This year, the only thing so many of us couldn’t wait to come was August 17. Why do you ask? Why would you ask is my first question? But then again, I think it depends on where you live and if this is coming your way. Which it’s coming all across the United States, so it damn well is coming your way! That’s right; I haven’t told you what “this” is. One music festival: Rockstar Uproar Tour. Yeah, that’s right. Now you know why so many of us couldn’t sit still the week before Uproar kicked off it’s very first show here in Minneapolis MN. Celebrating another year of amazing music, Uproar grabbed the best line up so far: Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, Halestorm, HELLYEAH, Airbourne, New Medicine and Hail the Villain. Damn fine line up for those of us that have already seen this fist pumping, mosh breaking, attitude wearing crowds.
To start off the day, we journeyed a few blocks away from the Target Center where the outside festival would kick off this year’s tour. A massive crowd has already pushed its way to the lot, grabbing a few Rockstar Energy Drinks along the way. While everyone so “patiently” waits for the music to begin, several of the sponsors are getting things underway too. Best Buy has a line built up for meet & greets of some of the festivals bands; the Marines are testing some daring crowd members to test their strength; Jager is getting the party started for those of us old enough to partake of course; and all the various bands and other sponsors merch tables are filled with eager fans grabbing up t-shirts.
To hit the stage first is Hail the Villian. And do they ever get the crowd going. Being a “neighbor” to us “Minnesotans,” we’ll pretty familiar with the way bands hit the stage while they’re here. And we’re never disappointed. Gearing the crowd up the rest of the day is a huge responsibility few will partake in unless necessary. You would never know they were the openers. High energy, strong vocals, gritty guitars, pulse pounding bass and drums is only the beginning to a great day. (Make sure to check out our interview with HTV too!)
Up next is our local favorite band New Medicine. I didn’t think there was a way for the crowd to expand more, but apparently people started to find a way to crowd themselves in. Amongst the crowd are fans and family that have come out to support NM in their first “big time” tour. The second the music starts, everyone “gets” why they’re on the bill. There’s no denying these boys have talent very few possess and few ever will. Pleasing the crowd with everything they have to give and more is exactly what catches everyone’s attention. If you were to look at your leg, you’d notice it was automatically tapping to the beats and you’d find yourself humming the tunes. They’re that damn catchy! The funny but edged guys have a way with the crowd that only proves they’re in the right spot. (Make sure to check out our interview with NM too!)
As the stage changes, Airbourne makes their appearance. Being here just a few months ago, the band keeps creating more and more fans just by putting on one helleva show. Grit bearing guitar solos, pushed rhythm and fast paced drums keeps your eyes on the stage. There’s nothing better than seeing a guitar player climbing on various things while grinding out a sick solo. It’s a signature move you can’t wait to see.
What’s history without it’s influences right? The final band to play on the Jager stage is one that is filled with so much talent; it almost pukes it out cause it’s too amazing to try to control. But that’s exactly the point, there’s no reason to contain anything. HELLYEAH is that band the burns the word contain into a pile of ashes while laughing as they do it. The crowd goes insane and you expect nothing less. Your jaw drops and your eyes don’t blink for fear of missing this band perform right in front of your face. Very few words can be spoken that would come close to how amazing it is to watch HELLYEAH. The crowd walks away in a numbed happiness a few probably haven’t felt in awhile.
Everyone walks back to the Target Center and is back to the anxiousness they feel every time they wait for a show to start. The floor is full, seats are filled up and the concert begins with a bang.
Halestorm enters with voice first. You hear Lzzy singing while trying to find out where she’s hiding. She enters the stage and everyone goes crazy! A fan favorite for so many, they know how to bring a crowd. As they play their set, everyone’s adrenaline gets pumping, hearts start racing and excitement builds. All of the sudden, the entire band breaks down to play the drums in a show stopping performance. It’s no wonder Halestorm is wanted by every guy and girl in the crowd, there’s something about their confidence and charisma that stands out to even the quietest sections of the Center. (Make sure to check out our interview with Halestorm too!)
Who comes on next except a band that has made waves in the industry for it’s collection of talent? Stone Sour. That’s all that really needs to be said. While Slipknot fans aren’t seeing the entire band in costume, they are seeing a few of the real members face to face. There’s a whole new meaning to the word elation when Corey is fixed on the crowd. His raw voice and fluid connection with the crowd is one very few bands have. Jumping over speakers to reach the crowd is exactly what was ordered. Let’s all get 5 orders of that please!
Now the real drama begins. The crowd starts chanting “Sevenfold” until their voices are raw and their neighbors ears are punctured. The sheet is withdrawn and the stage is…well…speechless. Filling the stage is an amazing set of arched gateways and brick posts with changing backgrounds. Smoke rolls off the floor and pryos begin. Once each band member walks on stage, there’s no turning back for either the band or the crowd. Connected to one another as Family is what they’re known for, but until you feel it yourself, you don’t quite understand. Playing several songs off their new record is a tribute to their late drummer, The Rev. Every single beating heart in that venue is one and bows their head to a lost one head dear to so many. Each song is a testament to why this band has gotten so far and why their “family” is everywhere. Stage theatrics are only the icing on the cake for most. The spell binding guitar solos from both Gates and Vengance are impacted into your limbs as nothing other than exactly that: spell binding. Shadows controls the attention of every single person while Christ owns the entire stage. While remembering their lost brother, their performance is perfected by that very brotherhood. A7X’s soul crunching performance is why every single person came to this tour.
What better way to end a historical night than to end it with a “little” band called Disturbed. The die hard band and it’s fans tend to always create a few memories neither are willing to forget. Debuting a few songs off the upcoming record, the crowd grows wicked. Moshing is now in order and sweaty people are happily being pushed into the people on all sides of them. Each song turns up the tempo. Playing the mixture of new upcoming songs with the favorites is successful for Disturbed. Everyone craves the new cd and once they get a taste of it, the need of getting it drives them crazy. Releasing all that pent up energy is good for the soul most say. I quite agree.
As the shows come to a conclusion, each person to walk out of that building has left changed even if it’s only a tiny bit. They’ll forever remember what it was like to be apart of this tour. When they’re at work, dreading the next few hours, all they’ll have to do is think on this night and know there are things worth waiting for. Until next year, we’ll all keep a count down until the next Uproar tour is underway.
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Make sure to get your ass to an Uproar show near you!
Edited and Interviewed by Chelsey Goraczkowski and Morris Goodwin of STILLCODA
