Written by: Sason Bishope Parry
Photos by: Steve Thrasher, Sam Shapiro and Lexie Alley
Sacramento CA, USA
The West Coasts’ biggest rock festival and one of the most significant events to be held in Sacramento, California in two years, The Aftershock Music Festival, returned to Discovery Park October 7-10. It was a welcome comeback for the annual festival and a memorable four-day weekend for all that attended. Excitement was everywhere, and for the first time in the event’s history, Aftershock welcomed a record-setting attendance of 145,000 fans! There were many incredible performances throughout the weekend, with highlights from headliners Metallica, who delivered two unique sets over two nights, including playing Metallica (The Black Album) to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Producer Danny Wimmer Presents is pleased to report that almost 99% of festivalgoers this year arrived with proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test – and others were able to receive convenient, rapid testing onsite to access the event without delay. This was a welcome comeback for the organizers and fans after the pandemic forced the festival to cancel its 2020 edition.
Metal giants Metallica continued their partnership with DWP at Aftershock, delivering an incredible two unique sets over two nights, including hits from the band’s 40-year catalogue on Friday, October 8. Other memorable moments at the 9th edition of Aftershock included a headlining appearance from The Original Misfits on Saturday, October 9, who helped usher in the Halloween season with a rousing horror-punk performance as well a Thursday closing set from Cypress Hill. Earlier that day, the festival offered a not-to-be-missed Bay Area thrash metal showdown with Testament, Exodus (reuniting with drummer Tom Hunting), and Death Angel providing an apt preview for fellow locals Metallica. A recently reunited Mudvayne also appeared on Saturday, October 9.
Some sets also featured guest stars such as Tye Trujillo (son of Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo), appearing with his dad’s former band Suicidal Tendencies; Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath joining Pennywise to cover Minor Threat; and Dropkick Murphys on stage with Rancid.
It was a weekend of non-stop, hard-rocking great music that also included sets from Machine Gun Kelly, Rise Against, Volbeat, Testament, Gojira, Mastodon, and Seether, to name a few.
Aftershock also honed in on rising talent, including the first major festival appearance for Mammoth WVH, the project of Wolfgang Van Halen, son of the late Eddie Van Halen.
The event (sold out for the fifth consecutive year) is estimated to have brought in $30 million to the local economy, with 75% of the attendees travelling to Aftershock from outside the region, according to Mike Testa CEO of Visit Sacramento.
In addition to the 60 music acts over four days, with performances on three stages, festivalgoers were able to enjoy some of the best food and drinks that the Sacramento area has to offer, as well as various sponsor activations and experiences.
As well, all weekend long, festival fans were treated to exclusive interviews with bands playing Aftershock courtesy of the crew behind “That Space Zebra Show,” including Cypress Hill, Rise Against, Seether, Steel Panther, Body Count, and dozens more. Interviews can be watched now on DWPresents Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/dwpresents. Metal Ambassador and SiriusXM host Jose Mangin was a part of the weekend, introducing various acts ahead of their performances. This was a welcome come
Danny Wimmer Presents wrapped up the 2021 festival season with Welcome To Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida, November 11-14, which also included two unique sets over two nights from Metallica, as well as Slipknot and Disturbed in headlining performances, plus Rob Zombie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, A Day To Remember, The Offspring and many more.
What an excellent return it was for Danny Wimmer after a few years of setbacks where live music was shut down Worldwide and with no end in sight. By the energy and excitement of fans in attendance and the overwhelming demand, it’s clear that live music has come roaring back and has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Aftershock partners included: Blackcraft, California’s Finest CBD, Clown Cannabis, Coors Light, Deep Eddy Vodka, Dr. Greenthumb’s, ESP, Fearless Records, FC Cancer, Heavy Grass, Hellflower Soap Company, Helpful Hemp, It’s Ronz World, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, KOLAS, Mortus Viventi, Musician’s Institute, Revolver & Inked Magazine, Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails, Space Zebra, The Pretty Cult, Thunder Valley Casino Resort, TickPick, TWLOHA , and weedmaps.
Aftershock also celebrated many non-profits, including Animal Place, FC Cancer, Headcount, Rock Against Racism, and Take Me Home.
Aftershock is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of America’s largest independent producers of destination music festivals. Additional DWP events include Bourbon & Beyond, Epicenter, Hometown Rising, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville.
Aftershock has also announced dates for 2022, to be held the weekend of October 6-9, returning to Discovery Park. Passes are available now for just $10 down for a limited time at https://aftershock2022.frontgatetickets.com.
For complete information on Aftershock, please visit:
Website: www.AftershockFestival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AftershockFestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AftershockSac
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AftershockConcert/
Hashtag: #Aftershock