I have been trying to figure out a lot of the acts that might play, mostly picked out just by hope and no real backing facts or any rumors, but I was thinking of some of the bands that would make sense for the Festival.

Thus far the acts include more of the indie styles of last year, with the excellent exception of Los Lonely Boys, with the Flaming Lips being a great choice.

Anyways...

Ben Harper - headlined two years ago, is back on tour and has no dates on the 16th or 17th.

Ben Folds - appeared on the TV show, is touring and is playing other festivals (Bonnaroo)

Dave Matthews Band / Robert Randolph - these two acts are touring together, and both fit the festival perfectly. Last year Randolph was great, and is back on tour and playing Bonnaroo. Along with this, the DMB hasn't ever played ACL before but still has a great musical style to fit the festival, and would be a really good headliner. With this, the tour has an empty space from the 9th to the 22nd, fitting perfectly around the festival.

Beck - i believe he played the television show a few years ago. he's on tour now, and is playing bonnaroo. his style would go well with the festival too.

any comments/ideas of your own?

beck is already coming to austin in june... would he come back so soon for acl?

I wouldn't put it past him.

Another speculation: Death Cab is playing both Coachella, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, AND Lolla, so it looks like they're making the rounds on the big American festivals. They're wide open after mid-August, so I wouldn't be surprised if they show up for a second year. I certainly hope they do.

I agree with the Death Cab thing, I think they'll play again.

Last year when I saw them I didn't care for them too much live, I didn't think an afternoon show in the hot sun did their music well, and compared to Robert Randolph, in my eyes, they were blown away.

Anyone else think about Trey Anastasio? He played the festival and the show in the past, is a big draw, and is playing other festivals.

I suppose my hope is that they'll get a big draw, a big headliner that won't be featured on the other festivals. Coachelle has Tool and RHCP, Bonnaroo has Radiohead, Tom Petty and Phil Lesh. I think it would be cool for some of those artists to play ACL (namely Radiohead and Tom Petty) but ACL will know they need some individuality and will get at least one or two other big bands that won't be playing the other two.

I think Buddy Guy will come back, he's still touring and his set last year brought the festival down.

Also, I'd put money on My Morning Jacket playing, and I think Nickel Creek and Matisyahu are potential performers.

Also just my hope that they'll play again, but Keane is coming out with a new album on June 12th and are already signing up to play some of the major UK and European festivals.

They haven't booked anything past August though, so maybe they'll come back to do ACL again?

I have a feeling we see The Dresden Dolls this year...at least I hope so....

Oh, and Franz Ferdinand. I don't know about them, they're touring, playing other festivals, but would ACL go for the same band three festivals in a row?

Sorry to double post, but does anyone know anything about the Arcade Fire? Last year they got reviews by a lot of people as the performance of the festival, I don't know if they're in the studio or what, but I think that a lot of people would be really glad to see them back.

I don't think the arcade fire is touring at all this year, unfortunately.

here's hoping. They are from Texas origanally and may have the best visual live show of any band not named Radiohead

heres hoping for The secret machines that is

Kaiser Chiefs put on a great performance last year as well and they're performing at festivals from May-October, though there are none listed for September.

Maybe they'll be back!

I'll add the Zutons as possible performers, with no proof.

In addition to the acts that have played in the past (the Wilcos, Drive by Truckers, Robert Randolph, and Los Lonely Boys of the world).

You can always figure out a lot of bands by watching tours, and the lineups of SXSW, Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, etc... Playing those fests increases the odds they will play ACL.

Bands that would not surprise me (not always what I want, just what I figure might be coming our way):
Tom Petty
Pearl Jam
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Racontuers
She Wants Revenge
Burden Brothers
Ok Go
Beck
Wilco
Umphrey's McGee
Sound Team
Octopus Project
Damian Marley
My Morning Jacket
Muse
Neville Brothers (and variations)
Nickel Creek
and sooner or late they are going to book Willie Nelson, maybe this is the year.

Last year, the tour schedules of Coldplay and the Oasis/Jet tour had real obvious holes in them while the tours were in Texas. This year, I can see a big hole in the schedule of the Dave Matthews Band, so they would not be surprise (although he is playing Texas in August, he would have to make a special trip back to play ACL, However, no San Antonio show this year for him, that raises my suspicion). Before, May 11th, a few bands are likely to reveal themselves via holes in their schedule.

I would love to see Red Hot Chili Peppers and Radiohead at ACL, but I have serious doubts about both. Bonnaroo is supposed to be the only U.S. Festival date for Radiohead this year, so playing ACL would violate that vow.

The biggest surprise would be Coldplay, I though their tour is supposed to end in July?