The Blue Ridge Rock Festival, an event that took place from September 9th to 12th, became a hot topic across social media and even national news outlets. While aiming to be “The FAN DRIVEN Rock Experience,” the festival faced a whirlwind of production challenges and concerns, even being labeled a potential “super-spreader” event. Behind the scenes, many performers and staff were observed wearing masks, yet mask usage was significantly lower, estimated around 75% unmasked, within the large crowds of attendees. Notably, the festival didn’t mandate proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 tests, leaving attendees with uncertainty regarding potential virus exposure. While official reports are scarce, anecdotal evidence suggests some attendees did contract COVID-19 following the festival.
The Blue Ridge Rock Festival’s origins trace back to 2017 as a more intimate gathering at a vineyard in Concord, Virginia. It grew steadily, becoming an annual event until the COVID-19 pandemic brought live music to a halt in 2020. The year 2021 offered a glimmer of hope as COVID-19 cases decreased, prompting a gradual reopening of the world. However, in retrospect, attempting such a large-scale festival format in 2021 might have been premature.
Securing a media pass later than usual, I was still granted access just three days before the event, a promising start. However, typical media parking arrangements were absent. While assured of regular shuttles from prepaid parking lots, accommodations proved difficult. Hotels and onsite camping were fully booked, ultimately leading to an AirBnB booking in Greensboro, NC – a story best saved for another time.
Day One: Navigating the Chaos to Catch the Music
My journey to the Blue Ridge Rock Festival began on September 9th, aiming to arrive in time for Sabaton’s performance and enjoy the rest of the day’s lineup. Unfortunately, the drive took considerably longer than GPS predicted, putting me behind schedule. Upon reaching the designated parking areas, I was turned away from the first two, and the third lot remained ambiguously marked, forcing a frustrating U-turn and another attempt. Despite having prepaid for parking and observing seemingly ample space in the fields, the reason for denial remained unclear. Circling back to the attendant at the second lot, her directions to the “open lot” were vague – “down the road,” about a mile further, “you wouldn’t miss it.” I drove on, and indeed, I missed it.
Accessing the official website for parking information proved impossible as the entire site was down. Media contacts offered no assistance. Finally, a fellow concert-goer shared a screenshot of the parking PDF from the Blue Ridge Rock Festival Facebook page. The elusive third parking lot turned out to be an active construction site. Lacking attendants, there was no one to deny entry. A small group of six, including myself, waited for the shuttle – a group of four and a mother and daughter. The shuttle arrived relatively quickly, but the driver announced space for only two. The mother and daughter boarded, and I was accommodated only after they offered to share a seat. (Grateful thanks to those ladies!)
This third parking lot was approximately five miles from the Blue Ridge Amphitheater, the festival venue. Even late in the day, traffic on the main road into the grounds was gridlocked in both directions. Many, including myself, decided to walk the mile or so to the venue gates to minimize further delays and salvage what remained of the concert schedule.
The term “amphitheater” conjures images of a structured venue with seating. In reality, the Blue Ridge Amphitheater was a vast, uneven field of grass, dirt, and various plant life. Numerous tripping hazards abounded due to the pitted ground and low-lying vegetation with foot-snaring roots. However, once inside the stage area, just in time for Skillet’s performance, the atmosphere improved. The remainder of the evening proceeded smoothly, allowing me to cover sets by A Day to Remember, Halestorm, and Breaking Benjamin. Emcee Lou Brutus announced prior to A Day to Remember’s set that it marked their first stage appearance since 2019. Breaking Benjamin’s performance marked 555 days since their last show.
Following Breaking Benjamin’s set, I headed towards the shuttle bus pickup area for the return trip to the parking lots. Fortuitously, the first bus in line was headed to my designated lot. After the hour-long drive back to my AirBnB, I immediately began downloading the day’s photos. While waiting, I browsed comments on the Blue Ridge Rock Festival’s Facebook page and discovered a significant volume of complaints. This became a nightly routine for the rest of the weekend.
