If you follow the rock/metal scene AT ALL I’m sure you’ve heard by now Blue Ridge Rock Festival did not go as planned in many ways. With 50k+ people there were MANY different experiences ranging from good to great, bad to down right ugly. I’m here to speak on my personal experience and only spread information I myself saw with my own eyes. As I said before, this will absolutely not be a “dump on Blue Ridge” article. I do not want to discredit anyone who had a terrible experience. This is just my personal story.
The Blue Ridge folks made the decision some what last minute to opening camping a day earlier (Tuesday vs Wednesday). My camping group got our early passes and made our way down. We met up, got in line and went through security quickly. We had premium camping and our spot was within a couple hundred feet of the West Camp entrance to the venue (about a 3 minute walk). We were on a tree line with shade and no camping spots behind us. It was beyond ideal.
We set to work setting up camp and had a group of 22 spots. We had a whole house with living room, kitchen, and of course a pong table. I’m going to let the photos do the talking for a minute. Music festivals are WILD.
Wednesday was HOT. Surface of the sun hot. Heat index of 107. We spent the day mostly sitting around trying not to melt. I had to make the 1.5 mile trek to the credentials office to get my photo/media credentials. I’m not going to lie, this walk was terrible. By the time I made it to the office, I nearly blacked out at the window. They gave me water and I sat in the shade for a bit and started feeling better. The folks at the gate we passed to get into the office area were worried about me making it back and very kindly gave us a golf cart ride and more water.
Then came one of the highlights of my week…My dear friend had been planning a proposal to his girlfriend for months. They met on the first night at the pre-party of Blue Ridge 2022. He wanted to propose at the place where they met in front of our festival family. We all gathered in the camp “living room” in front of our Halloween Christmas tree and he got down on a knee. She was taken COMPLETELY by surprise.
Of course she said yes! Half of our camp knew it was going to happen and half didn’t. Being a part of this is a memory I will truly treasure forever.
The rest of Wednesday was a bit noneventful. We went into the venue around 8p when it had finally cooled off, caught some of Nonpoint, and hung out at camp after. Good fun, no drama, and everybody had a good time. Little did we know the shit storm that was to come the next day.
Alphawolf
Thursday was another HOT day. I had plans to cover more bands in the afternoon but it was absolutely too hot. I am not a hot weather person and after nearly passing out at the credential office the day before I just stayed at camp until almost 5p. Alpha Wolf was the first (and only) band I got to cover for the day. This was not my first time seeing them and they were on my list because I knew how amazing they are live.
After their set, I made my way over to the main stages. Coheed and Cambria were coming on soon on the Monster Energy stage. I went to the entrance by the Zyn stage and started to wait. I want to be clear that there was ZERO chance of rain for the day. I had my cameras holstered, no camera bag, no camera poncho. It started to rain, so I ducked under the Zyn stage to keep my camera dry figuring it was a quick little sprinkle and I’d hop out when Coheed started.
Well, that’s not at all how it went.
The rain picked up and Coheed began to play. They got about 2.5 minutes into their first song and just STOPPED. Signs came up on the screens saying severe weather was coming and to seek shelter. The stage crew came around and threw heavy plastic on equipment around me then all of a sudden I was alone. Everyone had vanished. I didn’t want to leave and risk damaging my cameras. So I hunkered down.
Hail, sideways rain, 60mph wind gusts. Honestly, I was thinking “If this is how I go, this is how I go. At least it’s heavy metal?”. I had no cell phone service and no contact with the world. No idea when it was over, no idea it was going to get worse before it got better. I waited under there for nearly an hour.
Then it stopped, and I waded my way through the flooded grounds back to camp. Our camp was lucky, we lost a couple of canopies, my tent got wet inside because the windows were open and another tent got wet inside. Our friends in regular camping were not so lucky. They lost nearly everything. Below is my video from under the Zyn stage.
We then got word the rest of the evening was canceled.
As far as shows go, Friday was by far the best. It was hot, but not as bad as the previous days. We got a FULL day of shows. My coverage started at Chelsea Grin.
Chelsea Grin
The Pit for Acacia Strain
For The Acacia Strain, I decided to do something different. I took my ultra-wide lens into the crowd and mosh pit. 10/10 would recommend it was a BLAST.
Knocked Loose
Sleeptoken
One of the most highly anticipated acts of the week, Sleeptoken was able to play. The crowd was massive, the photo pit was packed. I missed them at Blue Ridge 2022, but literally ran into Vessel walking the grounds the day they played (Crazy now, that was before they went viral). They put on a set like no other. Serious, sensual, and an aesthetic like no other.
Lorna Shore
I got about 60 seconds to photograph Lorna Shore before I had to SPRINT up to the media tent to go prepare for shooting Slipknot. One day, I’m going to shoot these guys for my full three songs. Will had the best wig.
Slipknot headlined the night and you can catch my coverage of that here.
Stay tuned for Saturday, that’s getting two of its own posts.
