The 2013 edition of Rockstar Energy Drink’s Uproar Festival has been a much debated one. Some people love the line-up, some people hate it. Given that this year’s line-up isn’t quite as heavy as years passed, a lot of people were reluctant to buy tickets, and those people missed out big time. With the focus more on the alternative rock side, this year’s festival was a bit different, but not at all in a bad way.
The day kicked off with a bang, featuring an outstanding performance by Canadian rockers Danko Jones. The band, named after frontman Danko Jones, plays a loud brand of rock n' roll that would make an awesome soundtrack to any party. Jones interacted spectacularly with the crowd as he and his band rolled through a set of songs that had people jumping, dancing, and singing along.
Not long after came a band with a much different sound, but a similar partying attitude. Alt rockers New Politics took the stage led by vocalist David Boyd, who put on quite the interesting display. Boyd spent the entire set either jumping around on speakers or break dancing on stage, pulling off several back flips, handstands, and even a headstand. The band played their hot new single “Harlem” which you may or may not have heard yet, but chances are if you haven’t, you will soon.
Up next were blues rockers Beware of Darkness. The band created a buzz with their odd stage behavior and vocals, but it really seemed to work for them. They belted out several hard rocking tunes, including “Howl” which may be in the running for best outright rock and roll song of 2013.
Middle Class Rut was the next band to take the stage, and gave arguably the best performance of the side stage bands. A duo in the studio, their live sound is expanded quite a bit, including a percussionist that plays a beer keg as a drum on stage. Middle Class Rut even got a pretty good mosh pit going during their set. Highlights included the rocking songs “Busy Being Born” and “New Low”.
The side stages closed out with a couple of up and coming super groups. First up were the Dead Daisies featuring former INXS and Noiseworks vocalist Jon Stevens,
Finally on the side stage was Seattle super group Walking Papers. The line-up consists of former Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, Screaming Trees and Mad Season drummer Barrett Martin, and Seattle music titans Jeff Angell and Ben Anderson. Walking Papers’ strength is in their lyrical content and songwriting. With plenty of experience for them as well, the music translated very well onstage and served as the perfect precursor to what was coming on the main stage.
Progressive Rockers Circa Survive kicked things off on the main stage. Their ambient and experimental sound caught several people off guard and left many in the crowd wanting to know more about this band.
Next up were concept rockers Coheed and Cambria, currently touring in support of their two albums released this year. Vocalist/guitarist Claudio Sanchez is one of the more interesting personalities in modern rock with his trademark hairstyle and high vocals. To close their set, Sanchez brought out a gorgeous double neck guitar to play one of the best guitar riffs of the 21st century in “Welcome Home”.
Things got strange, as they always do, when Jane’s Addiction took the stage. The duo of Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro is one of the best vocalist/guitarist duo’s of this era. Their stage show is always interesting, including flying women in dresses, topless mannequins, and a spectacular light show. The band rolled through a set of 90’s classics before Perry Farrell teased the crowd about leaving, only to return for the classic “Jane Says” which was greatly appreciated by the crowd.
Finally it was time for the headline act to hit the stage--grunge legends Alice In Chains. The re-invented rockers who came storming back onto
the scene in 2009 with the hit album Black Gives Way to Blue are supporting their latest release The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here. Kicking the set off with the current single from that album, “Stone”, AIC showed that they are not just another 90’s nostalgia act, they are here and here to stay. Throughout the 13 song set Alice in Chains rattled off classic hit after classic hit, such as “Them Bones”, “Man in the Box”, “We Die Youg” “Down in a Hole” “Would?”, and “Rooster”. Also included were new AIC classics like “Check My Brain” and “Last of My Kind”. Many bands whose initial success came in the 1990’s fail to live up to their past days. Alice In Chains is not one of those bands. The new era AIC material stacks up just as well, sometimes even better, than the classics. Their set had the crowd in awe of the sheer talent the four members of this band have. Alice In Chains wrapped up a great day of music with a spectacular performance that was indeed worthy of the headlining slot.
Uproar Festival as a whole was a major success in my eyes. Sure it didn’t have the punch packing hard rock and metal of years past, but if that’s what you’re looking for, there’s always Mayhem Festival. Uproar Festival showcased some wonderfully talented acts on its side stage; don’t be surprised to hear a lot more from several of those bands very soon.
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