Breaking Benjamin's Aaron Bruch performing bass guitar at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 1. The bassist is headbanging and playing his instrument with energy.
Lzzy Hale of Halestorm captivating the crowd at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 1. The Halestorm frontwoman is singing powerfully into the microphone, bathed in stage lights.
Jeremy McKinnon of A Day to Remember performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 1. The vocalist is engaging with the audience, singing and gesturing dynamically on stage.
Benjamin Burnley of Breaking Benjamin performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 1. The singer and guitarist is intensely focused on his performance under stage lighting.
Korey Cooper of Skillet playing guitar at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 1. The guitarist is energetically performing on stage, illuminated by concert lights.
Day Two: Smooth Sets and Shuttle Scams
Day two began with the familiarity of the “far lot,” driving directly there based on the previous day’s experience. Hoping to photograph Fozzy’s set, I was again met with a lengthy queue of cars at the parking lot. Anticipating shuttle delays from the day before, it seemed unlikely I would catch the first one. Fortunately, a local resident in a pick-up truck offered free rides to the main road turnoff, reducing the walk to a manageable mile instead of five. Accepting the generous offer with several others, I tipped the driver five dollars for his kindness. Later, I learned about locals charging for taxi services and even “rogue buses” scamming unsuspecting festival-goers with exorbitant fares, especially those new to the Blue Ridge Rock Festival.
Once inside the venue, day two unfolded more smoothly. I managed to catch sets from D.R.U.G.S., Sevendust, Clutch, Asking Alexandria, Anthrax, Fever 333, Rise Against, Atreyu, I Prevail, and Rob Zombie. For those unfamiliar, D.R.U.G.S. (Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows) is a post-hardcore supergroup featuring Craig Owens (formerly of Chiodos) and Jona Weinhofen (formerly of Bring Me the Horizon). Having disbanded around 2012 after one album, their Blue Ridge Rock Festival performance marked their return after eight years, sounding fantastic and delivering an engaging show. Sevendust was another highlight, a first-time live experience for me. The lead singer’s stage presence was captivating, and the band’s gratitude to be back on stage after the pandemic hiatus was palpable, with the singer appearing visibly emotional.
The festival introduced me to several bands I hadn’t seen live before. Asking Alexandria proved to be a visually dynamic band. Anthrax, as rock legends, were a highly anticipated act. Guitarist Scott Ian’s iconic face beamed with joy throughout their set. Bassist Dan Lilker’s intense performance was so energetic, it drew blood from his fingers. Joey Belladonna, with his trademark short mic stand, commanded the stage with powerful vocals. Anthrax delivered a polished, high-energy performance.
Having missed Fever 333 on the “last” Vans Warped Tour, catching them at Blue Ridge Rock Festival was a must. Lead singer Jason Aalon Butler began their set with a black cloth bag over his head, removing it after a short time to reveal his shaved head. Despite being a trio, Fever 333 exuded immense energy, met with enthusiastic crowd response. Guitarist Stephen Harrison’s act of spraying water into the crowd, however, triggered my post-pandemic germaphobia, prompting a hasty retreat from the spray zone.
Atreyu delivered a nostalgic and powerful set, reminiscent of their Warped Tour days, sounding as good as ever, if not better. (Baltimore fans can catch them on November 17th!). Rise Against, true professionals, provided their consistently stellar performance. I Prevail, a new discovery for me, incorporated smoke effects into their set, adding to the crowd’s enjoyment, fueled by the dual vocals of Brian Burkheiser and Eric Vanlerberghe.
Rob Zombie closed out day two with his signature high-production spectacle of lights and visuals, unsurprising given his film industry background. His stage presence was flamboyant, complete with a fringed jacket and a leather loincloth over patterned pants. John 5’s “drooling routine” remained a bizarrely captivating spectacle.
