JJO Bandcamp 2013
Celebrating Bandcamp’s 10th anniversary in Madison, WI
This year’s event almost was not going to come to fruition, but was saved at the last minute and the tradition was able to live on. Starting at around 11:30 am and going till 9:00 pm, it was just non-stop music on two stages - as one band finishes on one stage, the next band starts up. With a setup like this there is no let-up of music or dull moment of waiting around.
Featuring over 16 bands that included up and coming bands, Wayland, Red Line Chemistry, Soil, and Fight or Flight.
Some of the highlights were as follows:
Eye Empire are working on their 2nd album and came back to play a killer set of powerful music that got the crowd moving.
Motionless in White & Asking Alexandria brought a harder brand of metal to Bandcamp and had the most moshpits and even a wall of death during Asking Alexandria.
Madison favorites Nonpoint, and pretty much proved they could, and maybe next year should, headline. Nonpoint has continued to climb the charts, filling up venues with their nonstop touring and amazing live shows. They were also inducted into the Bandcamp Hall of Fame, along with Dope.
Another band that keeps getting better with each album, Pop Evil, played a solid 45 minute set of fan favorite songs. Pop Evil is a band you don’t want to miss touring with Papa Roach this fall, because in a few more years they will be headlining major tours.
After some time-off, Dope returned to Bandcamp with a vengeance. Guitar player, Virus is back after being on the road with Device; he fit right back and was jumping all over the place. With songs like Die MF Die MF Die and F**K the Police, the whole crowd was into it and singing along.
The day ended with Sevendust taking the stage. A band like Sevendust has earned the respect from fans after years of playing on the road and they don’t care if it’s 100 people or thousands - they bring the same 110 % energy all the time. They opened with Pieces and Till Death off the new album Black Out the Sun. Sevendust knows how to work a crowd and get them into it, playing a short tease of Sweet Dreams got the crowd roaring approval. They ended the night with Splinter and Face to Face.
While some people complained that there were no big bands this year, I would have to strongly disagree. They gave the fans bands that play amazing music but also future headliners and veterans of plenty rock stage.
So for the true fans of Bandcamp, cheers for 10 years and a salute to 10 more years.
Photos & Reviews by Peter Lizano
