The thermometers hit 83 degrees as many proud rockers and music lovers packed into Greyhound Park to witness a day filled with live music and other festivities. The energy from the show could be seen as the whole crowd expressed their passion towards their favorite artists by fist pumping wildly and shouting the lyrics to every song.
The Rockstar Energy Uproar Tour contained sets from hard rock heavyweights such as Godsmack, Shinedown, and Staind. These bands, plus nine others, performed in front of more than 10,000 people on three different stages September 21.
Crowd members packed together like sardines in a very hot and sultry setting. Many rockers didn’t hesitate to give a little push or shove, while the wilder kids released some testosterone up front in the mosh pit. Crowd members kept their heads up for adventurous “crowd surfers” who were trying to easily get closer to the stage.
All the bands played their hearts out, giving everything they had to please their fans.
“Those who have said that rock and roll is dead clearly have never been to Post Falls,” said Brent Smith, lead vocalist of Shinedown.
Shinedown’s set contained pyrotechnics and a creative lightshow while Godsmack and Staind kept it traditional by going on stage and playing long, heavy sets that kept the crowd intense.
The opening acts played 30 minute sets in the parking lot, switching back and forth between two stages until the headlining acts took to the main stage inside the park itself.
Among these opening acts was Spokane’s own Nixon Rodeo who won their spot on the line up in a local competition.
During different times of the day, fans could go and meet their favorite bands from the tour and get autographs and pictures at select tents in the park area. Each band stayed long enough so that every fan could get a chance to meet their idols.
The park was full of other festivities such as merchandise booths that were selling artist t-shirts and jewelry. The grounds also contained tents, which festival goers could win prizes by completing various challenges. Many prize winners walked away with free CDs, skateboards, and other miscellaneous items.
The festival was promoted as this year’s “Rock Hard at the Park’ by local radio station Rock 94.5, who gave away free tickets to the event.