Post-performance, the shuttle pickup location had been relocated nearly a mile further. However, the festival had increased the shuttle bus fleet, hiring additional buses reportedly around 7:00 PM, a late but ultimately helpful adjustment for post-show transportation.
Brandon Saller of Atreyu performing drums and vocals at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The musician is singing into a microphone while energetically playing the drums.
Joey Belladonna and Scott Ian of Anthrax performing together at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The singer and guitarist are interacting on stage during their performance.
Joey Belladonna of Anthrax singing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The Anthrax vocalist is passionately singing into the microphone, engaging the audience.
Cameron Liddell of Asking Alexandria playing guitar at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The guitarist is focused on his performance, playing energetically on stage.
Sam Bettley and James Cassells of Asking Alexandria performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The bassist and drummer are playing together energetically on stage.
Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria singing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The Asking Alexandria vocalist is delivering a powerful vocal performance on stage.
Dan Jacobs, Travis Miguel, and Marc McKnight of Atreyu performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The Atreyu members are playing their instruments and interacting on stage.
Jason Aalon Butler of Fever 333 performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The Fever 333 frontman is delivering a high-energy performance on stage.
Clutch performing on stage at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. A wide shot capturing the band Clutch performing their set on stage.
Jona Weinhofen and Craig Owens of D.R.U.G.S. performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The two members of D.R.U.G.S. are performing together on stage.
Tim McIlrath of Rise Against singing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The Rise Against vocalist is passionately singing into the microphone on stage.
Stephen Harrison of Fever 333 playing guitar at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The guitarist is energetically performing on stage during Fever 333's set.
Eric Vanlerberghe of I Prevail performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The I Prevail vocalist is singing intensely during their performance.
John 5 of Rob Zombie playing guitar at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The guitarist is performing his signature style on stage with Rob Zombie.
Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust singing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The Sevendust vocalist is delivering a powerful and emotional performance on stage.
Rob Zombie performing on stage at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. Rob Zombie is in costume and performing energetically on stage.
Morgan Rose of Sevendust playing drums at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 2. The Sevendust drummer is energetically playing his drum kit on stage.
Day Three: Parking Perks and Performance Powerhouses
Day three marked a positive shift as media personnel received closer parking access to the staging grounds. This eliminated the previous days’ transportation challenges, allowing for a timely arrival before gates opened, bypassing the shuttle system entirely. Venue access was a short walk from the designated parking.
My day three priorities included Avatar, Suicidal Tendencies, Body Count, Cypress Hill, Lamb of God, and Megadeth. Between these headliners, I caught performances from Aurin, Alyxx, Hatebreed, Awesome Ray Ray, and Seether. A schedule change saw Jelly Roll’s set moved to the following day, reportedly disappointing attendees who held tickets specifically for his day three performance.
Avatar, a band from Sweden, brought their unique carnival/circus aesthetic. Having previously seen them as an opener for BabyMetal, I remained captivated by their stage presence. Their showmanship includes distinctive microphones for guitarists that fold away when not in use. Lead singer Johannes Eckerström’s signature heavy makeup and exaggerated grin create an almost unsettling stage persona. Despite concerns about international travel restrictions impacting non-US bands, Avatar made it to the festival, delivering an electrifying performance as captivating as my first encounter.
Suicidal Tendencies stood out as another day three highlight. Mike Muir remains the sole original member of this hardcore punk band, now joined by guitarists Benjamin A. Weinman (formerly of Dillinger Escape Plan) and Dean Pleasants, bassist Tye Trujillo, and drummer Brandon Pertzborn. Mike “Cyco” Muir’s boundless energy manifested in constant motion, head jerks, and his signature “jazz hands” gestures. Beyond Muir, bassist Tye Trujillo, son of Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, impressed with his skill at only 17 years old, marking his debut show with Suicidal Tendencies – a resounding success. Drummer Brandon Pertzborn, in his mid-twenties, also showcased impressive credentials, having played drums for Black Flag, Doyle (Misfits), and Marilyn Manson.
