Archives: News

  • Amazon Music To Exclusively Livestream Vans Warped Tour 30th Anniversary

    Amazon Music To Exclusively
    Livestream Vans Warped Tour 30th Anniversary  
    The livestream of the iconic rock festival will broadcast on June 14 and 15 from Washington, D.C. with performances from artists like Bowling For Soup, Hawthorne Heights, Mayday Parade, mgk, and Sublime  
    Watch the broadcast from Amazon Music on Prime Video and Twitch
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 2, 2025 – Today, Amazon Music announces its livestream of renowned touring rock festival Vans Warped Tour. Broadcast globally at the sold-out iteration in Washington, D.C.’s on the festival grounds at RFK Campus, the livestream will celebrate 30 years of Vans Warped Tour’s vibrant music, culture and community. Sponsored by Lenovo and Intel, fans can tune into Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15.  

    Amazon Music’s livestream will bring Vans Warped Tour’s spirit of punk, alternative and rock directly to fans, with electrifying performances spanning genres and generations alike, including Bowling For Soup, Hawthorne Heights, Mayday Parade, mgk, and Sublime. Recognized as one of the most successful and longest-running festivals of its kind, Vans Warped Tour makes its long-awaited return in partnership with Insomniac, the world’s leading music festival and live events experience creator, to revive the magic for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.  

    The Vans Warped Tour livestream will be hosted by musician and media personality Lilith Czar (aka Juliet Simms) and Amazon Music’s Andy Harms. The hosts will chat with some of the iconic festival’s hottest artists from the exclusive Amazon Music backstage set to preview the exciting performances fans can expect to see throughout the weekend, as well as content filmed by a field reporter in the crowd at the festival. Fans can listen to the REDISCOVER vans warped tour, the official Vans Warped Tour playlist, which features music from this year’s festival, as well as commentary from artists, Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, and more.  

    Recently, Amazon launched the “Festival Shop,” a comprehensive one-stop destination showcasing an unrivaled selection of music festival essentials. Customers can effortlessly browse thousands of items—from exclusive Amazon Music artist merch collections to trending festival fashion, essentials, beauty products, and more. Select artist merch items are also available through the Amazon Music app, with Prime members benefiting from fast and free shipping—getting festival gear delivered right to their door with time to spare before the show. Customers can find the festival shop on Amazon.com here and in the Amazon Music app here.  

    Check out the Washington, D.C. lineup HERE and the full Vans Warped Tour lineup HERE. Stay tuned for more news, including the official livestream schedule.  

    ABOUT AMAZON MUSIC: Amazon Music is an immersive audio entertainment service that connects fans, artists, and creators through music, podcasts, and culture. Amazon Music brings fans closer to what they love, with curated and personalized playlists, artist livestreams, artist merch, and Amazon Exclusive podcasts. Prime members get access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode, All-Access playlists, plus the largest catalog of top ad-free podcasts, included with their membership. Customers can subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited for full, on-demand access to 100 million songs in HD, a growing catalog of Ultra HD and Spatial audio, and one audiobook a month from the world’s largest selection of audiobooks from Audible. Anyone can listen to Amazon Music by downloading the free Amazon Music app, or wherever they listen to music including Alexa-enabled devices. Learn more at amazon.com/music.

    About Vans Warped Tour: The Vans Warped Tour gained notoriety as the largest traveling music festival in the United States, and the longest-running touring music festival in North America. Originally conceived by founder Kevin Lyman in 1995 as an eclectic alternative rock festival, with a focus on punk rock, over the years the tour grew to include a multitude of genres, including metal, hip hop, reggae, pop and more. By its end in 2019, it had earned a reputation as one of the best tours to attend to discover emerging acts, to learn more about meaningful nonprofits and companies who are working to make a positive impact on the world that surrounds them, and to meet like-minded friends.  

