Summer festivals would not be as exciting without several months to speculate about which artists will take the stage next year. At Festileaks we always keep an eye out for rumours. This time we ask ourselves: who will we see at Rock Werchter 2020?

It’s still ages until the Belgian festival opens its doors again. However, Pearl Jam, Twenty One Pilots, System of a Down, Kendrick Lamar and more are already confirmed. Who else can we expect to take the stage?

Here is an overview of the main rumours (in random order).

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters almost never take a break. The rock band just finished a series of European festivals in August, including a massive show at Sziget 2019. Now, drummer Taylor Hawkins has revealed that a new album is in the works. A good reason to extent the never-ending tour, and the Foos have already been confirmed for Rock in Rio Lisbon and Nova Rock, among others.

Faith No More

Photo: Dustin Rabin

It seems certain that Faith No More will return to Belgium in 2020. The American band have already revealed performances at Mad Cool in Spain and NOS Alive in Portugal, for example. Before the Rock Werchter weekend they will play at Hellfest in France. The only question that remains is whether Rock Werchter is the lucky festival, or Graspop.

Vampire Weekend

Photo: Festileaks / Kamiel Scholten

In 2019, Vampire Weekend proved they are ready to headline Europe’s biggest festivals. Besides a successful headline performance at NOS Alive, they also played at Mad Cool, Glastonbury, Roskilde and more. Moreover, the New Yorkers will not stop there. A new round of European festivals is coming up, as Vampire Weekend will perform at FIB Benicàssim 2020. It’s unlikely that Rock Werchter will pass for two years in a row.

Metallica

Metallica are a difficult case. On the one hand, the Americans recently cancelled their shows in Australia and New Zealand. On the other hand, this did not stop them from revealing a series of special American festival shows for 2020. All these performances are in May or late summer, so there is plenty of space for the European festival season. We can’t wait to know their next tour dates.

Foals

Photo credits: Festileaks / Kamiel Scholten

Foals are living the life right now. With two successful albums out in 2019, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Parts 1 & 2, they will most definitely keep touring in 2020. So far, the Oxford band have revealed a UK tour and a show at Mad Cool in Spain. Foals seem to be the perfect festival act for 2020. Are we going to see them at Rock Werchter?

The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s last European festival tour dates to 2017. Now, the Canadian artist has been teasing an upcoming album on Twitter. Depending on when this will be finished, we can certainly expect him to return to Europe in 2020. The R&B singer has never played at Rock Werchter before, so it’s about time.

The Strokes

In a recent interview, The Strokes confirmed that new music is coming. Of course, the indie rock legends would not release a new album without promoting it at festivals. In fact, they are announced for the South American Lollapaloozas. Even though they already did shows at Bilbao BBK and All Points East this summer, they can easily headline a few European festivals in 2020.

Post Malone

During a recent show in Wyoming, Post Malone told fans a new album is on its way. This immediately catapulted the American rapper back into the rumour circuit, even though he just finished a European festival tour that included Sziget and Reading & Leeds. In 2020, Post Malone will headline Pinkpop and Tinderbox, and more festivals will probably follow.

Bon Iver

Photo: Ben Houdijk

Bon Iver did a series of wonderful festival shows this year, including at Mad Cool, NOS Alive and All Points East. However, Rock Werchter did not manage to book them just yet, and that must have hurt. It seems like there will be another chance next year, as the indie artist was revealed for Way Out West, Flow and Øyafestivalen in Scandinavia.pos

Rock Werchter 2020

Photo: Ben Houdijk (Rock Werchter 2019)

Rock Werchter started as a one-day festival back in 1974. Now, with almost 90,000 visitors each day and around 80 bands for its four-day line-up, it is one of the biggest festivals in Europe. Through the years, it has hosted a variety of music genres and artists. From Metallica and Iron Maiden to David Bowie and Paul McCartney, all have taken the stage in Werchter, Belgium. Rock Werchter is known for its diverse crowds of all ages and nationalities.