We all got some late-night roffles when multiple news outlets ran with the fake news that Led Zeppelin would be playing Bonnaroo this year, even though the official lineup announcement said that all-lesbian lady Led Zep tribute band Lez Zeppelin would be playing. But what if the announcement of the not-real thing was a way to throw Led Zeppelin diehards off, and make sure that true Bonnaroo fans get their tickets first? One of our commenters, A Roach, thinks this might be the case! He explains: “For argument’s sake, lets say [Led Zeppelin] really ARE headling. No way could Superfly announce it before tickets go on sale–the thing would sell out instantly with people who don’t usually go to Bonnaroo. The “real” Roo fans would largely be shut out (or at least left to the luck of the draw). This would be a disaster for Superfly: the loyalty/brand would be damaged, and the fans who have gone every year would crucify them. But Superfly knows this.”
More conspiracizing after the jump!
So instead, they wait until tickets are already on sale to announce Zeppelin– but they also float the idea out there informally, as a “wink wink, nudge nudge” to the fans that follow live music closely. Even better, they book LEZ Zeppelin so that they can point to a specific point that’s causing all the confusion.
I also think that if this is the case, it was genius to announce the lineup at midnight. The drama/confusion plays out overnight, rather than during the day when everyone is at work checking the internet. By the morning, they knew all this would be cleared up– and tickets will go on sale with a normal health demand.
Bonnaroo tickets will sell out regardless, like they have the past few years. They don’t need to announce Zeppelin on day 1.
I know it’s a long shot, I know it’s a crazy complicated conspiracy theory. But it’s also EXACTLY the way to work the situation if it’s true.
Hmm. Hmmmm! It sounds crazy enough to be sorta… plausible?
Earlier: A Roach’s comment
[Photo: AP]
The oginal clue was “Some herrings are red, Jimmy”. Not sure if this is indicitve of either side, though; it could be that “Jimmy” was the red herring, since it is Lez, not Led, that is playing. On the other hand, it could mean that Lez is the red herring, in which case Led is also on the bill.
And then there’s the word “some“… My head hurts.
@whoneedslight: Members of Led Zep have played at Bonnaroo before (John Paul Jones played with Ben Harper and ?uestlove last year, for instance). It might be that they like the festival and don’t mind getting payed less than the other nights of their tour. Of course, it’s unlikely that they’re actually playing, so the point is probably moot.
This is just stupid.
I know this isn’t exactly on topic, but does Trampled Under Foot remind anyone else of the Muppet Movie?
I think it’s a long shot but it’s just kooky enough that I’m going to believe it’s possible. Are Superfly just that kooky?
I know that last year, Bonnaroo did not sell out until the first day of the festival. Swirling these rumors about can create the kind of confusion that sells tickets. I think that’s a possible side-effect of this whether Zeppelin plays or not — the thought that they might is stuck in people’s heads now.
@Jon Can Dance: I can see Dr. Teeth singing it now, but I’m noticing a Muppet pattern to your replies…..
@loudersoft: Merely a coincidence. With all the Zeppelin talk going on today I figured I bring it up.
It is actually LEZ not Led that will be performing! check out their myspace and it confirms it!
[www.myspace.com]
“Lez” are going to be soooo booed… And that’s a shame. But really WHONEEDSLIGHT has a point: How could Bonnaroo pay the Zep? Maybe selling Jack Johnson’s ass…
@K-MILO: I’ve been to Bonnaroo twice (so, admittedly, I’m no expert) and didn’t see a single act “booed.” This is going to sound hippy-dippy, but the vibe’s just not like that, man. Also, in regards to Superfly being able to afford LeD Zep, 80,000 people x $230/ticket (average) = you do the math. Even if they’re asking for, say, $10 million (what’s the going rate on a Zeppelin show these days?), it could happen…
My bet is that they will perform.
I’m surprised no one’s yet noted here that Robert Plant & Alison Krauss are listed fifth in the official release of the lineup.
Just sayin’…
It would be a good way to for the band to continue the Zep reunion without all the pressure. Then again, so would playing at my house.
Don’t Led Zeppelin stand to make about a kagillion dollars with a reunion tour? How on earth would playing Bonnaroo be economically possible? How would they get paid?
all-female, not all-lesbo, btw