Welcome to Rockville sets attendance record with 200,000 fans and 150 bands
Welcome To Rockville has solidified its position as the premier rock festival in North America, boasting an attendance of over 200,000 and featuring 150 bands across 5 stages for the inaugural time.
Danny Wimmer Presents kicks off the festival season with the biggest Welcome To Rockville ever!
More than 200,000 rock fans descended upon Daytona International Speedway from May 9-12, making it a record-breaking event for both DWP and the festival itself. The 13th edition of Welcome To Rockville featured an epic lineup of 150 bands across 5 stages, headlined by rock legends such as Mötley Crüe & Disturbed (Thursday), Limp Bizkit & Jelly Roll (Friday), Foo Fighters & Queens of the Stone Age (Saturday), and Slipknot & Evanescence (Sunday). And the excitement doesn't stop there.
Here are just a few highlights from this year's unforgettable festival:
Mötley Crüe rocked the crowd with a set packed with hits, including their recent release "Dogs of War." (Thursday)
Disturbed surprised fans with a duet featuring legendary Heart vocalist Ann Wilson on "Don't Tell Me," marking their first live performance of the song together. (Thursday)
Limp Bizkit teamed up with Jelly Roll for a memorable rendition of The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes," followed by a surprise appearance by rapper Riff Raff and a live gender reveal on stage. (Friday)
Falling In Reverse debuted their new song "Ronald" live with special guests Tech N9ne and Alex Terrible from Slaughter To Prevail. (Friday)
Foo Fighters delivered a 2-hour set filled with hits, including special guest Wolfgang Van Halen joining them for classic Van Halen solos. (Saturday)
Slipknot closed out the festival with a mind-blowing set celebrating the 25th anniversary of their self-titled album and introducing their new drummer Eloy Casagrande. (Sunday)
And that's just scratching the surface! From surprise karaoke appearances by rock artists to brand new onsite experiences like the BLACKENED Burger Bar and Just Add Milk Cereal Bar, Welcome To Rockville offered something for every rock enthusiast.
Rockville Radio on SiriusXM's Channel 504 provided live broadcasts, interviews, and streamed sets, allowing fans to relive the best moments of the festival. As Metal Injection put it, Welcome To Rockville proves that rock is very much alive and thriving!
Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, Welcome To Rockville continues to cement its status as one of the largest and most iconic rock festivals in the world.
Day 1 of Welcome To Rockville 2024 kicked off under the scorching Florida sun with a lineup packed with powerhouse acts and unforgettable moments.
Saliva Pays Tribute: Memphis nu-metal pioneers Saliva took the stage with a poignant tribute to their late guitarist Wayne Swinny. Original vocalist Josey Scott made a special appearance, delivering a heartfelt performance alongside current members Bobby Amaru and the rest of the band.
New Years Day Brings the Heat: Anaheim's New Years Day turned up the intensity with their gothic/alternative metal sound, led by the electrifying Ash Costello. Hits like "Vampyre" and "Disgust Me" ignited the crowd, while a blistering cover of Pantera's "Fucking Hostile" took things to the next level.
Stabbing Westward Revives the '90s: Industrial rock veterans Stabbing Westward made a triumphant return to the stage, delivering a dose of '90s nostalgia with their energetic performance.
Dirty Honey Keeps It Classic: Los Angeles-born rockers Dirty Honey brought their vintage hard rock sound to the festival, captivating the audience with anthems like "California Dreaming" and "When I'm Gone."
Shadows Fall Reignites the Mosh Pit: Bostonian metalcore icons Shadows Fall unleashed a ferocious set, inciting pure pandemonium with their relentless energy and anthemic tracks.
Anthrax Thrashes the Stage: Thrash metal legends Anthrax brought the heat with a high-octane set filled with classics like "Caught In A Mosh" and "Indians," keeping the crowd moshing despite the sweltering temperatures.
Judas Priest Rules the Night: The metal gods themselves, Judas Priest, closed out the evening with a powerful performance, blending old classics with new hits and leaving the crowd begging for more.
Day 2 of Welcome To Rockville 2024 brought a fresh wave of sonic celebration to Daytona Beach, Florida, as thousands of fans gathered once again for another day of electrifying performances under the sun.
Flat Black Unleashes Fury: Former Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook's new project, Flat Black, kicked off the day with a blistering set of thrashing tunes, offering a sneak peek into their upcoming debut album. Lead vocalist Wes Horton led the charge with unbridled energy, igniting the crowd with tracks like "It's Your Lack Of Respect" and "Halo."
