Welcome to Rockville 2016 – Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville, FL 5/16
Day 1
By: Leslie Elder Rogers
Jacksonville plays host for many good concerts and festivals and Welcome to Rockville is by far its’ biggest and best. Every year, Met Park packs in thousands of people who are there for the pure enjoyment of awesome music by hanging out with friends and meeting new people with common interests, enjoying the wide variety of foods and merchandise vendors and of course they do this beer in hand, rocking out in front of their favorite bands. The mosh pits grow stronger every year and crowd surfing remains a highlight for many concert patrons of all ages, shapes and sizes (this can be a negative thing as well). This year, over 50,000 people packed themselves into the park in anticipation of a festival experience to top their experience in 2015. We welcomed many new faces, many first time WTR attendees, even many first time concert or festival attendees all together.
Though I had a slightly late start to the day today due to some unforeseen issues, it didn’t compromise what was in store for me as I walked through the gates. Arriving when I did, the park was already slam packed full of excited and eager bodies. The heat was already scorching. I’d hydrated all morning, along with everyone in my party, but just as the day for us got started, that proved to be insufficient for one of the people in our group who quickly succumbed to dehydration and heat exhaustion that ended with a trip to the hospital. Nevertheless, this weekend was not going to be a disappointment and we would endure whatever was necessary to make sure it went unspoiled.
Filter was the first band I was able to get to. I truly hated and kicked myself for not being able to shoot two bands at once. This one the one time I’d wished I were able to split myself into two people. Red Sun Rising was playing on another stage and I have become almost addicted to them but Filter was closest to me as I entered so they gained my full attention. They are a massively popular band that has been around for many years and have a huge following though there seemed to be something slightly off as I watched them today. Vocalist, Richard Patrick clearly enjoys the crowd and puts his best effort into entertaining. Their music is undeniably creative. The bassist, Ashley Dzerigian, plays as if she’s in deep, steadfast concentration. She gives off a mysterious but edgy vibe on stage. Her beauty is mesmerizing. Her hypnotic stares into the crowd and relaxed movements were not as energetic as some but her talent is unquestionable. “Hey Man, Nice Shot” was played enthusiastically as the crowd cheered and applauded.
I quickly ran to the next stage where I got to finally witness the astounding talent of Trivium. This was my first time seeing them live as well. I was so completely ecstatic about their set because their music is full of brute power and meaning. I was enthralled as they captivated everyone with “Strife”, an extremely powerful tune that Matt conveys so well. His voice is clean and crisp and watching his presence on stage was absolutely a treat. They also sang “Until the World Goes Cold” without any falter and as I was leaving, I had to stop and turn around for “Dead and Gone”; one of my absolute favorites. The only downside of rushing around to cover the sets and photograph these amazing artists is that sometimes, we do miss some of the absolute best songs…so for this, I had to pause and appreciate.
My next adventure today was Asking Alexandria. I’d seen them three years ago when Danny was still the lead singer so I was anxious to see them live without him. The crowd that gathered for them was impressive. Clearly the change of vocalist didn’t slow them down as Denis has his own style and ability to make their fans go crazy. As Ben Bruce and Sam Bentley darted back and forth across the stage, Bruce flattered the fans with his smirks and quirky facial expressions. The crowd was ingesting every moment as they sang “I Won’t Give In”, “The Death of Me”, “Breathless” and “The Black”, along with several other crowd pleasers.
All were hailing Bullet for my Valentine as I approached their stage next. The crowd that gathered for them was huge, and to be expected with the popularity and ability to continue to put out great music. Though their name was Jeff Killed John for the first several years, they have proved to be a force to be reckoned with since their debut album as Bullet for my Valentine in 2005. Several of their albums debuted in the top 10 on Billboard charts and they haven’t backed down from that driving desire to keep it that way. They thrilled their the crowd today with “No Way Out”, “Waking the Demon”, and “4 Words (to choke upon)”, but for me, it will always stand that “Tears Don’t Fall” will be a constant favorite and it was played today with intense strength. They know they kick ass and aren’t afraid to rock it out each time they get on stage to prove that very fact.
