Here are my predictions and expectation for the summer festivals in Europe that happen around June. My focus is Graspop which I know very well. But since Download, Hellfest, Copenhell and Sweden Rock, all happen close to each other and tend to have a strong overlap of headliners, my predictions can apply to all of those. However, there are also local differences and preferences. If you are a goer of DL, HF, CH or SR, please comment below what your expectations and/or wishes are. Would my Graspop predictions apply for your festival? What are the differences?
Of course some of those bands may still tour in the summer of 2023 as predicted below but they may go for the August festivals around WOA or arena tours in September.
Very High Probability (my full 6 headliners prediction for Graspop)
Friday
Pantera: The metal world was shocked and divided with the news that Pantera is "reuniting" in 2023 with Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown featuring Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante filling in for late guitarist and drummer Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. The reported tour is set to take place in 2023 and feature major festivals and solo headlining performances across North America and Europe. I doubt that Graspop and Download will miss this history opportunity. Pantera has never played Graspop and although it's the real Pantera, it's something.
Aerosmith: The hard rock veterans were scheduled for GMM 2020 but canceled the 2022 postponed edition. They have already headlined the festival in 2010 and 2007. The band led by vocalist Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry are not scheduled to tour in 2022 (other than the Las Vegas concerts). So 2023 could be a big tour year for them.
Saturday
Faith No More: The headliners of 2015 and scheduled to do it again in 2020 have ended up not making it to 2022 re-scheduled edition of Graspop. They are actually not touring in 2022. Albeit personal issues, I believe the organization will get them back in 2023.
Avenged Sevenfold is one of those bands that become more popular with every new release. With that they have been escalating the Graspop bill over the years coming from debut in 2006 and then four other participations. They were scheduled to co-headline GMM2020 Friday with Faith No More. But they are not touring in 2022, so they dropped the bill for this year. The band haven’t released a record since 2016’s The Stage. It's time for them to make a return, delivering the 2020 promise might turn into reality.
Sunday
Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard kicked off their North American Stadium Tour in June 2022. Phil Collen has revealed that the tour package will hit the European market in the summer of 2023. In that case they probably will bring along the full bill with Joan Jett and POISON. Meaning, MC and DL could be the co-headliners of one day of Hellfest and Graspop. MC headlined Graspop in 2009 and DF was already there twice including 2019 already just below the headliners of that year.
High Probability (in case one of the six doesn't make it, here are the replacers)
Slipknot would be a safe bet but they are already doing summer festivals in Aug/2022, so would they do it again in 2023? If they do, Graspop is a sure destination, they have played there 7 times, 6 of them as headliners! They also have a new album coming up, so touring in 2023 is very likely.
Ghost: This Swedish devil-worshipping ministry has evolved from an underground band into a major draw. With 2022’s Impera and the Impera Tour, Ghost have filling up arenas. The masked group led by Tobias Forge played Graspop 5 times including main stage before the headliner. It would be great to give them the chance to see what they can do on top. It is clear that the band have the hits and the presence to occupy the headliner spot from veterans such as KISS.
Parkway Drive: Scheduled for arena shows in 2022, and having a new album coming up in September 2022, the Aussies are a strong bet. They have 5 previous presences at Graspop under their belt, including headlining second stage in 2018. It's time for them to come back.
Amon Amarth: Swedish melodic death metal legends would already be headlining festivals during the summer of 2020. But after the twice cancelled festivals, they decided to go on a arena tour in Europe in 2022 instead. With that said, they honored their commitment to the legendary Wacken festival and headlined it this August. They have been at Graspop 6 times, so if they do go for a summer festival tour next year, I think Graspop will be one of their stops.
Medium Probability
Iron Maiden will tour in 2023 I think, they will go out to promote Senjutsu and play it in its entirety. But I think this will be an arena tour and not a summer festival one. However, they have played two Graspop in a row before (2007 with A Matter of the Beast Tour and 2008 with Somewhere Back in Time Tour) so who knows? Maybe Download wants them there for their anniversary.
Note: It has been confirmed Maiden are headlining Wacken. So I upgraded them from low to medium. Although Graspop/Download are almost 2 months apart from Wacken.
System of a Down: The headliners of Graspop 2005 have never been back and I think the chances for Graspop 2023 are slim, even if they are touring next year which is unclear.
Rage Against The Machine launched their Public Service Announcement tour on July 9, 2022, marking their first performance together in more than a decade. With 51 shows, this world tour dates extend into 2023 with last known date in April . First, I am not sure they will return a couple of months later for a summer festival leg of the tour. Even if they do, I think they may be more suitable for other festivals in the Benelux.
Nightwish is a possibility, but they are doing a lot of shows in 2022, both arena and some festivals. On the other hand, as they are working on a new album, they may be back on tour in 2023. But when and how?
Low Probability (some names that have been mentioned but very unlikely, it's more of a wishlist)
Rammstein, it has happened before, 2017, but they are just on a big tour right now and even if they do come back next summer, Graspop is not their primary destination.
I'd love to see Manowar and they have tour dates set for 2023. But they are very difficult to work with and expensive. I don't think Graspop will go there. And certainly Hellfest won't try again.
AC/DC is too big for Graspop, maybe Download or Hellfest. If they tour, some promoters and organizers may go for a standalone stadium show instead of headlining Graspop.
Guns N' Roses is already touring this summer, I won't expect them back next year already.
Some other bands that will be high on the bill but not headlining Graspop
In Flames is close to being a resident band! With 8 appearances at Graspop since 1998 debut and last time in 2019. Should they be touring in June/23, they will be there again.
Gojira has been to Grasop 7 times! 2019 being the latest, I think they will be back in 2023. Could they be headlining Hellfest?
Trivium has 6 appearances and last also being 2019.
Bring Me The Horizon will probably headline Download. But I don't think they can be headliners outside the UK, not yet. But they could be high on the bill. They were in Graspop 2008, 2011 and 2014. I think Graspop is unlikely, maybe if they headline the Jupiler stage...but not the best use of their popularity.
Again, if you are a goer of DL, HF, CH or SR, please comment below what your expectations and/or wishes are. Would my Graspop predictions apply for your festival? What are the differences?
Major 2023 June Festivals
Graspop 16-17-18 June
Hellfest 16-17-18 June
Download 8-11 June
Copenhell - TBD but always in June
Sweden Rock - TBD but always in June
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