ROCK ON THE RANGE 2013
Rock on the Range has been a yearly event for the last 7 years, with each year growing bigger and better. Becoming the premier Rock event in the USA for many fans who call themselves Rangers, there is no other festival to compare to other than the huge festivals overseas. This year’s lineup featured 50 bands on three stages and for the first time, all three days were SOLD OUT, with over 105,000+ people attending the 3 days.
This was our 2nd time for Music Tour Reviews covering ROTR and we present you with our top ten list:
10. Three days of rock that ran from Friday afternoon to almost midnight on Sunday. If you’re a fan of rock music, this is your mecca.
9. Three Stages of music - you had a pick of genres of rock you wanted to see.
8. Korn fans got a double dose of music as now reunited guitarist, Brian Head, Welch band Love & Hate was the opening band on the main stage for Friday. As well as returning on stage with Korn to close out Friday night with an amazing performance, they set the standard for Friday night headliners for years to come.
7. Smashing Pumpkins, of all the bands at ROTR, should not be asked to play again. With a set that had many leaving early and yawning, it paled in comparison to all the bands that played on Saturday.
6. The new Pabst Blue Ribbon stage setup proved to be a huge success; at times it seemed to have as many fans as the main stage. Bands like Otherwise, Motionless in White, Ghost, Red, In this Moment, and Device had sunburned fans going off. Device played a cover of Lita Ford’s Close my Eyes Forever. Lead singer for Device, David Draiman brought out special guest singer, Maria Brink from In this Moment; was one of the highlights for this year’s ROTR.
5. Fans of 90’s rock got their fix with bands Bush, Korn, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden proving you’re never too old to Rock & Roll.
4. A Day To Remember and Lamb of God proved they both belong on the Main Stage in the coming years. At one point, lead singer for Lamb of God, Randy Blythe asked the crowd to take care of each other. After dealing with last year’s wrongful incarceration, he made sure everyone had a good time and nothing out of hand.
3. This year ROTR added a comedy tent, allowing rock fans a chance to laugh as they took a break from head banging, crowd surfing and moshing. Headliner, Jim Florentine from That Metal Show proved to be the highlight.
2. Papa Roach, along with Stone Sour, stole day 2. For Papa Roach, playing ROTR is nothing new for them but they have a way of reinventing themselves each time around. Jacoby Shadixx came out to the grandstands to sing and crowd surf at the end of their set. For Stone Sour, it was chance to make good for the year they missed due to drummer, Roy Mayorga’s stroke. Corey Taylor owned the stage as he pulled the crowd in. Many fans voiced their choice of who should of headline that night by leaving after their set.
1. Alice in Chains & Soundgarden - two bands that defined the era of Grunge music and proving everything comes full circle. Playing back-to-back on Sunday was a perfect ending to three days of amazing music. Both bands sounded amazing and tighter than ever.
Kudos to AEG for pulling off the biggest rock concert event of the year. If this year is any indication of what is to come, don’t be surprised if they add another day to this year’s sellout crowd.
All photos and Review by Peter Lizano