    Over its 25 years, Vans Warped Tour built a legacy as the must attend summer festival for rock and music lovers alike. Since its start in 1995 it provided a platform for established as well as up-and-coming artists, with past performers including Blink182, No Doubt, Sublime, Beck, Katy Perry, NOFX, Limp Bizkit, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Eminem, Yellowcard, Bad Religion, and countless others.

    For press inquiries related to Vans Warped Tour, please reach out to VWT@dkcnews.com.

  • JERRY CANTRELL RELEASES “I WANT BLOOD” VIDEO FEATURING A LIVE PERFORMANCE WITH CANTRELL, GUNS N’ ROSES’ DUFF MCKAGAN, AND FAITH NO MORE’S MIKE BORDIN

    JERRY CANTRELL RELEASES “I WANT BLOOD” VIDEO   FEATURING A LIVE PERFORMANCE WITH CANTRELL, GUNS N’ ROSES’ DUFF MCKAGAN, AND FAITH NO MORE’S MIKE BORDIN
    U.S. TOUR DATES ON-SALE TODAY AT 10 A.M. LOCAL TIME “I Want Blood” video   May 22, 2025 – The title track from Jerry Cantrell’s recently released album, I Want Blood, comes to life in the newly unveiled video for the song – featuring a live performance from Cantrell with Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan and Faith No More’s Mike Bordin.   Director Bill Yukich shares: “’I Want Blood’ explores our struggle against time – a force we can’t escape and the only thing we truly possess… until we don’t. Watching Jerry, Duff, and Bordin bring this song to life on set was unforgettable – raw, real, and absolutely legendary.”   The video arrives as tickets for a new round of U.S. tour dates are on-sale this morning at 10 a.m. local time. VIP and upgraded ticket bundles are also available via jerrycantrell.com/tour.
    I Want Blood showcases the legendary guitarist and vocalist at his most raw and resolute, blending brooding melodies with searing guitar work and introspective lyricism. The album has received widespread acclaim ,with the Los Angeles Times praising its “heavy, nuanced songs,” while Kerrang! calling it a “thunderous solo album that you can file alongside his best work.” Revolver, in their cover story on the iconic musician, saying the collection “delivers weighty, slippery riff and the kind of memorable rock hooks he’s been creating since the earliest days of Alice in Chains.”   The album is available on CD, digitally, and in multiple 2LP vinyl variants: https://bio.to/JerryCantrell. A deluxe spoken-word edition featuring narration by Cantrell and contributions from producer Joe Barresi, engineer Maxwell Urasky, Greg Puciato, Roy Mayorga, Gil Sharone, Rani Sharone, George Adrian, Vincent Jones, and  Michael Rozon is also available both on vinyl and digital platforms. An accompanying animated video series by Boy Tillekens can be viewed here.
     
