Since its inception in 2007, Rocklahoma has carved out a distinct segment as a key occasion for rock lovers, celebrating the style’s evolution and variety. Initially envisioned as a tribute to the “Woodstock of the ’80s,” the competition has grown from a nostalgic homage to heavy steel right into a vibrant platform showcasing each iconic acts and rising expertise.
Over time, Rocklahoma has navigated modifications in possession and route, however its essence has remained steadfast. Marking a brand new chapter in its historical past – now underneath the stewardship of famend competition producer Danny Wimmer Presents – this 12 months’s competition arrange its goals not solely to honor its wealthy rock heritage but in addition to introduce new components and group, reflecting each its legacy and future aspirations.
Friday’s festivities kicked off shortly earlier than midday, and the primary act we managed to see was Liliac. Initially from Los Angeles and now primarily based in Atlanta, they’re a five-member rock band that instructions consideration despite the fact that most of them look too younger to order a drink legally. Fronted by the dynamic Melody Cristea, who confidently struts throughout the stage with the poise of seasoned performers like Lzzy Hale and Amy Lee, the band members — wearing black and sporting youthful exuberance — kicked off their set with a few authentic tracks: “Rise Up” and “Not Afraid”, which served because the appetizer to a number of different highly effective, and well-executed authentic compositions, with a standout rendition of Dio‘s “Holy Diver” interspersed amongst them.
Whereas they could be younger, Liliac greater than compensates with boundless vitality and visual musical expertise. Their efficiency was infused with a gothic vibe that complemented their title, which fittingly interprets to “bat” in Romanian, a nod to their mother and father’ heritage. Let’s regulate these children, they may have a vivid future forward of them ought to they proceed at it.
Sadly, the opening day festivities have been halted by Mom Nature, and the competition grounds have been vacated prematurely of a thunderstorm that lasted effectively into the tip tails of the afternoon, making it unattainable for a number of bands to carry out. After the climate cleared up, and whereas the occasion’s employees labored incessantly to scrub and restore the levels and their surrounding areas to the very best form, Halestorm kicked issues again into gear at 7:00 PM.
The throngs of competition goers have been nonetheless discovering their method into place as Lzzy and firm got here on stage roaring, with the identical vitality as in the event that they have been taking part in in a packed enviornment: pouring coronary heart and soul into each be aware as Hale commanded the stage with a presence that was unattainable to disregard. Their present injected an electrifying vitality, sorely wanted after the hours-long pause, and as soon as once more Hale wailed, knelt, and screamed to the skies, all whereas her bandmates masterfully tore up via their set, which even included a piece the place all of them got here to the sting of the stage to frantically drum at unison on 4 large tambors, with the viewers cheering up at each drumstick hit.
Because the daylight pale into nightfall, the Renegade stage turned the scene for Kim Dracula‘s distinctive fusion of steel, various rock, and entice. The music-starved hordes erupted in applause because the masked band members took their locations, and Kim Dracula emerged, clad in an outdated navy uniform. It was a fleeting second of quiet — a quick calm earlier than the storm — earlier than the stage reworked right into a whirlwind of frantic vitality and headbanging. Kim‘s signature guttural screams seamlessly blended with rapid-fire verses, a layer above the anarchic sonic panorama – there was even a saxophonist on stage – all set in opposition to a backdrop of dim lighting and swirling fog, creating an eerie ambiance that seamlessly echoed the darkish depth of their hard-to-define musical fashion.
As night time descended over Pryor, one among rock’s enduring pillars acts took to the primary stage. Sure, years have handed since their groundbreaking debut Fallen dominated the rock charts and MTV’s music video scene, but Evanescence stays as potent and related as ever. Amy Lee‘s voice carried a haunting mix of ethereal quirkiness and deep melancholy, whereas Troy McLawhorn‘s intricate guitar solos and riffs wove seamlessly into the band’s signature gothic and metallic sound, pushed by the thick, resonant basslines of Emma Anzai and the highly effective, unyielding drumming of Will Hunt. Their set blended metallic depth with somber piano melodies, hanging deep with the viewers and evidencing that Evanescence‘s legacy isn’t just enduring however continues to evolve with time.
Wage War has been steadily rising via the ranks of the steel scene, and their efficiency on the Renegade stage was nothing in need of chaos unleashed, very similar to their new album Stigma is. Because the haunting, atmospheric tones of the set opener, “The Present’s About to Begin,” segued into Cody Quistad and Seth Blake‘s highly effective, chunky riffs, the gang erupted in a frenzy, diving headfirst into mosh pits and browsing over waves of our bodies — it felt like a scene straight out of an apocalyptic science fiction film. Lead vocalist Briton Bond has actually come into his personal as a screamer, whereas Quistad, who handles each clear vocals and guitar, delivered a standout efficiency. Amidst the swirling fog and bursts of pyro, they turned your entire venue on its head, with the frantic crown almost bringing down the barricades in response to the sheer depth of their set. I feel is time to acknowledge that Wage War is a drive to be reckoned with, a band prepared to beat audiences of any measurement.
