majority stake in C3, I brought up the idea that maybe we could get some of the Live Nation megastars as headliners for the Fest. I was going to drop this as a section in this blog posting, just because none of these people ever actually show up at ACL, but now McCartney played Lolla three years ago and in 2017 U2 played Bonnaroo and Jay-Z played ACL, so we have some real precedence for this happening. (of course this may have nothing to do with LiveNation supporting those bands, but I think it probably does).
The LiveNation website says they now manage eight hundred billion artists. I can't find the part of their website that previously listed their "Stable of Global Icons," which I suspect means that they've outgrown the ability to list just a few artists when they have hundreds in their pocket. Hell, even just a listing of all the companies they fully or partially now own is staggeringly long. This interesting article also notes that a lot of the folks tied up in the Tidal streaming service are likewise in on the LiveNation deal. There is no way I'm checking all of their bands for this, but lets just look at ones who would seem to fit, based on intuition. Previously, I have left out some folks in this prediction list because they just don't match up to the ACL vibe. I'll do that again here, leaving out junk like Maroon 5 or Rihanna who I truly doubt would ever show. (but for some reason including Pink. Where is my mind?)
By the way, after I got a little ways into making the list below, I realized how silly this list is. Live Nation apparently represents EVERY MUSICIAN IN THE WORLD. Go to that link up above and scroll through. It is insane. So where this was going to list about 15 artists and take an hour, this list is now 27,000 words long and goes through more bands than any normal human can recall without a phone in their hand. I started this post in 2005, I think. I've lost all hope for the rest of my life...
The LiveNation website says they now manage eight hundred billion artists. I can't find the part of their website that previously listed their "Stable of Global Icons," which I suspect means that they've outgrown the ability to list just a few artists when they have hundreds in their pocket. Hell, even just a listing of all the companies they fully or partially now own is staggeringly long. This interesting article also notes that a lot of the folks tied up in the Tidal streaming service are likewise in on the LiveNation deal. There is no way I'm checking all of their bands for this, but lets just look at ones who would seem to fit, based on intuition. Previously, I have left out some folks in this prediction list because they just don't match up to the ACL vibe. I'll do that again here, leaving out junk like Maroon 5 or Rihanna who I truly doubt would ever show. (but for some reason including Pink. Where is my mind?)
By the way, after I got a little ways into making the list below, I realized how silly this list is. Live Nation apparently represents EVERY MUSICIAN IN THE WORLD. Go to that link up above and scroll through. It is insane. So where this was going to list about 15 artists and take an hour, this list is now 27,000 words long and goes through more bands than any normal human can recall without a phone in their hand. I started this post in 2005, I think. I've lost all hope for the rest of my life...
- Beck. Yes. I believe this one. He is the top line headliner for Auckland and Sydney City Limits Festivals. I truly love you, Beck. Please don't hurt me. I'll have to listen to Sea Change and weep openly in front of my kids. His website shows limited touring dates, but the last ones are in June, so he's got availability for October. Yes.
- U2. I was hopeful for this to happen last year, with their inclusion at the top of the Bonnaroo lineup. Their new album just came out (and I like it) and they are embarking on a new tour on May 2 in Tulsa. That tour, as of now, has no Texas dates and ends in June, so they have the time to be here. And I also think they would make a big "get" for ACL, a band that would make a lot of people excited about the Fest, even if U2 might be considered old people music. For now, I'm going to give a strong maybe. We'll see what the tour looks like when they announce more dates.
- Fleetwood Mac. The only reason that I even really entertained this band here again is that a lot of people were talking them up in comments about Bonnaroo. They have one single date on their touring calendar, which is just an awards show of some sort. Also, they've never played any of the big four Festivals since 2011, so there is really no precedence for them showing up here. Probably not.
- Jack White. Feeling this one too. He is just about to release a new album, he is headlining a few other festivals already, and it feels like his year to pop up on a lot of posters. He was at ACL for 2012 (and his show was freaking wonderful), and has previously come through as White Stripes and Raconteurs, and then has done other big 4 appearances since. His "tour" for this year is solely festival appointments, so far, so I have very little to go on as far as scheduling. But he certainly has the time. I'll give this one a yes.