    “I Want Blood” U.S. tour dates:   August 16 San Diego, CA The Observatory North Park August 17 Anaheim, CA House of Blues August 19 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre August 20 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre August 22 Dallas, TX House of Blues August 23 Austin, TX Emo’s August 26 St. Petersburg, FL Jannus Live August 27 Orlando, FL House of Blues August 29 Columbia, SC The Senate August 30 Charleston, SC The Refinery September 2 Allentown, PA Archer Music Hall September 3 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place September 5 Cleveland, OH House of Blues September 6 Pittsburgh, PA Roxian Theatre September 7 Cincinnati, OH Bogart’s September 9 Detroit, MI Saint Andrew’s Hall September 10 Davenport, IA Capitol Theatre September 12 Minneapolis, MN Uptown September 13 La Vista, NE The Astro (Indoor Theater) September 14 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater   “I Want Blood” European tour dates:   May 31 Padua, IT Hall June 1 Milan, IT Magazzini Generali June 4 Gdańsk, PL Gdańsk Shipyard June 6 Berlin, DE Columbia Theater June 7 Willingshausen, DE Rock Im Park June 8 Nürburg, DE Rock Am Ring June 10 Zagreb, HR Tvornica Kulture June 12 Nickelsdorf, AT Nova Rock June 13 Hradec Kálové, CZ Rock For People June 15 Derby, UK Download Festival June 17 London, UK O2 Forum Kentish Town June 19 Amsterdam, NL Melkweg June 20 Dessel, BE Graspop Metal Meeting June 22 Clisson, FR Hellfest June 24 Paris, FR La Machine du Moulin Rouge June 25 Nijmegen, NL Doornroosje June 26 Hamburg, DE Gruenspan June 28 Oslo, NO Tons of Rock  
    Photo credit: Nick Fancher
    Jerry Cantrell is an iconic American troubadour, celebrated for his distinctive guitar playing, soulful vocals and profound songwriting. Known for his work in both Alice In Chains and as a solo artist, the GRAMMY-nominated musician has sold in excess of 30 million albums, has been named one of the greatest guitar players of all time by both Guitar World and Rolling Stone, and has been instrumental in shaping the sound of modern rock music. Over his career, he has released six studio albums with Alice in Chains, four solo full-lengths, has had his music featured in films from Cameron Crowe, Judd Apatow and Ben Stiller and made cameos in “Deadwood” and “Jerry Maguire.”
    # # #   Jerrycantrell.com Instagram.com/jerrycantrell Facebook.com/officialjerrycantrell X.com/jerrycantrell YouTube.com

  • Welcome To Rockville Sets New Record With 230,000 Fans At Daytona International Speedway May 15-18; Shinedown, Green Day, Linkin Park and KORN Topped Lineup Of 150+ Bands At North America’s Largest

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    North America’s Largest Rock Festival

    Welcome To Rockville

    Sets New Record As 230,000 Fans

    Converged At Daytona International Speedway May 15-18

    More Than 150 Bands On 5 Stages Led To Rare Moments Including:

    Shinedown & Lynyrd Skynyrd Teaming Up On “Simple Man,”
    Green Day Dominating Friday With A 20-Song Set,

    Linkin Park Performing “Let You Fade” Live For The First Time Ever,

    & KORN Leaving Their Stamp With Rare Fan Favorites

    2026 Dates Will Be Announced Soon

    Welcome To Rockville took its biggest lap yet at Daytona International Speedway last weekend as North America’s Largest Rock Festival broke its own records with 230,000 music fans joining together for the four-day destination event that included back-to-back record-setting crowds of 58,000 plus on both Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. With more than 150 bands on 5 stages, it was the biggest edition yet of Welcome To Rockville as the festival marked its fifth iteration in Daytona Beach, Florida and 14th year overall.

    Welcome To Rockville featured a stellar lineup of top rock talent including mainstage headliners Shinedown with Rob Zombie and Three Days Grace (highly anticipated reunion with original vocalist Adam Gontier) on Thursday, Green Day with Good Charlotte (in their first East Coast performance since 2019) and Sublime on Friday, LINKIN PARK with Incubus and Pierce The Veil on Saturday and KORN with Bad Omens and Marilyn Manson on Sunday. The massive rock lineup also featured Social Distortion, Knocked Loose, Halestorm, Mudvayne, I Prevail, Jimmy Eat World, Motionless In White, Beartooth and many more.

    “What an unforgettable weekend celebrating rock and the incredible Rockvillian community at Welcome To Rockville! We just hosted a record-breaking 230,000 fans, reaffirming our place as North America’s Largest Rock Festival,” said Danny Wimmer, Founder of Danny Wimmer Presents. “To do it in my home state of Florida—and to see every artist give it their all—created an unforgettable experience for the Rockvillian community. We’re deeply thankful to the teams at Daytona International Speedway Staff, AdventHealth Medical Professionals, VCEMS Workers, Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, Daytona Beach Fire Department, and Florida Highway Patrol. Your partnership and support is invaluable. We’ll be announcing 2026 dates soon and can’t wait to see you all next year to celebrate Welcome To Rockville’s 15th anniversary!”