Whereas some bands may battle to seek out their footing after such a break, Avenged Sevenfold roared again into the music scene final 12 months, with an depth that made it appear as if they’d by no means left. Their headlining efficiency on the primary night time of Rocklahoma left no room for doubt—these legends are again, they usually have been as formidable as ever. Time has solely sharpened the abilities of M. Shadows and his bandmates, and regardless of Synyster Gates battling an sickness — a reality solely revealed later by Shadows, because it was undetectable of their efficiency — the band unleashed a ferocious set. They kicked off with the frenzied pairing of “Recreation Over” and “Mattel,” a mix that introduced forth the advanced time signatures, blistering guitar solos, and unusual songwriting constructions current of their newest studio album. Because the present progressed into extra acquainted territory with “Afterlife” at any second you seemed round, there was one thing nearly transcendent with 1000’s of voices singing in unison, hovering into the night time, because the notes of “Buried Alive”, “Nightmare” and the closing ode of “A Little Piece Of Heaven” echoed via the airwaves. For nearly ninety minutes, Avenged Sevenfold held the gang within the palm of their fingers, leaving your entire Rocklahoma viewers in thrall and buzzing with euphoria, and successfully ending the day’s tumultuous begin on an exhilarating excessive be aware.
Saturday’s festivities have been auspiciously greeted with clear skies and summer-like temperatures, and by the point Badflower hit the Freedom stage the warmth was punishing. Two songs in, singer and guitarist Josh Katz engaged the viewers, joking concerning the torridness: “I stepped on stage and noticed so a lot of you with umbrellas, and I believed it was unusual, however now I am telling you, keep underneath these as a result of it is scorching out right here!” Warmth however, they continued to play with their customary vitality, with bassist Alex Espiritu leaping, head-banging, and transferring his instrument in each potential route.
Taking on the identical stage later within the afternoon, and underneath extra manageable climate after a 30-minute downpour that whisked away the solar, Skillet turned the dampened ambiance into one among electrical anticipation. Their efficiency was an exhilarating and ferocious mix of musicianship, amplified by swirling lights and well-planned bursts of CO2. Korey Cooper embodied wild, untamed vitality, seemingly possessed by the music, Jen Ledger attacked her drum equipment with relentless depth, Seth Morrison‘s guitar work was each exact and highly effective, and John Cooper was his common uber-dynamic self, wandering throughout the stage whereas singing, both slapping his bass or holding his mic, his plain charisma on full show. The set was a sensory jolt, a whirlwind of sound and vitality that revitalized the day, dispelling the lingering gloom of the sooner rain and lifting the gang’s spirits after the ominous clouds had recalled the challenges of Friday’s climate.
As nightfall started to fall, Pop Evil took the Renegade stage with the clear intent to obliterate it. The group exploded in loud cheers because the 4 instrumentalists stormed the stage, diving headfirst into the thunderous, prolonged intro of “Paranoid (Crash & Burn).” When lead singer Leigh Kakaty stepped ahead and unleashed his first vocal strains, the vitality within the venue surged to electrifying heights. The back-to-back double punch of “Deal With The Satan” and “Let The Chaos Reign” acted like a spark to a powder keg, the gang’s unruly response to the band’s depth spitballing much more. Kakaty and his bandmates have been ablaze with vitality, and the large swarms of followers reveled in each electrifying second — a relentless excessive that fueled their total 40-minute efficiency.
A Day To Remember took command of the primary stage, and proper from the beginning, they’d the gang within the palm of their fingers, kicking off their efficiency with an explosion of confetti that set the tone for the remainder of the present. Their setlist was a masterclass in balancing infectious, sing-along hooks like “All I Need”, with the form of heavy, mosh-inducing riffs that left nobody standing nonetheless like “2nd Sucks”. The band’s capacity to merge depth with accessibility was on full show, particularly frontman Jeremy McKinnon, who poured each ounce of emotion into his efficiency drawing in even the uninitiated, and leaving little doubt that any potential followers within the viewers have been seemingly received over by the point a second confetti explosion throughout their customary setlist shut “All Indicators Factors To Lauderdale” signaled the tip of their presentation.
