Rumor: Slipknot and AC/DC (with Brian Johnson!) to Headline Multiple 2020 North American Festivals

The mystery of Metallica’s new countdown clock, which reaches zero at noon EDT tomorrow (Thursday, October 10), is all but solved, with several hard clues pointing to the band headlining multiple major North American festivals in 2020. Specifically the festivals put on by Danny Wimmer Presents: the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, Louder Than Life, Aftershock, Epicenter and Welcome to Rockville.

Rumors for the rest of the billing on those festivals have begun to heat up, with one Chicago-area source, the local DJ and promoter Nick Fury, claiming to have inside knowledge. Interestingly, the one Wimmer festival that would typically be his biggest concern — Chicago Open Air — is not on the slate for Metallica, and by his own admission is not included in the latest rumors (he speculates the fest may not happen at all in 2020).

Before we go any further, these are completely unsubstantiated rumors posted on the internet by some guy claiming to have inside knowledge. He has not named a source. We have not been able to confirm any of this. So take these as RUMORS with a giant spoonful of salt, OK?

Alright, so, here we go: according to Fury, Slipknot will headline all five of the above festivals (on a different night than Metallica, obviously) with a special double set, one featuring greatest hits and the other a performance of their new album, We Are Not Your Kind, in full. Fury also claims “one or two” of these festivals will have a night headlined by AC/DC featuring the return of Brian Johnson.

For what it’s worth, Slipknot guitarist Jim Root said in an interview last month that the band was discussing performing the new album in full, although he said he’d like to do it in a stripped-down club environment. On the AC/DC side, Brian Johnson’s return has seemed all but inevitable for some time now, with Johnson having been spotted in the recording studio with the band and several other clues pointing that direction.

Still, I won’t believe these rumors until I see them announced. Sure would be neat, though, both a gigantic coup for the festival’s organizers (Slipknot AND Metallica together!) and an insane experience for fans. We’ll keep you posted.

Thanks to Irina K. for the tip!