Fort Rock returned to JetBlue Park for the fifth consecutive year with its most impressive lineup to date. Fueled by Monster Energy, South Florida’s Biggest Rock Festival featured headliners Def Leppard (Saturday) and Soundgarden (Sunday). More than 14,000 were in attendance to kick off The World’s Loudest Month in Fort Myers, Florida on April 29 and 30, 2017.
Fort Rock 2017 — Saturday Lineup
Orlando’s Felicity opened Fort Rock 2017 with a pop punk rock set that set the tone for a great day of live rock and roll. The guys received the opening slot gig for winning Fort Rock’s Battle of the Bands. Cover Your Tracks cranked up the volume with a heavy set of metal songs. With Florida’s hot sun shining down on them, there was no way to conceal the tenacity of their performance. Beartooth kept the music loud and aggressive during their hardcore punk set on the Monster Energy Black Stage. Hailing from Ohio, the band left little doubt that Midwesterners know how to rock.
Motionless in White
It looked a lot Halloween when Motionless In White took the stage at JetBlue Park. There were jack-o-lanterns, candles and a girl in a clown mask tossing handfuls of candy out into the crowd. There was also a goth band decked out in plenty of makeup playing songs for their adoring fans. The group features vocalist Chris Motionless, Devin “Ghost” Sola on bass, lead guitarist Ryan Sitkowski and Ricky Horror on rhythm guitar. Motionless in White’s set included tunes from their first three albums along with “570” from Graveyard Shift, the band’s fourth album.
Nothing More
Nothing More is from Texas. So it was only fitting their set was bigger and more over the top than ever. The always animated and shirtless Jonny Hawkins sang with fiery passion as he roamed the stage with reckless abandon. Also pulling drum duties, Jonny pounded his kit as it rose above the crowd, teetering and swaying to the beat. His bandmates, bassist Daniel Oliver, guitar player Mark Vollelunga and drummer Ben Anderson, provided plenty of additional flair complemented by exceptional musical chops.
In This Moment
Fort Rock veterans In This Moment brought plenty of theatrics and dazzled the crowd with an amazing rock show. Lead by the creative vision of Maria Brink, the band delivered a visual treat for the eyes and an all-out assault on the ears. Providing music that drove the spectacle were founding member and guitarist Chris Howorth, bassist Travis Johnson and Randy Weitzel on guitar. Also present were the Blood Girls, Maria Brink’s minions without faces. The band is currently on the road in support of their Half God, Half Devil Tour.
Of Mice & Men and Alter Bridge
Now a quartet, Of Mice and Men turned up the heat with a gritty set of rock and roll tunes. At Fort Rock 2017, the band’s lineup consisted of vocalist and bassist Aaron Pauley, lead guitarist Phil Manansala, rhythm guitarist Alan Ashby and drummer Valentino Arteaga. Their new release “Unbreakable” is proof that despite a recent loss, the guys will carry on and continue to make music. Alter Bridge captured the crowd with catchy guitar riffs and cool lyrics on hot day during the World’s Loudest Month. The band’s set took place on the Monster Energy Yellow Stage.
Three Days Grace and Seether
Three Days Grace only needed one day to kick ass at South Florida’s Biggest Rock Festival. Despite the heat, the fans in attendance loved everything about the band’s performance and songs on the setlist. Seether came to Fort Rock 2017 armed with loud music and melodies that grab your soul. Touring in support of Poison the Parish, the band is reaffirming their commitment to delivering pure rock concerts without any pretense. Despite light rigging falling during their concert, Seether came out unscathed and didn’t have to fake it to show their enthusiasm.
Papa Roach and Chevelle
Jacoby Shaddix, Jerry Horton, Tobin Esperance and Tony Palermo make up the band Papa Roach. The California natives are no strangers to Fort Rock festivals and always deliver an energetic rock free-for all. As he has done in the past, lead singer Jacoby Shaddix jumped off the stage to get up close and personal with the fans. Chevelle took the stage as darkness fell on Fort Myers, Florida. Pete Loeffler (lead guitar and vocals), Sam Loeffler (drums) and Dean Bernardini (bass and vocals) played tracks from their catalog of hits as well as tunes from The North Corridor, their latest release.
Def Leppard
Hysteria swept through JetBlue Park as fans waited for Def Leppard hit the stage. Once the music started, the band rolled on through the night playing all the tunes that made them rock legends. From the very first note fans pushed closer to the stage and tried to get closer when every new song began, The band’s headlining performance featured lead vocalist Joe Elliott, Phil Collen on lead guitar, bassist Rick “Sav” Savage drummer Rick Allen and Vivian Campbell on rhythm guitar.
