Aftershock 2022 was a fantastic memory that will be hungered to repeat next year. Allowing over 40,000+ people each day to chill during a sweltering 99 degrees (Fahrenheit) with large mist blowers and delicious (health or comfort) eats choices were plentiful. The stage layouts were designed with both mainstages almost back to back with alternating performances with viewing screens of each other’s performance. Then the 3 smaller stages rotated with incredible talent that are under the mass media radar. As with all great experiences, I will always be missing something; thus, I did miss the first day of all my personal favorite bands. In addition, I am sure I missed out on others on the days I attended. Yet, the ones mentioned were phenomenal, and hope to see comments on your experiences.
DAY 2
Apocalyptica – Creative interpretation of the cello with heavy metal. The drums carried a demanding beat, and the three cellists rapidly followed while headbanging with entertaining long hair swirling. The mashup, of “Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses”, and “Thunderstruck by AC/DC” with a few others I knew but couldn’t name, was interestingly captivating. There was a fun classical mash-up with “Here Comes The Bride.” Possibly as this was their first appearance in Sacramento. The majority of the set was an ambitious instrumental with an always-too-short appearance – Franky Perez. Franky Perez did not accept a sleepy response from the crowd. We all sang with him when he sang “I don’t care.” Honestly, it felt great to scream those words out loud. As loud as we were, there was no way to overrule Franky’s full power into a vocal.
- Ashes of the Modern World
- Grace
- I’m Not Jesus
- I Don’t Care
- Inquisition Symphony
- (Sepultura cover)
- Seek & Destroy
- (Metallica cover)
- In the Hall of the Mountain King
- (Edvard Grieg cover)
Lamb of God’s appearance on a nearly full moon gave no chance to relax with an intro. One quick curtain drop and it was on high volume with “Memento Mori.” Possibly the feeling of a full moon, the same day the new album Omens dropped, or just the Aftershock build-up during the day. The entire crowd, despite the proximity to the stage, were collectively jamming in loyalty to the band. Lamb of God closed with “Redneck,” joined by an accomplished local favorite bay area guitarist – Phil Demmel.
- Memento Mori
- Walk With Me in Hell
- Now You’ve Got Something to Die For
- Ruin
- Nevermore
- Contractor
- Omens
- Vigil
- Laid to Rest
- Redneck (with Phil Demmel)
KISS descended from the sky playing “Detroit Rock City.” A very appropriate entrance for Rock Legend Gods. As they touch the stage, Paul lays out one of his famous riffs. Gene Simmons’ guitar responds with the infamous tongue lick. Gunfire sounds as “Shout it Out Loud” enters. Paul Stanley signals his hand to his ear, and the crowd echoed back loudly. After the song finished, he replied Crazy Sacramento, we have been here 13 times. Yet, we always want one more.
More explosions as KISS rips into “War Machine.” Paul swivels his hips, singing: “better watch out as I’m a war machine,” ar-pounding fists corresponding to the stage fireballs. The song “Hell is on fire” might have caught the sound engineer off guard with a maxed speaker. Quick to recover as it was only a few seconds. After the song, Paul claimed, “wicked road party tonight,” and they played “I Love It Loud” and a flaming sword, and we replied, “..hell yeah ya” They delved into 1983, playing “Lick It Up.” Everyone from old-school high school years to current students sang along. Yes, this is my kind of crowd. Who needs a set list when the person next to you knows the lyrics and history of the band? Playing “Calling Dr. Love,” they have the cure to what I am thinking for sure.
The next tune was well-timed, and I had forgotten the eerie guitar riffs and then how the chill sounds of footsteps. Incredible to feel a chill in a Sacramento summer. Then into “God of Thunder,” followed by “I Was Made for Lovin’ You”.. ‘can you get enough of me’, no I can’t. Then, of course, “I want to rock-n-roll all Night”.. Thank you, and good night.
- Detroit Rock City
- Shout It Out Loud
- War Machine
- Heaven’s on Fire
- I Love It Loud
- Cold Gin
- Guitar Solo
- Lick It Up
- Calling Dr. Love
- Psycho Circus
- 100,000 Years
- Drum Solo
- God of Thunder
- Love Gun
- I Was Made for Lovin’ You
- Black Diamond
- Encore:
- Do You Love Me
- Rock and Roll All Nite
DAY 3
Theory of A Deadman Curiosity from the buzzing recommendations from my fellow rockers moved me to their stage. Yet, their opening song was of a country twang. I turned, head down, disappointed, and started to walk away. Luckily their huge fan base slowed my rollout. Their intro to “LowLife” was different. When the drums kicked and the guitar screamed, I discovered what everyone knew -stay. A little guitar riff from “Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses” just before ending the set sealed them into my loyal rock-listening fan book. Why do bands tease us with soon-to-be-released but not yet great tunes? Their new single, “Dinosaur” will be released this February. Until then, I will be singing “Rx (Medicate).”