Nonpoint Brings the Groove: Fort Lauderdale's own Nonpoint delivered a high-energy performance fueled by heavy grooves and hip-hop influences. Frontman Elias Soriano commanded the stage with his dynamic presence, while hits like "Bullet With A Name" and "Breaking Skin" kept the crowd pumped up.
Living Colour Lights Up the Stage: New York funk metal pioneers Living Colour brought their colorful brand of rock to the festival, dazzling the audience with their virtuosic musicianship and infectious energy. Classics like "Cult Of Personality" had the crowd singing along in unison.
Imminence Blends Metalcore and Symphony: Swedish metalcore outfit Imminence offered a unique blend of post-hardcore and melodic death metal, enhanced by the addition of classical elements like violin passages. Their set, featuring tracks like "Paralyzed" and "Beyond The Pale," captivated the audience with its intricate arrangements.
Kittie Resurrects the Metal: Canadian metal veterans Kittie made a triumphant return to the stage, delivering a fierce performance that thrilled fans both old and new. Tracks like "Spit" and "Vultures" showcased their signature blend of aggression and melody.
In This Moment Raises the Theatrics: Los Angeles-based rockers In This Moment upped the theatricality with a visually stunning performance featuring pyrotechnics and elaborate costumes. Frontwoman Maria Brink commanded the stage with her powerful vocals, while hits like "The In-Between" and "Blood" had the crowd in a frenzy.
Slaughter To Prevail Brings the Brutality: Russian deathcore outfit Slaughter To Prevail unleashed a relentless barrage of heavy riffs and guttural vocals, inciting chaos in the pit. Tracks like "Demolisher" and "Viking" left a lasting impression on the crowd with their sheer intensity.
The Offspring Keeps It Classic: California punk rockers The Offspring delivered a high-energy set packed with hits from their extensive catalog. Classics like "Come Out And Play" and "Self Esteem" had the crowd singing along as the sun began to set.
Electric Callboy Gets the Party Started: German electronicore outfit Electric Callboy brought the party with their energetic blend of metalcore and EDM influences. Tracks like "Spaceman" and "We Got The Moves" had the crowd dancing and singing along into the night.
In Flames Ignites the Metal: Swedish melodic death metal veterans In Flames delivered a powerhouse performance filled with anthemic melodies and blistering riffs. Hits like "Cloud Connected" and "Bullet Ride" had the crowd headbanging in unison.
Mr. Bungle Gets Quirky: Mike Patton and his bandmates in Mr. Bungle delivered a wild and unpredictable set filled with genre-bending madness. With covers ranging from pop classics to thrash metal anthems, they kept the audience on their toes with their offbeat humor and musical prowess.
Limp Bizkit Closes with a Bang: Nu-metal icons Limp Bizkit brought the day to a close with a high-octane set packed with hits and unexpected covers. Frontman Fred Durst and guitarist Wes Borland entertained the crowd with their eccentric stage antics, delivering memorable renditions of "Break Stuff," "Rollin'," and more.
Day 3 of Welcome To Rockville 2024 brought a fresh wave of energy and excitement to Daytona Beach, as the festival entered its penultimate day.
Nova Twins Kick Off the Day: Alternative rock duo Nova Twins got the day started with a bang, delivering a high-octane set filled with punk, rap, and pop influences. Guitarist/vocalist Amy Love and bassist Georgia South commanded the stage with their infectious energy and catchy hooks, leaving the audience wanting more.
Crobot Brings the Grit: Pottsville's own Crobot took the stage with their signature blend of stoner rock and heavy grooves. Frontman Brandon Yeagley's dynamic stage presence and the band's blues-drenched riffs kept the crowd pumped up throughout their performance.
The Struts Rule the Afternoon: British rockers The Struts brought their retro-inspired sound to the festival, captivating the audience with their melodic fanfare and flamboyant stage presence. Lead vocalist Luke Spiller channeled the spirit of rock legends like Freddie Mercury, delivering a performance that had the crowd singing and dancing along.
Royal Blood Reigns Supreme: Worthing-born rock duo Royal Blood unleashed their powerhouse sound on Daytona Beach, proving that less is more with their minimalist setup. Bassist/vocalist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher delivered a high-energy performance filled with loud intensity and unconventional stylings.
Mammoth WVH Shakes the Stage: Wolfgang Van Halen's project Mammoth WVH made a seismic impact with their electrifying performance. Backed by a talented lineup, including guitarist Frank Sidoris and bassist Ronnie Ficarro, Wolfgang showcased his stellar musicianship and undeniable stage presence, proving he's a force to be reckoned with in the rock world.
Stone Temple Pilots Bring Nostalgia: The air was thick with nostalgia as 90s alternative rock legends Stone Temple Pilots took the stage. Vocalist Jeff Gutt channeled the spirit of Scott Weiland as the band delivered hit after hit, including classics like "Vasoline" and "Plush," much to the delight of the crowd.
