The Bud Light River City Rockfest returned for its sixth year with a massive rock lineup on Saturday, September 22 at the AT&T Center Grounds in San Antonio, Texas. South Texas' only rock festival featured headliner Nine Inch Nails, and featured Primus, Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, Chevelle, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Clutch, Hellyeah, Suicidal Tendencies, and many more on three stages.
The impressive lineup paired with the decision to move the festival from May to a later date proved to be a winning combo, fans were able to enjoy the event in fall weather, which was much cooler than Memorial Day Weekend. It even managed to stay dry for the day, despite the forecasts predicting tumultuous rain. The festival has grown in popularity every year, and broke its attendance record by drawing an astounding 25,000 fans. The audience reflected a wide demographic; young families and headbangers alike filled the grounds to take advantage of the food trucks, beer tents, and merchandise vendors along the span.
The festival continues to thrive and innovate, including changes to the festival layout. The two mains stages, Bud Light and Monster Energy, were about a seven minute stroll apart, with a third slightly smaller stage in the middle. The distance ensured festival-goers could enjoy the artists at each stage without interruption from nearby bands. Aside from the headliners, most bands played 30 - 45 minute sets, meaning the pace of the day was as upbeat as the performers.
To top it off, the festival happened to take place on Joan Jett’s 60th birthday, to which she joked with the crowd, “I’m officially now an old bitch,” after they sang “Happy Birthday”. All fans agree that River City Rockfest has only gotten better with time, and shows no signs of stopping.
"With a new date and one of our strongest lineups yet, we're looking forward to the sixth year of the Bud Light River City Rockfest," said Spurs Sports & Entertainment Vice President Tammy Turner. "After engaging with our fans, we are excited to provide new experiences at the event and look forward to continued expansion of the festival moving forward."
"Every year we strive to raise the bar with talent at River City Rockfest, and we're truly honored to have the legendary Nine Inch Nails performing this year. This artist has been at the top of our loyal fans' wish lists and it's finally a reality," said Joe Litvag, Executive Producer of the festival for AEG Presents. "Then to add in several iconic artists like Primus, Stone Temple Pilots and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, along with incredible new talent like The Fever 333, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, and San Antonio's own Upon A Burning Body, it gets us to an unforgettable day of rock in September!"
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is the brainchild of frontman and producer Trent Reznor, who started the project in 1988 as the sole instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter for the band. Described by Spin Magazine as "the most vital artist in music," Nine Inch Nails have lived up to this standard, selling over 20 million albums worldwide over the course of their decade-spanning career. With eight studio albums, 13 Grammy nominations, and two Grammy wins under their belt, Nine Inch Nails are widely credited for bringing industrial rock into the mainstream.Stone Template Pilots
With the announcement in 2013 that Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington would be taking over lead vocals for the Stone Temple Pilots, any disappointment over the departure of longtime STP frontman Scott Weiland quickly turned to anticipation for the band’s new incarnation. STP are icons of ‘90s alternative rock; Bennington pioneered the rise of rap rock with Linkin Park in the 2000’’s - the 2013 announcement of Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington rocked the music world and aroused high hopes among fans for this promising marriage of musical forces.Primus
In San Francisco, in 1984, founding member and bassist Les Claypool linked up with guitarist Todd Huth and drummer Jay Lane to form the original Primus. The lineup has gone through several changes over the years, featuring other greats like Peter Libby, Robbie Bean, Tim Wright and even temporary touring members like Buckethead and Danny Carey. Throughout every iteration, though, Primus has always had a knack for putting on stellar shows and concocting unmistakably quirky music. Primus' debut album, Frizzle Fry, garnered them some success with smaller hits like the eponymous "Frizzle Fry," "Pudding Time" and "Mr. Knowitall.".Bush
Bush are an English rock band formed in London, England in 1992. Their current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Gavin Rossdale, drummer Robin Goodridge, lead guitarist Chris Traynor, and bassist Corey Britz. In 1994, Bush found immediate success with the release of their debut album, Sixteen Stone, which is certified 6× multi-platinum by the RIAA. They went on to become one of the most commercially successful rock bands of the 1990s, selling over than 10 million records in the United States and 20 million in the world.Chevelle
