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Rock the Park Celebrates 15 years with a double dose of Rock!

This years festival marked the 15th Anniversary of Rock the Park and what better way to celebrate 15 years than with a double dose of Rock! Kicking off the festival on Wednesday night was Bobnoxious, The Lazy’s, Machine Gun Kelly, Chevelle and Shinedown. Closing out the festival Saturday night with the second night of rock with London’s own Texas King, Pop Evil, Theory, Three Days Grace and Rise Against.

Shinedown // In This Moment // One Bad Son // 10 Years

Seeing a bill like this take me back to 1998 when it was still possible to go to a show and like every band on the bill. Nowadays with so much diversity within genres it has become rarer and rarer than I am a legitimate fan of all the bands we see one night. This night was very much the exception to that rule.

I’ll have to admit that the name 10 Years didn’t ring any bells when I started listening to them the afternoon before the show. Then I realised that I’ve got at least half dozen of their songs on my current hard rock Spotify playlist. Catchy, energetic, really well written songs were consistent throughout their entire set. A high energy performance from front man Jesse Hasek kept the crowd engaged, while the band behind him played with the experience that can only come from almost two decades on the road. A nice surprise to have an opener of this caliber take the stage before 7pm.

One bad son took the stage next. I’ve seen these guys a few times back in Ontario, even opened for them once or twice. They’re pushing the new wave of Canadian revival rock, and I couldn’t be any happier to see bands like this seeing success. Playing music relatable to the current generation, while putting on a stage show that is relatable to mine, makes a formula that you just can’t go wrong with. So many newer groups make the performance second to their music, and while the reasoning behind this would make for a long article all on it own, I am very happy to report that One Bad Son is not one of these bands. I don’t think Shane Volk could stop rock posing if his life depended on it.

Lead guitarist Adam Hicks is no slouch himself. Spending the majority of the show running back and forth across the stage, with swagger not seen since the late 80’s. Have I mentioned I love their live show? One Bad Son are Canadian rockers at the forefront of Rock and Roll Revival that we so desperately need. Also their drummer looks like Thor. Do not miss these guys if you have a chance.

IN THIS MOMENT.

I honestly have no idea how to even begin to describe this bands live performance. Every act on this tour brings a stage show that could be used as example for any up and coming indie bands who want to take their game to the next level. In This Moment brings a stage production Rob Zombie should be jealous of. Choreographed, natural, and non stop, this is without question the touring act of the summer. Maria Brink knows exactly what she is doing, and she is doing it well. Would love to see more bands following this example.

Without any further adieu, I am going to let my photographs do the talking.

Shinedown, in my honest opinion, are one of the most under rated bands in accessible hard rock these days. They consistently put out album after album chock full of rocking, singable, catchy, high energy tunes, and I do not hear nearly enough of it on the radio.

Lasers, catwalks, and kick-ass rock and roll were consistently delivered throughout there entire set. Singer Brent Smith engages well with his band, the audience, and even us working in the pit, coming down during their second song to shake hands with photogs and security. Showing appreciation for the people that allow him to live the life he does speaks to his humbleness. A rare quality in this industry.

Highly recommend seeing any of these acts if you get the chance. You will not be disappointed.

Photos and review by Dave Di Ubaldo and Natalie Fay of Worn Leather Media. Check them out on facebook, instagram, or on the web.