Is it really a festival without sunburn and a sea of fishnets and black t-shirts? A sold out Las Vegas Festival Grounds doesn’t think so and proved it at the second Sick New World festival.

This was my first time to Las Vegas in 15 years. Expansions and improvements to Las Vegas were noticeable, but what also stood out was the presentation at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. From the arch entrance led by demons on stilts to the setup of five stages (three of which rotated to offer back to back performances from bands), Sick New World became a one-day festival dream that seemed far-fetched on paper, but impressive at the festival close.

Below is a live stream discussing everything noticed at Sick New World from a photographer’s view as well as seeing all stages at one point, along with thoughts from a live chat of what happened in Las Vegas. Underneath the YouTube live stream replay is a short showing footage of performances and the festival grounds.

Scroll farther to see photos of more than a dozen bands along with a brief write-up on each, followed by overall thoughts.

System Of A Down closed the Gold Stage at the end of the Las Vegas night. Amidst the fog and strobes was the band from California by way of Armenia. The second year of the band’s Sick New World festival featured more than 20 songs live. This was my first time getting to shoot SOAD and it was a big check off the bucket list. Seeing a joyful and expressive Serj Tankian made the songs feel special. This was System’s first performance since Sick New World 2023 and I do hope we will see them more often in the future, along with Tankian’s upcoming solo material.

Slipknot had a return to the past after a pop-up show in Southern California in the jumpsuits of the early 2000’s. These suits reappeared along with a new drummer and a wild crowd ending with “Surfacing” to ensure Las Vegas had enough noise complaints in the surrounding area (I mean that in the best way possible as the set sounded great). Corey Taylor’s dynamic presence commanded the crowd and Slipknot reminded everyone why the group will always be a band worthy of a headlining spot.

Bring Me The Horizon was notable for several reasons. One of which being the animated visuals before the set insulting the crowd in order to get them riled up, and the consequent pause for five minutes due to the massive crowd being crushed and needing everyone to step back from the stage. From massive pits to a surprise appearance from BABYMETAL performing “Kingslayer” to a gargantuan amount of confetti, BMTH made sure their presence in Vegas was felt.

It was Danny Elfman that stole the show at the festival this year. Featuring a small orchestra, a dozen background singers, two drummers, percussionist, guitarists and bassist, and all of which were considerably in the back due to 70-year-old Elfman’s presence. Performing hits from Oingo Boingo to a acid-rock version of the Simpsons Theme to music from Edward Scissorhands, Danny Elfman left a massive impact on many people who were not expecting to be given such a spectacle on an already stacked day.

A Perfect Circle get the gold star for making the best of a bad situation. On the road for Maynard James Keenan’s Sessanta Tour, APC’s truck with instruments and stage equipment could not make the festival in time coming from bad weather in Colorado. After a last minute scramble borrowing gear from Primus (also on the Sessanta Tour), the band proved “The Show Must Go On” and peformed many of APC’s hits over the years, along with reuniting with Josh Freese to help fill out the lineup.

On one of the three rotating stages was Motionless In White blegh-ing their hearts out. Whether it was desperate fans screaming at the barricade or a group of influencers at soundboard, MIW’s set was a popular place to be Saturday afternoon. A wide range of songs spanning over 10 years and ladies swooning for Chris Motionless, this was possibly the biggest audience MIW had performed for since opening Wrestlemania 40 in Philadelphia.

Better Lovers have become one of my new favorite bands since 2023, and seeing them go ballistic on the Diablo Stage reinforced my feelings. Greg launching into the crowd and throwing speakers while other members jumped back and forth for 30 minutes was a highlight for the rowdiest stage of the day, and that’s saying something considering how many hardcore and punk bands performed on the rotating stage under the awning. New Better Lovers music cannot come soon enough.

If Ice Nine Kills knows how to do one thing perfectly, it’s shock a crowd. Opening their set with a partially devoured corpse on stage and singer Spencer Charnas brandishing a shovel, the band’s love of horror was demonstrated to everyone at the Gold Stage on Saturday afternoon. Splatters, weapons, death, it’s all a part of the show and INK brought that to a crowd who knew exactly what they wanted in the overly violent group.