All Them Witches' Psychedelic Grooves: Nashville natives All Them Witches brought a unique blend of psychedelic rock and blues to the festival stage. Despite their static presentation, their dense sound and captivating performance, highlighted by tracks like "When God Comes Back" and "Enemy of My Enemy," held the audience's attention.
Primus Brings Eccentricity: Progressive rock veterans Primus took eccentricity to new heights with their off-the-wall performance. Bassist/vocalist Les Claypool led the charge with his funky bass lines and comedic stage presence, delivering fan favorites like "Wynonna's Big Brown Beaver" and "Jerry Was A Racecar Driver" with unmatched energy.
A Day To Remember Ignites the Crowd: Metalcore mainstays A Day To Remember brought a modern metallic edge to the festival, igniting the crowd with their high-energy performance. Vocalist Jeremy McKinnon's showmanship and the band's infectious anthems had the audience singing along and moshing with abandon, leaving everyone gasping for more.
As the last note of Foo Fighters rang out, signaling the end of another epic day at Welcome to Rockville 2024, it was evident that the festival was on track to break attendance records. Despite the scorching temperatures that flirted with Sub-Saharan levels on the opening day, Saturday brought a slight reprieve, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the music.
The day was a showcase of musical diversity and nuance, with each band bringing their own unique style to the stage. From the nostalgia-inducing rock of Stone Temple Pilots to the psychedelic grooves of All Them Witches, and the eccentricity of Primus, there was something for every rock enthusiast to enjoy.
As the festival heads into its final day, the expectations are higher than ever. Bands and staff alike are faced with the daunting task of outdoing what has already been accomplished. But if history is any indication, they will rise to the challenge, beating not only the odds but also the heat.
Welcome to Rockville 2024 has once again proven itself to be a must-attend event for rock fans everywhere, and the final day promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
Day 4, the final installment of Welcome to Rockville 2024, will likely go down in history for two reasons: its record-breaking attendance and the unexpected weather conditions reminiscent of a prolonged sauna session. However, as if in a stroke of mercy from the heavens, the last day of this monumental event brought a welcome change in the weather, with temperatures cooling down to the low 70s and overcast skies offering respite from the scorching sun.
Accompanying this fortunate turn of events was a lineup of bands perfectly suited to conclude this grand occasion, offering a diverse mix of modern sounds and a balanced blend of melody and raw intensity.
The day kicked off with a powerful and virtuosic performance from Nita Strauss, renowned shred guitarist and recent bride. Joined by vocalist Kasey Karlsen, Strauss delivered a blazing set featuring tracks from her latest album, leaving the crowd spellbound by her unparalleled guitar skills.
Following suit, Plush, an emerging hard-rocking quartet, kept the energy high with their infectious performance, while nu-metal icons Drowning Pool took attendees on a nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s with their electrifying set.
P.O.D. brought their signature blend of rock and rap to the stage, igniting the crowd with classics like "Boom" and "Southtown," before Sebastian Bach delivered a high-octane performance filled with Skid Row classics and a heartfelt Mother's Day tribute.
Wage War unleashed their modern metalcore sound, complete with pyrotechnics and smoke cannons, setting the stage for Theory Of A Deadman to infuse the air with their bluesy swagger and infectious melodies.
Architects, Fear Factory, and Atreyu kept the metalcore momentum going, each delivering powerhouse performances that left the audience craving more.
Black Veil Brides elevated the visual spectacle with their elaborate stage setup, captivating the crowd with their electrifying performance and anthemic hits.
As night fell, Sum 41 took the stage amidst the backdrop of a SpaceX rocket launch, delivering a fitting climax to the final day of Welcome to Rockville 2024. With fists raised and voices united, the crowd reveled in the punk rock energy, culminating in a memorable performance of Queen's "We Will Rock You."
With over 200,000 fans in attendance and perfect weather on the final day, Welcome To Rockville is officially the biggest rock festival in North America, hosting more than 200,000 people and 150 bands on 5 stages for the first time.
This year, Rockville also broke records to become the largest event for festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents. Looking ahead, the May 2025 festival dates at Daytona International Speedway will be announced soon.
Metal Injection summarized the Welcome To Rockville experience well, noting, “Though some rock critics may argue on about how rock is either dead or dying, the only certainty is that such persons have never experienced the Florida festival that has been swelling to one of the biggest in the world: Welcome To Rockville.”
For more information on #WelcomeToRockville, visit:
- Website: www.WelcomeToRockville.com
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- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rockvillefest
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