ROCK ON THE RANGE 2015
Rock on The Range 2015
5-ROTR2015-logo_LargeRock on the Range
Reported by Deb Schmid. Photos submitted by photographer Jason Squires and Nonpoint photo supplied by Eric Tier.



May 15th -17th– 3 days, 3 stages the 9th Annual Rock on the Range Music Festival at the Mapfre Stadium in Columbus Ohio, surpassed any rock event that I have ever attended.

Having had the opportunity to be… More surrounded by some of the Music Industries greats as well as upcoming talent, and to report on this was a nice surprise indeed – In spite of Mother Nature’s sporadic crying fits, it was an amazing weekend for all who attended.

Rock on the Range stadium staff were good with keeping some of the “rowdier” rock n rollers in check so that all attendees could enjoy this experience un-interrupted.

The show not only had the best rock performers around, they also had a featured comedy tent with acts such as Rob Schneider, Don Jamieson and Jim Florentine (That Metal Show), Jim Norton and many popular comedians working the circuit.

The Main Stage performers on Friday started with “We are Harlot” who did an awesome rendition of Queens “Tie Your Mother Down” – Freddie would have been proud. They were followed by “Apocalyptica” (who thought cello’s could be so rock n roll!) , “Live”, “Breaking Benjamin”, “SLASH-Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators”, “Marilyn Manson” , and ending the night with “SlipKnot”.

Saturday’s Main Stage Performers started with a special guest opener– who to my pleasant surprise was Adam Gontier (from Three Days Grace) in the debut of his new Super Group “Saint Asonia”, featuring guitarist Mike Mushok (Stained), Corey Lowery (Eye Empire), and Rich Beddoe (Finger Eleven) who blew me away! From the crowd’s reaction they were very well received. Following this performance were “Of Mice and Men”, “Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts”, “In This Moment”, “Papa Roach”, “God Smack” who during their performance did their never disappointing drum battle between Sully and Shannon! In spite of the torrential downpour at the Jägermeister stage “Nonpoint” proved that they are main stage worthy, and I hope they get that chance next year as I was not the only one who stood in the rain to see their performance! The last act of the night was “Judas Priest”, who mixed up some of their timeless recognizable hits, with some of their newest songs, leaving the crowd wanting more – but that would have to wait until the next day.

Sunday-the last day of this amazing event proved again that Rock on The Range had the best lineup of any 3 day event. The performers on the Main stage were: “Hollywood UnDead”, “Pretty Reckless” with lead singer Taylor Momsen who has come a long way since “Whoville”. This night is not over yet! “Anthrax”, “Halestorm”, and “Volbeat” rocked the rest of the afternoon with the stadium still packed solid in anticipation of the last 2 closing bands. “Rise Against” who put on a great show, I felt should have swopped places with either “Halestorm” or “Volbeat” simply because the last two bands performing on the main stage didn’t conflict with any other performances. I would have liked to have been able to see “Periphery’s” entire performance as well as other small stage acts (my only complaint about this event). The LAST BAND TO END ROCK ON THE RANGE was “Linken Park” the epitome of awesomeness for closing a rock festival!

I can’t wait until next year! Also in the next Issue of Beat Street I will be featuring “Nonpoint” because if you’re not already a fan, trust me you will be.

Visit Rock on the Range’s website 0a3L for more information and for getting your tickets early for ROTR’s 10th Anniversary because they sell out quick! Less