- Kanye West. Saint Pablo is old, his tour ended on December 31, 2016 and so there are no real indications pointing to him being here. The internet talks about a purported new album to be released at an unknown time. Also, I wouldn't be excited anymore about seeing him, unless he committed to playing only his first two albums and not the more recently meandering blurg, so no. No.
- Coldplay. For two years I have thought that they must be on their way to ACL, but no such luck. Their massive Head Full of Dreams tour is finally over (with zero dates for anything on their website), and no new music is being discussed on the web. Feels very unlikely, although their last tour only had one Texas stop (Dallas) and that was August 2016. So they seem due to show up in Texas? As much as I, personally, would like for that to happen, I see no real signs and will give this one a no for now.
- Arctic Monkeys. Just announced to headline the Firefly Fest up in Delaware, so they are back out in the touring world. NME says they will announce more tour dates and release a new album soon. Sparse details in my research, but I just feel like this one feels like the kind of thing ACL will book for the third line of the poster. Yes.
- AC/DC. Nah. I would have enjoyed this show, but with Malcolm Young dying, I think this one is done.
- Florence & the Machine. I have to say, I recall their last performance at ACL as one of the best shows I have seen out there. Shockingly great. They aren't on tour, and only have one appearance currently slated, per their website, at a German festival. NME says they are also playing a show in Poland. Only the faintest rumors of a new album. When I saw them listed on LiveNation's list of bands, I thought this one was going to feel right, but as of right now, I see no reason for them to show up at ACL. Until more information comes out, going no.
- Aerosmith. I mean, they are still well recognized as a big time band and all, but I still don't see them as an act that I would expect to show up in Austin. They haven't played one of the big four since I've been tracking (2011). No tour listed on their website, so no.
- Arcade Fire. Their album (Everything Now) is still recent enough to merit interest, although the proper tour supporting it in the US has ended. Their website makes me want to die. I can't figure out their touring schedule at all. But other websites show that they have a handful of European tour dates and a slot at the Okeechobee Festival in Florida coming up in 2018, ending in August. So maybe I was just a year early on predicting them for ACL and C3 asked them to play Lolla one year and then come to ACL the next. I felt good about them last year, but that was folly. Nothing in this research shows strongly that they'd be here, but I'll give a lukewarm mehbeh.
- Jimmy Buffett. No. I'd love it, but this guy can sell out the biggest stadiums in the world in a heart beat with crazy parrot weirdos, so I doubt he'd need to or want to mess with a festival.
- Kings of Leon. I think I hate all band websites. This one is far to clever for its own good. And shows zero on the touring schedule. Felt good about them coming last year, but was extremely wrong. I'll go with no this year.
- Weezer. They released a new album in 2017 (the relatively bad Pacific Daydream) and they are currently touring behind it in Australia (who knew they had so many towns in Australia?) with more dates in the US on the way. Ah, the shows in Australia are with the Foo Fighters, no wonder they are doing so many shows. Oh, they'll be at the 360 Amphitheater on this tour at the end of June. With the Pixies in tow. If that new album had been good, then I might think they could do a June Austin show plus ACL, but I don't think they have that kind of power anymore. No.
- Jay-Z. I mainly wanted to include this here to note that last year I said there was no way because he had no new music and no tour. Welp. Good call. My answer continues to be No.
- Nickelback. Hahahahaha. The fact that LiveNation hasn't scoured this name from their website is hilarious. Is there a bigger musical punchline than Nickelback these days? Maybe Milli Vanilli? No.
- Alt-J. These cats are on several other festival posters so far this year, and right now are on tour in Europe. They'll come back to play Coachella before going back to Europe for some more action, and then back to play 'Roo in June before back to Spain. The last date on their current tour listing is mid-August, so they have the time. And they could be the band to do all big 4 this year? Their album came out in 2017, and didn't do much for me personally. Also, they were just here in 2015, so I'm not feeling like they'll be back. No.
