(Update: Another Planet announced today that Tenacious D are going to be replacing The Beastie Boys… Odd choice, and one that I never would have expected…)
So, it seems that the good people at Another Planet are taking their time with revealing who will take over the headlining slot for the Beastie Boys. I’d like to take the time tell you which six acts are likely to take it over. This isn’t a wish list, this is a well researched list of acts that are popular enough to headline a large outdoor festival, that are currently active, are available August 30th, and do not have any other shows in the Bay Area within 3 months before and after the show.
Jay Z
Jay Z had the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord booked for August 22nd. Conveniently, this show was canceled before it went on sale. He has no other tour dates booked before his stretch of stadium shows with Coldplay in England, and might want to keep warm before playing to such big audiences.
Reason He’s A Good Idea
He’s a good match for MIA, and he has a solid fan base. Like the Beastie Boys, he is one of the few hip-hop performers that has a reputation for live performance.
Why he might not work
Last time he played was a co-headlining show with Mary J Blige at Oracle Arena, the venue was only 1/4 full, but it suffered from poor promotion and was bumped a day because of weather issues. It also was an expensive ticket.
Tool
Tool are playing Epicenter09 in Pomona the week before, and have taken over other dates vacated by the Beastie Boys.
Reasons They’re A Good Idea
Tool haven’t played the Bay Area in a long time, and have always been a consistent live draw. They have spent the summer on the road, and have left us off the tour schedule. This would be a great time to make that up.
Why they might not work
Epicenter09 is a festival that is designed for people to travel to. There is a chance that they have an exclusivity deal in their contract.
Paul McCartney
Sir Paul is playing dates in the United States all throughout August.
Reasons he’s a good idea
It’s Paul McCartney! And Rock Band: The Beatles comes out less than two weeks later, which is being put out by EA Games, which is based in the Silicon Valley. Excellent cross-promotional tie-in opportunity.
Why He Might Not Do It
He’s much bigger than the Beastie Boys. Too big to really be considered as a “replacement.” And he’s probably pretty expensive.
The Dead
Every headliner has already headlined shows in Golden Gate Park previously. The Dead are the only other act big enough to headline that can also stake this claim.
Why it’s a good idea
They have finished up all touring commitments for the year, but they are local, and always up for a one-off. They will attract a good sized crowd, and are legends of the Bay Area.
Why They Might Not Do It
They have finished up touring commitments for the year, and might not want to end their vacation. They also are a bit of an awkward fit with such young, hip acts.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Bruce is experiencing a bit of a career renaissance these days. What a perfect way to end the festival!
Reasons it’s a good idea
Bruce doesn’t have anyWest Coast dates on the current tour. A high-profile festival appearance could cover a lot of ground at one time, and he has openings at this time to come out here without interrupting a major break in his tour schedule.
Why He Might Not Do It
I’m sure there is a reason why he’s not playing out here this year. Or they can’t afford him.
U2
The biggest tour of the year is skipping Northern California because of routing issues. Maybe this is a shot at redemption?
Reasons it’s a good idea
U2 love San Francisco; they’ve said that many times over. I think they see this a shot to come enjoy us!
Why it might not happen
They end their current leg August 22nd, and don’t start in America until September 12th. And they really can’t set up that giant stage for a festival.
So, six bands that might do it… Or maybe you have somebody else in mind? Start the discussion, just remember, Outside Lands conflicts with Reading/Leeds weekend in England, so be careful who you discuss.
I could see Jay Z…
How bout The Black Keys? They fit in nicely with Outside Lands bill and are free that weekend (according to tour schedule).
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs replaced The Beastie Boys at Loloapalooza, yet the The Black Keys headlined over the Yeah Yeah Yeahs a few months ago. Very plausible.
Crossing my fingers too!
I’m kinda weirded out that Jay Z seems the most reasonable on this list ’cause I never would have guessed that, but you make a good case!
I think the big unknown here is how ticket sales are going. If the rest of this year is any indication, they may not be going well, so it would be worth it for them to pay big for someone who can really drive ticket sales. For that reason, I’d think breaking the bank for Sir Paul or U2 might make financial sense.
I suppose it’s out of the question to get The Arcade Fire out of hibernation?
Excuse me, That’s SIR Paul McCartney to you!
Didn’t the Black Keys play last year? I don’t think they have the widespread fan base that could replace the Beastie Boys. I also don’t think (Sir) Paul McCartney nor U2 are hip enough to blend in with the proceeding line-up, but that might be my own biased opinion.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs just announced a concert date in Bay Area the week after, so unlike Lollapalooza, won’t be them. The Dead would be a terrible replacement for Beastie Boys…isn’t part of what they have to deal with is how many people will ask for refunds? If people bought tix primarily to see Beastie Boys/MIA combo, The Dead would start a stampede for refunds-terrrible style mismatch. As for tickets sales, I just bought a pair recently, so obviously they’re not sold out.
Caroline, the black eyed peas are playing Outside lands, look at Saturday…. they are playing street scene friday and then outside lands Saturday…. And no, they did not play last year, It was RadioHead and beck Friday night, Tom Patty and I think Wilco Saturday night and like Jack Johnson and Ben Harper Sunday.
Oh and the dead are a possibility, Another Planet= Greg Perloff, Greg Perloff= Bill Graham and well Bill Graham = the Dead!
I am sure Greg Perloff has Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart ect. phone numbers and they all live locally. Plus it’s freekin’ San Francisco, they could book and sell out a full week at Bill Graham. Yeah people might want a refund, but it would drive sales guaranteed! None the less its possible yet unlikely, haha.
My vote is for Jay-Z, jigga wha!!!! haha
Tool would be ideal! Bring em!
PRINCE
my vote is for Faith No More!! (another ‘local’ band that could easily do a one-off show)
Prince is a good choice too!
Faith No More, Oh Jesus help us all!
Jay-Z replaced Beasties at all points west in NJ, could be SF too!
So, to reply to some of these questions… Faith No More are in England on August 30th. Prince seems to keep his band rehearsed and ready to play at all times, so he’s a possibility. And word on the street, since nobody has brought this up yet, Smashing Pumpkins are rehearsing in LA these days for a new record. They might be able to pull it off… Billy and the new drummer played the Sky Saxon Memorial Concert and pulled it off quite well.
So, officially, I am wrong. Looks like they booked Tenacious D. Never would have guessed that.