- Lowlife
- So Happy
- Blow
- Friends in Low Places (Dewayne Blackwell cover)
- Angel
- History of Violence
- Bitch Came Back
- Hate My Life
- Rx (Medicate)
- Dinosaur (Unreleased song)
- Bad Girlfriend
Halestorm Side note: The festival hosted a ‘Rock Against Racism’ gallery. Lizzy Hail was a featured artist. Her bio was a quote – “Be fearless, not perfect. Perfection is limited, it has a ceiling. Whereas imperfections open up an endless universe of ways to set the world on fire.” I believe she will.
Lizzy may look like and sing like an angel, but she is no angel. As the band followed up with, “Don’t call me Angel.” She called the crowd her freak family but only for tonight. Awe. She said, “I see you. I hear you. I love you. I get off on you getting off on me.” The band rolled into “I Get Off,” and I thought she was serious. Despite the heavy heat of a long day, fans resisted their human side and hands in the air, dancing, crowd surfing. [Side Note: Crowd surfing is a given]. She could hold a high note so long glass would shatter. This must be why only plastic containers were permitted in the venue. She decelerated a bit, and a guitar matched the note – a very cool transition. Musically blended into “I Miss the Misery,” No one walked away during this drum solo, an epic 3-plus minutes. Unsure if he blew through all his drumsticks on hand but finished with table legs. Yes, table legs, and it was awesome. The ending was bittersweet as they claimed Aftershock as their church and the crowd as their people, then left. I could have rocked all night with them.
- Back From the Dead
- Love Bites (So Do I)
- Wicked Ways
- I Get Off
- Psycho Crazy
- I Miss the Misery
- Drum Solo
- Freak Like Me
- Bombshell
- The Steeple
Papa Roach Note the excitement and curiosity had been building all day. As lead vocalist, Jacoby Shaddix was returning to his hometown and second appearance(the first was in 2003). Headlining the Aftershock Kola mainstage; as for the entire set, it was tough to tell who was more excited, the crowd or the band. There was no way to hold back the Sacramento love for their Papa Roach. As the guitars riffed and band members jumped soaring into the air, the fans created a mosh pit of the same fired excitement. Jacoby then requested from them an old-school mosh pit, and the band mashed up a Ramones tune with a pedal to the metal beat. The band encouraged an old school. One-man mosh pit and Fever 333 vocalist Jason Aalon Butler joined them onstage. Also, a special guest star appearance by a Vacaville local, and Emilia rocked the stage at only 16 years old. Jacoby spoke as the crowd paused, “if you don’t chase your dream, everyone will chase you down. Pain is temporary. Pain is necessary. Dedicate to be a light for someone in the darkness.” The crowd brought their lit cell phones in the air. Then an altered version of “Scars” .. “tear my heart open. Let’s be brave.” Emotions flowed as the crowd finished the lyrics of the song. Being their last show of the year, Jacoby informed us that the next one would be a music video and initiated hard-core riffs and ..” I just want to be heard..” continued with “Between Angels and Insects.” Followed this with a solo guitar lullaby to end with cut my life to pieces, then a pause of silence, and with those words, the crowd finished the song. Ever grateful and repeated once, ‘We are not done YET!’ A whistle continued as the UC Davis marching band entered, and they all jammed one last song together. Amazed to see a marching band headbang while playing with Papa Roach. It ended with the fans chanting, “Papa Roach! Papa Roach!” but they were over time, and how can anyone top a headbanging marching band?
- Kill the Noise
- Getting Away With Murder
- Help
- Blood Brothers / Dead Cell
- Firestarter (The Prodigy cover)
- Infest (To the beat of “Still D.R.E.”)
- Swerve (with Jason Aalon Butler)
- …To Be Loved (With “Blitzkrieg Bop” intro)
- Scars (Preceded by instrumental intro with Emilia, Jerry Horton’s daughter, on bass)
- No Apologies
- Between Angels and Insects
- Last Resort
- Born for Greatness (With UC Davis Marching Band)
My Chemical Romance Everyone held their phone up, ready to preserve this opening moment, hoping it would never fade. The set was hypnotic, yet fans thrashed and danced in the millimeters of allotted space between each other. The performance was beautiful, yet they stopped completely to help people that were stuck and in trouble in the pit. The barriers were lined with red shirt security to help people. I watched as not all the people brought out of the pit were walking very well. It was beautiful to see the love the band shared with their fans. After the 4th complete stop, I couldn’t get back into the groove, and my viewing seemed forced. Their music is beautiful, but the vibe was lost.
