The past few years have seen the return of Ride and Slowdive, two heavyweights in shoegaze and British guitar rock. After successful reunion tours by each band, both are now busy preparing new music — Slowdive confirmed their new record last month, and Ride debuted three new songs last week in Brighton. So it’s clear their reunions will extend far into 2017, and possibly beyond.

Now, if we’re ready to wildly speculate about a simple tweet and winking-eye emoticon, maybe — just maybe — those two bands will tour together or collaborate in some capacity next year.

How are we reaching this theory?

By a casual tweet sent out over the weekend by Slowdive singer/guitarist Rachel Goswell, in which she praises Ride’s set at UK fest Bestival. After a quick exchange with Ride’s Andy Bell, Goswell tweets: “Maybe we’ll cross paths next year ????”

Could something be in the works? A tour? A collaboration? Or was she merely referring to her other project, Minor Victories, a supergroup with members of Editors and Mogwai that will soon hit the road with Placebo? Does the emoticon suggest she knows something none of us know?!?!?

It’s too early to tell, but it’s never too early to speculate on what could be the best tour grouping or best collaboration of 2017.

Let’s hope it — something, anything — happens.

[h/t Bradley’s Almanac]