Despite rain delay due to an evacuation, Day 1 of Rock on the Range roared on. The sold out crowd proved once again that rock and roll is alive and well and not going anywhere, anytime soon.
The day kicked off at 11:45 with Aeges and Goodbye June, who are currently on separate tours in the U.S.
Be sure to keep an eye out for our interview with Aeges (coming soon) – we got to talk with the band about the current tour and what it’s like to perform at Rock On The Range.
Day 1 also featured Motionless in White, Sum 41, Cover Your Tracks, Beartooth, Thrice, Pierce the Veil, Gojira, and Bush among others.
This is a bittersweet tour season. We all heard about the tragic loss of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden. Bands and fans alike were in shock at the news of his recent passing. Soundgarden was scheduled to headline Rock on the Range day 1. In place of their set was a tribute video along with an acoustic performance by Corey Taylor and guest. Again, the show went on. That is the theme of this year’s festival music tour from our point of view. It was good to hear from bands that knew and toured with Chris as they told us about the man behind the microphone and how he touched their lives.
Rock on the Range did a tribute video for Chris complete with a candle lighting and Corey Taylor covering some of Soundgarden’s greats (with a complete stripped down acoustic version of Black Hole Sun). Fans were front and center to honor and celebrate not only a great musician but a stellar human being.
Festivals and live music are not only a place to have fun and get your party on, they are a place where bonds are made. Where every walk of life from the elite to the struggling, every color, every race come together for one cause: MUSIC. For one moment in time, the band on stage breaks down all barriers and reaches not only ears but hearts and souls.
To all the Rock on the Range fans: shout out to you for hanging in there not only ride out the storm but to the remarkable energy you brought and gave back to the bands. 2017 will be one for the books.
