The 4th annual Rock on the Range invades Columbus starting tomorrow.
As the opening day of the fourth year of Rock on the Range festival gets ready to converge on Columbus Crew Stadium, it’s always important to know what to look out for on this day. In the past, the opening day of ROTR has been a mixed bag weather-wise: 2009 was a blustery, drizzling mess at times on one end of the spectrum, but 80 degree weather for the first ROTR back in 2007. So, just to be on the safe side- just be prepared for anything.
With the weather aside, Rock on the Range 2010 will bring a solid first day, with some of the bands who have taken over the stadium in the past, and some new entries as well. Here’s some potential stories to look out for at Day 1 at Rock on the Range:
Main Stage:
Godsmack (headliner)- Ok, I’ve pretty much discussed my melancholy attitude towards’ their new album, “The Oracle”, but Godsmack always puts on a strong live show that is tough to match in the hard rock scene. Don’t burn yourself out too much during the day, because most of the fans will be here to see the ‘Smack layed out (preferably not on Nikki Sixx- the supposed target in the hit song “Cryin’ Like a Bitch”).
Deftones- For a band that used to tour feverishly, the band has been quiet the past few years. With the ongoing coma for bassist Chi Cheng and scrapping an entire album, we’re just happy to see the Deftones touring again. If this show is anything like the way the band played in their heyday, the Deftones could play show stealer.
Kicker Stage:
Killswitch Engage- Will Howard Jones be back? Is he doing ok? Those are just some of the questions that will need to be answered as lead singer Jones plays his first shows since taking a self imposed leave of absence earlier this year. In their show in Royal Oak in February, the band looked tight- but will Howard return to his peak form? We’ll see.
Richy Nix- Score one for Windsor. The first artist to come out of the border town that I can ever remember is picking up steam at radio with his single “In My Head”. Things play out well, Nix could be a main stage artist at this festival for years to come.
Jagermeister Stage:
Helmet- This may be been kind of surprise to most fans, seeing that most fans didn’t expect a cult favorite like Helmet to be on a festival like this. But I think enough band’s on the bill were probably influenced to some degree by the band and gives the band the elder statesman tag on this day.
Make sure to check back to arthatesyou.blogspot.com and mycitybuzz.com each night of the festival (probably sometime around last call) for my daily blog for Rock on the Range 2010. And yes, I’ll probably be tweeting as well- check those out at www.twitter.com/mycitybuzz.