A pointy distinction in musical types went down with the arrival of stoner/sludge overlords Clutch, who slowly appeared on stage whereas the infectious notes of Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers‘ “We Want Some Cash” performed over the PA system. Should you’ve ever been to a Clutch live performance earlier than, you already know they’re a visceral expertise, combining intense musicality and Neil Fallon‘s commanding stage presence – he does not cease transferring for your entire period of their set, nonetheless lengthy it is perhaps – with the laid-back but highly effective supply of his bandmates, who concentrate on their devices and depart the highlight to Fallon. It is the kind of band you both like to items or do not perceive in any respect, however in case you are within the former group, it turns into a communal celebration of their expansive and eclectic discography, and their set at Rocklahoma was no completely different. To make issues even higher, their 13-song setlist was nearly their Blast Tyrant album in its entirety, seemingly celebrating its 20th anniversary, solely swapping “The Mob Goes Wild” for “Mice and Gods”, and likewise in the identical operating order of the file.
All through their eight-album discography, Disturbed has masterfully woven collectively the essence of the nu-metal motion right into a cohesive and highly effective sound, and their headlining present left no doubts about their relevance. Tracks just like the set opener, the gut-punching “Hey You,” and the bass-heavy, quasi-electronic anthem “Unhealthy Man” hit with full drive; and the band effortlessly transitioned to their iconic hits from the early 2000s, delivering classics like “Ten Thousand Fists” and “Stupify” with the identical uncooked vitality that made them legendary, proving that point has solely sharpened their edge. It would not be a Disturbed present with out the deeply emotional and haunting rendition of the Simon & Garfunkel traditional “The Sound of Silence,” Draiman revealing his capacity to shift from his signature aggressive vocals to a easy, nearly crooning supply, which was additionally palpable throughout a poignant rendition of “Do not Inform Me”, the place Royale Lynn joined him on stage, taking the place of Ann Wilson who sings on the unique monitor. One other standout phase of the night was their highly effective steel tackle the Genesis traditional “Land Of Confusion,” the place each Donnegan and Moyer had their highlight solo moments. Regardless of a lot of their songs coping with themes of deep frustration, and a world scarred by sickness, everybody left feeling a bit extra complete.
The ultimate day festivities on the Freedom stage began off with Oxymorrons, who definitely introduced liveliness in spades. Their sound – a mix of rock and hip-hop – takes some cues from bands like Limp Bizkit (that are additionally mirrored of their extravagant selection of apparel) however with a refreshing nerdy attraction and campy aptitude all their very own. Vocalists Demi and KI jumped round exuding boundless vitality and buying and selling intelligent, rapid-fire verses over some infectious guitar riffs. What began as a skeptical crowd (probably as a result of strenuous warmth of the early afternoon) shortly reworked into cheering, clapping, and transferring alongside to the beat, fully received over by the band’s charisma.
Simply ten minutes previous 4 PM, and nonetheless beneath a relentless solar, California’s thrash steel legend Kerry King and his crew unleashed a barrage of heaviness – in an unambiguous disparity with the sound of the band that preceded them – decided to obliterate something and anybody of their path. Their set was a fierce onslaught of guitar riffs, that includes tracks from King‘s lauded debut solo album From Hell I Rise, together with fan favorites like The place I Reign and Idle Palms. The livid response of the viewers solely grew exponentially because the band tore via the couple of Slayer classics which have been steadily featured of their units: “Raining Blood” and “Black Magic.” It was a cruel, devastating efficiency that rivaled the depth of the grueling temperatures, with the highlight alternating between the hovering vocals of Death Angel‘s frontman Mark Osegueda and Phil Demmel‘s electrifying guitar solos, whipping the gang right into a frenzy and igniting an enthusiastic response from the undaunted spectators.
Subsequent up on the identical stage have been Atlanta’s progressive steel advocates Mastodon, in what would grow to be the final present of their present tour celebrating the anniversary of their lauded album Leviathan. One other band that you just both adore or skip altogether, Mastodon‘s music is a seamless fusion of genres, the place technical precision meets gritty grooves. Their sound is additional enriched by the shared vocal tasks amongst bassist Troy Sanders, drummer Brann Dailor, and guitarist Brent Hinds, plus the tight powerhouse guitar partnership of Hinds and Invoice Kelliher, that anchors the band’s sonic panorama. We have been handled to a journey via the mythic depths of songs just like the crushing opener “Blood and Thunder,” the expansive “Hearts Alive,” and the hauntingly melodic “Megalodon,” in a set that unquestionably offered their capacity to mix uncooked energy with advanced, nuanced musicianship.
Because the afternoon started to wane and a mild breeze swept via the competition grounds, hair-metal stalwarts Winger took the DEB stage, in a set that was punctuated by an uncommon scene: in a shocking twist, the gang erupted right into a frenzy of continuous crowd-surfing – a sight you may not instantly affiliate with a Winger efficiency. However these Rocklahomians have been right here to rock, and rock they did, fueled by the nostalgia of 80’s MTV classics like “Rainbow Within the Rose,” “Headed for a Heartbreak,” and “Straightforward Come Straightforward Go.” Kip Winger and his bandmates have been as tight and compelling as ever, which is actually no shock as they have been all the time a band with a stage of musicianship that far exceeded their contemporaries within the scene, and successfully set them other than their friends when the Sundown Strip music scene was all the trend.