- Beyonce. Sincerely doubt this, even though she is playing Coachella. It would be cool, I think, to see her, but she just doesn't match up to what we would expect from ACL. She isn't on tour, and seems to only be doing Coachella to make up for bailing on them last year. Also, she failed to show last year when her husband and little sister were both playing, so Nope.
- Avett Brothers. Playing a show in Austin on March 3, with Asleep at the Wheel. So, on the one hand, Asleep at the Wheel is the official band of ACL Fest, so this means they are in cahoots and the Avetts will be at the Fest. But it wouldn't make sense for them to play a not-sold-out show in March and then come right back, would it? Last show on the tour is Aug. 20. Their last album was 2016, and an eight second Google does not show any obvious signs of new music on the horizon, so I'm not feeling a buzz here. No.
- Avicii. Claims he is never touring again. No.
- Madonna. Every year, I manage to talk myself into this. It would be so super rad to see her play her classics. If she played "Crazy For You," you'll just have to forgive me if I cry the entire time thinking of what could have been in third grade, but when she plays "Into the Groove," I'mma be a-ight and I might dance myself into a heart attack. Oh, will she come here? Sincerely doubt it. No new music on tap, her last tour ended March 2016, and she's not one who plays the festivals. But she apparently teased a 2018 return! So I'm just going to save myself the heartbreak this year and say No.
- Bette Midler. Hahahahaha! Just saw her on this list and thought I'd include that for a laugh. That would be amazing. Like that Lionel Richie year but even campier.
- The Black Keys. Doesn't it feel like these guys broke up? Auerbach is out there making great music and producing dope records and touring on his own. SongKick says no upcoming 2018 concerts. Sucks, I really like these guys and they'd be a great addition to the lineup. No.
- Black Sabbath. They claim that their last tour was the last one they'll ever do, and it ended in February 2017. So no.
- Blink 182. They came through Austin last year in support of their most recent album, but have zero tour dates on their calendar. No indication that they would tour again this year or randomly show up in support of a two year old album. no.
- Bon Jovi. Britney Spears. Bruno Mars. Bryan Adams. Daughtry. Imagine Dragons. J. Cole. Katy Perry. Ke$ha. Kid Rock. NKOTB. Nick Jonas. NIcki Minaj. Slipknot. Stone Temple Pilots. Slayer. Twenty One Pilots. No to all of these, I was just entertained by some of the artists in the Live Nation stable.
- Cake. Their website lists a few upcoming dates, including Shaky Knees, but I see no reason that they would be coming to ACL. No new music, kind of forgotten. I love their old music, but I just doubt it. no.
- Charli XCX. Weird. SongKick lists no tour or concerts, but Google shows multiple shows in England coming up in February. LiveNation also lists no shows. Had it in my head that she was on a festival poster I just saw. Minds playin' tricks on me. No.
- Daft Punk. No current touring, and the only report I could find of their touring last year was an April Fool's joke. No new music either. DP feels like the kind of band though, where they'd just pop onto the lineup anyway and cause the hardcore helmet-heads to freak out. But, I see no reason why they would be here. No.
- Dave Matthews. Playing the Austin 360 amphitheater this summer, so I'll say no.
- Drake. Please, God, no? No. Drake is jenky and I don't want him back to croon his way through another milquetoast set of boring boasts and melancholy confessions. He is on a European tour right now, that ends in March. Hopefully he gets stuck over there or Trump revokes his visa or something. The Internet shows that he has been leaking out a few new tracks, so there might be a new 2018 album, but I still don't see any reason to believe that Drake would be here. No other festival dates, no tour, etc. No.
- Disclosure. I've been reading about how a new album is on the way, so they might have something good to tour behind. But as of right now, their website has zero tour dates. Nope, just found this article saying that they are skipping their own festival in 2018 to come back bigger and better in 2019. I actually like these guys, so it would be fun to have them come back.