I was torn about what stage to visit next. I don’t have that inner conflict extremely often, but this time, at this WTR event, I felt that tugging several times. I had to choose between Pop Evil and HELLYEAH. Let me say, I can’t take anything away from either of these amazingly talented bands. They are both so damn good. Pop Evil has created some songs that I can only describe as perfection. They are attention grabbers; some with melodies and emotion so raw and untamed that they give me goose bumps but my pure desire for the showmanship that Chad Gray brings to the table on stage drew me back to HELLYEAH once again. This was my third time facing this group of guys on stage. Chad, my, my, my, Chad Gray. What an intense fucker he is. Back through his Mudvayne years, he has always been a forceful, scary, beast with his music, his vocals, his lyrics…his throat destroying screams. With his blood covered and tattered attire, He plays to the crowd and their love for that kind of shit so well that you find yourself almost submerged in his stage character. Then there’s Kyle and has so much freaking talent on bass with his movements as he plays, his hair back and forth, and his radiant smile (when you catch a glimpse). It is hard not to stare at him in awe. Vinnie on drums, man, this guy has been through some shit and keeps rolling strong, beating the hell out of his set, creating spirit that sets the tone for the band that follows his beat. Tom and Christian give that extra chemistry that brings this band full circle and is further proof of the awesomeness that is “HELLYEAH”! Chad belted out “Sangre por Sangre”, “Demons in the Dirt”, and “Moth” like it was the last time he’d ever have the chance to sing them. “Human” from their new album release was also part of their set today. This is truly a band to see live whether you appreciate them as artists or not, you can’t deny their ability to kill it on stage.
The shows were already proving to be well worth standing in the heat and wading through the crowds. I was more than grateful for being given the opportunity to cover this festival for my third year in a row but for hours now, I’d been waiting to hear from the person in my party (my nephew) who’d been taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. I found myself worrying heavily about the health and welfare of him even though he was keeping me updated and I knew he was in the best care possible for the situation only a few miles away.
On to Pennywise and yes, I chose Pennywise instead of Escape the Fate; not because ETF are not worthy, we all know they most definitely are, but because I’d just covered their local show the previous weekend in my home town. I wanted to spread the love. Though I know who Pennywise is and have listened to their music for years, I was skeptical about their live show at this festival. They seemed like a slightly odd fit for this type of crowd but, I will say that each year there are a couple of bands that don’t seem like WTR material and yet, they kick ass and show us that we are freaking idiots for doubting them. The crowd was pretty damn big but yes, you could see the difference in numbers from the crowd that BFMV drew an hour ago. Nonetheless, once the band came on, the crowd enjoyed every moment as they sung each song lyric without falter. This band has been around for almost 30 years so to think that they wouldn’t be hugely accepted here was a misconception. Their set included “Wouldn’t it be Nice”, “Peaceful Day”, “Unknown Road”, “Fuck Authority”, and “Bro Hymn” among others. What really got the crowd jumping was their cover of The Beastie Boys’ “You Gotta Fight for your Right (to party)”. What was already a lively and invigorating crowd seemed to open up full force and jump right in for that one. Hell yes Pennywise! From the skeptic…Job well done guys.
Another fight within myself was the next set…to choose between SIXX: A.M. and Collective Soul was hard. I’ve been a Collective Soul fan as long as I can remember but SIXX: A.M. has made a huge impact on me since they first started in 2007 so I kept my happy ass right there in the “Lefty/Righty” stage area for SIXX: A.M. As far back as my early childhood, Nikki Sixx has played a part in some of my favorite music while with Motley Crue. In my mind, there was never a question of whether SIXX: A.M. would do well. With the talent they combine having Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba, and vocalist, James Michael, there is no failure option. The crowd clearly was thrilled to see them perform. They chanted the lyrics eagerly as James Michael sang “This is Gonna Hurt” and their newest release “Rise”. He continued with their live debut of “When we were Gods” which aroused the crowd in such a manner that all hands were in the air and bodies were surfing forcefully over the crowd. He continued with “Lies of the Beautiful People”, “Stars”, and “Life is Beautiful”. The chemistry between Nikki and DJ seemed like a true brotherhood on stage. The high-spirited agility in their instrumentation ability as we watched them seamlessly attain each chord while bouncing all over the stage was unflawed. Intense facial expressions and eye contact with the fans made their performance on stage almost hypnotic. Their set was pure entertainment from beginning to end.
