Bands that have not played Sonic yet
When I’m bored I try to make some educated guesses at the next years lineup. DWP has quite a few bands that cycle through their festivals so I looked at the lineups going back to Sonic 2019 to see who we haven’t had play yet. There’s definitely quite a few one off performances so I’m trying to focus on bands that have done multiple festivals since 2019. Sonic has had a few one offs too like System of a Down, Ghost, The Misfits, etc.
Thoughts for headliners:
Guns & Roses have played all the other big 3 since 2019. I think we have the highest chance of seeing them in 2027. (Also no Ohio date on their 2026 tour)
Green Day or Blink 182, GD have done Rockville and Louder. I think there’s a good chance for 2027. Blink182 could end up at Rockville 2027. Blink have only done Aftershock before though(2x since 2019).
Slayer, did LTL and Aftershock 2024/2025. They are doing Rocklahoma and Sick New World this year. Possible we see them at both Rockville and Sonic 2027, possibly not as the top headliner since initial hype has faded some.
Iron Maiden, long shot that really depends on their tour schedule. May not be touring the states in spring.
Nine Inch Nails, big tour for 2025/2026 is done. They have done Rockville and Louder.
Motley Crue did their 2024 dwp fest run, think we dodged them.
We’ll probably get a mix of new and old headliners. I’m expecting the likes of A7X, Deftones, Limp Bizkit or Disturbed to be in the mix.
Direct Support/Cathedral bands:
Five Finger Death Punch, did Ink last year, Rockville this year. Louder and Aftershock in 2024. I’m thinking they are a lock for 2027.
Incubus, has done 5 other festivals. We had our show cancelled. Could be rescheduled for 2027.
A Perfect Circle, new music. Touring 2026 in Europe. Did Louder and Aftershock in 2025. Good odds.
Alice In Chains, rescheduled from 2025.
The Offspring, rescheduled from 2026 possibly. Theyve repeated done all the others. If not 2027, then 2028.
Turnstile. Have done all the others. I think they are a lock too.
$uicide Boy$, possible. Did Louder 2024, Aftershock this year.
The prodigy, reschedule from 2019, doing both Aftershock and Louder 2026.
Other high profile acts that have been doing the other festivals but not yet Sonic:
Highly Suspect, Mammoth, Spiritbox, The Hu, Bilmuri, The Warning (I believe they were on for 2023 but dropped), Suicide Silence, Down, Babymetal, and Skillet.
There’s a bunch of 90s/2000s rock and numetal bands that have good odds too like Bowling for Soup, Spineshank, etc.
Just some thoughts for discussion if anyone wants to join in.