- The Eagles. My first instinct as that this is a non-starter, with Glenn Frey dead so recently, but their website appears to show that the Show Must Go On! They added Vince Gill and Frey's son to the lineup to handle his portions, apparently. By the way, their opening acts are Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, or Chris Stapleton. HOLY SHIT. Those are some pretty amazing openers. Their tour dates go from March 2018 to September 22, but with a large gap in the middle from July 28 to September 8. So, technically, they could take a break from their tour to do Lollapalooza on August 2-5, and then end their tour in time to come and play ACL in early October. No new music announced right now, but honestly, that is for the better - I definitely would rather hear the classics and not some garbage new track featuring Rihanna and Future. Huh. This could happen. It would be a major heritage act get for ACL, and even if half of the world now thinks they hate the Eagles because they think it is hilarious to quote the Big Lebowski all day, I think this would be big. I'll give it a lukewarm possibility.
- Ed Sheeran. Sincerely doubt it. Huge very current star. But doesn't really play festivals, and could book a huge show on his own at any venue. He's also playing a show in Kansas City on the Saturday of the second weekend, so I don't see this happening. No.
- Elton John. Some precedence, in that he played Bonnaroo in 2014, but no new music planned and the only touring stuff on his website is a residency in Vegas and two nights in Georgia (the country, I think). No reason to expect this. No.
- Eminem. Dammit. Yes, he very well could come back. Since he is headlining Coachella, Bonnaroo, Firefly, Boston Calling, Governors, and likely 14 other festivals by now. Has a brand new album out to tour behind. But he has no other tour on his website, other than the festival dates. Here's the thing - his new album sucks on toast AND the last time he played ACL he lip synced the whole time and it was annoying as hell. Don't get me wrong, if he would just do old school tracks and actually rap them, sign me up. But if he's doing new music and using a backing track, no thanks. Part of me feels resigned that this will happen because of his presence on every other poster, but I'm going to hold on to hope and say no.
- Fitz & the Tantrums. When I saw their name on this list, I thought they make good sense to come again. First, because they are super fun. Second, because I feel like they've been in the public eye again recently. But their website shows only one upcoming show, at some minor festival in Cleveland in June. They aren't doing any other festivals that I've noticed, and no new music teased heavily right now. No.
- Foo Fighters. Seems to early to have them back to ACL, and they are playing Austin on April 18 at the 360 Amp. The tour ends in September, so they theoretically have the time, but I just don't see it. I still love the guys, but I don't think the crowd would clamor to see these guys on the top of the poster so soon. No.
- Franz Ferdinand. Playing Shaky Knees, new album out on February 9, and their tour is done by July 15. But, on the other hand, they are playing a show at Emo's in May. That is a smallish venue, and that show is not sold out, so that doesn't seem like a high sign of demand. But since that is a C3-booked venue, I still feel OK about this. Feels good to me. Yes.
- Garbage. Only two shows on the docket, both in UK in September. No reason to expect this. No.
- Garth Brooks. I mean, I sincerely doubt it. As rad as it was to see him as SXSW last year, this would be a major departure from the norm for ACL. I guess they had Dwight Yoakum a few years ago, so you could imagine this happening, but I would be shocked. No new music, no tour (just two Houston shows and then an appearance at Stagecoach Fest in April), so I'm going to say No. But I want to be on the record as saying this would be fun.
- GEORGE MOTHERFUCKING STRAIGHT. I could have sworn that he already retired and did the whole Cowboy Rides Away tour. Damn these people who refuse to ride off into the sunset. Well, actually, I don't mean that. I'd love to see him play immediately and would have paid a pretty penny for tickets to the Austin show if the ticket purchasing process wasn't so damn rigged and garbagey. Anyway, I digress. His tour is extremely limited - two shows in Vegas, 1 in New Orleans, two in Tulsa, OK, and 1 in Austin in June. That show sold out in less than a billionth of a second, so there would definitely be demand for him at the Fest, but I'd just be shocked if this was actually a headliner. My prediction is no, but wouldn't it be cool?
- Green Day. No tour. No new music. Last year would have made perfect sense, but not this year. No.
- Halsey. Ugh. Probably. Her tour is relatively non-existent and ends with the Hangout Festival in May. Nah, I see no reason for her to come here. And I really don't want her to. No.