Bring Me the Horizon was next up on stage right. I’d been wanting to see them for a long time and had heard how wonderful their concerts are. Just before they were to go on, the call came letting me know I was needed to pick up my nephew who was finally being released from the hospital…with strict orders to stay out of the sun between the hours of 11-5 and no more than 30 minutes at a time if absolutely necessary to be in direct sunlight. It was good news to know he was ok, but I knew it was about to ruin his weekend since tomorrow would be very minimal for him. Guilt started crashing in because leaving him alone for most of the next day didn’t seem fair. Anyway, back to BMTH, they are absolutely amazing. I get it that a lot of people don’t classify these newer bands as metal, but I keep an open mind and understand that having the ability to command a stage and draw the attention of so many people is a gift that not everyone has. These guys actually rock out and though some of the undertones are not as “heavy” as the older metal that people indulge in, it would be unfair to take away any acknowledgement of the talent that these guys have. Oliver Sykes is obviously a favorite for many of the ladies in attendance. I am certain it has a lot to do with his boyish cuteness but his vocal ability shines. Behind him, it was fun to watch Jordan on keyboard and Matthew on drums as they had their own excellence to show off. Matt and Lee held their own, creating a guitar/bass combo with fantastic rhythm. “Happy” kicked off their set and it created just that; happiness was pouring from the crowd. Oliver continued with “Go to Hell for Heaven’s Sake” which kept the energy flowing and “True Friends” which obviously everyone loved. I stayed long enough to hear “Sleepwalking” which is one of my favorites and they absolutely killed it live.
I missed the remainder of their set and the entirety of 3 Doors Down, which disappointed me deeply but I was able to make it back just in time for Disturbed. David Draiman is one of my absolute favorite vocalists. His dominant and unmistakable voice is powerful and strong. He gets a lot of flak for his songs sounding the alike due to his repetitiveness in some of the sounds he makes throughout but this guy is so fucking talented. His crowd was massive. The good thing about Disturbeds’ set time was that it didn’t conflict with any other band so they were able to get everyone’s attention and they did just that. The area was packed. There was little room to move at all. Even the photo pit was ridiculous. People snuck in the photo pit without cameras or with just their phones and no passes but the mass of people made it impossible for security to see everyone. We could barely move. The lighting for their set was great for the concert itself but terrible for photography. With fire and heat, Disturbed brought a powerhouse performance that was undoubtedly one of the best of the day (for me). The set included many of their powerful hits like “Ten Thousand Fists”, “The Vengeful One”, “Stupify”, and “The Light” but what caught the crowds’ attention without question was Draimans’ version of “The Sound of Silence”. Much criticism surrounds his version of this Simon and Garfunkel song, but with that criticism comes much appreciation. He takes this song to a whole different level by creating an eerie, dark and dramatic tone that simply gives me chills every time I hear it. From the sound of the fans cheering and singing along, this song is greatly adored. He belted out several covers from other bands tonight, they were: “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails, U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, “Baba O’Riley” by the Who, and “Killing in the Name of” by Rage Against the Machine. People were eating out if David’s hand as he delivered amazing and unmistakable interpretations of these songs. It wouldn’t have been complete without “Indestructible” and of course, “Down with the Sickness”, which seems to be a preference of everyone whether Disturbed is a favorite band in general or not. There wasn’t an unhappy face in the crowd as he fisted the air and thanked everyone for being there. A kickass show was what we all wanted and a kick ass show they did provide.
