Aftershock Had Me Shook!
October 9, 2023 - Aftershock was this past weekend, October 5 – 8 th . In case you didn’t know, Aftershock (organized by Danny Wimmer Presents) has been one of the premier festivals celebrating rock, punk, and metal on the West Coast since 2012. It has grown from a one-day event to four days of non-stop awesome music. Four stages with bands starting at noon and the headliners singing until 10:30pm. People travel from across the country and world to have a chance to see this much talent in one place. This year I met people from Australia, Spain, and a lot of people from other states like Arizona, Colorado, and even Washington D.C.
I have attended the festival every year (except 2020 when they had to cancel due to da Rona) and every year there is at least one band on my bucket list. Two years ago I got 2 days of METALLICA which was absolutely phenomenal, last year was KISS and DANZIG, along with FALLING IN REVERSE, PRONG, and ROB ZOMBIE. And, while some groups backed out (Pantera, Corey Taylor) for different reasons, the four day festival was still a hit for me. This year’s headliners included rock and metal legends such as AVENGED SEVENFOLD, TOOL, KORN, GODSMACK, INCUBUS, RANCID, LIMP BIZKIT, and GUNS ‘N’ ROSES, to name a few. I mentioned earlier that Pantera and Corey Taylor backed out of the festival this year. Pantera stated this was due to “circumstances beyond our control.” They did, however, pledge to return for next year’s Aftershock, so I will have to wait for a bit longer. Corey Taylor released a statement that he had to back out because a few bandmates got Covid and he had taken a nasty spill at his last concert in Vegas and needed to heal. I certainly hope they all heal and we see them in California soon!
I always purchase the 4-day VIP pass for Aftershock. There is a dedicated area for VIP’ers between the two main stages, clean restrooms that are not portable outhouses, and its own dedicated food trucks and bar service. The diversity of foods was crazy! There were dumplings, “loaded” rice bowls, pizza, hot dogs, burgers, and chicken, to name just a few. The VIP section had fewer choices but there were still a few trucks parked there helping feed the VIP masses. The bar services was available inside the VIP area as well. Another perk. For me, purchasing the VIP pass is worth the extra money since I live only a few miles from the venue I don’t have to worry about hotel accommodations or eating at restaurants. Saving money!
Any band that wants to sell their merchandise can do so at Aftershock. This year, the merch booths were bigger so the lines moved relatively quickly. It took me about 30 minutes to get through the line and get my shirts (this is where I lose my money lol) and this year, I had to get GUNS ‘N’ ROSES, BABY METAL, GODSMACK, and TOOL. I will look totally cool in the poor house! Every year, I purchase the Aftershock foil poster and frame them and hang them on the wall of my “music room”. I did not get one in 2019 so if you know where I could get one, message me!!
The only thing that bugs me about Aftershock is I can NEVER get a photo pass to take pictures. I have taken pictures of some of the bands that played like CURRENTS and VARIALS, but not at Aftershock. So, my Instagram and Tik Tok (Chel_Evah) have a few photos and videos of RANCID, GUNS ‘N’ ROSES, and INCUBUS if you are interested. I will add some to my photos here on the first page as well. Someday they will say yes to the pass for me!
I just spent four days with good people, good food, and great music. It doesn’t feel like 150,000+ strangers because I met so many nice people that are now a part of my Festival Family. Cheers to next year when I will finally get to see Pantera (I hope) and other magical bands that make me feel all the feels!
The next Aftershock will be held October 10 - 13, 2024. To buy merch from this year’s Aftershock (not the band’s merch) and to sign up for emails about next year, go here: Aftershock 2024!
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