- The Foundations of Decay
- I’m Not Okay (I Promise)
- Boy Division
- Our Lady of Sorrows
- The Ghost of You
- Teenagers
- Thank You for the Venom
- DESTROYA
- Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
- Vampire Money
- Planetary (GO!)
- Helena
- House of Wolves
- Welcome to the Black Parade
- Mama
- Famous Last Words
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- Encore:
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- The Kids From Yesterday
Day 4
Band-Maid: With knowledge or curiosity, the crowd 0f thousands flowed to a small stage at the far end of the festival. When I arrived, Band-Maid welcomed us with a fast beat and ripping lyrics. Singing so fast it could be RAP, yet, sweet soft sway into each word may be a positive new rock trend. I was unsure if the lyrics were in English or Japanese, but the voice as an instrument takes perfect time with guitar and drums. For added variety, a few blues bass licks were added. It took a minute, and then the fan’s phone video on one hand with the other hand in the air pumping to the beat. The set ended cleanly, yet no one stepped away. We all cheered for an encore. After their media interview, I asked about their intention behind the music and lyrics. The response was to “feel the music.” I believe that is a beautiful international message.
- from now on
- DOMINATION
- Choose me
- influencer
- Play
- Unleash!!!!!
- NO GOD
Classless Act from LA: The band’s high energy, with guitarist’s physical dancing and running while jamming, would give Sammy Hagar a run for his life. The vocalist, despite his great animations on stage and dedication to hitting every note at every point on stage, maintained clear enunciation of every word. We chatted a bit over coffee. Their dedication and excitement is impressive.
- The Trio (Ennio Morricone song)
- This Is for You
- Give It to Me
- All That We Are
- Time to Bleed
- Storm Before the Calm
- Haunting Love
- Classless Act
Bring Me To The Horizon – Photo Credit: Steve Thrasher - Bring Me to the Horizon This was a fun performance and crowd interaction to watch. The melting visuals with karaoke lyrics on the screen. Big into the crowd surfing on this one. Yet, what should I expect, as this has been the leading norm? Fun to watch the sign language representative dancing on the side. So there is an unwritten rule not to enter the Ego ramp set up for the headliner. Lead vocalist Oliver Sykes is not one to follow rules. Dancing down the ramp into the fans singing the fans’ apparent favorite song – “Drown.” I asked a few people why. They said it sings directly to their heart.
- Can You Feel My Heart
- Happy Song
- Teardrops
- MANTRA
- Dear Diary
- Parasite Eve
- sTraNgeRs
- Shadow Moses
- Itch for the Cure (When Will We Be Free?)
- Kingslayer
- DiE4u
- Drown
- Throne
Muse
My years of being a Muse fan date way back to a tightly packed-warehouse performance nearly 20 years ago. My mind was blown by this stadium production performance in an up close and personal festival. The stage and costumes changed as they reflected the albums performed. Experiencing the performance was similar to a Dolby-enhanced theater on an interactive Imax screen beautifully edited. The change between major shifts in production were seamless and mystical. Despite the small crowd of 40,000, the performance felt personal and hypnotic. As they opened with ‘wearers the people,’ our jaws dropped as their backdrop of real flames entranced us. There was a little AC/DC riff that brought me mentally home. I did find it odd that the crowd surfing to Muse was everywhere, but then again, I should expect it as a thing for Aftershock. There was an instrumental conversation with the crowd. Beyond the crowd finishing the lyrics, it was vocal noise met with electrical guitars blending the space between them and us.
- Will of the People (Extended intro)
- Interlude
- Hysteria (AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ and Rage Against the Machine’s Know Your Enemy riff outro)
- [Drill Sergeant]
- Psycho (Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Township Rebellion’ outro)
- Stockholm Syndrome (‘Reapers’ intro; “0123” outro)
- Won’t Stand Down (Slipknot’s ‘Duality’ outro)
- We Are Fucking Fucked
- The Gallery
- New Born (Tour debut; Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Calm Like a Bomb’ riff outro)
- You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween (Bach’s ‘Toccata and Fugue in D Minor’ intro)
- Time Is Running Out (Riff intro)
- Minimum
- Supermassive Black Hole (Kaoss pad intro)
- Plug In Baby (Extended outro w/ Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’)
- Behold, the Glove (Matt Bellamy song)
- Uprising (Extended outro)
- Prelude
- Starlight
Encore:
- Kill or Be Killed (Riff outro)
- Knights of Cydonia (Ennio Morricone’s ‘Man With a Harmonica’ intro)
Aftershock 2022 was one of a kind, and I am unsure how it could be any better. Yet, observing the dedication of the DWP behind the scenes, my confidence and curiosity will bring me front-row and center next season.
