“Life changing is what comes to mind.”
May of 2021 on a total whim, I bought a ticket to this festival I’d just heard of for the first time. Blue Ridge Rock Festival. There was zero plan at that point. I was going 100% by myself, knew no one and had no idea what I was doing. Little did I know how this was going to end up and the life changing connections I’d make.
The online community for this festival is second to none. Between the Facebook groups, Discord servers and group chats you can easily find friends. The community and welcome you’ll get from this group of metal heads is nothing like I’ve experienced before. When I purchased my tickets I had no idea the publication I was with was aiming to cover BRRF. Fast forward to August 2021 and I found myself signed up to shoot a major rock festival.
I made life long connections both professionally and personally. If you ask any one of those folks what Blue Ridge Rock Festival did for them, life changing is what comes to mind for us all.
Without a doubt, I was 100% in to be not only going to BRRF 2022, but covering it with Keynote Music Collective as well.
The Lineup
MIND.BLOWING, with 40+ bands per day and an additional pre party line up exclusively for Wednesday night campers. There’s quite a few bands on the ticket from the 2021 line up as well as many new faces from last year. A few key players this year:
Kittie. Yes, THAT Kittie. My inner middle school girl screamed with joy at this announcement. It is in my opinion, the most notable reunion happening that week. It is the ONLY east coast show you’ll be able to find them at.
Tenacious D, you’re correct, with duo with Jack Black and Kyle Glass. This is the first time they’ve played a music festival.
Insane Clown Posse. This goes a little bit against the grain of the usual line up for a rock festival, but the opportunity to see this legendary group is one this girl isn’t missing.
Sion. This is Howard Jones’ (previously of Killswitch Engage and Light the Torch) new project. Their performance at BRRF is their global debut.
Hollow Intent. One of the things I love about BRRF is the regional bands they put on the line up. Hollow Intent are Blue Ridge alumni. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing and photographing the North Carolina natives outside of the festival and can’t wait to do so again.
Camping
2021 had growing pains for the camping experience. Personally, myself and my group had no issues and it was a GREAT time. This year, the venue changed to Virginia International Speedway and they have outsourced new companies to deal with the logistics of camping. Going against the grain of what I think most media will be doing, I’ll be camping again. In my opinion, camping is half of the experience and SO much fun. Camping begins Wednesday September 7th and goes until Monday September 12th. You can find me rolling up at about 5a Wednesday morning to wait for the 7a camping gate time!
Where can you find tickets?
Festival passes are nearly sold out. You can get your’s here.
Where can you follow all of the Blue Ridge Rock goodness? Check out the social icons below
Want to follow me real time during the festival?
I’ll be posting updates throughout the day you can always find me on Keynote’s socials and on Instagram here:
Will you be there? Find me and I’ll give you a Keynote Music Collective guitar pick! Post it on your socials and tag us! We love new friends!
