Who might be Forecastle Festival headliners? The question is, who can draw the goal of 75k fans?

On Thursday, we broke news of Forecastle Festival’s new sponsor, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

With a major sponsor, Forecastle looks to take it up a notch. Bigger sponsors mean bigger acts, bigger crowds, bigger revenue for not only the festival but for many businesses in the Louisville area.

And that includes Southern Indiana.

As newsworthy as a new investor involved with the Louisville-based festival is for us at IL and others looking at the big economic picture for the city in regards to music fans and festival-heads across the country, the coming big news hinted by the festival via Twitter and Facebook means one thing:

The lineup is on the way, and it could be big.

How big?

Well, last year the festival had 35,000 over the weekend, and this year, well, Holly Weyler had this big news for us: “(We’re) expecting around 75,000 over the weekend in 2013.”

75,000! In case you can’t do the math, that is 25,000 a day over July 12 to July 14.

So, while the craft beer community lost out on selling beer inside the fest, and a shot at being a sponsor, Sierra Nevada, and other sponsors to come will prove that more resources leads to larger crowds, leads to larger revenue – a true attempt at trickle-down economics that should work for the city, and its businesses.

Business is going to be booming in the Louisville area July 12 through July 14 and in particular downtown Louisville, with maybe one of the largest urban gatherings this city has seen to date.

That’s why the Sierra Nevada sponsorship is exciting for Louisville businesses in their entirety, and that includes craft brewers.

Not only will their restaurants sell out, their beer will be discovered by out-of-towners in the bars throughout the city.

Big time sponsors are creating a bigger Forecastle “pie” that will allow more and bigger serving sizes for local bands and businesses; pretty simple economics.

With a wide-ranging perspective – and a little bit of insider information – it confirms reasons to be excited about all of this new Forecastle buzz, not narrow minded. Plus, the Forecastle team responded to our leak and gave word that their will be local beer representation at Forecastle, and there will also be local spirits (bourbon) for those craving the harder stuff.

Now we’ve taken care of business, let’s get to the fun stuff – who might play Forecastle in 2013.

Last year, Insider Louisville’s Terry Boyd correctly predicted My Morning Jacket would headline the festival in 2012, so we are looking to go 2-for-2 with some educated guesses on who the top act(s) may be at Louisville’s major festival this July.

The festival finally nabbed My Morning Jacket last year, so this year, we’re thinking Forecastle is going to nab another first time Forecastle sailor, and maybe even a big-time New2Lou.

Here’s five we’re gambling on, based on deductive reasoning, tour dates, Louisville music tastes/demographics, past Forecastles, other festival line-ups and an understanding of the common festival attendee.

InsiderLouisville’s Forecastle Predictions:

1. Jack White III 

Why it makes sense?

If Forecastle wants to continue to keep rocking our boat here in Louisville, the festival will strive to bring acts that have yet played the city. And if there is one act that is long overdue, it’s Jack White. Yes, the White Stripes visited once, but that was in 2005 … how many videos, bands, movies, and news has this modern rock-god been in since then? Plus, the drummers featured on Jack White’s solo-tour are absolutely phenomenal- no offense to Meg White, and her keep it easy, keep the space drum style.

Jack White would be an enormous booking for the Louisville festival. He will put the festival right up there with the best of them. Remember, we get perks for being a city-fest, and this city would explode during “Seven Nation Army,” as Louisville loves its working-man blues-rock. The Raconteur would fill the big news promise, fits the listening demographics of the city, and could be one to put 15,000-to-20,000 fans on the Great Lawn.

White is coming off a solo-album and a huge tour that included the headlining spot at Lollapalooza in Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park. He has yet to post tour dates, so hey, there’s a chance. Plus, White lives in Nashville, where Forecastle Festival owner Ashley Capps lives.

White probably won’t be on the festival circuit too much due to last year AND he’s been working on a new album.

So why not drive north three hours and rock a city that is  begging to be “blunderbussed.”

Jack White

Why Not?

Jack White is one of the world’s biggest rockstars, so this is probably too good to be true. Whether budgeting, or a lack of interest, White is a hard snag. But boy it would be big news if he took the bait.

Live Memory?

I saw Jack White last year at Lollapalooza, and in my nearly ten years of live listening, and six years of attending festivals, Jack White takes the cake for the loudest show, and is the most ridiculously rock-n-roll guitar based concert I’ve seen to date. Pretty electrifying stuff.

Odds: 15-1

2. Paul Simon

Why it makes sense?

Louisville has seen a bevy of “classic” acts lately here in town. Bruce Springsteen, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Roger Waters have been here. The Who, Bon Jovi and Eric Clapton are coming.  What this should tell you is that Louisville is proving to be a city willing to see acts that have been around for years, because it may be their first true chance to see a said big name in town.

Officials with AEG, which manages KFC Yum! Center, have told us acts that do okay in other cities sell out in Louisville.

So there is a proven market for reputable older acts. Paul Simon would be a classy act to a now proven recipe for a rewarding turnout from Louisville music fans, and is a very big name to have on top a bill.

Simon is touring the Pacific in April with no dates posted yet for the summer. There is plenty of time to rest up, and soothe Louisville listeners with “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.” Paul is known to play festivals, and not always the biggest as he played Hangout festival down in Gulf Shores, Alabama in 2010.