    Those in attendance at Welcome To Rockville were able to witness some incredible moments including:

    ●      Florida natives Shinedown inviting Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke to join for a performance of Skynyrd’s “Simple Man”; Shinedown headlined Rockville for the first time

    ●      Linkin Park performing From Zero deluxe edition track “Let You Fade” live for the very first time

    ●      Green Day packing in a massive 20-song hit list for their Welcome To Rockville debut

    ●      KORN closing out the festival Sunday night with fan favorites

    ●      Halestorm debuting five new songs from their upcoming album Everest, including “Fallen Star,” “WATCH OUT!,” “Darkness Always Wins” (first full band performance), “Rain Your Blood On Me” and the title track

    ●      Social Distortion joining the lineup as a special addition

    ●      The East Coast debut of Seven Hours After Violet, the new project from System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian

    ●      Shinedown and Three Days Grace performing tributes to 3 Doors Down and singer Brad Arnold (originally scheduled for Welcome To Rockville) with respective covers of “Kryptonite” and “Away From the Sun”

    ●      Good Charlotte coveringthe Wheatus hit“Teenage Dirtbag”with Wheatus singer Brendan Brown; The band’s exclusive Southeast U.S. performance and only their second show since 2019

    ●      Pierce The Veil and Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens banding together for their collaboration track“King For A Day”

    ●      Crossfade marking one of their first performances in 13 years

    ●      Body Count performing their first Florida show since 2004

    ●      We Came As Romans debuted an unreleased song called “No Rest For The Dreamer” 

    ●      Dry Kill Logic’s first show in 19 years

    In addition, Welcome To Rockville featured memorable performances from Rob Zombie, Incubus, Bad Omens, Marilyn Manson, Knocked Loose, Mudvayne, I Prevail, Jimmy Eat World, Motionless In White, Beartooth and many more.

    Plus, in homage to the festival’s home at the Daytona International Speedway, there were additional surprise appearances from Daniel Suarez (NASCAR Cup Series Driver) and James Rispoli (Harley Davidson Rider).

    Beyond the music, Welcome To Rockville offered additional onsite experiences including The SiriusXM Zone: Octane Headbangers Happy Hour where fans could hang out with Octane hosts Jose Mangin, Shannon Gunz, and Caity Babs as they broadcast live and talked with some of the biggest bands on the festival lineup, including Knocked Loose, Mudvayne, I Prevail, Motionless In White, Beartooth, Hollywood Undead, Sleeping With Sirens, Chevelle, Bush, Daughtry, Killswitch Engage, Underoath and more. During the festival, fans around the world could tune in live to hear interviews and live performances from various Welcome To Rockville artists on SiriusXM’s Rockville Radio takeover on Octane (Ch. 37). The best of Rockville highlights on Rockville Radio also can be streamed on the SiriusXM app and web player now through May 30.

    Onsite at Welcome To Rockville there were also opportunities to enjoy a series of carnival rides including the Rockvillian Wheel, refresh at the iHeart Radio Dive Bar, the Bud Light Backyard, BeatBox’s Party Pub activation, and additional entertainment from partners including Blackcraft, Demons Behind Me, Eargasm, Fxck Cancer, HeartSupport, Jack Daniel’s, Milagro, Mortus Viventi, NÜTRL, Parlor Root Beer, Red Bull, SiriusXM, Smirnoff, Take Me Home Animal Charity, The Music Experience, The Taylor Foundation, To Write Love on Her Arms, and the U.S. Army.

    The 2026 festival dates for Welcome To Rockville will be announced soon.

    Rock Feed called Welcome To Rockville “one of the best festivals in the world.”

