25 Bands That Could Rock the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Motorcycle and Music Festival

PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023
By Jeff Smith

Securing bands for The Best Party Anywhere® is no easy feat.

It often takes the entire year before all the variables fall into place.

But the process always starts by listening to requests from fans like you.

Planning is currently underway, and lots of you have been asking about bands and listing ones you’d ride across the country naked in a blizzard to see perform.

The following is a list of 25 bands that fans like you have put on the Chip’s radar. Are these the bands you’d go nuts to see join the Sturgis Buffalo Chip lineup?

If so, and if not, tell us what bands you would like to see in the comments section below!

Sturgis Buffalo Chip band request data from 10/13/23:

DISCLAIMER: This list in no way indicates any of these bands have been or will actually be able to be confirmed. It simply creates a place for you to share your band requests so the Chip can find out who you’d like to have rock your socks off. Sturgis Rider® News takes no responsibility for any band on this list failing to rip their shirt off and dive into the crowd, smash and set their instruments ablaze or even show up at the Chip at all. Share at your own risk.

Jelly Roll

Southern hip-hop maestro turned country star Jelly Roll is not merely an artist; he’s a lyrical preacher whose verses echo the deepest corners of the soul. His latest masterpiece, “Whitsitt Chapel,” stands as a testament to his poetic prowess, capturing human struggles with unparalleled authenticity. Countless faithful fans have experienced Jelly Roll’s Backroad Baptism on tour stops across the country. Are you praying for his presence at the Buffalo Chip in 2024?

Kid Rock

The freedom-loving, fire-spitting, over-the-top, American badass, Kid Rock, is no stranger to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. His last performance at the Chip in 2021 was one for the record books, and, judging by the number of requests, another show would be just as big. Would a performance from Kid Rock at the Buffalo Chip in 2024 be something you’d look forward to all year and All Summer Long?

Five Finger Death Punch

Since getting its start in 2005, Five Finger Death Punch has become one of the biggest hard rock bands in the world. The band has charted 24 top ten singles with 15 of those reaching number one. Those numbers continue to grow with each release along with their fan base, consistently making them top draws for rock festivals around the world. They brought huge crowds to the Chip in 2015 and 2016, and have been a top requested act every year since. Would a return from 5FDP lift you up?

Godsmack

Godsmack’s pull-no-punches attitude and head-bangin’ tunes crushed fans during Buffalo Chip performances in 2015 and 2019. Guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin told Chris Trew in their Studio 14 interview how much they loved looking out and seeing all the motorcycles in the crowd. Do you hope they’ll be able to do it again at the Chip in 2024?

Metallica

Metallica is an act that truly needs no introduction. As one of the most influential and commercially successful bands in rock history, they’ve conquered every corner of the globe, selling more than 120 million albums and generating more than 15 billion streams. These titans of metal will be roaring through the Midwest in mid-August on the US leg of their M72 world tour in support of their 12th studio album, “72 Seasons”. The buzz is in the air–would you Ride the Lightning to get to a Metallica concert at the Chip?

Shinedown

Shinedown’s hard rock Molotov cocktail of fiery vocals and razor-sharp riffs have detonated into some of the most explosive concerts of the Sturgis Rally. The Jacksonville, Florida quartet cut the cord on The Best Party Anywhere® in 2021 but hasn’t been back since. Are you crossing your fingers that the Sound of Madness can return in 2024?

AC/DC

Rock gods AC/DC have been shaking the foundations of the music world for five decades, churning out iconic tracks like “Highway to Hell” that have become anthems for bikers everywhere. The band is rumored to be planning a massive 50th anniversary world tour in 2024, marking their first tour since 2016. Would you be Thunderstruck if AC/DC graced the Sturgis Buffalo Chip with its electrifying presence?

Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters are more than a band; they’re a rock phenomenon. With 15 GRAMMYs and 11 no. 1 singles under their belt, they’ve redefined modern rock as we know it. The recent loss of drummer Taylor Hawkins could have easily shut down lesser bands, but Foo Fighters have persevered, channeling the tragedy into material for a new album, “But Here We Are.” Their upcoming Everything or Nothing at All Tour puts them just a state away from South Dakota during the Sturgis Rally. Do you Everlong to see them make their debut at the Best Party Anywhere?

Pantera

Creators of the “Power Groove”, Pantera flew the flag for heavy metal in the ‘90s, compiling a long list of gold and platinum album and home video releases, along with sold-out arena tours across the globe. Despite the loss of Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell, these Cowboys from Hell continue to bring their brutal riffs and uncompromising aggression to audiences around the world. Is it possible you could experience their Vulgar Display of Power at the Buffalo Chip in 2024?

Korn

Korn is a pioneer and one of the most successful bands of the nü-metal genre, having sold over 60 million albums worldwide and earning two GRAMMY awards and numerous other accolades. The band currently has no tour dates for 2024, but there’s plenty of time for dates to pop up. Would it make your life peachy if Korn made their Sturgis Buffalo Chip debut during the 84th Sturgis Rally?

Nickelback

Canadian rock juggernaut Nickelback emerged from the post-grunge wave in the late 1990s, carving a distinct niche with their raw, unfiltered sound. Despite polarizing opinions of the band, their undeniable talent and huge collection of hits have sustained them through the years. Although there are no tour dates currently posted on their website, Nickelback’s 2023 album, “Get Rollin’,“ is sure to demand some live support. Would you Burn It to the Ground to get to a Nickelback show at the Chip?

Morgan Wallen

Contemporary country powerhouse Morgan Wallen exploded onto the scene following a successful run on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2014.  A few short years and three albums later, his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics have now won over country fans far and wide. His “One Night at a Time” tour now reigns as one of country’s top tours, with its success spurring a 2024 expansion. Maybe a date at the Chip could be on the horizon?

Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses long list of iconic hits ushered in a grim and gritty era of rock ‘n’ roll in the ’80s and ’90s while making the band a household name. Unfortunately, the closest a Buffalo Chip audience has gotten to a GNR performance was seeing Slash play with Velvet Revolver in 2007 and with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators in 2012. Would a full-fledged Guns N’ Roses performance at the Buffalo Chip bring you to your SHA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA KNEES?!

Breaking Benjamin

You couldn’t turn on rock radio for more than an hour in the mid-2000s without hearing one of Pennsylvania-based, alternative-metal band Breaking Benjamin’s hook-heavy, melodic hit tunes. The band’s most recent album, “Aurora”, scored them their 10th and 11th no. 1 hits on the Billboard rock charts. Their tour schedule for 2024 is currently wide open. Maybe this is the year they rock the Best Party Anywhere…

Hank Williams Jr.

He might have been fated to follow in the Family Tradition, but Hank Williams Jr. has created his own formidable legacy. Hank Jr. pioneered a new sound in the 1970s and ‘80s by blending traditional country with rock and blues influences. This groundbreaking fusion not only revitalized country music but also earned him a devoted fan base. With hits like “Family Tradition” and “A Country Boy Can Survive,” he became a voice for the working class, capturing the essence of American grit and resilience.  Would you love to meet up with all your rowdy friends to celebrate the music of Hank Williams Jr. at the Buffalo Chip?

Hardy

Hardy’s musical journey started behind the scenes, penning hits for prominent artists like Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line and others before stepping into the spotlight himself. This Mississippi maverick has carved his niche in the country-rock world and carries the authenticity of his rural roots into his music, Are you hoping the Buffalo Chip gives Hardy a hearty welcome into its 2024 band lineup?

Volbeat

Volbeat’s blend of rockabilly and metal has quickly built them a large, rabid fan base and made them one of the biggest hard rock bands of the last decade. They made their Chip debut in 2019 and rocked the face off a huge crowd, and the requests for them to return in 2024 have been pouring in. Are you Still Counting the days until you hear an announcement featuring Volbeat?