Body Count, largely due to Ice-T’s role as Finn Tutuola on Law & Order: SVU, piqued my curiosity. Seeing him and the band perform live was a unique experience. Megadeth, a heavy metal institution, headlined day three. Dave Mustaine, guitar in hand, sang from behind his curtain of hair. The elevated drum kit sat atop a wall of speakers, adding to the imposing stage presence.
Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström of Avatar performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 3. The guitarists are playing their unique folding microphones on stage.
John Alfredsson of Avatar playing drums at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 3. The Avatar drummer is energetically performing on his drum kit during the set.
Johannes Eckerström of Avatar performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 3. The Avatar frontman is wearing heavy makeup and performing with a theatrical grin.
Alyxx performing on stage at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 3. The band Alyxx is performing their set on stage at the festival.
Awesome Ray Ray performing at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 3. Awesome Ray Ray is performing their set on stage.
Avatar stage setup at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 3. A stage view showing Avatar's instruments and setup before their performance.
B-Real of Cypress Hill rapping at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 3. B-Real is rapping into the microphone during Cypress Hill's performance.
Ice-T of Body Count rapping at Blue Ridge Rock Festival Day 3. Ice-T is performing with Body Count, rapping on stage.
Day Four: Steve-O, Setbacks, and Stellar Sounds
Day four, the final day of Blue Ridge Rock Festival, was packed. Steve-O of Jackass fame took over emcee duties from Lou Brutus, who had returned home after the first three days. As with previous days, smaller acts opened the day’s music. Among those I caught were Fame on Fire, Burn on Re-Entry, and MAGG Dylan’s vocalist performing Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.”
Pop Evil was the first national act to perform. The singer shared a personal anecdote about testing positive for COVID-19 in August, emphasizing the importance of audience safety. Jelly Roll performed his rescheduled set to a large and enthusiastic crowd. His rap performance stood out amidst the metal-heavy lineup, but his set was clearly highly anticipated. Underoath announced their return to the stage after 653 days, unleashing pent-up energy in their performance. Following Underoath, I covered sets from Il Niño, August Burns Red, Mastodon, Drowning Pool, and Killswitch Engage. Leaving the photo pit after Killswitch, the uneven terrain of the festival grounds became a painful reminder of its hazards. I severely rolled my ankle, and while seeking medical attention, I was disappointed to miss Chevelle, a band on my “bucket list.”
Despite the ankle injury, I managed to continue the day. The HU, a Mongolian band known for their unique folk-metal sound incorporating throat singing, were a major draw. Their traditional instruments and captivating performance were a festival highlight. Ice Nine Kills, known for their horror-themed theatrics, followed, incorporating severed heads and chainsaws into their stage show. Papa Roach and Shinedown closed out the festival. Having seen both bands previously and with my ankle throbbing, I captured some photos and headed back to my AirBnB.
Final Verdict: Blue Ridge Rock Festival – Success, Failure, or Somewhere in Between?
Personally, a return to the Blue Ridge Rock Festival is uncertain. Four days proved to be a long festival duration for my preference. Camping at this event seems particularly challenging, given reports of water and sewage issues. A sewage “explosion” incident on an earlier day reportedly impacted camping areas, with festival organizers offering alternative lodging and car washes to affected campers. Furthermore, significant concerns arose regarding the lack of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accommodations, potentially leading to legal repercussions for festival organizers.
Online commentary following the Blue Ridge Rock Festival drew comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival. Overbooked campsites resulted in financial losses for some attendees, and promised VIP “Gold Circle” perks were reportedly inconsistent. Legal actions have been discussed. On September 17th, organizer Jonathan Slye released an official statement addressing the issues. Ultimately, whether the Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2021 is deemed a success, a failure, or something in between remains a matter of individual interpretation.
