The Blue Ridge Rock Festival tried to improve on the previous year’s festival, once again taking over the campgrounds near the Virginia International Raceway in rural Alton, Virginia on September 7, 2023.

On the plus side, they reduced the number of stages down to 4, and laid them out in a way that you could easily move between the side-by-side main stages and the two supporting stages. They seemed to have more accessible food and drink stations. Reports from the campgrounds were that facilities were improved.

The day started out great, with scorching sunlight and slamming sets from a variety of metalcore bands. We were able to catch sets on all 4 stages, including Stitched Up Heart, Vince Neil and Highly Suspect on the Zyn Main Stage; Kingdom Collapse, Stephen Pearcy and Coheed & Cambria on the Monster Energy Main Stage; Vended on the Famous Monsters Stage; and D.R.U.G.S. on the Smartpunk Records Stage.

Suddenly, just as Coheed & Cambria finished their first song, the PA was cut and the screens and big voice alerted the massive crowd that a storm was coming and we needed to evacuate. Campers were sent back to the campground. Everyone else was instructed to wait in line for the “dozens” of school buses which the festival had purchased to drive them back to their parking lot, which was 5 miles away down single-line, winding country roads, where they could wait out the storm in their vehicles, before later being shuttled back to the festival grounds to watch whichever bands remained on the schedule.

I don’t know the actual math, but the logistics of moving tens of thousands of people five miles away in “dozens” of school buses ahead of an impending storm simply did not add up. In fact, it took longer than 4 hours to shuttle everyone back to the remote parking lots, meaning that the majority of them were just standing in a cattle call lineup as the storm did hit the festival for about 15-20 minutes of high winds, driving rain and even hail. It seems unlikely that they would be able to return anyone from the parking lots back to their cars in time to see any more performances. Perhaps the only ones who would have been able to see any more shows were the ones who had already been standing in line for more than 3 hours, waiting on a bus.

The first evacuation message came at 7:01 PM. At 7:15 PM, the message was sent that “Shuttle busses are continually loading now.” and that fans waiting to be returned to their vehicles should “Please be patient.”. Around 8:00, after the storm had ended, there was a social media post explaining that the remote venue had no curfew and the festival organizers were working with the 4 headliners for each stage to be able to return fans to the venue and get those performances in. At 10:14 PM, the message was posted claiming that the festival grounds and equipment were “good to go” but that the artists were claiming equipment damage which made it impossible to play. This was a confusing explanation, as none of the headliners had their equipment on stage yet, since their set times were hours away.

The end result was a half day of music, and the passionate and dedicated fans of hard rock music were robbed of the chance to experience Evanescense, Rise Against, Cypress Hill, Five Finger Death Punch, Tech N9ne, Machine Head, Blessthefall, Staind and Three Days Grace. This left a bad taste in the mouths of many, but hope remained for a rocking 3 days to come.

BRRF23 Day 1

7 photos

Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023 Day 1 Half Review first appeared on Game On Media.

Welcome To Rockville took over the Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, May 18, 2023 with hopes of making up for last year’s disaster when most of day 2 and 3 performances were canceled due to severe weather in the area. Gates opened at noon for the largest crowd yet, in excess of 40,000 Rockvillians ready to party.

Bloodywood, a band from New Delhi, India, kicked things into high gear on the Space Zebra main stage. They have 2 lead screamers and a nu-metal sound with some Bollywood spice. They had plenty of messages to share about standing up for yourself and doing what you believe in. At the same time, Widow 7 was playing the Rockvillain third stage located in the middle of the festival grounds. Their sound was more traditional nu-metal.

Over on the Octane second main stage, Austin Meade was delivering southern rock with a bit of a country edge. The second VIP area offered some bleacher seating, but most of that area was blocked from any view of the stage and did not have any food options. It did have a bar tent and access to permanent bathrooms. Behind that was a path to the new location for the small 4th stage. Budderside was tearing up the DWPresents stage with their radio-friendly sound, highlighted by the excellent vocal stylings of Patrick Stone.

