Photos and Review by Zoe Adler
Show photos HERE
This year’s Rocklahoma was quite an interesting one to say the least. Because of the storms that passed through and the mud it left in its wake, the festival received a couple of nicknames such as “Mudlahoma” and “Rainlahoma.” But overall, it was one to remember.
Day One of Rocklahoma was not too bad. Yes, there was mud but it was manageable. The line going into the fest was quite long and it felt like an eternity before the gates opened. Finally, once they did, we all scrambled to find good spots for the opening bands. To kick off the fest on the Hard Rock stage was New Zealand’s very own, Like a Storm. They truly started the day off on a killer note. On the Main Stage was We Are Harlot. Immediately following back on the Hard Rock Stage was Upon a Burning Body and next on the Main Stage was Apocalyptica with their new lead singer, Franky Perez. On the Hard Rock Stage to melt faces off was the Butcher Babies, and surely enough, they did. The next band, In This Moment, on the Main Stage kept the party going and on the Hard Rock Stage was British hard rock band, Young Guns. After the highly energetic performance of Papa Roach on the Main Stage, Nonpoint rocked the Hard Rock Stage. The night was slowly creeping through the cloudy weather and a few sprinkles escaped from the clouds but not enough to scare off the fans. Following Slayer’s incredible performance on the Main Stage was Ministry on the Hard Rock Stage, and the day ended on an incredible note with a great performance by Godsmack on the Main Stage. Day One might have been over, but the festival was far from being over.
Day Two of the festival started off with Sons of Texas on the Hard Rock Stage. The wind began to blow heavily but again, not enough to scare the fans away. Rain started to fall slowly but everyone kept their game up and continued to rock out with Candlebox on the Main Stage and Crobot on the Hard Rock Stage. It was safe to say that once The Pretty Reckless hit the Main Stage, they really brought the rain. Fans started to retreat to the nearest shelter and some sat in their lawn chairs with their umbrellas propped up against them, protecting them from the horrid wetness falling from the sky. Some of the fans began to play in the mud, adding to the madness and fun of the festival. After Starset’s amazing performance on the Hard Rock Stage, Anthrax absolutely killed it on the Main Stage. For the last two bands of the evening, Periphery on the Hard Rock Stage and Halestorm on the Main Stage, it was a great way to end the stormy evening. I find it really safe to say that Halestorm brought the thunderstorm that brought the evening to an end. Due to the inclement weather, the following bands were cancelled: In Flames, Scott Weiland & the Wildabouts, Volbeat, and Linkin Park. With only one day left, it was up in the air what the state of the festival was.
Though I left on the final day, I heard that there were zero cancellations and a lot of muddied up and wet fans ready to rock the day away, which they did. Day Three consisted of Dryver, Aranda, Islander, The Winery Dogs, Otherwise, Of Mice and Men, Shaman’s Harvest, Queensryche, and Red Dragon Cartel. It all perfectly concluded with these three incredible bands: Breaking Benjamin, Motionless in White, and Tesla.
All in all, Rocklahoma was a fairly unexpected one yet the fans showed their strong devotion to rock by standing in the rain and mud. Whatever curveballs the weather threw at them, they stood strong and ready tor rock. The bands were amazing and like I said in the beginning, it was a weekend to remember.
Rocklahoma 2015 – Pryor, OK
