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!
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.
Creed
Creed is back in a big way! Thanks to a wave of meme-fueled nostalgia and a hilarious Super Bowl commercial, the ’90s rock icons are enjoying a major resurgence. With mega-hits like “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open” still resonating with fans, the band is even headlining the upcoming Summer of ’99 fan cruise, proving they’re more popular than ever. Would you welcome Creed to the Buffalo Chip stage with arms wide open?
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 most recent 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?
Rob Zombie
Rob Zombie rose to fame as the longtime frontman for industrial metal outfit White Zombie, but shot up to superstar status when he went solo in the late ‘90s. Known for iconic hits like “Dragula” and “Living Dead Girl,” Zombie’s cinematic stage presence and love of custom motorcycles make him a fan-favorite among the Sturgis crowd. Zombie has made appearances at the Chip in 2013 and 2022. Would you ride like a Demon Speeding to get to another Rob Zombie show at the Chip?
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 2025, 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 85th Sturgis Rally?
Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar’s list of musical and business ventures are long as your arm. From solo success to stints with Van Halen and Chickenfoot to tequila, rum and restaurant brands, the man seems to have done it all. But one thing Hagar has never done is make an appearance at the Legendary Buffalo Chip. Would you drive over 55 to see the Red Rocker make his debut performance at the Best Party Anywhere?
Anthrax
New York City thrash metal titans Anthrax are considered to be pioneers and one of the most legendary practitioners of their particular metal subgenre. Their current tour with Kreator and Testiment sounds like a head banger’s paradise. Would an appearance from Anthrax cause you to raise your horns to the sky?
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 28 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?
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean’s high-octane performances and hit-packed setlist have made him a country music mainstay, and his sound was practically made for riding. This multi-platinum-selling, GRAMMY-nominated artist just finished off the last of a couple dozen shows on his “Highway Desperado” tour, and now his schedule is wide open. The last time Jason Aldean performed at the Buffalo Chip was 2010. Would you burn it down to see him return in 2025?
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 have dates through the end of June on their M72 world tour in support of their 12th studio album, “72 Seasons”. The buzz is in the air–would you Ride the Lightning if they added a date at the Chip in August?
Linkin Park
After years of uncertainty following the loss of Chester Bennington, the band has reunited with new singer Emily Armstrong and fresh music that honors their legacy while pushing their sound forward. The band’s new album “From Zero” drops mid-November, but so far most of the dates on their calendar fall outside the US. Surely the Chip is somewhere they belong.
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 2025?
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 wrapped their long-awaited 50th anniversary tour in August, but with demand for shows as high as ever, they could easily tour again in 2025. Would you be Thunderstruck if AC/DC graced the Sturgis Buffalo Chip with its electrifying presence?
Wheeler Walker Jr.
Unapologetically brash and hilariously on-point, Wheeler Walker Jr. is about as country as it gets. Known for his no-holds-barred lyrics and attitude, and would be right at home at the Buffalo Chip. Wheeler had a packed schedule on last summer’s Spread Eagle Tour, but now he’s wide open for 2025. Are you hoping for some Redneck S*** at the Chip in August?
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 2025?
Black Label Society
It’s hard to imagine a sound that pairs more perfectly with the roar of motorcycles than the crushing riffs and epic solos of Black Label Society. The band most recently took to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip main stage in 2021, and their charismatic leader Zakk Wylde was also there with Zakk Sabbath in 2019. With their recent single release of “The Gallows”, tour dates could very well pop up for 2025. Would you thrust your horns up for a return from these vigilant keepers of the hard rock flame?
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 2025 is currently wide open. Maybe this is the year they rock the Best Party Anywhere…
Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons bring Sturgis-sized energy to every show with bombastic hits like “Radioactive” and “Believer”, and yet they’ve never played in Sturgis! The band is currently dominating the rock scene, with their latest album “Loom” showcasing a bold evolution in their sound. Perhaps this new sound will see them branching out to new venues. Could you imagine one of their shows at the Chip during the 85th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally?
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 2025 band lineup?
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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 their brand of hooky, haunting and hard-hitting rock. Their latest album, “Divisive” is no different, with the band’s tour dates taking them into November. Would you get down with the sickness if they extended the dates to include one at the Best Party Anywhere?
Brooks & Dunn
With their iconic blend of honky-tonk and country anthems like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and “My Maria,” Brooks & Dunn are one of country music’s most legendary acts. Shockingly, they’ve never taken the stage at the Buffalo Chip, but their high-energy performances would certainly fit right in. The duo is dropping a new album of collabs in November and has tour dates that bring them to the Midwest in late July. Do you think this means the Chip could Play Something Country for the 85th anniversary of the Sturgis Rally?
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 2025?
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. They currently only have a handful of dates on their calendar for the spring, 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?
Knocked Loose
Knocked Loose has been making waves in the hardcore punk scene for the better part of a decade, and their new music continues to push boundaries and showcase the band’s raw power. The band hasn’t played a concert in Sturgis yet, but perhaps their new album “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To” is a sign this could be their year to rock the Chip.
Chumbawamba
Best known for their infectious anthem “Tubthumping,” Chumbawamba’s rebellious spirit and catchy hooks made them a defining act of the late ’90s. Though they disbanded in 2012, the Buffalo Chip still receives a surprising number of requests for this act. With the recent resurgence of ’90s nostalgia, Chumbawamba might just be the perfect addition to the 2025 lineup. Do you think so, or do you think adding them could be “pissing the night away”?
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 2025 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.
