98.9 The Rock Presents
Rockfest 2017
25 years of the biggest one day festival in the country
June 3, 2017, was a time to celebrate 25 years of the biggest one day festival in the country: Kansas City’s Rockfest. Although this year from the announcement of the lineup and venue change, it seemed more like Bitchfest than it did Rockfest. This year’s Rockfest took place at The Kansas Speedway, a wide open playground with plenty of parking and without the hassle of downtown. Most people that know me, know I have actually said for the last few years that it would be fantastic to move Rockfest to the speedway.
The location change was met with a barrage of social media tough guys blasting the radio station, as well as the DJ’s personal accounts. It all seemed a little childish, but hey you know how faceless people behind a keyboard can be; look at me right now running my mouth. The location change, though, was nothing compared to the lineup shaming that took place. Let’s just run down this line up for you so you can see for yourself.
- Godsmack
- Sammy Hagar & The Circle
- Volbeat
- Halestorm
- RATT (featuring Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, Juan Crocuier & Carlos Cavazo)
- Collective Soul
- Buckcherry
- P.O.D.
- Zakk Sabbath
- Cinderella’s Tom Keifer
- Blackberry Smoke
- Crobot
- Candlebox
- Sidewise
- One Less Reason
- Watching the Fall
So what’s the issue, right? Well, as of late, the general consensus is that 98.9 the Rock has turned in to a classic rock station. You know what, whatever that’s fine. People seem to forget that millions of dollars are spent doing studies to find out what music people want played in their listening area. I do not think they would just try and piss off an entire city of listeners. And call me a 98.9 apologist all you want. However, let’s take another look at this lineup.
To start, it was widely known that 98.9 The Rock celebrated 25 years of Rockfest, which takes us all the way back to 1992 (damn that made me feel old). If you were to look at the top 100 Songs of 1992, you would find bands such as Van Halen, Ozzy, Bad Company, and Def Leppard.
Therefore, the point I am trying to prove here is that for those of you that are saying the station and the lineup is too much classic rock, let’s look at it from another point of view. They are representing all of the kick ass bands that have been with their station for not just the 25 year of Rockfest, but the entirety of the station. So, let’s open those minds, and I guarantee you there are songs by almost all of those bands on that list that conjure up some great memories. Ok, rant over.
First, Watching the Fall started the day off at high noon on the Worth Harley Davidson Stage. Watching the Fall were the winners of a fan vote that allowed them to take part in this year’s Rockfest. After their set, the guitar wielding god himself, Zakk Wylde, took to the Trane Heating and Cooling stage to officially start the day with his version of the National Anthem. Mr. Wylde proceeded to melt everyone’s face off with the National Anthem… that’s right, Zakk Wylde took the National Anthem and turned it into a work of art that represented all of the bad ass heroes that have fought and died for this country as well as the heroes still serving.
After that, the fellas of One Less Reason took to the stage. I had a funny moment with Blake Heimbach, bass player for One less Reason, while we were discussing the anthem. He said, “You know, after he finished all I could think is, ‘I have to follow that.'” But, like I told him, they had the best slot of the day following Zakk Wylde playing the anthem because he got everyone’s attention! Well, Blake and the rest of the guys took everyone’s attention quickly moved it to themselves. As a result, I heard many people leave that set talking about the great set that they had just witnessed. Hell, the day had just begun.
Likewise, Kansas City locals Sidewise, who are no stranger to the big stage had to their chance to play in front of one of their largest crowds to date. Back and forth, the sea of humanity went from stage to stage to see favorites like Candlebox and Halestorm. Speaking of Halestorm, one of the highlights of the day was when Lzzy Hale jumped on stage with Tom Keifer of Cinderella, and they belted out a phenomenal duet of “Nobody’s Fool.”
Above all, one of the best ways to gauge the climate of the crowd is to actually listen to it, and there was plenty to hear. Thus, people were abuzz talking about the performances they had witnessed.
“Man, Candlebox was awesome!” “Did you hear Collective Soul? They sounded just like they did back in the day!”
Therefore, the entire day was a walk down memory lane for most and an introduction of some great bands to others, and let’s not forget the new faces of rock like Black Stone Cherry that are putting their stamp on the music scene. Closing out the night was Rockfest alum Godsmack, and on the big stage, the boys from Beantown never disappoint. As always, they delivered a set list of classics as well as their most recent hits backed by enough fire to be seen for miles.
In conclusion, this is my take on the whole situation. First, all of you that pounded your little keyboards and phone screens in disgust missed out on one hell of a party. Second, for those who had some doubts but actually gave it a shot, good for you! At this point, I would bet at least 85% of you left happy as a pig in poopy that you gave it a chance. So, again, come on people; open your minds. In my opinion, just because the band is from back in the day does not mean you’re not going to hear them and be happy you came along for the ride.
Photos by John Thornbrugh, RockRevolt photojournalist
Review by Ace Sims, RockRevolt journalist
Godsmack
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
Sammy Hagar & The Circle
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
Volbeat
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
Collective Soul
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
P.O.D.
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
Cinderella’s Tom Keifer
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
Blackberry Smoke
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
Candlebox
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
Sidewise
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
One Less Reason
Photos by: John Thornbrugh
