Aftershock 2023… and why it will be better than Power Trip!

Show Preview by: Alan Ralph @AlanHasPicks

The extended weekend of October 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the year 2 0 2 3 has been leaving fans of heavy metal music in decision limbo since the beginning of April.  In mid-March, the annual heavy metal pilgrimage to Sacramento, called Aftershock Festival, announced another stellar (as always) 4-day lineup for an unforgettable weekend of Rock N Metal.  What nobody knew then is that a mere two weeks later, Power Trip (not the band) would announce a killer classic metal lineup for their festival, to take place simultaneously on the same weekend, albeit in the southern California desert. Goldenvoice had just put Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) on notice, and fans then had to decide which to go to!  Now, with t-minus two weeks and counting, Spinning Platters is here to explain why Aftershock Festival is thee festival to attend and how they will not be relinquishing their West Coast Fall Festival crown…

1) Tool vs. Tool and Guns N Roses vs. Guns N Roses

We are legitimately stumped as to Tool’s inclusion in a legacy metal festival. They are neither legacy nor metal.  They have performed at Aftershock previously and fit seamlessly into the mold of any DWP festival. Meanwhile, Guns N Roses is going to play for the same three hours at both, as well as close out the entire Aftershock weekend in style!

Advantage: Aftershock

2) Weather

Advantage: Aftershock

3) 90+ bands > 6 bands

Power Trip does also have Iron Maiden (up the Irons!), Metallica, Judas Priest, and AC/DC, but Aftershock has 90 other bands including modern-day heavy hitters like Megadeth, Queens of the Stone Age, Rancid, Korn,  Limp Bizkit, Pantera (as of 9/21), Stone Temple Pilots (as of 9/21), Incubus, The Cult, Godsmack, and Avenged Sevenfold. 

Advantage: Aftershock

4) Much like Goldenvoice’s Desert Trip (Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Roger Waters, The Who) in 2016, Power Trip is a one-off unlikely to take place ever again.  Aftershock happens every October. 

Advantage: Power Trip

5) Price

Aftershock: $420 for General Admission tickets (to stand anywhere, front or back!), $720 for General Admission VIP (has a lounge, water refill stations, special restrooms, and its own merch booth).  As low as $4.50 up to $8.00 per band.

Power Trip: $599 for General Admission tickets to stand in the back, $1,599 for pit General Admission tickets in the front, and $799 all the way up to $3,250 (!) for reserved seats in between.  As low as $100 up to $540 (!) per band.

Advantage: Aftershock

 

 

See more photos of all of your favorite Metal musicians at Alan Ralph‘s photo portfolio.