- John Mayer. I think he is still currently touring with the Dead, through July. And also, while I really enjoy his music and think his new album is very good, I think the public perception of Mayer is still pretty poor and people will be making fun of his name on the poster. if "Your Body is a Wonderland" just didn't exist, we'd be in a better place. No.
- Justin Timberlake. New album coming out soon, massive star power, tour kicking off in March and that tour skips Austin and San Antonio. Sounds pretty good? As of now the tour ends on June 2. So he has the time to do both Lolla and ACL. Huh. Five years ago, I would have dismissed this immediately, but with The Weeknd and Drake as recent headliners, I could see this being someone here for ACL. Huh. We'll see what other data comes out soon, but I like the feel of this one. Orange threat indicator.
- And yes, I understand ho weird it likely is to say that Ed Sheeran would never deign to play a Fest, but JT would do it. Just a gut feeling here.
- Kendrick Lamar. This dude is so freaking good. I'd love to see him again, but I don't see it happening. His tour goes through March 5, and then he plays Hangout in May. So he has the time, but it feels like he just played ACL (2013, 2016). I'm going with no.
- Lady Gaga. Played Austin not that long ago, in support of her kind of wack new-ish album. I heard it was a good show, and like Timberlake, she'd be a big name up at the top of the poster. No other festival announcements I can see. Tour ends in February. Feels a year late, going no.
- Lil Wayne. Who the hell knows with this guy. No real tour right now, no new music while he continues to battle with Birdman over The Carter V. I guess it could happen, but nothing indicates so. no.
- Lorde. Critically acclaimed second album that might take home a few Grammys. Currently on tour through end of May, and that tour skips Austin and San Antonio. She played some other big festivals last year but we missed out on her. I can see this one. Yes.
- Lana Del Rey. Really hate websites that play music automatically. Her tour comes through Austin in February and it is not sold out, so I'm not feeling a lot of buzz about her coming to ACL. No other festival appearances on tap. Going with no.
- Major Lazer. I mean, these guys seem to come to ACL every year, so why not? No real tour, a few dates in Feb. and Mar., then nothing. Don't think so.
- Metallica. These guys juked me last year, I was sure that they would come because they had played Lolla the year before and were touring on their new (and pretty good) album. Buuut nope. They are still touring, even now, with the tour currently scheduled to end in May in Helsinki, Finland. I bet the Metallica show in Helsinki, Finland is some gnarly shit. In my imagination, everyone there is required to dress like a player in GWAR and each patron must fight at least one other patron to the death using maces and scythes. No reason to think they'd come this year - last year it all lined up, this year no signs to point to. No.
- Mumford & Sons. Nah, man. i think they did a good job when they were here a few years ago, but I feel zero buzz about this band right now. No current tour, no new music. Nope.
- The National. Huh. Their website is americanmary.com. Odd. Their new album is pretty OK, and that is coming from someone who finds their music generally depressing and dreary. So they have new music out. And they are on tour with no dates in Texas and are playing Lolla Chile and Argentina and Brazil. Also playing Shaky Knees and Boston Calling and some other weird ones. And they have a gap in their schedule to fit Lolla and will be done by the time ACL rolls around. Yes, feels real.
- Nine Inch Nails. No real tour going on, but playing a few festivals in Europe and Japan in 2018. Have gaps in that schedule that would fit Lolla and ACL. Don't see any new music on tap. I guess they could fit it in, but doesn't feel necessary. I'll go no until I learn more.
- Of Monsters and Men. No tour. No new music. Nope.
- Paramore. Funny, on the Twitter comments, I saw more excitement about this band being at Bonnaroo than any other that I noticed. They are pretty cool, but I wouldn't pick them as someone's favorite band. Currently touring overseas, with Boston Calling and Bonnaroo coming up later in the year. Relatively recent album. I feel pretty good about predicting them. Sure. We'll see if they release more concert information later.