    Metal Injection said, “…Welcome To Rockville 2025 delivered a searing lineup that more than matched the Florida scorching sun’s intensity. From sweat-drenched circle pits to euphoric sing-alongs echoing across the Speedway, this year’s edition was a masterclass in controlled chaos – equal parts grit, glory, and good times. If this is what the inferno feels like, count us in for next year’s burn.”

    Daytona Beach News-Journal noted, “In the marathon battle between heat and heavy metal, rock ‘n’ roll prevailed as Welcome To Rockville roared through four days of music from more than 150 bands…”

    WPEC-TV (CBS 12) added, “Shinedown closed out Day 1 of Rockville 2025 with an explosive, high-energy performance that lit up the night sky — literally. Fireworks, pyro, and a roaring sea of fans turned the Apex Stage into ground zero for one of the most electric headlining sets in Rockville history.”

    Welcome To Rockville is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America.

    For more information on Welcome To Rockville, visit:

    Website: https://welcometorockville.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/welcometorockville/

    Twitter: https://x.com/RockvilleFest

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcometorockville

    The massive Welcome To Rockville crowd, by Sam Shapiro

    Shinedown with Lynyrd Skynyrd by Nathan Zucker

    Green Day by Austin Cooper

    Linkin Park by Alex Ochoa

    KORN by Steve Thrasher

    KORN by Austin Cooper

    Bad Omens by Jake Mulka

    Good Charlotte by Nathan Zucker

    Three Days Grace by Steve Thrasher

    About Danny Wimmer Presents: Since 1995, music industry veteran Danny Wimmer has been producing concerts and festivals, both large and small. In 2011, he founded Danny Wimmer Presents, a live entertainment company that produces the largest rock, metal, and alternative music festivals in the U.S. By combining A-list talent, bringing exceptional creativity to life, and curating local cuisine and culture, DWP is recognized within the industry for delivering exceptional entertainment experiences to fans, artists, sponsors, partners, and host cities. DWP creates unforgettable and all-encompassing festival experiences, leaving both attendees and partners with lasting and meaningful impressions. From 2020 and on, DWP has been an innovator in the digital content space with over two dozen international livestreams, acclaimed social series Offstage with DWP, DWPresents Channel on Twitch, which has garnered over 25 million worldwide views since its launch in mid-2021, and The Power Hour, a weekly show dedicated to the world of rock, on AXS TV. The 2025 DWP festival lineup includes Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville.

    www.DannyWimmerPresents.com

    Facebook.com/Dannywimmerpresents

    Instagram.com/Dannywimmerpresents

    Twitter.com/DannyWimmerPres

  • Punk Rock & Paintbrushes Continues 2025 Season With Galleries At Camp Punksylvania, Warped Tour, The Offspring Tour, Riot Fest, Furnace Fest, Including Autographed Items From Avril Lavigne, Sublime, Ziggy Marley, & More Up For Charitable Auction

    Punk Rock & Paintbrushes

    Continues 2025 Season With

    Upcoming Galleries At Summer & Fall Festivals Including

    Camp Punksylvania, Warped Tour, The Offspring Tour,

    Cali Vibes, Riot Fest, Furnace Fest & More,

    Including Autographed Items From Avril Lavigne,

    Sublime, Dropkick Murphys, Ziggy Marley & More

    Up For Charitable Auctions On-Site

    PR&PB’s L.A. Exhibit “Strength: A Celebration of Art Queens”

    Is Open For Final Weeks, Closing June 3

    Featuring Works From

    Lzzy Hale, Chloe Trujillo, Lori Herbst, Natalia Fabia, Lisa Johnson,

    Olive, Lulu & Nicole Freese (Daughters and Wife of Josh Freese),

     Harper Grohl (Daughter of Dave Grohl),

    Heart Hera (Daughter of James “Munky” Shaffer),

    Peribeau Bentley (daughter of Jay Bentley) & More

    At Serj Tankian’s Newly-Opened Eye For Sound Gallery

    Pictures & Video Are Available

     From Star-Studded Opening Night Celebration

    LOS ANGELES, CA (May 20, 2025) — Punk Rock & Paintbrushes is where art and music come together, as the collective presents exhibits at galleries and music festivals around the world, each featuring original artworks from musicians and the music community that showcases creativity in a whole new light. This summer and fall that includes upcoming appearances at:

    May 31-June 1 Fiesta Del Sol (San Diego, CA)

    June 7-8 Cali Vibes (Long Beach, CA)

    June 14-15 Warped Tour (Washington, D.C.)

