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The 9 Most Anticipated Reunions of 2020

Often a pipe-dream of many music fans, the frequent call for a reunion has been heeded by some of the biggest groups in the world in recent months.

2019 undoubtedly served as the year of the reunion, with some of music's biggest names ensuring that 2020 would be a hive of activity after many years away.

Jimmy Hubbard/Press; Paul Brown/Press

It’s the natural life cycle for any musical act to form, flower, and then flounder. Although countless bands have continued on for decades after common sense dictates they should, many of the greats have cut it short before their time, leaving us to wonder what the future holds. Once this inevitability occurs, the sought-after reunion may eventually come into play years down the line, with fans once again getting the chance to see their favourite acts live, and – hopefully – receive new music.

While the best of these are usually a rare occurrence that come after years of pleading from a vocal majority, 2019 has managed to bear witness to a number of famed acts announcing they’re getting back together. Now, with 2020 serving as the year these reunions are set to bear fruit, let’s take a look at a round-up of the biggest reformations of the past year and just what’s in store for their dedicated fans.

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Rage Against The Machine

Why They Split: For a group whose history is as volatile as the topics they approach, the details surrounding Rage Against the Machine’s split is not widely documented. Though their original break-up in 2000 was due to vocalist Zack de la Rocha’s departure due to his opinion that their “decision-making process has completely failed” and that it has “undermined our artistic and political ideal”, their four-year reformation ended in 2011 under unknown circumstances, with members giving conflicting responses to the topic of new material at the time.

Last Performance: After close to a year between gigs, Rage Against the Machine played their last live show to date at their own L.A. Rising festival on July 30, 2011. Performing as part of a lineup that featured the likes of Lauryn Hill, Muse, Immortal Technique, and Rise Against, the band were in fine company, closing out their second period of activity with the one-two punch of “Freedom” and “Killing in the Name” as their encore.

Years Off: Eight

2020 Plans: It was to the surprise of everyone that Rage Against the Machine announced a new reunion back in November, sharing plans for a number of dates in 2020. Set to take place at a trio of US border states throughout March, the crown jewel of this reunion tour will occur in April when the group headline Coachella for the third time. Appearing at the first festival in 1999 and playing the first show of their 2007 reunion at Coachella, it’s undoubtedly on track to be one of the year’s biggest shows.

Since their initial announcement, the group have slowly added a few US festivals to their itinerary, though news of a potential Australian return is yet to be revealed. Despite an apparently fake tour poster making the rounds recently, it appears that fans might be witnessing the gradual return of the musical icons. Whatever the case, you can be sure Rage Against the Machine will be the voice of reason the world needs ahead of the 2020 US election.