After successful side shows opening for Bring Me The Horizon, Spiritbox built up more anticipation for their year ahead with a great performance on the Gold Stage. I was already looking forward to the potential full album coming later this year, but hearing Courtney and company perform so strongly in Vegas reminded me why this group has amassed such a following in only a few years. Spiritbox is a group that knows how to make a statement and I’m excited to see what happens next for the Canadians.

As Kittie was gone for so long, I never thought it was in the cards to see the fierce ladies of metal live. I was happy to say I was wrong and since Kittie has returned, their renewed appreciation has been heartwarming to see. Kittie performed on the Red Stage and made sure the crowd was alive and awake early Saturday afternoon. Hearing the big songs from Kittie roughly 20 years ago threw me back into a time machine. Kittie deserves more respect and attention from the metal world as a whole. This set was great.

This was my first time seeing Skindred since 2016. Early in the set at the Spiral Stage, Benji Webbe addressed the crowd talking about how long ago people at rock shows would headbang. Somehow we forgot over the years. This encouraged a lot of neck trauma through the set but it appeared to be worth it for everyone that afternoon. Skindred is still around giving heavy music with a twist and it’s good to see that twist still translate live.

Nonpoint opened the festival on the Gold Stage and it was the perfect pace setter for the long day. Hearing “Breaking Skin” blast from the Gold Stage while thousands filed in through the gates was an impressive experience. The matching red was also a nice theme to set the band as a united rock act. More bands need to take tips from Nonpoint as a live act because the group has kept it’s following for many years almost mainly as a dominant live force.

My first experience seeing 3TEETH live was memorable on the Siren Stage, which got a bit more intense for this set in the afternoon and I think that was for the better.. Hearing music from the band’s latest album EndEx and seeing the flag for the United States of Corporations gave a fantastic image for the group. It was also great to finally talk with the band as I’ve been listening for years. Hearing them talk about elephants was also a pleasant surprise (video below).

Sick New World also helped me to see Gel live for the first time. I enjoyed Gel’s album from 2023 featuring incredibly short songs that all packed a punch, and that punch was felt on the Diablo Stage. I’m glad there was such a good turnout for hardcore bands like this as the community and audience is a big factor in the success for these groups. Gel seemed to have support with fans waiting for them mid-day and it was great to see everyone get into it.

Overall Thoughts:

Sick New World definitely set a good tone for the start of a festival season. The Astroturf and shade sections were a huge benefit and proof that shade doesn’t have to be a paid luxury at festivals. The Las Vegas Festival Grounds didn’t have issues with sound bleedover from stage to stage which was great considering the proximity of stages. The rotating stages all worked beautifully to keep the music going at Siren, Sprial, and Diablo Stages. Most of staff were friendly and there were medic tents in various areas which also was good to see.

Most stages didn’t have any technical issues and the few issues that arose seemed to be dealt with quickly. Some of the lines were long but nothing out of the ordinary for festivals…except for the band merch line. Average wait line going past two hours. That is brutal for fans to have to wait two hours baking in the heat just to get merch, also while missing dozens of bands. There has to be a better setup for band merch.

Security was spotty at points. Some of this was not the staff or security’s fault as they couldn’t be everywhere, but a few security members were being beyond cruel to fans and other staff to the point of harassment. It’s a long day and security’s job isn’t easy, but there is no excuse for it getting aggressive.

Most of the band’s performances were amazing. Seeing surprise appearances like Poppy with Bad Omens and Knocked Loose or BABYMETAL with Bring Me The Horizon made something special for everyone. The main stage performances all proved they belonged in front of the big crowd from Nonpoint all the way to System Of A Down. The side stages all had great talent and ending the night with Sleep Token set a stunning exclamation point for Sick New World.

The pros outweigh the cons for Sick New World and despite some sunburn, Sick New World made some great memories. If the festival can improve from year one to year two, then year three should be legendary.

Overall, I would go to Vegas again because Sick New World was disgusting(ly good).