    June 21-22 Point Break Festival (Virginia Beach, VA)

    June 20-22 Camp Punksylvania (Gilbert, PA)

    July 11-September 7 The Offspring Tour (multiple dates)

    July 18-20 Punk in the Park (Denver, CO)

    August 8-9 Matt Skiba & Jesse Michaels Gallery Show (New York City, NY)

    August 15-17 Rockstar Energy Skate Open (Portland, OR)

    September 19-21 Riot Fest (Chicago, IL)

    October 3-5 Furnace Fest (Birmingham, AL)

    A number of these upcoming events will include a charitable aspect as well, with autographed items from popular musicians available for auction onsite at the following:

    • Cali Vibes & Point Break Festival: Autographed Fender guitars from Ziggy Marley, Slightly Stoopid, 311, Dirty Heads, Iration, Pepper and more artists to benefit Ziggy Marley’s U.R.G.E. Foundation enriching the lives of lives of children in Jamaica, Africa, and throughout the world
    • Warped Tour: Autographed Gibson guitars from Avril Lavigne, Pennywise, Sublime, All Time Low, Simple Plan, Slaughter To Prevail, Ice Nine Kills and Less Than Jake to benefit the Special Olympics, Rock Against Racism, Living The Dream and F*CK Cancer
    • Punk in The Park: Autographed items from Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise, Bad Religion and The Descendents to benefit the Claddagh Fund who works within the Recovery Community in the greater Boston area

    “Punk Rock & Paintbrushes looks to spread positivity and make a difference within the music community and beyond by teaming up with bands and brands such as Fender and Gibson to raise funds and awareness for important nonprofits,” says PR&PB founder Emily Nielsen.

    Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys adds, “Punk Rock & Paintbrushes represents everything good about this amazing punk rock community we are so lucky to call ourselves a part of.  We are eternally  grateful for all they do to help us help people.  God bless the arts!”

    The upcoming festival season follows a successful launch of the brand-new exhibition  “Strength: A Celebration of Art Queens,” held at the newly-opened Eye for Sound Gallery in Los Angeles, owned by Serj Tankian (System of A Down). The exhibition is now entering its final weeks, closing June 3.

    It features the works of celebrated artists including Lzzy Hale, Chloe Trujillo, Lori Herbst, Natalia Fabia, photographer Lisa Johnson and the incredible wives and daughters of respected musicians, some as young as five-years-old, showing that creativity truly does run in the family. Other showcasing artists include: Olive & Lulu Freese (daughters of Josh Freese), Harper Grohl (daughter of Dave Grohl), Heart Hera (daughter of James “Munky” Shaffer), Bluma Vie de Salvo (daughter of Mark de Salvo), Peribeau Bentley (daughter of Jay Bentley), Remington & Tigerlily Galindo (daughters of Eden Galindo), Nicole Freese (wife of Josh Freese), Marley Chaney (daughter of Chris Chaney), Stacie Stevenson (wife of Bill Stevenson) and more.

    See the recap video of the opening night of “Strength: A Celebration of Art Queens” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duk5TBBtv_s&feature=youtu.be

    Below are some images from the opening night event, credited to Julia Lofstrand. More photos are available upon request.

