July 13: RockUSA 2017 Day 1

I went to RockUSA in 2015, but skipped in 2016. I had planned to go this year and was happy my buddy Kevin had some extra passes that saved me a few bucks. After driving from Michigan to his place by Oshkosh, we first got provisions and then headed to set up the night before the festival so we could do a little pre-party.

Even though I had partied hard the night before, I was the first one up. It's hard to sleep with the sun beating down on my tent. I was actually up before 8am. I guess it did give me time to work on my blog.

Camping setup with North Trail Caliber travel trailer, grey pickup truck, metal fire pit with tripod cooking setup, red folding chair, and camping equipment on grass Open grassy field under cloudy sky with scattered trees in background and partial view of vehicle on right Campsite with large green and black tent, additional tents, striped beach towels on folding table, lawn chairs, and RV campers in background

I cracked my first beer at 10am.

Hand wearing purple wristband holding Dundee's beer bottle with fire pit and camping setup visible in background

Unlike the rain I had experienced in Kenosha the day before, I was happy to see the radar was clear.

Weather radar app screenshot showing Oshkosh, Wisconsin with scattered precipitation across the state on July 13, 2017 at 10:55 AM

Judging by the dirt road and troll bridge by our campsite, we'd probably have issues if we received a bunch of rain.

Row of vehicles, RVs, and campers parked along dirt road at campground under overcast sky with American flag visible and trees in background Wooden plank walkway with orange safety fencing bridging muddy area between camping sections, tents and vehicles visible in background

Before you knew it, everyone else starting peaking their heads out and we started drinking and playing games. When we realized that we should probably get to the concert grounds, we started walking and made out way to the inside.

Metal fire pit with tripod and lid, North Trail travel trailer and pickup truck behind, camping chairs and equipment on grass Person in tank top carrying item near North Trail camper with Coleman cooler and camping chairs in foreground People playing ladder toss yard game between campsites with RVs, tents, and cloudy sky visible Two people at campsite playing ladder toss game with RVs and orange tent in background under overcast sky Person balancing on blue pole during yard game at campsite with tents and RVs visible behind Large green tent with yellow accents parked next to red Dodge Ram pickup truck at campground Dirt road through campground with American flag and yellow flag on poles, vehicles and RVs lining both sides under cloudy sky Two people walking down dirt campground road with row of portable toilets on right and campsites visible on both sides Wide view of dirt road through campground with scattered tents, RVs, and vehicles under overcast sky Festive campsite featuring wooden tiki hut structure with thatched roof, flamingo decorations, hammock, white van, and tropical-themed setup Camper trailer with camouflage tarp roof covering, outdoor grill, and people under canopy tent with cloudy sky overhead Camper trailer with camouflage tarp covering from alternate angle showing grill and canopy setup under dark clouds Tree-lined dirt road through campground with RV trailers parked on both sides creating shaded corridor Crowd of people gathered under large tree on dirt path with white vendor tents and event area visible in background Rear view of crowd facing white tents with row of portable toilets on right side and large tree overhead providing shade Wide gravel parking lot with green waste dumpster in center, tall light pole, landscaping, and vehicles with tents in distant background under cloudy sky Gravel parking area with landscaped islands featuring shrubs and small trees, cell tower visible in background, orange traffic cone marking area Red Ford Super Duty pickup truck parked on grass near chain-link fence with Ford sponsor banners and green equipment rental sign Two directional signs reading ALREADY WRISTBANDED and NEED ALCOHOL OR ADMISSION WRISTBAND? with arrow in gravel area surrounded by trees Wide gravel pathway leading to event entrance with crowd gathered at entry point, NO RE-ENTRY and WRISTBAND signage visible, trees lining both sides

The line ended up being kind of long. They had their new security measures in place, so it definitely took longer. I'm also happy I was camping because their no re-entry policy for people not camping seemed a bit absurd.