Shinedown was the final band of the day. No one was leaving until they got their fix of the hometown boys. They’ve been steadily producing hits without fail since 2002 and their popularity doesn’t seem to wither as years pass by. Brent Smith is a driving force for this band and the strength he brings vocally is incomparable. I’ve seen them perform before so I had expectations of a greater show than the last if that was possible. Being the last band to perform, they had everyone’s full attention. Though some people were leaving to beat the traffic, the majority remained. It had been a scorching hot and energy draining day for the fans who were piled in front of the stage but Shinedown was prepared to prove there was still enough oomph left in the crowd to rock it out with them for another 45 minutes or so. Brent came on strong with “Unity” and “Fly from the Inside”. It was as if the day had just begun for most of the fans in the crowd. They seemed to renew their liveliness as the first chord was struck and delight overtook the venue. He kept them invigorated with “Diamond Eyes”, ”Enemies” and “Cut the Cord”, an obvious favorite based on the lyrical chanting that could be overheard all the way the road. It was then that we also decided to find our way to the car which was about a mile away. That long trek was more obvious now than when we arrived eager to start the day as our feet were ready for a break and we couldn’t wait to wash all of the dirt that had accumulated on every part of our bodies off. As we made our way to the car, we could hear Brent bringing the house (or venue) down as he sang “Second Chance”, his version of Lynyrd Skynyrds’ “Simple Man” which is a true tribute because he sings it with perfection, and “Sound of Madness”. He is a master of his craft no doubt.
It seemed as though all of a sudden the feeling of exhaustion took over and then it hit me that I apparently forgot to feed myself…all day. I guess at least I stayed hydrated and drank plenty of water, from the many drink booths, some cold and some barely cool at all but delicious just the same. Water was my best friend in this heat. Spending $3 per bottle kind of sucked, and of course, you can’t leave the workers without a tip, so every bottle cost me more like $4 to $5 depending on how damn thirsty I was and how thankful I was to have cold, refreshing water at that very moment in time. The festival was packed with some absolutely heavenly sounding food vendors that I’d planned to investigate but I guess the hustle of the day gave me the adrenaline I needed and kept me going without refueling. The lines were long all day as people devoured their meals and nourished themselves to keep their energy levels at 100%. I missed all of the amazing merchandise vendors today as I walked right by in my hurriedness but you can bet, my ass will be stopping by to check them out before this festival weekend is over. Aside from the extreme heat that was already proving to be a bit much for some, it was a perfect day for a music festival. Day one and done. Looking forward to day two.
Official Welcome To Rockville Site
Day 1
By: Leslie Elder Rogers
Jacksonville plays host for many good concerts and festivals and Welcome to Rockville is by far its’ biggest and best. Every year, Met Park packs in thousands of people who are there for the pure enjoyment of awesome music by hanging out with friends and meeting new people with common interests, enjoying the wide variety of foods and merchandise vendors and of course they do this beer in hand, rocking out in front of their favorite bands. The mosh pits grow stronger every year and crowd surfing remains a highlight for many concert patrons of all ages, shapes and sizes (this can be a negative thing as well). This year, over 50,000 people packed themselves into the park in anticipation of a festival experience to top their experience in 2015. We welcomed many new faces, many first time WTR attendees, even many first time concert or festival attendees all together.
Though I had a slightly late start to the day today due to some unforeseen issues, it didn’t compromise what was in store for me as I walked through the gates. Arriving when I did, the park was already slam packed full of excited and eager bodies. The heat was already scorching. I’d hydrated all morning, along with everyone in my party, but just as the day for us got started, that proved to be insufficient for one of the people in our group who quickly succumbed to dehydration and heat exhaustion that ended with a trip to the hospital. Nevertheless, this weekend was not going to be a disappointment and we would endure whatever was necessary to make sure it went unspoiled.
Filter was the first band I was able to get to. I truly hated and kicked myself for not being able to shoot two bands at once. This one the one time I’d wished I were able to split myself into two people. Red Sun Rising was playing on another stage and I have become almost addicted to them but Filter was closest to me as I entered so they gained my full attention. They are a massively popular band that has been around for many years and have a huge following though there seemed to be something slightly off as I watched them today. Vocalist, Richard Patrick clearly enjoys the crowd and puts his best effort into entertaining. Their music is undeniably creative. The bassist, Ashley Dzerigian, plays as if she’s in deep, steadfast concentration. She gives off a mysterious but edgy vibe on stage. Her beauty is mesmerizing. Her hypnotic stares into the crowd and relaxed movements were not as energetic as some but her talent is unquestionable. “Hey Man, Nice Shot” was played enthusiastically as the crowd cheered and applauded.