    Lullah and Chloe Trujillo on the PR&PB red carpet

    James “Munky” Shaffer with daughter Heart Hera and family

    Harper Grohl interviewed by KROQ’s Megan Holiday on the red carpet

    Natalia Fabia, Peribeau Bentley and Megan Holiday on the red carpet

    About Punk Rock & Paintbrushes

    Punk Rock & Paintbrushes is a niche and unique art management company as well as art show production brand that creates art shows at galleries and music festivals across the world and works with a variety of non-profits using art as a tool to make a positive impact for all. The roots reach back to 2007 when founder Emily Nielsen asked friend Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) to paint a piece of art with the lyrics to the Rise Against song “Survive” for her after overcoming a battle with cancer. The painting has traveled around the world with Emily and is an everyday reminder that “How we survive is what makes us who we are.” Today, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes manages talented artists across the globe who share their love of music and art, and brings art to collectors and fans from all walks of life. 

    Website: www.punkrockart.com

    Instagram: @punkrockandpaintbrushes

  • Welcome to Rockville Beat the Heat and gave Rock Fans a Weekend of Amazing Music and Much More.

    WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE 2025

    Welcome to Rockville 2025, located in the infield of the famous Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500 and many other huge events throughout the year. The stages have been built, sound has been checked, and it’s GO TIME.

    THE FERRIS WHEEL VIEW – OPENING SCENE

    From atop the Ferris wheel, my favorite reconnaissance outpost, I watched as record crowds began pouring into the field—fans… anticipating, hoping, living. This is their world, a safe space where they can listen to “their” band. It’s their freedom to have cosplay on steroids, to be creative with their outfit choices, to dress like corn cobs, or wear hardly anything. Face-painted, tattooed people or just their new band merch—wearing and doing things that make them feel HAPPY.

    Here, they are individuals, surrounded by family. TODAY is the day they hope to reconnect with concert buddies, their friends, and to reminisce with songs from the past, rage with rebelliousness, or simply enjoy the music—to enjoy “their performer” with a sense of child-like wonder.

    MUSIC + COMMUNITY + DISCOVERY

    Large-scale music events expose not only the bands to new fans, but fans to new bands—the ability to pick and choose acts you may have never connected with, and talk to people from around the world—all because of their love for music.

    LOGISTICS, SECURITY & SUPPORT

    The size of the event could have been a negative, but by utilizing the racetrack that surrounds the festival, it allowed for seamless connectivity for all the teams to mobilize and respond quickly and effectively (EMT/Rescue, police, production, food services, and even ICE “Immigration Police”). There was a very large security force of uniformed and undercover operatives saturating the festival, even though, in contrast, this was one of the kindest, most empathic, and socially aligned festivals I have ever seen.

    They were here to protect and observe, and all departments worked together like a finely tuned instrument. The days flowed, and the music played—everything else were just details.

    THE DAY BEGINS

    As the day begins, the empty colorful grandstands seem to gaze down, almost as if to say—LET’S GO, Ricky Bobby, LET’S GO!!!

    I started the day basically doing reconnaissance from my highest vantage point—the Ferris wheel. This festival is not to be underestimated. “North America’s Largest Rock Festival – 4 days, 5 stages, 150 plus bands.” Remember, it’s a race, not a sprint—hydrate and take it easy. Lots to see and lots to do—but you don’t want to burn out before the finish line. It’s a long race.

    THE HEAT – A TRUE TEST

    Throughout the weekend, heroes were everywhere, and for once those flashing red lights meant help was on the way. The heat was brutal and mentioned by every band on the stage. So hot that practically every band commented on it from stage, punctuated with Gavin from Bush taking a momentary pause in his highly physical set—profusely thanking the crowd: “How many days are you doing this? You’re fucking awesome… you guys are incredible, you all look fucking good and you’ll be tan…”

    Once the music started and the thermometer started rising, fans started falling. By mid-afternoon/early evening on the second day, the festival started allowing “all” fans to re-enter (encouraging them to recuperate and rest in their vehicles) and dropped water prices to only $2 site-wide to try to fight the heat.

