Thanks to Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) for bringing together some of the biggest and best acts to take over three stages in Houston. If you were among the fans that got to come to the show, you know that Mother Nature acted like a total whore. That’s right. With two major delays due to lighting touching down the show had some changes. That said, it still was one of the first days ever, of a first-ever festival. Here is a quick look back at the first day of Houston Open Air.
I started my day with shooting the epic, facemelting, skin blowing off the bones The Word Alive. Now, I have been a fan of this band for a while and have seen them two other times. I’ve fallen in love with the song ‘Trapped’ from their album “Dark Matter“, which is available now. In true ‘The Word Alive’ form, they kicked off the main stage with one of the best sets I have seen on the road. The energy alone… the jumping and pure metal emotion, was enough to make me smile a real smile.
Throw into the mix the fact that lead singer Tyler “Telle” Smith has a way of connecting with the crowd that makes it seem like he is talking directly to you. Yup, I left this set on cloud nine.
A few bands had to cancel and one of them was Texas’s very own Sons of Texas. But good news, vocalist Mark Morales sat down with me and did the best ever version of Twinkle Twinkle little star you will ever see or hear. They also broke first ever news with us, letting us know they were working on a new album — he shared this with me, Rockwell UnScene, and Tattoo.com first. Yeah. I love sharing secrets.
After eleven bands were cancelled due to the weather, the day got back on schedule and fans got to rock out to Slayer, The Cult, Alter Bridge, Ministry, Buckcherry and more.
As of right now, the weather is not cooperating on day two of Houston Open Air… AT ALL. Due to the threat of lightning strikes, evacuations are in order. A shoutout to DWP, along with all the bands and attendees who came out to celebrate the best in metal and rock at this first ever Houston, TX festival. Stay tuned to Rockwell UnScene and Tattoo.com for more coverage on HOA and other DWP festivals, including Louder Than Life on October 1st & 2nd in Louisville, KY and Aftershock on October 22nd & 23rd in Sacramento, CA.