Crowd of attendees waiting at venue entrance behind metal barriers with multiple white banners displaying NO RE-ENTRY (CAMPING EXCLUDED), ALCOHOL WRISTBAND signs under cloudy sky Close-up of arm wearing mud-splattered purple and white event wristband with person's plaid shorts visible Large crowd from behind facing entrance decorated with multiple American flags on poles and white NO RE-ENTRY banners, attendees carrying beach gear and wearing patriotic attire Crowd at metal barriers with American flags overhead and white banners reading NO RE-ENTRY (CAMPING EXCLUDED) and GENERAL ADMISSION WRISTBAND at venue entrance

Talking about absurd, having to pay for an over 21 drinking wristband! The concept itself is solid because it saves the bartenders a bunch of work not having to always check ID's, but the fact that you're already paying $6-10 a drink is a bit absurd to have to pay for an additional wristband. I guess it's something you have to deal with, but it seems like they like the nickel and dime you everywhere they can. This was the absolute opposite I experienced in Canada at Bluesfest.

Close-up of arm with two muddy wristbands - one dark colored and one white with purple stripes showing partial text

Now I don't want to sound like I'm complaining too much about stuff. I'll eventually write a blog entry on the overly-corporatized music festivals and their issues. Overall, the lineup RockUSA gets is usually good and that's why I tolerate the other BS I mentioned above. Additionally, it's about hanging with friends and this is a place that is close for everyone else.

After getting inside, I walked around a bit and did some exploring.