Disturbed

On album after album, and for show after show, modern metal titans Disturbed blast their fans away with brand of hooky, haunting and hard-hitting rock. Their latest album, “Divisive” is no different, with the band about to embark on a tour that takes them into March. Would you get down with the sickness if they extended the dates to include one at the Best Party Anywhere?

Luke Combs

With a voice as rich as the Tennessee whiskey that often finds its way into his lyrics, Luke Combs has become a beacon on the modern country landscape. In 2019, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, a milestone that solidified his status as a country music powerhouse. Are you hoping Luke Combs brings his down-to-earth charm to the Chip for a Beautiful Crazy night you’ll remember forever?

Pop Evil

Pop Evil’s hard-hitting rock jams go off like a powder keg the second the first note cuts through the air. This raw emotion and relentless energy has been put on display a whopping eight times during the Best Party Anywhere, and fans just can’t seem to get enough. Do you hope Woody has made a “Deal with the Devil” so that you can get another chance to see Pop Evil at the Chip in 2024?

Aerosmith

Few bands have etched themselves so deeply into the annals of rock music history as Aerosmith. With a legacy that has spanned five decades, generations of fans have clamored for the chance to see the Bad Boys from Boston play the Buffalo Chip. When the chance finally came in 2009, the moment was unfortunately cut short when Steven Tyler fell off the stage and injured his shoulder. Although the band continues to perform around the globe, Tyler’s recent vocal injury has put tour dates on pause. Could it be possible a date at the Chip will be added when the band gets Back in the Saddle Again?

Tool

Tool is an enigma in every sense imaginable. The band’s metamorphic blend of progressive time signatures, and psychedelic lyrical surrealism paired with the heaviness and aggression of ‘90s and 2000s alternative metal is a mind-blowing auditory fractal that’ll make you bang your head into a stupor while you re-examine everything you thought you knew about the world. Their current tour ends in February, but they could easily tack on more dates given the massive success of their long-awaited “Fear Innoculum” album. Could that mean a stop at the Chip?

Limp Bizkit

Nu-metal pioneers Limp Bizkit made their Sturgis Rally debut at the Buffalo Chip during the 2023 Sturgis Rally, bringing along their infectious spirit, some of the most recognizable songs of the late ‘90s and tracks from their latest album “Still Sucks”. Fans showed up in spades for the show, and the requests for an encore performance have been piling up. Do you hope Limp Bizkit keeps Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’ into the lineup of the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling?

Falling in Reverse

Falling in Reverse emerged from the ashes of post-hardcore with a fierce determination to innovate. The band explores the fine line between genius and insanity as enigmatic frontman Ronnie Radke uses his tumultuous life journey as inspiration and cautionary tale, Falling in Reverse brought their vicious bite and playful innuendo to the Buffalo Chip in 2022 and have been high on the request list since. Would you Watch the World Burn for the chance to see them on the lineup again?

Halestorm

Halestorm made their Buffalo Chip debut in 2013, and they’ve been high on the fan request list ever since. In 2022, the band recorded their fifth album, “Back from the Dead” through a socially distant studio process. Would you go nuts if Halestorm returned to the Chip in support of the album during the upcoming party?

 

Dying to know more about how the Buffalo Chip books its acts? You can find out what goes into the process under the “How do you choose bands?” section of the Chip’s FAQs.

Want to be the first to find out which bands will be rocking the Chip during the 2024 Best Party Anywhere? Be sure to sign up for the Sturgis Rider® Newsletter!

What bands would you like to see at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip? Tell us in the comments below!

Presented by the Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Known as The Best Party Anywhere®, the Legendary Buffalo Chip believes festivals should be fun like a high five, reenergize you like a broken rule, and romance you like someone you just met and have to take home.

This nine-day festival of concerts and motorcycle events promises to bring you exciting events like flat track races and live performances from artists like Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Five Finger Death Punch, Kid Rock, Rob Zombie and many more.

Find out more or get passes to the Best Party Anywhere at www.buffalochip.com and find out why it continues to be one of the most televised festivals in the world.