He’d also fit the mold for last year’s Wilco, as the act for all age fun, and would host a big crowd, while maybe some electronic producer can be entertaining the ravers.

Finally, again with the “never been to Louisville” theme, and even though I find this hard to believe, I couldn’t find any evidence of Paul Simon visiting Louisville. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Why Not?

There’s no evidence of Simon hitting the circuit this year quite yet. He’s not booked for any festival, and the other classic act that has been billed is Lou Reed, and I don’t see that a promising date for Forecastle. Simon has also been around a long time, and it can’t be certain he’d draw an abundance of out-of-towners, but then again it’s Paul Simon. Kind of depends if the connection is there, and Simon decides to tour this summer.

Live Memory?

Seeing Paul Simon live is maybe one of the most memorable live experiences I have. Every song is a classic, he can still sing pretty well.

Even in the nearly 30 years since its release, there have been few albums to demonstrate the level of rhythm on Simon’s all-time classic, Graceland …So, yeah, you can still groove to Paul Simon in 2013.

Odds: 30-1

3. My Morning Jacket

Why it makes sense?

Where else are they going to play? They’ve officially played every platform the city has to offer, there’s no bigger platform to be had in Louisville, and it just seems appropriate that MMJ be a consistent part of Forecastle from now on.

The biggest reason it makes sense is that as Forecastle grows, so will the reputation of the remarkable experience that is a My Morning Jacket Show in Louisville, Kentucky. There is no show like a MMJ show in Louisville. People from afar who come and witness them first-hand, such as Rolling Stone Magazine did last year, all have nothing but disbelief in what takes place.

The legend will only grow as the crowd sizes grow at Forecastle – for both MMJ, the festival, and all of those who become a “Jacketeer.”

Why Not?

If the Festival is afraid to attach itself to MMJ, or think it’s overkill to have them two years in a row. If the band doesn’t want to attach itself to Forecastle, or play two years in a row. If Jim James wants to do a solo show on a grand stage… Let’s be real, though, not a lot of negatives for fans and the city to have Forecastle as MMJ’s show-a-year.

Live Memory?

Last year’s Forecastle, all I gotta say.

Odds: 7-1

4.  The Black Keys

Why it makes sense?

This city loves the Black Keys. They’re WFPK favorites, they rocked Forecastle on the Belvedere in 2009 and they are superstars that would make Forecastle’s lineup look pretty nice. The Keys have played the city before and have proven success, as their last booking was at the Iroquois Amphitheater, one of the biggest the city has to offer. The Keys seem like one of the more likely bands from a past line-up to show up as a repeat headliner.

(The Flaming Lips are also an ideal repeat candidate.)

Why not?

The Black Keys is one of those bands that due to constant touring – and now constant airplay – may not be a deciding factor for out-of-town travelers, because if you are looking to travel to another festival, you’ve probably seen the Keys by now. While the band has drawn pretty well here in town, if Forecastle is looking to have nearly 10,000 on the Great Lawn each night, I’m not sure the Keys will do it for them. Not a bad decision by any means, but the reward doesn’t seem high enough – at least for a Top 3 booking – which the band has almost now guaranteed itself via the Grammy’s, Rolling Stone, and MTV.

Black Keys

(The Flaming Lips would be a better repeat.)

Live Memory?

In 2009, the Black Keys showed the DJ Scene how rock-n-roll can still make you dance, get wild, and let loose on the Belvedere. The then-duo headlined after electronic superstar Pretty Lights, and sent the crowd into pretty much one big mosh pit.

Odds: 20-1

5. DEADMAU5

Why it makes sense?

There is going to be somebody near the top of Forecastle that is electronic-oriented, and the dance scene has been an integral part of the festival’s development, especially for those who remember Halfway to Forecastle’s past.

Pretty Lights and Bassnectar have now both played Forecastle twice.

If the Festival is looking to give the neon-generation here in town something to rave about – pun intended – and also attract some out-of-towners, DeadMau5 may be the festival’s guy.

He’d definitely bring a lot of the East End crowd and capitalize on similar markets as Dayglow, a dance event that has visited Louisville.

He’s yet to release a full tour schedule, but as of now is open.

The Mau5 is also another one of those never been to Louisville superstars.

Why not?

Deadmau5 may be too big for the Festival to book if looking for a massive Waterfront show. Deadmau5 is usually a Top 3 act on even the biggest festivals, and it would be kind of a gamble for a Louisville festival to give its biggest spot to a DJ/Producer because the dance scene in Louisville isn’t that big.

Then again, he is a top act and Bassnectar did pretty well last year.

Live Memory?

In my one Deadmau5 experience, I wasn’t quite sure if I was on a battlefield or a dance floor as face paint was common, flags abundant, and wild behavior the norm.

Odds: 40-1

Bonus:

Not a bad Headliner guess: Eddie Vedder/Pearl Jam, The Avett Brothers, Nas, Paul McCartney.

Mid-Level Acts you may see: The Lumineers, Gary Clark Jr., Cage the Elephant, The XX, MiMosa, Ben Sollee.

Acts to put on the wish list, and who could bring 15,000-to- 20,000 fans: Mumford and Sons, Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Justin Bieber.

Just kidding … well to some extent.

We’ll have to save Louisville bands for later ….