Open gravel area with scattered attendees, prominent tree in center, yellow vendor tent, and buildings visible in background with people holding signs Vendor area featuring white canopy tent, SKOAL ZONE black building, promotional vehicle with door prize signage, and blue vendor tents with people walking Group of attendees standing near vendor booth with black banner advertising BEER - WATER - SODA, dirt pathways and white tents in background Multiple large vendor tents including prominent yellow and black The Block & Mild Experience tents, red canopy tents, and attendees browsing under overcast sky Row of vendor tents with various colored canopies including purple, black, and red, flags on poles, people browsing along dirt walkway Vendor area with red Indian Motorcycle branded canopy tents, Ford tent visible, red motorcycles on display, attendees viewing products Vendor row from alternate angle showing various colored canopy tents including white and green, people walking through vendor section Attendees walking through vendor area with white tents lining path, Ford tent and display vehicles visible in background under cloudy sky Child in red shirt and plaid shorts wearing green visor standing in front of Ford display area with large Ford logo arch, black Explorer SUV on grass, and EcoBoost Power Tour promotional backdrop Vendor area with purple canopy tent and blue merchandise tables, people walking through muddy dirt area, multiple vendor tents and cloudy sky visible Man in black Metallica t-shirt standing in vendor area with black SKOAL ZONE building, blue tent, and leather goods vendor visible in background Modern black and gray SKOAL ZONE building with service windows and staff inside, Kangaroo Leather vendor booth visible on right side Festival vendor area with multiple tents including white, red Twisted Tea, and bright green Cricket Wireless canopies, tall promotional banners and displays under cloudy sky Person in black band t-shirt walking past vendor tents including Cricket Wireless green canopy, promotional signs and coolers visible in muddy festival area Large Ford promotional backdrop with Ford logo on metal truss, EcoBoost Power Tour banner displaying various Ford vehicles, red Mustang parked in foreground on grass Ford display with blue ENTER TO WIN canopy tent, crowd gathered around black Explorer SUV, person in coral shirt and plaid shorts holding phone Rock USA main stage with large speaker stacks and Ford branding, crowd of festival attendees walking toward stage area on dirt path Wide view of festival grounds with attendees walking on dirt paths, SKOAL ZONE building visible on right, white vendor tents under partly cloudy blue sky Row of vendor tents including white Twisted Tea tent, red canopy, and green Cricket Wireless tent with tall feather banners and blue trash barrel Crowd gathered at Ford ENTER TO WIN booth with blue canopy, Ford EcoBoost Power Tour display and white tents visible in background under stormy sky Festival attendees walking toward large white peaked tent, green ATM pole signs visible, various vendor areas along dirt pathway under cloudy sky Wide festival scene with attendees scattered across grounds, multiple vendor tents and structures, tree line in background under dramatic cloudy sky Interior view of large white peaked tent with open sides showing bar service area, black draping and white corrugated metal panels at base Outdoor festival bar with dark roof canopy, repeated BEER - COCKTAILS - WATER signage on header beam, white horizontal striped panels, attendees approaching Festival grounds with people walking across dirt and grass areas, main stage structures and white tents in distance, green ATM pole marker, cloudy sky Expansive festival grounds with scattered attendees on mix of grass and dirt, white vendor tents, stage structures visible in distance under dramatic cloudy sky Black Tito's branded tent on grass field with metal fencing barrier, people inside tent area, open festival grounds with distant stage structures Festival bar structure with BEER - COCKTAILS - WATER signage and Bud Light branding, customers at bar, Rock USA stage visible in background, overcast conditions Festival grounds with grass and dirt pathways, white generator trailer on left, tall mechanical lift structure in center background, scattered attendees and white tents in distance under cloudy sky Rock USA main stage viewed from behind chain-link fence with crowd gathered in front, gravel area in foreground, dramatic cloudy sky overhead Rock USA festival stage with speaker towers displaying logo, audience gathered on gravel surface behind fence barrier, white tents visible to sides Festival audience seated in colorful lawn chairs including blue, red, green, yellow, and turquoise facing distant stage, mix of grass and dirt ground, cloudy sky Concert view with Ford-sponsored Rock USA stage, rows of multicolored folding chairs, standing and seated audience, video screens flanking stage under partly cloudy sky Close view of stage with band performing, standing crowd at front, large video screen and speaker system visible, seated audience with chairs in background Full Rock USA main stage with red Ford arch, large speaker stacks with logo on both sides, mixed standing and seated crowd, band performing under cloudy sky Band performing on Rock USA stage with standing audience at front, chairs and seated attendees in back sections, overcast sky Open festival grounds transitioning from dirt to grass, scattered attendees, white peaked tents and yellow Rockstar barriers in background, partly cloudy blue sky Vendor area with multiple yellow Rockstar Energy branding barriers, white tents, body jewelry sign visible, people browsing in dirt pathway area Large grass field with white ground striping, small groups seated in chairs, row of white peaked vendor tents in far background under cloudy sky Festival field with large suspended speaker on tall frame structure, Rock USA stage on left, scattered attendees on grass, white tents and metal barriers, cloudy sky Long white peaked tent with chain-link fencing, black interior draping, green feather banner, VIP signage visible, dirt pathway along front Festival service area with Bud Light branded structure, long yellow barrier wall, red traffic cones, equipment and people scattered on grass and dirt, blue barrel Cornhole game boards on grass with people playing, long yellow barrier wall in background with spectators, sunny sky with puffy clouds Long corridor of blue portable toilets lined up on both sides of gravel path, person at handwashing station on left, attendee walking through middle Wide gravel walkway with attendees, chain-link fence with yellow panels on left side, white vendor tents in background under overcast sky Rustic wooden archway entrance made from stacked lumber with barrel bases, white peaked tents behind, festival attendees walking on dirt ground Large white peaked tent with black side draping open to interior, coolers and equipment visible inside, gravel ground at entrance Dark interior tent view showing silhouettes of chairs and people, portable toilet and equipment visible in dim background lighting Two people standing at wooden barrel table outside tent with black draping, woman with blue bag, white tent poles and guy lines visible Rustic wooden archway entrance with HONEY TRAIL sign constructed from horizontal planks, white peaked tents in background under cloudy sky Interior of large white tent with small stage setup, lighting truss, bright blue stage lights, string lights overhead, dirt floor White peaked tent interior with circular wrought iron chandelier with candles hanging from center, draped string lights along ceiling Event tent interior with white ceiling, string lights, black cocktail tables, wooden slatted bar area with LED lighting, people mingling Rustic bar with wooden horizontal slat backdrop, decorative wine barrels on display, potted plants, white LED strip lighting, staff working Bar counter with cork-covered front, black stone top, wooden slat wall with barrel decorations and greenery, bartender preparing drinks Bar service area with wooden slat walls, chalkboard menu signs, bottles and supplies on counter, bright daylight from tent opening behind Chalkboard price menu on wooden wall displaying drink prices including craft beer $7, bourbon $8, mixed drinks $8, domestic beer $5 Bar display with liquor bottles including Kessler, Tito's, Jim Beam, Jack Daniel's, Captain Morgan, and Malibu with rows of canned beverages below on black trays Close-up of liquor bottle lineup showing six brands with organized rows of canned drinks arranged below on display surface Hand wearing purple wristband holding blue Bud Light can with dirt ground and person walking in background White tent interior showing stage with purple lighting, professional audio equipment cases in foreground, metal barriers, dirt floor Food truck wrapped in vibrant flame graphics in red, orange, and yellow with INFERNO branding parked on grass near fencing Trading Post vendor booth with Rock USA stage visible in distance, Ink Addict tattoo tent nearby, open dirt area under cloudy sky Festival pathway with dirt surface, white vendor tents lining right side, black barriers on left, attendees walking under partly cloudy sky Two women near white vendor tent entrance with merchandise displays visible inside, grass and dirt ground, cloudy sky overhead Wide festival vendor area view with dirt walkways, white tents, attendees browsing, various buildings and booths under partly cloudy sky Large white promotional trailer for Swedish Snus Stop and General brand products with people viewing, festival grounds visible around Life-size cardboard Marine in dress uniform standing on grass near red Marines recruitment tent, person walking past, white trailer behind Army recruitment tent and vehicle on grass field at outdoor music festival with vendor tents and cloudy sky Red vendor tent with merchandise and people browsing at outdoor festival grounds Army recruitment booth with branded tent and equipment vehicle, festival attendees walking past Merchandise vendor table displaying t-shirts, clothing, and various items under white tent Black trailer advertising pellet stoves and replacement windows with vendor tents nearby Crowd of festival attendees gathered around stage area under covered structure Festival attendees walking on dirt paths between vendor areas with dramatic cloudy sky overhead Large white tent structures in background with crowds of people on festival grounds Vendor booth displaying wall of band merchandise, posters, and albums with Texas flag Rock 94.7 radio station stage with crowd watching performance under tent Festival grounds with carnival swing ride visible against stormy dark clouds Rock festival attendees standing on dirt grounds with white tents and stage structures in distance Main Ford-sponsored stage with Rock USA branding and crowd gathering in front Festival attendees at barriers near stage area with Rockstar Energy branding visible View of main Ford stage from crowd perspective showing massive stage setup and audience Rock band performing on stage viewed from audience, musicians visible on platform Close-up of Ford logo mounted on festival stage structure Side view of covered stage with band performing and string lights overhead Festival concession area under tent with bar setup and attendees Stage performance with band name visible, crowd in foreground including person wearing Fox racing cap Festival attendees seated in camping chairs watching main stage silhouetted against bright sun with stage structures visible Zorba The Greek food vendor stand at dusk with menu items including mac and cheese, chicken pita, coconut shrimp, and crab cakes Large commercial griddle cooking onions and peppers under heat lamp at festival food stand Wrapped gyro or sandwich in aluminum foil and paper wrapper resting on grass Concert stage with dramatic blue lighting beams crossing over performers and crowd below Silhouetted concert crowd backlit by bright stage lights creating dramatic contrast

