MISSION CONCERT: Is it Bono, Lionel, Hayley or ... ?

If the rumours are to be believed, organisers looking for a headline act for next year's Mission Estate Winery concert still haven't found what they're looking for - so perhaps they can turn to Irish rock veterans U2?
Bono and the boys have become an outside bet for next year's concert, with the www.u2tours.com website listing an Australia-New Zealand tour in February or March as a "somewhat reliable" rumour.
U2 would present a more modern, rockier edge to the Mission concert, following on from the headline artists in recent years - Rod Stewart, John Farnham and Cliff Richard.
The site also lists the group, which has sold millions of records over an almost 30-year career, as being rumoured to be playing in Japan and South America at the start of 2006. Speaking of rumours, Fleetwood Mac is a constant entry in the list of rumoured Mission artists. Popular '80s crooner Lionel Richie has been the recent favourite to land next year's gig, and Paul Simon's name also keeps coming up.
Pop opera band Amici Forever has also been touted as a possibility, with the group featuring in its ranks former Havelock North High School head boy Geoff Sewell.
With the group's career firmly on the ascent, an appearance at the Mission would be unlikely, unless Geoff felt like making a quick trip home.
In the same boat as Geoff is Kiwi opera superstar Hayley Westenra, whom promoters will be hoping has a strong sense of parochialism, enough to entice her back to perform among the vines.
Although the Rolling Stones have embarked on a world tour to support their new studio album A Bigger Bang, like U2 they're probably too rocky for the Mission.
More likely is former Beatle Paul McCartney, who is thought to be touring Australia at about the same time as next year's Mission concert, and could take the long and winding road to Taradale.
Sadly, those hoping for a surprise appearance by American rap superstar Eminem may be out of luck, as the blonde one is apparently considering retiring to his 'hood to polish his bling.
Similarly, American heavy metal veterans Judas Priest were likely to be unavailable, as they were rumoured to be touring orphanages and homeless animal shelters in February. Efforts were still being made to confirm Ben Lummis' schedule for next year.
* Have you heard a Mission Concert rumour? Let us know. Call the chief reporter on 873-0810.