It may only be the end of October, but a whole host of festivals have already started announcing large chunks of their line-up. German metal masters Rammstein have so far been announced for the likes of Pinkpop, Download and Rock Werchter, whereas Black Sabbath are starting to unravel tour dates for their farewell tour. However, festival season always revolves around more than just the same four bands. Here at All Things Loud, we’re taking a look at who could headline 2016’s biggest festivals. Read on for more.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
It’s been a long time since the Chili Peppers did a consistent round of European festivals, with their last EU show at 2014’s Isle of Wight festival seemingly a one-off. A new album has been in the works for a while now, and there have been promises of a new tour in 2016. Whether or not the band are going to be hitting Europe next summer remains to be seen, but it’s no secret that the likes of Pinkpop, Rock Werchter and Rock am Ring want to have them topping their bills next year.
Where could they play? Pinkpop, Rock Werchter, Rock am Ring
Likelihood: 8
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
The Boss has been rumoured to tour again next summer, and what better time to tour Europe’s biggest festivals than when you’ve got a new album around the corner? Springsteen never notoriously played festivals, but has still appeared twice at Pinkpop in the space of three years. He’s said to have loved the experience so much that it opened the door for him to more weekenders, so the chances of him hitting up Pinkpop (for the third time), Rock Werchter and Glastonbury (for a second time) are relatively high.
Where could he play? Pinkpop, Rock Werchter, Glastonbury
Likelihood: 6.5
AC/DC
Behemoth stadium rockers AC/DC pop by the rumour mill almost every year, with negotiations constantly being shelved in favour of a stadium tour. This year, the band very nearly played Pinkpop before a stadium tour was set into motion. Next year, the band are rumoured to be hitting Europe once again, this time with a more stripped-back show along the festival circuit. Like with most heavier bands, both FortaRock and Rock am Ring fall early on in the season and thus pose a big opportunity for Dutch and German exposure. AC/DC guitarist Angus Young has a house in Holland, so why not start the season by helping FortaRock rise from the dead with a massive new edition? The Aussies have never played Glastonbury either, which means that early summer is your best bet for riding on the Highway to Hell.
Where could they play? FortaRock, Rock am Ring, Download Festival Paris
Likelihood: 5
BIFFY CLYRO
Two bands popping up in the rumour mill for 2016 are only just getting used to headlining festivals. Scottish trio Biffy Clyro have slowly but surely risen up the ranks in their home nations, having headlined both Reading & Leeds and Isle of Wight in recent years. The band are set to release the follow-up to 2013’s Opposites next year, so could it also finally be the year in which Simon Neil and co. finally top bills on mainland European soil? Back in the UK, Glastonbury is an option, however in Europe they pose a chance at headlining the debut edition of Download Festival Paris. The band have always proven popular in France, and they could easily combine it with a headline set at either Best Kept Secret or Down the Rabbit Hole. The type of festival they’ll play depends purely on what kind of direction they head in on their next album, so all options remain open right now
Where could they play? Glastonbury, Download Festival Paris, Best Kept Secret
Likelihood: 6.5
COLDPLAY
Coldplay haven’t played festivals in quite some time, with upcoming album A Head Full of Dreams set to come out early next year. Although they’re quite pricey to book, it’s been heavily rumoured that the band will making their return at Glastonbury next summer. They’re no stranger to being headliner in Somerset, practically posing as house band whenever they’re around. Alongside that, Pinkpop could once again snap them up alongside Rock Werchter. Chris Martin and co. aren’t strangers to European fields, and 2016 could give them the chance to tour not just their new album, but also 2014’s Ghost Stories, which wasn’t even toured.
Where could they play? Glastonbury, Rock Werchter, Pinkpop
Likelihood: 7
U2
Bono and co. are notoriously shy when it comes to playing festivals, having only played Glastonbury in recent times. However, there is strong reason to believe that negotiations for 2016 festivals are in full force, with Pinkpop organizer Jan Smeets declaring earlier this year that they were in talks with many festivals. They probably won’t do an extensive tour of European festivals, but there’s always the chance that they’ll pop by a few of the biggest for some exclusive shows.
Where could they play? Rock Werchter, Pinkpop
Likelihood: 6
BRING ME THE HORIZON
Finishing off our list is Sheffield metal quintet Bring Me the Horizon, whose successful new album That’s the Spirit has done so well that it’s not a matter of if they headline, but where they
headline. Download UK is already off the cards (Rammstein, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath will headline this one), but there’s still a big chance that they’ll headline some of Europe’s bigger hard rock/metal festivals. If they won’t settle for a day-slot, then Holland’s small scale Jera on Air is a likelihood, as well as Pukkelpop later in the season. German double-header Rock im Revier and Rockavaria (who have already snagged Iron Maiden) could also be a possibility, but the chances of headlining behemoth festivals like Rock Werchter and Glastonbury is still quite far down the line. Don’t be surprised if they do pop up high on the bill, though, because that time has come.
Where could they play? Jera on Air, Rock im Revier, Rockavaria
In the new year, we’re going to take another look as more names become announced. Check back then for an update on next year’s summer predictions.
