ION INDIE MAGAZINE June 2015, Volume 13 | Page 144

By Eric and Sherry Callaway
WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE 2015--what an amazing adventure! Starting with the pre-party at JACKSONVILLE LANDING and the
amazing bands--to 25,000 fans a day at the METROPOLITAN PARK--with their enthusiastic yells, crowd surfing, and mosh
pits, this was an all-out Rock adventure!
The adventure began with a pre-party show featuring WORLD GONE, with their apocalyptic gear, AVATAR, NONPOINT, and
HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD, looking every bit like the undead. They ALL kicked off the weekend in style. HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD
nailed it when they pulled 10 year old Xavier on to the stage to Rock out with them. It was an awesome start to the weekend.
Day 1 did bring some heavy rain with delays and 2 emergency evacuations of the park. The fans spirits were not dampened by
the weather. The party continued as soon as it was safe to return to the park. The mud didn’t even seem to make a difference.
However, due to the rain delays, a few bands did not get to perform. We interviewed one such band, FROM ASHES TO NEW
from Pennsylvania. They were disappointed that they did not get to perform for the fans and hope to return next year. Fans did
get to see bands like WORLD GONE, LIKE A STORM, NONPOINT, UPON A BURNING BODY, QUEENSRŸCHE, MARILYN MANSON,
SLAYER and KORN--just to name a few. By the time KORN rocked the stage, being muddy meant you were having a great time!
The party continued on day 2, which brought the sunshine and bands like WE ARE HARLOT, YOUNG GUNS, BUTCHER BABIES,
IN THIS MOMENT, BREAKING BENJAMIN, IN FLAMES, SLASH, PAPA ROACH, GODSMACK and SLIPKNOT. SLIPKNOT ended the
adventure on night two, with one of the most awesome shows I have seen! Fans packed in like sardines to catch the show.
And a show it was--with lights, masks and drum kits rising up and down and rotating on pedestals. It was an all-out Rock
show!
The fans came from all over the world and kept up their part by rocking out in the rain and mud. Crowd surfing was at its best,
with help from security. Also, a first for me, were the die-hard Metal fans and their mosh pits. What enthusiasm! The mud
didn’t dissuade anyone from moshing, not even the women. Cuts, bruises, and scrapes meant that a good time was had in the
mosh pits. The Jager girl was ready and waiting on stilts with shots of Jäger to pour into fans’ mouths--if they dared.
My husband Eric and I had the honor and pleasure of interviewing some of these talented musicians, such as WORLD GONE,
FROM ASHES TO NEW, QUEENSRYCHE, IN FLAMES, LIKE A STORM, SONS OF TEXAS and UPON A BURNING BODY. All were
very humble, thankful of their fans and excited about the opportunity to play WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE. They all agreed that
it’s the fans that keep live music going and they love what they do--something very apparent by the energy they all put out on
stage. Fans were also interviewed and asked where they were from, was this their first time and what their thoughts were.
Some were as far away as Europe and all over the United States. Many had been here before and some were bringing their
own kids for their first experience. Everyone said they were having an awesome time and plan on attending next year!
Whether you rocked out in the crowd or stretched out on a blanket in the sun, the music was heard and enjoyed. If you didn’t
make it this year, be sure to mark your calendars for next year. You will not regret it! This novice was impressed and had an
incredible time! I was honored to cover this event for ION INDIE MAGAZINE--and hope to earn the privilege again next year.