Welcome to Rockville Returns!
http://welcometorockvillefestival.com/
For the past several years the proclaimed world’s loudest month has started each April in Jacksonville, FL. And even after city noise ordinances and local complaints, Florida’s largest city once again brings forth one of the biggest hard rock and metal festivals in the country.
On April 25 and 26, Jacksonville will host the two day rock haven spearheaded by Slipknot and featuring Godsmack, Korn, Slash, Miles Kennedy, Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Breaking Benjamin, The Pretty Reckless, In This Moment and MANY more. The only thing more impressive than the lineup, is that each year Monster Energy and Welcome to Rockville continue to outdo themselves and improve the quality of each show.
My first experience with Rockville was in 2013. The bands alternated between four stages at Metropolitan Park in downtown Jax and there was never a quiet moment or a single time where there was nothing to do. These Monster festivals such as Rock on The Range, Carolina Rebellion and Welcome to Rockville are proving that rock isn’t dead, despite what Gene Simmons has to say.
If you are on the fence…go. If you don’t have anyone to go with…go anyway. You will meet more than enough people with obvious similar interests. And although I may be biased, but the rock fan demographic is highlighted in the best way possible at this Florida festival. It quite literally is the bikini and body builder beach party turned metal.
With dozens of merchandise vendors and more Meet and Greets than you can possibly imagine, Welcome to Rockville is something to make a vacation out of. As crazy as it sounds to want to vacation to Jacksonville, there is finally a reason. Florida’s largest city suffers from not having a real identity, but once a year there is a weekend where everyone comes together and proves how much we want attention.
Tickets are still available as well as hotel options. Traveling to the park downtown is not difficult if driving and with the lineup this year and the past experiences of Rockville I’ve had, I can’t say enough positive things regarding the quality of this festival.
In the meantime, you can see some of my past photos of Rockville performances and interviews here = http://rockedreviews.net/tag/welcome-to-rockville/
You can also connect with the Rockvillains, a great Facebook group community, by clicking here = https://www.facebook.com/groups/WTRRockVillains/916824778362164/?notif_t=like
