Way Too Early 2025 Speculation for Top Bands

The festival may have just ended, but that's no reason to not start wild mass speculation about next year's top line bands.

Dream Shots:

  • System of a Down: They're playing more shows in 2024 than they did in 2023, but still haven't left the west side of the country. Have a feeling they're unlikely.
  • AC/DC: Feels like the white whale of DWP festivals, but at this point will believe it when I see it.
  • Rage Against the Machine: Would depend on them re-uniting again, I doubt it, but we know Tom Morello at least is friendly with DWP crew. Maybe Prophets of Rage instead?

Big Shots but Quite Possible, Depends on Tour Dates in Fall:

  • Metallica: Have already announced for Sonic Temple and Sick New World, but have not announced for any other festivals in US. Have also hinted at shows in UK and Australia next year, so think they might be out of states for LTL.
  • Iron Maiden: Have DWP debut at Aftershock, but have European tour announced already. Could be possible if they travel to US in Fall, and would depend on their experience at Aftershock probably.

Haven't Played Before, but Would Fit:

  • Deftones: Only were scheduled before in 2018, but have tour scheduled for early 2025,.
  • Blink 182: They did a big tour in 2024, would they want to continue into 2025? If so, could see them fitting a Sunday like RHCP and Green Day have done.
  • My Chemical Romance: Are playing at When You Were Young festival, have played Aftershock before, maybe can get them in the '25 cycle. Know a lot of elder emos would be ecstatic.
  • Scorpions: Only are set to play in Vegas, but who knows, maybe they can slot into the spot like ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alice Cooper, etc. have before.
  • Def Leppard: Much like Motley Crue are a legacy act that would sell.
  • Creed: Announced the cruise in April, but maybe they keep going in the summer/fall.
  • Nickelback: Laugh all you want about this and the last one, but there's no doubt they'd draw. Apparently have hinted at new stuff in 2025. And despite the memes, they do have some really solid tracks. Just don't play the Disco album at all please.

Haven't Headlined Before, Is Now their Shot?:

  • Shinedown: This is probably cheating since they've headlined other DWPs, but they've not headlined LTL yet, and haven't been for a few years. Wouldn't be surprised.
  • A Perfect Circle: This is definitely cheating, but it's technically true, and Maynard confirmed they're working on new music for both Tool and APC. Could see if a new album is dropped them hitting the festivals. Already are set to tour through June of next year.
  • Bring Me the Horizon: Have played multiple times including at 2nd last spot in 2022, and are already set to headline Rock Am Ring in June 2025. Feel like this might be the most likely new headliner of 2025.
  • Ghost: Dropped a movie, have an upcoming album most likely in 2025, and have been selling at big arenas and shows. Might not be the year they headline, but would not be surprised.
  • Sleep Token/Bad Omens: Grouping these two together because I see people suggesting headlining, but I don't think they have right now the same level of arena/festival sales like the prior two to get a full headline spot. But wouldn't be surprised to see at 2nd stage headliner or main stage 2nd/3rd line.

Feels Like Foregone Conclusion:

  • Linkin Park: Shinoda already said they're set to tour extensively in '25, would be shocked if they're not headlining all DWPs.

Have Headlined Before, Could Again:

  • Tool: See the A Perfect Circle note.
  • Guns N Roses: Slash has teased stuff in 2025 already, wouldn't be surprised to see them return. Hopefully this time a backstage medical situation wouldn't force a near hour delay for their start.
  • Nine Inch Nails: They might be too busy with scoring Tron: Ares since it's announced as a full NIN score, not just Trent, and doing the Disney press tour, but maybe to promote the score they play some?
  • Avenged Sevenfold: Have been going for a while, I feel they may take a break after they finish the current tours, but definitely possible. Might be too soon after their last headline.
  • Green Day: Lot of rumors of them headlining Download this year, are set to headline a lot of other Euro festivals, but would they be wanting to take a break after a lot of Euro touring dates? Might be too soon after their last headline.

Please Come Back?

- Slayer: The saddest part of Friday's cancellation, and they couldn't get it to work out to have them play Saturday or Sunday. Could they try again in 2025?

That all being said, my way too early Headliner predictions for 2025:

Iron Maiden, Linkin Park, Bring Me the Horizon, Guns n Roses