Competing next was Brutus, a trippy Belgian outfit led by singing drummer Stefanie Mannaerts and UK punk rockers Wargasm featuring Sam Matlock and Milkie Way. Then things really kicked into gear as the heavy hitters took over the main stages. Black Stone Cherry debuted “Out Of Pocket”, a great new song from their upcoming album “Screamin’ At The Sky”. The boys from Kentucky brought the high energy and emotion that they always do and had the crowd moving and singing along to their catalog of hits. Avatar got halfway through their second song when 5:00 hit, the sound was cut and the first evacuation of Welcome To Rockville 2023 was upon us.

Everyone calmly left the speedway, hoping that history was not repeating itself. The message repeated “Severe Weather Approaching. Please Exit Festival Site. Monitor Social Media.” Fortunately, the storm cleared and the gates reopened at 6:30 with a revised schedule. The only major lineup casualty was Trivium.

The main stage kicked off at 7:15 with Bullet For My Valentine delivering a tight intense 30 minute set. Singing along to “Your Betrayal” never felt so powerful – “I was told to stay away. Those two words I can’t obey!”. This festival has too many bands and not enough stage time. The band and the crowd were ready for twice as much as they got.

Puscifer hit the Octane stage for an artistic event, complete with psychedelic video effects throughout the show.

Rivals were playing at the same time around the corner at the “camping” stage. They are similar to Spiritbox in their sound, with many songs about self-empowerment.

The Cult played the main stage, but the real event was happening on the 3rd stage. Japanese female rockers Band-Maid put on an incredible set, showcasing their substantial musical skills. Their performance was fun and upbeat and their music got thrashy at times. The lead guitarist really shreds. They deserved a main stage slot, as there were so many people trying to see them and no room for everyone.

Rob Zombie experienced technical difficulties as his stage set video screens were stuck on endless reboot. After a 15 minute delay, they came out and played with only the main large video screen behind them working. Zombie apologized and mentioned that they were wasting time fixing it and had to cut the set short, as they were “not here to fuck with Slipknot. With all of you here, we don’t need that shit.” They played what people wanted to hear and a Zombie show is always entertaining, even without full production.

The revised schedule created an unfortunate conflict with Suicidal Tendencies playing at the same time as Slipknot. Mike Muir thanked the thousands who showed up, despite the other option. Half of the crowd had not seen ST play live before, and they got a kick-ass show and mini TED talks. Suicidal is one of the best live bands you can see, and you leave ready to fight for yourself and your own beliefs.

Slipknot was allowed to play well past midnight, with track and local officials allowed the event to run late. They were as intense and explosive as they always are. All in all, it was a very successful Day 1 for Welcome To Rockville 2023.

Keep up to date with the latest on future editions of Welcome To Rockville at https://welcometorockville.com/

Welcome To Rockville 2023 Day 1 Survives The Storm With Slipknot first appeared on Game On Media.

The first 100 artists have been announced for Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023, taking place at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia from Septmber 7th – 10th, 2023. With 5 headliners yet to be announced, and a total of 144 acts scheduled to appear,

BRRF 23 is shaping up to be THE rock festival of the year.

Get tickets, camping spots, and all lineup and venue information at https://blueridgerockfest.com/

Blue Ridge Rock Festival actively involves their fans in the selection of artists, using social media polls to help set the stage. The first 100 performers for 2023  have been announced:

Pantera, Shinedown, Limp Bizkit, Evanescence, Megadeth, Three Days Grace, Chevelle, Parkway Drive, Pierce The Veil, Motionless In White, Coheed And Cambria, Beartooth, Highly Suspect, Corey Taylor, Coal Chamber, Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm, Bad Omens, Black Label Society, Machine Head, Blue October, The Ghost Inside, Asking Alexandria, Spiritbox, VV, Tech N9ne, Testament, Biohazard, Job For A Cowboy, Cavalera Conspiracy, Jinjer, Vince Neil, Avatar, Static-X, The Amity Affliction, Slaughter To Prevail, Stephen Pearcy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Exodus, Overkill, Electric Callboy, Sleep Token, Atreyu, Finger Eleven, Taproot, Death Angel, Drowning Pool, Trustcompany, Memphis May Fire, Crown The Empire, Dayseeker, Senses Fail, Stabbing Westward, The Color Morale, Cold, CKY, Dope, After The Burial, Emmure, Northlane, Bury Tomorrow, Escape The Fate, Attila, Fit For An Autopsy, Gemini Syndrome, Adema, Alpha Wolf, Woe Is Me, Make Them Suffer, Holding Absence, Born Of Osiris, Kublai Khan Tx, Like Moths To Flames, Upon A Burning Body, Caskets, I Set My Friends On Fire, Vended, Landmvrks, Psychostick, Rain City Drive, Bleed From Within, Bodysnatcher, Stitched Up Heart, Eva Under Fire, Thousand Below, Angelmaker, Paleface, No Resolve, Tallah, Catch Your Breath, Ten56., Hanabie, Patient Sixty-Seven, Until I Wake, Dropout Kings, Eternal Frequency and Heartsick.