- Paul Simon. Why has he never played here? WHY??? His ACL taping was freaking transcendent. I'd go watch that show 40 more times before I got sick of any of it. No tour, no really recent album, but Simon isn't one who even needs to tour to just show up at a Fest. He played Red Rocks last June, which would have been amazing. No reason to think he'd show up here other than stubborn hope. No.
- Paul McCartney. No. I'm tired of doing research. Paul's not coming. This post is so flipping long.
- Peter Gabriel. Has he toured since 1988 or so? No. I imagine him living in hiding like Luke in the Last Jedi, but writing amazing songs about unrequited love instead of protecting old books and brooding.
- Pink. No. Come on. Why am I still writing?
- The Pixies. They have a current tour that goes from June to August, but they'll play Austin in June and have shows during Lolla. Going no here.
- (they list Prince on here. Ghoulish fuckers. Oh, and Tom Petty. Let them rest in peace! And if you EVER bring a Tom Petty hologram to ACL, I will burn down the world.)
- The Rolling Stones. Not touring. Currently a collective 3,478 years old. Would be a MAJOR get for the festival, but I see no reason that the Stones would come to the festival. No.
- Sam Smith. New album critically acclaimed, has played ACL before. Touring starting in March, with an Austin date on 7/21/18 at the Erwin Center. I don't see him drawing enough interest to do Austin twice in that period of time. Does have a gap in his tour dates between Sept. 13 and Nov. 2, so he could fit it in. Also has a gap between 7/27 and 8/14 where he could fit Lolla (8/2 - 8/5). Hmmm. I'll go with no because of the July show in Austin, but it could happen.
- Soundgarden. Don't you freaking dare. Take this band down off the damn Live Nation website. If they hire some garbage singer from Staind to come take over for Cornell, I will, once again, burn down the world.
- Snoop Dogg. No tour. Pretty solid album last year, but he just played Austin a few weeks ago. Going to say no.
- Stevie Wonder. This would be amazing. Wonder, like Willie, is a guy I feel like I need to see one last time before Father Time catches up to him. But the man isn't touring, has nothing new, I just don't see any indicators. no.
- Tame Impala. Freaking loved their show at ACL a few years ago. Wait, watch this video on their current recording session. Not the most amazing song I've ever heard, but how absolutely bonkers is it that he could a legit backing track together in a few moves like that? God, I wish I could be that talented at anything. I loved Currents (although I know some old school Impala-heads thought it was a bad move) so I would welcome them back with open arms. But they aren't touring, don't have any apparently scheduled music to be released soon, so I doubt it.
- Taylor Swift. Sincerely doubt it. Like Ed Sheeran, she could fill up any sized arena right now just for herself, so why go to ACL to make a fraction of that same cut of money? I also think her new album is weak. Current tour starts in May in Arizona, has dates during Lolla, and plays two dates in Dallas during the first weekend of ACL. Not happening.
- Temples. These guys are great. I'd love to see them again. However, they are not touring and their last album was early 2017. Don't see it.
- The Weeknd. Gross. No current tour listed on his website, although we know he is headlining Coachella. I see no reason for him to show up here again, but who knows. No.
- Vampire Weekend. Seems like this band broke up as soon as Rostam left the group. They have no upcoming tour dates per their website. No.
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Playing Governors Ball, but no other touring that I can discern from their shit website. They were going to play Sound on Sound last fall, but that fell through, and I felt like people were excited for them to come back to touring again. But no, I see nothing to make me think they'd be here.
- Zac Brown Band. When these yokels sang something before the National Championship game the other day, I was all ready to say something withering about them being dumb, but the dudes I was watching with were all like - SWEET! ZAC BROWN! So I piped down like a coward. But these guys blow. I say that, and then see that they get to play two nights in a row at Fenway and a bunch of other massive venues. So maybe, Jack, it is you who suck? Their tour ends on Sept. 22, so they'd have time to make it to Austin, but I see no indication of them being the kind of band for ACL or any buzz about that. Will say no for now.
Potential picks moving on from this post:
- Beck
- U2
- Arctic Monkeys
- Jack White
- The Eagles
- Franz Ferdinand
- Justin Timberlake
- Lorde
- The National
- Paramore
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