I quickly ran to the next stage where I got to finally witness the astounding talent of Trivium. This was my first time seeing them live as well. I was so completely ecstatic about their set because their music is full of brute power and meaning. I was enthralled as they captivated everyone with “Strife”, an extremely powerful tune that Matt conveys so well. His voice is clean and crisp and watching his presence on stage was absolutely a treat. They also sang “Until the World Goes Cold” without any falter and as I was leaving, I had to stop and turn around for “Dead and Gone”; one of my absolute favorites. The only downside of rushing around to cover the sets and photograph these amazing artists is that sometimes, we do miss some of the absolute best songs…so for this, I had to pause and appreciate.
My next adventure today was Asking Alexandria. I’d seen them three years ago when Danny was still the lead singer so I was anxious to see them live without him. The crowd that gathered for them was impressive. Clearly the change of vocalist didn’t slow them down as Denis has his own style and ability to make their fans go crazy. As Ben Bruce and Sam Bentley darted back and forth across the stage, Bruce flattered the fans with his smirks and quirky facial expressions. The crowd was ingesting every moment as they sang “I Won’t Give In”, “The Death of Me”, “Breathless” and “The Black”, along with several other crowd pleasers.
All were hailing Bullet for my Valentine as I approached their stage next. The crowd that gathered for them was huge, and to be expected with the popularity and ability to continue to put out great music. Though their name was Jeff Killed John for the first several years, they have proved to be a force to be reckoned with since their debut album as Bullet for my Valentine in 2005. Several of their albums debuted in the top 10 on Billboard charts and they haven’t backed down from that driving desire to keep it that way. They thrilled their the crowd today with “No Way Out”, “Waking the Demon”, and “4 Words (to choke upon)”, but for me, it will always stand that “Tears Don’t Fall” will be a constant favorite and it was played today with intense strength. They know they kick ass and aren’t afraid to rock it out each time they get on stage to prove that very fact.
I was torn about what stage to visit next. I don’t have that inner conflict extremely often, but this time, at this WTR event, I felt that tugging several times. I had to choose between Pop Evil and HELLYEAH. Let me say, I can’t take anything away from either of these amazingly talented bands. They are both so damn good. Pop Evil has created some songs that I can only describe as perfection. They are attention grabbers; some with melodies and emotion so raw and untamed that they give me goose bumps but my pure desire for the showmanship that Chad Gray brings to the table on stage drew me back to HELLYEAH once again. This was my third time facing this group of guys on stage. Chad, my, my, my, Chad Gray. What an intense fucker he is. Back through his Mudvayne years, he has always been a forceful, scary, beast with his music, his vocals, his lyrics…his throat destroying screams. With his blood covered and tattered attire, He plays to the crowd and their love for that kind of shit so well that you find yourself almost submerged in his stage character. Then there’s Kyle and has so much freaking talent on bass with his movements as he plays, his hair back and forth, and his radiant smile (when you catch a glimpse). It is hard not to stare at him in awe. Vinnie on drums, man, this guy has been through some shit and keeps rolling strong, beating the hell out of his set, creating spirit that sets the tone for the band that follows his beat. Tom and Christian give that extra chemistry that brings this band full circle and is further proof of the awesomeness that is “HELLYEAH”! Chad belted out “Sangre por Sangre”, “Demons in the Dirt”, and “Moth” like it was the last time he’d ever have the chance to sing them. “Human” from their new album release was also part of their set today. This is truly a band to see live whether you appreciate them as artists or not, you can’t deny their ability to kill it on stage.
The shows were already proving to be well worth standing in the heat and wading through the crowds. I was more than grateful for being given the opportunity to cover this festival for my third year in a row but for hours now, I’d been waiting to hear from the person in my party (my nephew) who’d been taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. I found myself worrying heavily about the health and welfare of him even though he was keeping me updated and I knew he was in the best care possible for the situation only a few miles away.
