Howdy
Well, I just got booted off before posting a quite lengthy, verbose and all together well written piece of analysis so I will now paraphrase and streamline it......
Two 'big' acts left..... Three qualifying requirements as I see it. 1) Open dates that weekend (duh). 2) per PB, the performer would easily sell out red rocks 3) they would presumably fall within TBF's admittedly quite wide range of artists. And I might add that they would be 'worthy' of the hype of the announcement either based solely on their status or history with the festival or current popularity etc.
IMHO some of the acts mentioned as possibilities don't fit all of these so here's some of my thoughts.....
SCI - looking like fairly decent odds on this one like it or not.
Mumford - I would have thought this was the leader in the clubhouse but I'm less convinced now.
Paul Simon- keeping this under wraps would be a huge coup. I don't see it but WOW
Tedeschi Trucks Band - maybe some personal bias but they are HOT
Allmans - whishful thinking for my all time favorites
Neil Young - he's been mentioned here quite a bit, I'll leave it at that
Nickel Creek - more and more intrigued by this. A reunion would be a big deal to a lot of folks, two are already there and all three shared a late night Sheridan stage a few years ago.
The Lumineers - Colorado band does good. Extra Grammy exposure
Plenty of bands I'd love to see but don't realistically meet the 'requirements'.
Two extra thoughts if you'll indulge me.... As someone else already stated, are we supposed to believe that Bela will be at the 40th without a slot besides the house band? Maybe as some sort of artist in residence, sitting in all over the place.
How's about The Word tearing through some gospel and sacred steel on Sunday morning. Those sets have been some of the most memorable for me. Beautiful and bitter sweet.
Listening to:
Split rip rayfield