The premiere rock festival in the United States celebrated its 10th anniversary with another three (3) day festival. This year’s festival included new food options and new vendors including: Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix’ “Lovers Are Lunatics” wear, William K. Stidham “heART portraits” and the Music Experience Lounge where Fender, Gibson, PRS and others are set up so attendees can sit and play or purchase various guitar wear. The comedy tent is in its fourth year and included a wide range of comics including comedian heavyweights Jay Mohr and Craig Gas. The hosts of That Metal Show (Don Jamison, Jim Florentine and Eddie Trunk) were also on hand to host a small segment that Rob Zombie and John 5 took part in. For the most part, it’s the music that continues to draw people from all over the United States as this year marked another sell out even before the festival started.
The first day was marked by a bunch of newcomers making their first trip to Rock on the Range. One of those bands that I was curious to see was the Swedish band called Avatar. Dressed in matching garb that included tuxedos, pulled up socks with balls tied to them and makeup, the band delivered an impressive set that caught the eyes of everyone who watched them perform. Their music is a mixture of goth, melodic death metal and hard rock. Vocalist Johannes Eckerström led the way not only with his vocals but his stage presence and musical direction during their set.
With over 60 bands performing, it’s impossible to give you a complete rundown of every act but we wanted to let you know who captured our eye or the most impressive acts or even interesting things that happened during our three (3) day coverage of the festival.
On opening day, Canadian band Monster Truck kicked things off on stage two to an already revved up crowd. Sixx: A.M. made their first ever appearance at the festival. The band is in full swing and sounded great in their shortened festival set. A Day to Remember shot off confetti and had a slew of balls that were tossed out simultaneously at the start of their set, making it one the most memorable sets of the entire weekend. Megadeth closed stage 2 out with a solid set that incorporated the use video screens into their background. Disturbed is back and bringing the wood as a good part of the audience was singing in unison with them for the entire set.
The second day brought former Flyleaf singer Lacey Sturm to open the show. The pint size Sturm packed a wallop of a punch to the early crowd. Texas Hippie coalition vocalist big Dad Ritch stated “We come from Texas to Ohio to drink your whiskey , flirt with your women folk and to rock your asses off.” That they did ! Steel Panther are bringing the fun back in rock with their throwback to the 80’s with catchy and melodic original songs. Ghost played the second stage and off in the distance was a church. It was ironic considering the bands look and music. It was another one of the best sets of the weekend. The one set that garnered the most interest throughout all 60 bands was probably Hellyeah’s set. This was Vinnie Paul’s first time back in 11 and half years since the untimely killing of his brother on stage at the Alrosa club just 15 minutes from the venue. Paul’s emotional return to Columbus fuelled Hellyeah’s set. The ever so energetic Randy Blythe from Lamb of God owned the stage and gave the crowd one of the better vocal performances of the weekend.
The last day opened with maybe the biggest surprise of the weekend in Kingston, Ontario’s own The Glorious Sons. They led an early morning procession in rock and roll. They had everyone singing in unison. It almost seemed like a religious experience. This band is a MUST see. Red Sun Rising is another band that did very well and was well received. The craziest thing I witnessed was the performance of Cedric Bixler-Zavala of At the Drive In. Starting the set very docile and playing the maracas, he turned on a dime and whipped around the microphone almost hitting of a few of his bandmates in the process. He jumped off the amp stacks and kicked them over too. He was all over the place. The headliner, who had never made an appearance at Rock on the Range, were the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Everyone was excited to see them and they didn’t disappoint. Their 16 song set lasted an hour and a half and consisted of music from their entire career, including songs from their latest offering “The Getaway.” The band had circular screens that played along to the set. Vocalist Anthony Kiedis showed no ill effects of a stomach ailment that forced the cancellation of last week’s KROQ show. A very tight set that also opened up with a small jam be before “Can’t Stop.”
In order for media and someone like me to do my job, its great to work with staff and security to be able to bring you the coverage you come to expect from us the last 7 plus years. I also included a photo of me and the head of security of the photo pit Jim McGregor. They handle the photographers and the crowd surfing with the utmost professionalism. These small things and of course the music which make this festival the premiere rock festival held in the United States. The 10th year was special no doubt. We have been privileged to cover it every year we have been in existence. I personally can’t wait to see what’s in store for year 11.
Red Hot Chili Peppers setlist:
Can’t Stop
Dani California
Snow (Hey Oh)
Dark Necessities
Nobody Weird Like Me
The Adventures of Rain Dance
Otherside
Right on Time
Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder cover)
That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore (The Smiths cover)/Guitar solo
Under the Bridge
Suck my Kiss
Californication
By the Way
Encore:
Around the World
Give it Away
Rob Zombie setlist:
Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown
Superbeast
Scum of the Earth
Wild Thing (Tone -Loc coevr)
Living Dead Girl
Well, Everybody’s Fucking in a U.F.O.
More Human Than Human (White Zombie cover)
Never Gonna Stop (The Red, Red Kroovy)
The Hideous Exhibitions of a Dedicated Gore Whore
House of 1000 Corpses
The Star Spangled Banner (John Stafford cover)
Thunder Kiss ’65
In the Age of the Consecrated Vampire We All Get High
We’re an American Band (Grand Funk Railroad)
Encore:
Dragula
Distubed:
Ten Thousand Fists
The Game
The Vengeful One
Prayer
Liberate
Stupify
The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
Inside the Fire
The Light
Closer – Nine Inch Nails cover/I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2 cover/Baba O’Riley – The Who cover/Killing in the Name of – Rage Against the Machine cover medley
Indestructible:
Encore:
Voices
Down with the Sickness
Photos by both Gus Griesinger and BackstageAxxess correspondent Scott Brown. We would like to thank Kristine Ashton Magnuson from ASHTON-MAGNUSON MEDIA and AEG for the credentials to cover the festival.