On to Pennywise and yes, I chose Pennywise instead of Escape the Fate; not because ETF are not worthy, we all know they most definitely are, but because I’d just covered their local show the previous weekend in my home town. I wanted to spread the love. Though I know who Pennywise is and have listened to their music for years, I was skeptical about their live show at this festival. They seemed like a slightly odd fit for this type of crowd but, I will say that each year there are a couple of bands that don’t seem like WTR material and yet, they kick ass and show us that we are freaking idiots for doubting them. The crowd was pretty damn big but yes, you could see the difference in numbers from the crowd that BFMV drew an hour ago. Nonetheless, once the band came on, the crowd enjoyed every moment as they sung each song lyric without falter. This band has been around for almost 30 years so to think that they wouldn’t be hugely accepted here was a misconception. Their set included “Wouldn’t it be Nice”, “Peaceful Day”, “Unknown Road”, “Fuck Authority”, and “Bro Hymn” among others. What really got the crowd jumping was their cover of The Beastie Boys’ “You Gotta Fight for your Right (to party)”. What was already a lively and invigorating crowd seemed to open up full force and jump right in for that one. Hell yes Pennywise! From the skeptic…Job well done guys.
Another fight within myself was the next set…to choose between SIXX: A.M. and Collective Soul was hard. I’ve been a Collective Soul fan as long as I can remember but SIXX: A.M. has made a huge impact on me since they first started in 2007 so I kept my happy ass right there in the “Lefty/Righty” stage area for SIXX: A.M. As far back as my early childhood, Nikki Sixx has played a part in some of my favorite music while with Motley Crue. In my mind, there was never a question of whether SIXX: A.M. would do well. With the talent they combine having Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba, and vocalist, James Michael, there is no failure option. The crowd clearly was thrilled to see them perform. They chanted the lyrics eagerly as James Michael sang “This is Gonna Hurt” and their newest release “Rise”. He continued with their live debut of “When we were Gods” which aroused the crowd in such a manner that all hands were in the air and bodies were surfing forcefully over the crowd. He continued with “Lies of the Beautiful People”, “Stars”, and “Life is Beautiful”. The chemistry between Nikki and DJ seemed like a true brotherhood on stage. The high-spirited agility in their instrumentation ability as we watched them seamlessly attain each chord while bouncing all over the stage was unflawed. Intense facial expressions and eye contact with the fans made their performance on stage almost hypnotic. Their set was pure entertainment from beginning to end.
Bring Me the Horizon was next up on stage right. I’d been wanting to see them for a long time and had heard how wonderful their concerts are. Just before they were to go on, the call came letting me know I was needed to pick up my nephew who was finally being released from the hospital…with strict orders to stay out of the sun between the hours of 11-5 and no more than 30 minutes at a time if absolutely necessary to be in direct sunlight. It was good news to know he was ok, but I knew it was about to ruin his weekend since tomorrow would be very minimal for him. Guilt started crashing in because leaving him alone for most of the next day didn’t seem fair. Anyway, back to BMTH, they are absolutely amazing. I get it that a lot of people don’t classify these newer bands as metal, but I keep an open mind and understand that having the ability to command a stage and draw the attention of so many people is a gift that not everyone has. These guys actually rock out and though some of the undertones are not as “heavy” as the older metal that people indulge in, it would be unfair to take away any acknowledgement of the talent that these guys have. Oliver Sykes is obviously a favorite for many of the ladies in attendance. I am certain it has a lot to do with his boyish cuteness but his vocal ability shines. Behind him, it was fun to watch Jordan on keyboard and Matthew on drums as they had their own excellence to show off. Matt and Lee held their own, creating a guitar/bass combo with fantastic rhythm. “Happy” kicked off their set and it created just that; happiness was pouring from the crowd. Oliver continued with “Go to Hell for Heaven’s Sake” which kept the energy flowing and “True Friends” which obviously everyone loved. I stayed long enough to hear “Sleepwalking” which is one of my favorites and they absolutely killed it live.
