J. Balvin and Tyler Reddick during driver intros at Bristol last Saturday. (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
Racing is a part of my life and so is music. Combine both and you will get a smile out of me, especially if it is in Southern California.
The Busch Light Clash will be held once again at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum next February. It will be the third straight year NASCAR will kick off the new season in SoCal, but with a neat twist and something I have been clamoring for since the beginning.
More events to keep people engaged and that is having a support race before the main attraction, which is the Cup exhibition race. For the first time since 2015, the NASCAR Mexico Series will compete in the United States as they will be racing in the prestigious venue before the Clash.
The inclusion of the Mexico Series is a huge plus because if the Clash is going to be a weekend buzz, more attractions are vital for it to thrive. It has been a big peeve that there are not enough general activities both times I have covered the Clash in Los Angeles.
One year was a result of COVID-19 restrictions hampering sessions, including having practice Saturday morning behind closed doors. Earlier this year, the scheduling was better but still lacked the race weekend vibe like NASCAR tried to do with Chicago until the rain nixed the ideal vision and what INDYCAR has done for a long time.
The Busch Light Clash will return to Los Angeles next February. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Part of why I love the Grand Prix of Long Beach is the fact there is non-stop action on the track. Not only do you get an INDYCAR race, but you also have IMSA, Formula Drift, historic cars competing and some live shows. You get every bang worth your buck.
This leads to my other passion besides racing – music and what I am focusing on regarding the Busch Light Clash. To several, notably the college crowd and folks who want to check out the buzz of racing in LA, live music performances during the pre-race and halftime break is the other main attraction.
Just having the Cup cars and two musical acts in between the main event is not going to rival what INDYCAR, Iowa Speedway and Hy-Vee have done for the past two years.
Those folks were able to get Ed Sheeran, who is doing incredibly with The Subtract Tour, even breaking attendance records in Santa Clara and Seattle that Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour briefly held.
Ed Sheeran before the start of the second Iowa race in July. The multi-time Grammy Award winner held a concert after the INDYCAR race. (Photo: James Black | Penske Entertainment)
If they were able to get one of today’s top acts, what would stop NASCAR?
For starters, the Grammy Awards being held the exact day the Busch Light Clash puts a severe damper on the sport looking to snatch top acts.
Who is automatically out of the running to perform in the iconic Peristyle steps?
For starters, Swift, Sheeran, Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, Peso Pluma, Drake, Dua Lipa, Foo Fighters and Metallica – forget about it! They are likely to be frontrunners for awards in February and some will likely perform live at “The House That Kobe Built” (I refuse to call it by its current name, but it is still the Staples Center to me).
You will have a better chance seeing John Cena bringing back the “Thuganomics” gimmick and doing a rap show than seeing any of those acts in the Clash. Be realistic!
NASCAR has done a nice job incorporating rap in both Clashes in LA with Pitbull and Ice Cube in 2022 and Cypress Hill and Wiz Khalifa a year ago, a refreshing feeling because SoCal is not an area that I associate with country music whatsoever.
Wiz Khalifa performing in last year’s halftime show in Los Angeles. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Yes, they have relied on nostalgia acts thus far and it is not a bad thing. It could be their only viable option in large part of the Grammys and having a couple of SoCal acts is a neat touch.
There are folks who have shown up to the races primarily to hear the artist doing their thing. For the younger crowd, it is an excuse to live the college life on a February evening.
If you cannot get the acts ruling today’s top-40, country, or even mega rock stars, who can you get that are not in the running for Grammys or are reasonable to just do a small setlist?
I have several acts I would love to see in the Coliseum or who I would think will be great performing live. Most of them are thematic based on the location and their ongoing growth for diversity.
It shall be noted this list is subjective and I will welcome people’s input into who they would love to see perform in the Clash.
Pre-Race Show
J. Balvin
Had it not been for him appearing at Bristol Motor Speedway last Saturday, I would have never considered the man behind 2017’s summer jam “Mi Gente.”
As part of promoting his line of Air Jordan 3 sneakers, the Columbian’s name was plastered on Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota Camry and the main inspiration of coming up with my music wish list for the Clash. It was also the first NASCAR race he ever attended after previously attending Formula One’s Miami Grand Prix.
One can hope he enjoyed it enough that he would be down to perform in Los Angeles and draw some fans to see him live on the steps.
The Warning
When NASCAR announced the Mexico Series, I thought about one band I would love to finally see perform live. That would be the amazing sister trio metal band, The Warning, who are one of my favorite new acts out there.
They are slowly making their mark in the world of metal and have an amazing, dedicated fan base with some going as far back to their viral cover of “Enter Sandman” in 2014. Their original material, both English and Spanish, rule with songs such as “Evolve,” “Z,” “More,” and “Dust to Dust” just to name a few.
The trio of Daniela, Paulina and Alejandra Villarreal know how to get a crowd engaged and having them in a vibrant setting like NASCAR will be quite euphoric. My main caveat is whether they will be considered for Grammy Awards, specifically, in the hard rock and maybe the Latin category which could put this wish in jeopardy. I guess we will know come November 10th when the nominees are announced.
We have seen artists perform the Star-Spangled Banner at NASCAR events before becoming megastars (i.e., Swift at Phoenix in 2006 and Zendaya at Homestead in 2013). Having The Warning perform their setlist to gain new exposure would not hurt. I see them becoming a staple in the metal/hard rock scene for years to come. They are simply damn good!