    By the next morning, additional shade shelters had been constructed, cooling buses were parked on the racetrack, and access to multiple cooling spots opened throughout the venue. Bartenders filled water guns with ice water, ice stations—yes, you heard me, ICE—were available for free. The fire department doused the fans over and over again with a firehose from the pit in front of the stage.

    THE SHOW MUST GO ON

    The bands played on, and on. The crowds seemed relatively sparse on the afternoons of days three and four—possibly because they arrived later in the day, possibly because they were huddled under shade or in a cooling center, or maybe a combination of both.

    Fewer people made this huge venue feel like a wonderland. It felt like a very large block party surrounded by a racetrack with a really really good sound system—and snacks.

    MOVEMENT OF THE MASSES

    The crowds returned, in record numbers. They moved like salmon, flowing rhythmically, maneuvering to find their position at each stage. It worked well unless you needed to go the other way—ask me how I know.

    I challenge that festivals of this magnitude are alive—a fully functional, living, breathing entity with a soul—lots and lots of souls. Throughout the festival I overheard tales of loss, triumph, laughter, and tears.

    STARS ON STAGE & IN THE CROWD

    I watched artists like Chad Gray, members of GWAR, Insane Clown Posse in their makeup or in full cosplay mode, SWAT teams fully mechanized (looking sexy, by the way). This festival is alive, filled with thousands and thousands of souls, and I am thankful to be a part of it.

    I personally met with P.O.D., GWAR, Jose Mangin, Until I Wake, Exodus, Blue October, Gloomchild, Five Shot Minimum, Dirt Kill Logic, Snot, Big Body Javier, and other WWE wrestlers—and almost bumped into Daughtry. There were so many connections on and off the fields. I was so surprised and happy that my feet carried me to multiple stages and my back and stamina sustained me throughout the long weekend to see all the powerful performances.

    ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME MOMENTS

    There were once-in-a-lifetime moments: like Shinedown sharing the stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd, ICE-T, lead singer of Body Count, talking casually with the K-9 Security team, Dorothy leading a prayer vigil from stage then playing her song “Rest in Peace,” ICP—wow what a show (they have a new fan), Daughtry basically saying “fuck you” to anyone who doesn’t let you be yourself, a staged decapitation of Elon Musk, ICE-T’s daughter literally dropping the mic when her daddy’s set timed out, and reliving every word of “1985” by Bowling for Soup.

    STAGE DESIGN & PRODUCTION

    The elaborateness of the stage design and detailing was incredible—from Green Day’s huge fist to Linkin Park’s lighting rig (which they started installing mid-day), to pyrotechnics and the out-of-this-world imagery on the video screens.

    SAFETY & EXECUTION

    Safety was a very high priority and it was evident from the security checks to get in, to the immigration police attempting to thwart any shenanigans, to their lightning-fast response to that brutal and unexpected heat.

    “Welcome to Rockville” made a huge stadium a safe place and helped create core memories—not only for me but everyone.

    A WELL-OILED MACHINE

    The festival used the theming of race cars throughout the venue in marketing, banners, etc., and the festival ran like a fine-tuned machine. It ran hot—red hot. There was so much more, so many moments. You just have to be there—to experience it and take away your core memories from this festival.

    THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIGGER

    This is only the beginning. There is so much more—new music to uncover, new friendships to cultivate, and more festivals across the country and around the world. There were so many “virgins”—first-time concertgoers—and I am so thankful that this was their exposure to the circus.

    It’s a phenomenon of epic proportions that had the most beautiful weather—except for the heat—but we persevered. For some, it was five days of music utopia, of belonging.

    FAREWELL FOR NOW

    See you in the fields. Peace, love, health, and safe travels to all the fans and all the bands—and thank you for your sacrifices,

    Dawn of the Underground

    All Photos captured by DWP Presents