I missed the remainder of their set and the entirety of 3 Doors Down, which disappointed me deeply but I was able to make it back just in time for Disturbed. David Draiman is one of my absolute favorite vocalists. His dominant and unmistakable voice is powerful and strong. He gets a lot of flak for his songs sounding the alike due to his repetitiveness in some of the sounds he makes throughout but this guy is so fucking talented. His crowd was massive. The good thing about Disturbeds’ set time was that it didn’t conflict with any other band so they were able to get everyone’s attention and they did just that. The area was packed. There was little room to move at all. Even the photo pit was ridiculous. People snuck in the photo pit without cameras or with just their phones and no passes but the mass of people made it impossible for security to see everyone. We could barely move. The lighting for their set was great for the concert itself but terrible for photography. With fire and heat, Disturbed brought a powerhouse performance that was undoubtedly one of the best of the day (for me). The set included many of their powerful hits like “Ten Thousand Fists”, “The Vengeful One”, “Stupify”, and “The Light” but what caught the crowds’ attention without question was Draimans’ version of “The Sound of Silence”. Much criticism surrounds his version of this Simon and Garfunkel song, but with that criticism comes much appreciation. He takes this song to a whole different level by creating an eerie, dark and dramatic tone that simply gives me chills every time I hear it. From the sound of the fans cheering and singing along, this song is greatly adored. He belted out several covers from other bands tonight, they were: “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails, U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, “Baba O’Riley” by the Who, and “Killing in the Name of” by Rage Against the Machine. People were eating out if David’s hand as he delivered amazing and unmistakable interpretations of these songs. It wouldn’t have been complete without “Indestructible” and of course, “Down with the Sickness”, which seems to be a preference of everyone whether Disturbed is a favorite band in general or not. There wasn’t an unhappy face in the crowd as he fisted the air and thanked everyone for being there. A kickass show was what we all wanted and a kick ass show they did provide.
Shinedown was the final band of the day. No one was leaving until they got their fix of the hometown boys. They’ve been steadily producing hits without fail since 2002 and their popularity doesn’t seem to wither as years pass by. Brent Smith is a driving force for this band and the strength he brings vocally is incomparable. I’ve seen them perform before so I had expectations of a greater show than the last if that was possible. Being the last band to perform, they had everyone’s full attention. Though some people were leaving to beat the traffic, the majority remained. It had been a scorching hot and energy draining day for the fans who were piled in front of the stage but Shinedown was prepared to prove there was still enough oomph left in the crowd to rock it out with them for another 45 minutes or so. Brent came on strong with “Unity” and “Fly from the Inside”. It was as if the day had just begun for most of the fans in the crowd. They seemed to renew their liveliness as the first chord was struck and delight overtook the venue. He kept them invigorated with “Diamond Eyes”, ”Enemies” and “Cut the Cord”, an obvious favorite based on the lyrical chanting that could be overheard all the way the road. It was then that we also decided to find our way to the car which was about a mile away. That long trek was more obvious now than when we arrived eager to start the day as our feet were ready for a break and we couldn’t wait to wash all of the dirt that had accumulated on every part of our bodies off. As we made our way to the car, we could hear Brent bringing the house (or venue) down as he sang “Second Chance”, his version of Lynyrd Skynyrds’ “Simple Man” which is a true tribute because he sings it with perfection, and “Sound of Madness”. He is a master of his craft no doubt.
It seemed as though all of a sudden the feeling of exhaustion took over and then it hit me that I apparently forgot to feed myself…all day. I guess at least I stayed hydrated and drank plenty of water, from the many drink booths, some cold and some barely cool at all but delicious just the same. Water was my best friend in this heat. Spending $3 per bottle kind of sucked, and of course, you can’t leave the workers without a tip, so every bottle cost me more like $4 to $5 depending on how damn thirsty I was and how thankful I was to have cold, refreshing water at that very moment in time. The festival was packed with some absolutely heavenly sounding food vendors that I’d planned to investigate but I guess the hustle of the day gave me the adrenaline I needed and kept me going without refueling. The lines were long all day as people devoured their meals and nourished themselves to keep their energy levels at 100%. I missed all of the amazing merchandise vendors today as I walked right by in my hurriedness but you can bet, my ass will be stopping by to check them out before this festival weekend is over. Aside from the extreme heat that was already proving to be a bit much for some, it was a perfect day for a music festival. Day one and done. Looking forward to day two.
Official Welcome To Rockville Site