One of the numerous younger rock bands rising from Texas, Giovannie and the Employed Weapons, stormed onto the Renegade stage simply as Winger‘s remaining chord echoed via the air. Hailing from Stephenville, Texas, this dynamic five-piece blends alt-metal, purple grime nation, Latin pop, Americana, and extra, making a uncooked and highly effective recipe that has taken them from native honky-tonks to the levels of main festivals and arenas nationwide. Although usually labeled a rock and roll nation band, their presentation was an exhilarating mixture of heaviness and charming gusto peppered with a mix of folklore, a welcome breath of contemporary air and selection on a day that had been largely dominated by heavier sounds.
As nightfall settled over the open sky, the air crackled with anticipation because the torchbearers of recent American steel Lamb Of God, made presence. This efficiency marked the end result of their co-headlining tour with Mastodon, a tour that honored the legacy of their landmark album Ashes of the Wake. Should you’ve ever witnessed a Lamb Of God present, what’s coming: unadulterated sonic onslaught. The viewers was quickly engulfed in one of many day’s most electrifying and intense performances, led by the incombustible Randy Blythe, commanding the set together with his signature unbridled vim. The multitude – whether or not within the VIP seating space close to the stage or within the extra distant basic admission part – was swept right into a relentless thrashing journey, beginning with their staple set opener “Memento Mori”, pushed by the searing riffs of Willie Adler and Mark Morton, harking back to Dimebag Darrell‘s iconic sound. John Campbell‘s crushing bass and Artwork Cruz‘s punishing drum work created a formidable backdrop, crafting a labyrinth of ferocious anthems, that reached its fiery crescendo with the double function of fan favorites “Stroll With Me In Hell” and “Redneck,” leaving the viewers in a state of tattered euphoria.
The concluding act on the Renegade stage was Nothing More, they usually got here out swinging for the fences, with a present that was nothing in need of a sensory blitzkrieg, as if this have been their remaining curtain name as a band. Frontman Jonny Hawkins sweat-drenched curls bobbed with each motion as he danced throughout the stage, microphone gripped tightly, his eyes ablaze with vehemence. In the meantime, his bandmates maintained a dynamic vitality, completely in tune with the visible feast of dancing LED lights and swirling fog that was a part of their vibrant gentle present. The viewers’s fervor reached a fever pitch, with crowd-surfing approaching the realms of full irrationality, successfully making their efficiency probably the most charming of your entire three-day competition, and offering an unforgettable send-off earlier than the occasion’s remaining set.
When bands hit the highway for album anniversary excursions, they often keep on with taking part in the featured album in full, peppering the remainder of the setlist with fan favorites or saving these for an encore. Slipknot, nonetheless, took a very completely different strategy with their “Right here Comes the Ache” Twenty fifth-anniversary tour, which they served up as the primary dish on the ultimate day of Rocklahoma. The night time started with a relentless assault because the 9 males – clad in hanging purple boiler fits that harken again to their iconic early days, complemented by a choice of vintage-style masks, every yet one more chilling than the final – tore via the opening trio from their self-titled debut album—”(sic),” “Eyeless,” and “Wait and Bleed.” After the unrestrained depth of such a begin, frontman Corey Taylor paused to handle the feverish crowd, providing his gratitude and setting the stage for what was to return: “We began right here 25 years in the past, so tonight it’s my pleasure to inform you: Welcome to 1999. Now we have put collectively one thing very fuc**ng particular for all of you. I am right here to inform you proper now, you’ll not hear a track written after 1999 tonight.”
Embracing a uncooked and unfiltered efficiency fashion, and channeling the depth of their early days once they have been nonetheless taking part in gritty membership exhibits – additionally stripping away the pyrotechnics and elaborate stage setups which have grow to be an indicator of their latest excursions – the most important steel band to ever come out of Iowa continued tearing via their debut album, in a primal, back-to-basics presentation, which even featured two bonus tracks from the album’s import version, “Me Inside” and “Get This,” and two deep minimize tracks, “No Life” and “Solely One,” each of which had been absent from their stay exhibits for years earlier than this tour run, and closing the musical apotheosis with a mix of “Spit It Out”, “Surfacing,” and “Scissors.”
Rocklahoma 2024 is now within the books, however I will be remembered as a vivid celebration, one which underscored the vitality and variety of our present rock scene. Rising above the challenges posed by unpredictable climate, the competition’s spirit remained unbroken, carried out by the unyielding oomph of the performers and the eagerness of the viewers. Rocklahoma joins the chosen group of these uncommon occasions the place previous and future converge in a synergic conflict, producing a strong vitality that resonates far past the competition grounds. This 12 months’s version has left an indelible mark, and we’re assured its pulse will proceed to echo for the foreseeable future.