Campers get a free bonus on-site pre-party on Wednesday night, featuring Scott Stapp of Creed, 10 Years, Nonpoint and Tantric.

One of the great features of Blue Ridge Rock Festival over the years has been its ability to deliver unique special performances. So far, this year’s event promises:

• Parkway Drive bringing their full pyrotechnic performance usually only seen in Europe.
• Cavalera Conspiracy performing a special set of Sepultura songs.
• Electric Callboy exclusive U.S. festival appearance.
• Finger Eleven rare U.S. performance.
• Hanabie U.S. debut.
• Patient Sixty-Seven U.S. debut.
• Cold 30th anniversary performance of “Year Of The Spider” in its entirety.
• Attila performing “About That Life” in its entirety.
• Heartsick fan voted talent search winner.

Once again, BRRF will satisfy its fans desire for band reunions, including:

• Lacey Sturm and Flyleaf original lineup reunion.
• Biohazard original lineup reunion.
• Trustcompany original lineup reunion.
• Woe, Is Me original lineup reunion.
• Coal Chamber reunion.
• Job For A Cowboy reunion.
• Taproot reunion.
• The Color Morale reunion.

In addition to most of your favorite bands playing shows, this fest also showcases some speical lead vocalist solo performances:

• Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour.
• Ville Valo of HIM.
• Vince Neil of Motley Crue.
• Stephen Pearcy of Ratt.
• Scott Stapp of Creed.

Blue Ridge Rock Festival offers VIP upgrades, hip-hop after parties, acoustic performances and artist meet-and-greets. Plus plenty of music-based vendors and charities, and all the food and drink options you have come to expect.

Don’t wait. Get tickets, camping spots, and all lineup and venue information at https://blueridgerockfest.com/

For reviews and photos from previous editions of the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, click here.

BRRF22 Day 1

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BRRF22 Day 2

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BRRF22 Day 3

12 photos

BRRF22 Day 4

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Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023 Announces First 100 Artists Including Pantera, Shinedown, Limp Bizkit, Evanescence first appeared on Game On Media.

Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival

Announces Spectacular Lineup Of Rock Heavyweights

For The Event’s Anticipated Comeback In 2023

Including Foo Fighters, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold & KISS,

Godsmack, Rob Zombie, Queens Of The Stone Age, Deftones, & Many More

Held At The Best Stadium In Rock,

Historic Crew Stadium In Columbus, Ohio

Memorial Day Weekend – May 25, 26, 27 & 28, 2023

General Pass Onsale HERE

The pinnacle of rock festivals in America is back! After a three-year hiatus, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival returns to its home at the heartbeat of rock, the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Memorial Day Weekend–May 25-28, 2023 — with a spectacular lineup of rock heavyweights that make Sonic Temple’s comeback one of the most anticipated events of the 2023 festival season.

The lineup includes headliners Foo Fighters, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold and KISS, along with top rock artists Godsmack, Rob Zombie, Queens of the Stone Age, Deftones, Falling In Reverse, Chevelle, Puscifer, Beartooth, I Prevail, Jawbreaker, Sublime with Rome, Bullet For My Valentine, The Pretty Reckless, Pennywise, Trivium, Black Veil Brides and many more.

Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents and will also feature creative elements designed by acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey. Jose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin will host the event with on-stage appearances and fan meet and greets.

