Rumor overview: who will be the headliners of Graspop 2023?

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The date of Graspop 2023 is known, in other words: the speculation can begin. Which acts will be at the top of the poster of the Belgian metal meeting next summer? This is a roundup of the strongest rumors, featuring Faith No More, Slipknot, and many more.

Graspop Metal Meeting 2022 was an overcrowded birthday party where the highlights ran rampant. Nevertheless, the organization of the 26th edition will also want to make a memorable festival. And with these contenders for Graspop 2023, that should certainly work.

Photo: Kameron Pollock

Avenged Sevenfold

Let’s start with the cancellations for 2022. Avenged Sevenfold was scheduled to headline, but eventually had to cancel. The reason for this was that the 8th album of the American band was not yet finished. According to singer M. Shadows they are still working on the finalization, but after that A7X expects “to be firing on all cylinders.” Does that mean a return to Dessel in 2023?

Faith No More

Faith No More also canceled a headline show at Graspop in 2022. In an interview with Rolling Stone, singer Mike Patton is candid about the mental problems he has been struggling with since the pandemic. In December he will do some shows with his other band Mr. Bungle, to see what the touring life is like. Who knows, maybe he’ll pick up the taste again after that. In any case, the European festivals will be more than happy to host Faith No More again.

Motley Crue

Only once was Mötley Crüe at Graspop: in 2009. A long time ago, when the heavy metal band from Los Angeles broke up (in 2015) and then became the subject of the biographical film The Dirt. The spotlights went well, because in 2022 the Crüe will suddenly be back together for a big stadium tour with, among others, Def Leppard. Apparently this also goes smoothly, because bassist Nikki Sixx leaves https://twitter.com/NikkiSixx/status/1561168363606249472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1561168363606249472%7Ctwgr%5E275039e2c9eb8bd2c99a92467eee2c2787a01615%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nme.com%2Fnews%2Fmusic%2Fnikki-sixx-says-motley-crue-are-planning-shows-in-europe-asia-and-south-america-3295267 want to bring this show to Europe as well.

Def Leppard

The messages from Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx also immediately make Def Leppard a major contender for Graspop 2023. The English rockers were still in Dessel in 2019, certainly not an unusual interval for the Belgian metal meeting. In addition, frontman Joe Elliott confirms that Def Leppard will be doing many European shows in 2023, including a number of festivals. Can’t go wrong, you might say.

slip knot

Slipknot has been on GMM stage seven times. The last time was in 2019, at the time of We Are Not Your Kind. On September 30, the band from Iowa will release a new album, undoubtedly followed by another summer full of festivals. Performances in Asia are already scheduled for March and April 2023. Just in time to travel to Europe afterwards, isn’t it? This summer as a headliner at Pukkelpop 2022, next year at Graspop?

pantera

Reunions are completely hip again, and the legendary metal band Pantera has to believe it too. Only half of the original Texan quartet is left, but they are joined on stage by Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. In December, the ‘Cowboys from Hell’ play their first shows since 2001 in South America. Will they be seen at Graspop for the first time next year?

Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine has also recently reunited. And this iconic band has never played at Graspop before. This late summer the rap rockers from Los Angeles were due to tour the European festivals, but this was eventually canceled due to an injury of Zack de la Rocha. The tour will resume in the US in the spring of 2023, so European shows in the summer are expected. Whether RATM will be at Graspop Metal Meeting 2023 is the big question. Rock Werchter 2023 would undoubtedly also like to sign the band.

AC/DC

Now we are on thin ice. Actually, every year there are rumors about AC/DC. The current story is that the legendary rock band is coming to Spain for one or two shows in June 2023, suggesting a bigger tour. It’s rare that such a big act travels to the other side of the world for just a few shows. Seeing is believing, but the Australians would of course be the ultimate Graspop headliner.

Crowdsurfing at Graspop 2022. © Bart Vernimmen

Speculate more about Graspop 2023

Of course, it is always a matter of waiting to see which rumors are true. A lot can still happen before a booking is announced. Have you already been hit by the rumor mill? Then speculate further on the Festileaks Forum. The Graspop 2023 topic is a lively discussion.

Do you want to hear the latest updates really quickly? You will be the first to know via the Festileaks App: you will then receive a push notification for major concert and festival news. Download it in the App Store or Play Store.

Graspop Metal Meeting Logo

Graspop Metal Meeting Logo

Graspop Metal Meeting 2023

Location

Belgium

Belgium


Dessel, Belgium


Date
June 16-18, 2023


The article is in Dutch

Tags: Rumor overview headliners Graspop

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