Inspired by the lurching riffs of Helmet and the soft/loud vocal dynamics of Tool, the Chicago-based trio Chevelle formed in 1995 with an aggressive, heavy sound. Comprised of brothers Sam (drums), Pete (vocals, guitar), and Joe Loeffler (bass), the band began playing parties and outdoor events, which quickly led to bookings at Chicago clubs when youngest member Joe was just 14 years old.Clutch
Clutch is an American rock band based out of Frederick, Maryland, originating in Germantown, Maryland. The 4 band members met while in high school in Germantown and consider themselves a Frederick-based band where they write/rehearse for every album/tour. The band formed in 1991. Since its formation the band line-up has included Neil Fallon, Tim Sult, Dan Maines and Jean-Paul Gaster. To date, Clutch has released eleven studio albums, and several rarities and live albums. As of 2008 the band have been signed to their own record label, Weathermaker.All That Remains
Since 1998, All That Remains continue to progress, while clenching steadfast to the principals that etched their place at the forefront of 21st century hard rock. On their seventh full-length album, The Order of Things, the Massachusetts outfit—Phil Labonte [vocals], Oli Herbert [guitar], Mike Martin [guitar], Aaron Patrick [bass], and Jason Costa [drums]—preserve an ethos of evolution.Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by heavy metal, funk, jazz, hip hop, country, and alternative rock. Their lyrics range from the personal to the political, in some of the latter cases attacking Eurocentrism and racism in America. Living Colour rose to fame with their debut album Vivid in 1988. Although the band scored a number of hits, they are best remembered for their signature anthem "Cult of Personality", which won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990.Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool is an American rock band formed in Dallas, Texas in 1996. The band was named after the film The Drowning Pool. Since its formation, the band has consisted of guitarist C.J. Pierce, bassist Stevie Benton and drummer Mike Luce, as well as a revolving cast of vocalists, the latest being Jasen Moreno.The Sword
The Sword are a four-piece band hailing from Austin, TX. First conceived in 2003, The Sword hit their stride about a year later, when founding vocalist and guitarist J.D. Cronise joined forces with guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie, and drummer Trivett Wingo, and made a much raved-over appearance at Austin's famed SXSW festival.I See Stars
On October 22nd, I SEE STARS will be releasing their highly anticipated, fourth full-length album, New Demons. Taking their style of electronic hardcore music (EHM) to new levels, the band reaches deeper into the genre they helped build further surpassing all limitations.Upon A Burning Body
Prepare yourself for a brutal, unrelenting array of unabashed aggression and sheer ferocity that will beat you to oblivion. This is what UPON A BURNING BODY delivers each and every time. The San Antonio based group’s debut offering, The World Is Ours, caught the metal scene by storm with its crushing Pantera-esque grooves and dynamic riffing and captivating hooks. Then with the success of their sophomore album, Red. White. Green., they continued to march the path of great metal taking the band to new, higher levels.From Ashes To New
Lancaster, Pennsylvania is one of a hundred similar American towns; in fact, there are places just like it all over the world: post-industrial but still largely working class, and generally offering bleak prospects for the kids who grow up there. Suburban boredom, broken families, substance abuse, limited opportunity – this is an environment in which authentic, compelling creativity can thrive, if it’s accompanied by a burning desire, unstoppable drive, and complete lack of any backup plan.The Heroine
Some bands define themselves with style; others prefer to use relentless touring. Still others seek notoriety with the quality of songwriting and musicianship, or with on-stage acrobatics and off-stage antics. It is rarely that a band comes along that possesses a piece of each of these “defining qualities,” yet remains defined by something else altogether: Its work ethic. San Antonio’s The Heroine is one such band. Working towards lofty (but achievable) goals is a credo that each member of this hammer-swinging, five-piece rock ‘n’ roll juggernaut lives each of his days by (four of the band’s members are contractors, while one is an aircraft mechanic). Whether the band is on or off the road, The Heroine works hard, and works its listeners harder.Blacktop Mojo
A hard-driving Southern rock unit based out of Palestine, Texas, Blacktop Mojo's fiery blend of post-grunge, classic rock, and metal falls somewhere between Soundgarden, Black Stone Cherry, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Founded in 2012 by frontman Matt James and drummer Nathan Gillis, the band eventually morphed into a five-piece with the additions of bass player Matt Curtis and guitarists Ryan Kiefer and Kenneth Irwin.AT&T Center
The AT&T Center is San Antonio's premier live entertainment venue, the home of the San Antonio Spurs and Rampage, and hosts the biggest concerts in South Texas.
Bud Light River City Rockfest
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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