“We’ve always enjoyed playing Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus and are excited to be a part of this year’s Sonic Temple,” says M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold. “It’ll be a blast to share the stage with Tool, Foo Fighters and others, we can’t wait to see and play for all of our amazing fans again.”

“It’s great to be coming back to Columbus,” adds Danny Wimmer, Founder of Danny Wimmer Presents. “Foo Fighters, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, KISS plus 75 more, it’s our biggest lineup ever! There is so much history at Historic Crew Stadium, it truly is the heartbeat of rock for many of us…the excitement surrounding the return of Sonic Temple is unparalleled!”

“We are thrilled that DWP and Sonic Temple are returning to Historic Crew Stadium this year for what will be an enhanced and electric four-day atmosphere,” said Columbus Crew President of Business Operations Kristin Bernert. “We look forward to opening our doors to fans of the amazing acts in this year’s lineup to a place that has long been synonymous with energy and fun in Central Ohio.”

The daily music lineup for Sonic Temple is as follows:

Thursday, May 25: Tool, Godsmack, Beartooth, Bullet For My Valentine, Pennywise, Bad Omens, Suicidal Tendencies, Fever 333, Anti-Flag, Joey Valence & Brae, Bones UK, Ho99o9, The Warning, Oxymorrons, Angel Du$t, Bloodywood, Wargasm, Malevolence, Bastardane, OTTTO

Friday, May 26: Avenged Sevenfold, Queens of the Stone Age, Chevelle, I Prevail, Knocked Loose, Sleeping With Sirens, Badflower, Dorothy, Black Stone Cherry, Converge, Born of Osiris, Band-Maid, Lilith Czar, Des Rocs, Mothica, Fame on Fire, Dayseeker, Vended, Mike’s Dead

Saturday, May 27: KISS, Rob Zombie, Falling in Reverse, Puscifer, Trivium, Black Veil Brides, Rival Sons, Yelawolf Presents: Sometimes Y, Avatar, Senses Fail, From Ashes To New, Giovannie & The Hired Guns, Brutus, Dead Poet Society, The Violent, Point North, Tallah, Varials, Tigercub, Capital Theatre

Sunday, May 28: Foo Fighters, Deftones, Sublime with Rome, Jawbreaker, The Pretty Reckless, Awolnation, Nothing More, Grandson, White Reaper, Filter, Ayron Jones, The Bronx, Poorstacy, Zero 9:36, New Years Day, Nova Twins, Bob Vylan, Aeir, Starcrawler

Sonic Temple passes are on sale now. New passes in 2023 include Stadium VIP and the Columbus Owner’s Club (4-day pass). Returning pass options include Field GA, Field VIP and Stadium GA—all available as weekend or single day passes. For a full description of passes and pricing, visit https://sonictemplefestival.com. Prices start as low as $109.99 + fees. And through January 31, passes can be purchased for only $10 down, with layaway payments amortized evenly through April. Passes are also available at DWPSonic.com with “buy now pay later” via ShopPay.

Columbus Owner’s Club members will enjoy the ultimate VIP experience, including access to the field and dedicated seating in the stadium bowl; air conditioned lounge with private hosted bar, comfortable seating, and live audio and video of the main stage; complimentary hors d’oeuvres during lunch and dinner hours; dedicated festival merchandise booth; dedicated WiFi; air-conditioned, flushable restrooms; dedicated guest services staff; priority festival entrance lanes; premium parking and more.

In addition to festival admission passes, onsite parking, hotel packages and 300 weekend RV camping passes will be available during the presale window. Any remaining passes, parking, hotel packages and camping will be available for purchase during the general on-sale which begins Friday, January 13 at Noon ET.

Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America. Additional DWP events in 2023 will include Aftershock Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, GoldenSky Country Music Festival, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life and Welcome To Rockville.

For more information on Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, visit:

Website: https://sonictemplefestival.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sonictemplefestival  | @SonicTempleFestival

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sonictemplefest | @SonicTempleFest

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sonictemplefestival | @SonicTempleFestival

Hashtag: #SonicTempleFestival

Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival: Foo Fighters, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, KISS, Godsmack, Rob Zombie, Queens Of The Stone Age, Deftones, & More At Historic Crew Stadium In Columbus, Ohio Memorial Day Weekend first appeared on Game On Media.