As you can see from my last pictures, I wasn't able to get super close to the stage to get that great of photos, so I really don't have much for photos of the bands playing. The following was the lineup for the day:

1:15pm- Wayland
2:30pm- Crobot
3:45pm- Avatar
5:15pm- Falling in Reverse
6:45pm- Megadeth
8:45pm- Korn
10:45pm- Avenged Sevenfold

For Wayland, I missed most of their show because I was walking in with the rest of my friends. I could hear them off in the distance, and they did sound good. I've seen them a couple times and I do know they put on a good show. We were able to see Crobot and they put on a good show.

For stage shows, Avatar did amazing. It was probably the best stage show of RockUSA. I didn't stick around for Falling in Reverse and headed to the campsite, but I was back in time for Megadeth. Megadeth didn't have much for a stage show, but they just shredded hard and played amazing! This actually prompted me to buy some Megadeth CD's later on and listen to more of their music (I have in the past but seeing them live really bumped them up on my list of favorite bands).

Korn put on a good show and it was cool seeing them. For Avenged Sevenfold, I've seen them multiple times, mainly at RockUSA. When it comes to pyro, their shows are top notch. The pyro did seem a bit toned down this year, but it was still pretty good!

After all the concerts, I went back to the campsite. Since I'd been steadily drinking since 10am, was the first one up, and also had how many days on the road, I was actually really tired. I did do some partying, but definitely not as much as the night before. I knew I'd have to pace myself and try to get some rest if I wanted to make it the next 2 days.

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