by Paul Michael Sanchez
This hot Memorial Day weekend marked the 5th annual River City Rock Fest, San
Antonio’s biggest festival for rock and metal. Stacked with a beefy lineup consisting of Def Leppard, Godsmack, The Offspring, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, and much more. Metal heads were in full attendance.
Antonio’s biggest festival for rock and metal. Stacked with a beefy lineup consisting of Def Leppard, Godsmack, The Offspring, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, and much more. Metal heads were in full attendance.
Kicking it off, hometown heroes The Heroine took the main stage and set in motion the 2017 River City Rock Fest. Unfolding after The Heroine at main stage, were the upcoming band Kyng and country rockers Black Stone Cherry hit it hard. Buckcherry busted out jamming “Ridin”. The relentless heat ensued, despite that they showed the crowd what it’s like to ‘rock out with the sun out.’
Performing a touching acoustic tribute to Chris Cornell (who recently died), Taylor Momsen and her bandmates of The Pretty Reckless put on a good ol’ Rock N’ Roll set.
Fozzy
Busting out the hits, Three Days Grace gave flashbacks of the Adam era songs everyone knows and loves while playing the just as memorable newer material. Cranking it into
overdrive, Godsmack destroyed at the main stage with a high octane performance
consisting of all the hits and a drum-off solo between frontman Sully and
Shannon. To finish it all off, headliner and 80’s rockers Def Leppard showed they can
still rock to fans both young and old. Horns and fists were raised as the
classics were performed consecutively one after another, occupied with the
voices of thousands.
overdrive, Godsmack destroyed at the main stage with a high octane performance
consisting of all the hits and a drum-off solo between frontman Sully and
Shannon. To finish it all off, headliner and 80’s rockers Def Leppard showed they can
still rock to fans both young and old. Horns and fists were raised as the
classics were performed consecutively one after another, occupied with the
voices of thousands.
For those who risked their spots at main stage, fans caught glimpses of
The Offspring, Papa Roach, Taking Back Sunday, and much more performing at
the second and third stages. Headlining at second stage The Offspring proved
the Kids are alright by giving those in attendance flashbacks of the day
with the older and newer jam’s diehard fans love. Wiping out the Nu-Metal
era Papa Roach songs and new material from the recently released “Crooked
Teeth” pumped up attendees. Pop Punk rockers Taking Back Sunday serenaded
fans with soft melodies and passionate lyrics. San Antonio’s own Nothing More would play their first home show since nearly two years of touring and working on a new album.
The Offspring, Papa Roach, Taking Back Sunday, and much more performing at
the second and third stages. Headlining at second stage The Offspring proved
the Kids are alright by giving those in attendance flashbacks of the day
with the older and newer jam’s diehard fans love. Wiping out the Nu-Metal
era Papa Roach songs and new material from the recently released “Crooked
Teeth” pumped up attendees. Pop Punk rockers Taking Back Sunday serenaded
fans with soft melodies and passionate lyrics. San Antonio’s own Nothing More would play their first home show since nearly two years of touring and working on a new album.
Rock and WWE fans were definitely thrilled to see Chris Jericho and his band Fozzy, chants of the bands name could be heard throughout the venue. Fans of old
school rock n’ roll would find out that a vast majority of the lineup
stayed true to the sound with some of their own style like Dorothy, Rival
Sons, Badflower, and many more who were performing. If metal heads felt
that there was a lack of heaviness, the circle pits would ensue as bands
like Wage War, In Flames and Norma Jean displayed their heavy metal
brutality. There was more than just music -those who ventured out to the festival
would find themselves glued to the Hellzapoppin sideshow, where
performers could be seen sword-swallowing and lying on pins and needles.
school rock n’ roll would find out that a vast majority of the lineup
stayed true to the sound with some of their own style like Dorothy, Rival
Sons, Badflower, and many more who were performing. If metal heads felt
that there was a lack of heaviness, the circle pits would ensue as bands
like Wage War, In Flames and Norma Jean displayed their heavy metal
brutality. There was more than just music -those who ventured out to the festival
would find themselves glued to the Hellzapoppin sideshow, where
performers could be seen sword-swallowing and lying on pins and needles.
This year’s River City Rock Fest was surely a festival not to be missed. It set up great expectations for 2018 and we can’t wait. Check out all of our Rockfest photos on our website.