Fort Rock 2017 — Sunday Lineup
Goodbye June said “hello” to the fans opened day two of South Florida’s Biggest Rock festival on the last day of April. The band consists of cousins Landon Milbourn, Brandon Qualkenbush, and Tyler Baker. Alternative rockers Dinosaur Pile-Up revved up the crowd with a gritty set of hooks, riffs and lyrics. The band was formed by Matt Bigland in 2007. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, I Prevail played a fast-paced set that featured plenty of high-flying jumps. Singers Brian Burkheiser and Eric Vanlerberghe gave the crowd a taste of both clean and harsh vocals.
Starset
Starset came shooting back to Fort Rock for their sophomore performance and played tracks from Vessels, the second album released by the band. Front man Dustin Bates was joined by his helmet-wearing crew bassist Ron DeChant, guitarist Brock Richards and drummer Adam Gilbert for a performance that showcased their unique sound. The transmissions Starset sent out were received by everyone attending Fort Rock 2017. With their star on the rise, the group is poised to become a major force in the world of rock and roll.
All That Remains
Springfield, Massachusetts metal music makers All That Remains tore up the Monster Energy Black Stage with hard and heavy set. The band played tunes from their catalog of eight studio albums, including Madness. Lead singer Philip Labonte gave a ferocious performance backed by his bandmates Mike Martin and Oli Herbert on guitar; Aaron Patrick on bass; and Jason Costa on drums. Labonte even showered the fans near the barricade with water to help cool them down for the remainder of their concert.
Eagles of Death Metal
Eagles of Death Metal star band members Jesse “Boots Electric” Hughes & Joshua “Baby Duck” Homme. Their set was a cavalcade of hard-driving music that had the fans pumping their fists. With only two permanent players, the band is known for having a revolving door of musicians at live shows. At Fort Rock 2017, it was Jennie Vee on bass and Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds on guitar. The raucous performance featured tunes from their albums Peace, Love, Death Metal; Heart On; Death By Sexy and Zipper Down.
In Flames and The Pretty Reckless
Nuclear Blast Records artist In Flames rocked JetBlue Park with a blistering set of melodic death metal tunes. With more than 12 million records sold and countless tours around the globe, these Swedish rockers easily dominated the stage during the World’s Loudest Month. Perennial performers The Pretty Reckless played for just under an hour on the Monster Energy Yellow Stage. The always vivacious Taylor Momsen turned up the heat with a sultry performance. Highly Suspect played a spirited set that featured twin brothers Rich and Ryan Meyer and their best friend Johnny Stevens.
Mastodon
Mastodon gave a powerful performance on the Monster Energy Yellow stage during day two of Fort Rock 2017. The band, featuring Brann Dailor (drums and vocals), Brent Hinds (guitar and vocals), Bill Kelliher (guitar) and Troy Sanders (bass and vocals), was headline-worthy from start to finish. The songs, including tunes from Emperor of Sand, featured angry lyrics, aggressive guitar riffs, pummeling drum beats and thumping bass lines. It was easy to see Mastodon loves to play live because they take their music seriously, but never themselves.
The Offspring
The Offspring headlined the very first Fort Rock music festival back in 2013. Their return as one of the top billed bands this year’s festival was met with thunderous approval by punk rockers and all the kids who were alright. Dexter Holland, Noodles, Greg K. and Pete Parada are still pretty fly and play with youthful exuberance. The Offspring played for just under an hour and covered tracks from a career spanning more than 30 years. At the end of their set, everyone in attendance kept screaming for them to come out and play one more song.
A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle returned to the concert scene after more than six years of not playing live. The band featured Billy Howerdel and Maynard James Keenan along with rotating members James Iha on rhythm guitar, bassist Matt McJunkins and drummer Jeff Friedl. Keenan’s voice was crisp and powerful as he sang throughout the night. For this show, he more a modest costume, consisting of a t-shirt, pair of red pants and braided hair. Howerdel’s guitar playing was superb, and engaged the crowd with his enchanting stage presence. The other musicians provided the backbone that made every song a standout.
Soundgarden
Grunge pioneers Soundgarden headlined day two of South Florida’s Biggest Rock Festival. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of their breakthrough Badmotorfinger, Chris Cornell and his bandmates played to a capacity crowd at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. From superunknown to superstardom, this group was one of the biggest acts to ever play during a Fort Rock festival. Their performance capped off an incredible weekend of live music during The World’s Loudest Month
Fort Rock 2017 was produced by Danny Wimmer Presents & AEG Live.