HAIM
If you really know me, you would know that I love this sister trio from the Valley. It is an automatic no brainer for me to consider the Grammy Award nominated rock band consisting of Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim.
If you have not had the chance to see them live, you are honestly missing out. HAIM are cool-personified, unapologetic, and incredible storytellers with their music paying homage to 70s classic rock, 80s pop and 90s R&B. They have garnered more fans over the past couple of years, notably, being a supporting act and performing songs with Taylor Swift in The Eras Tour and Alana’s critically acclaimed performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2021 film Licorice Pizza.
Songs such as “The Wire,” “The Steps,” “My Song 5,” “Want You Back,” “I Know Alone,” and “Gasoline” highlight their amazing catalog over the past decade.
The trio can sing, dance, and have such a fashionable and sassy presence that defines the vibe of Southern California to a tea. What more can you want in a musical performance that will genuinely deliver and continue their positive momentum in the Double 20s.
Limp Bizkit
Who is next? Am I going to say Creed or Nickelback? Hear me out on this one, please. Clear as day, Limp Bizkit have been a punchline for two decades, but I am here for the social media chaos because they do rock.
Sure, Fred Durst does not have the same stage presence as he did back in the day. But who would not be down to hear “Rollin’” or “Take A Look Around” at a NASCAR event?
They have always sounded bad ass. With the group still sounding good, it is a big reason why they would be a good choice to perform in the Busch Light Clash.
In a way, this band is underrated and the music equivalent of a motion picture. They have gained a cult following and it is a beautiful thing.
Halftime Show
Bad Bunny
If you want someone who is not in the running for Grammys, not on tour and a big money draw, look no further than Benito, the most streamed artist in the world for the last few years.
Of all the acts I am listing, he will be a tough sell because of his megastar status. However, if NASCAR would like to fill up the stands with ease, it is as good as its going to get.
He is a top worldwide act, and you will check off a huge demographic who enjoy his music – multicultural and the 18-34 age demographic. Not only that, but we have also seen the WWE’s presence during Clash weekend with FOX playing a big role in the handful of superstars appearing over the years.
We will also be well underway with WrestleMania season, and it so happens Bad Bunny has been heavily involved with WWE. Benito has competed at WrestleMania twice and headlined Backlash in front of white-hot San Juan, Puerto Rico crowd. Even if his tracks are all in Spanish and does not quite speak English, the big picture is drawing outsiders and see if they will also become race fans at the end of the night.
Bad Bunny would be best for business and get people talking about NASCAR. Just like INDYCAR, Iowa and Hy-Vee had when they announced Sheeran performing this summer, but a much bigger buzz when you are in Drake and Taylor Swift status in song streams!
Pantera
I’m a big metal guy, nothing will satisfy my soul than NASCAR going that route and bring in a noteworthy name. Pantera will capture an amazing atmosphere in the Coliseum.
Nothing screams short track, fender bender, emotionally induced chaos than Pantera. Quite frankly, an amazing combination to really say ‘NASCAR is so back!’
Although considered a nostalgia act by many, they’re still kicking ass live with the group being a support act for Metallica’s M72 World Tour. By the way, next year’s portion of the tour won’t begin until May, so should they would be down to rock LA, it is plausible.
Furthermore, Phil Anselmo sounds as good as ever which is great and could not fathom how a show will unfold. It is all you can ask for one of thrash metal’s iconic groups.
Snoop Dogg & Kendrick Lamar
We have already had a couple of West Coast hip-hop icons perform in the Clash. Should NASCAR like to continue that trend, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar are the next, good choices to have.
It can be a mix of the old school and new school on stage which can be fun as proven in Super Bowl LVI. Of course, you will not get Dr. Dre and Eminem will be an absolute reach, so a decent consolation prize like Snoop and Kendrick should do the trick.
Although I am not the biggest Kendrick guy and not crazy about Snoop’s material since 2010, I can still see the big picture of bringing two big names from SoCal.
I would like to think either one will provide a better performance than last year’s acts in terms of folks getting down to the hits. Maybe do a collaborative set to make it unique? Better yet, try caring about putting on a show.
Eminem
I said Eminem will be a reach, but he is a solo act that can draw people to the Busch Light Clash. “Slim Shady” is my next best option if Bad Bunny is out of the running for a possible act who can fill the stands on race day.
Entertainment is paramount in getting folks to the races these days. Understandably, a large group of people will show up for him and you must consider the 18-34 age demographic for which he fits that bill.
No matter the age group, a lot of people still listen to his music. Like Snoop, his newer stuff is not my cup of tea, but it does not matter in this scenario.
The Busch Light Clash needs an act who can really bring people to the races. This is why Iowa Speedway has drawn crowds with Sheeran, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and the Zac Brown Band on their lineup.
If they want to be at that lunch table with Iowa, Long Beach or even Miami and Las Vegas, NASCAR must be willing to fork up money and bring Eminem.
I am curious to see where NASCAR and the LA Memorial Coliseum go as far as their musical acts. The Clash weekend has the potential of being a huge event and music can play a role on bringing new folks and hopefully introduced to the sport.
At the end of the day, I cover the race and see what will unfold on the track. Additionally, I shoot photos of the madness with music performances being a nice bonus.
