We Came As Romans, Memphis May Fire, State Champs, more psyched for Rock'n Derby music festival
Music festival season is in full swing, and May 20-22, concertgoers will have a chance to see some awesome live bands (and so much more!) at the inaugural Rock'n Derby. This year is the first year of Rock'n Derby, a new music fest for East Coast audiences.
Though Rock'n Derby is just beginning, they're starting out strong. Performers include A Day To Remember, Coheed And Cambria and Memphis May Fire. Plus, with onsite camping and activities like demolition derbies and mud wrestling, Rock'n Derby offers up more than a typical weekend fest would. Pick up tickets to the event here!
We caught up with some of the performing bands to see what they're excited about in the upcoming weekend.
DAVE STEPHENS, WE CAME AS ROMANS
What are you most excited for?
Definitely stoked to see the demolition derby. That's something I've never witnessed before so it'll be awesome to see some cars get destroyed!
What band’s set are you pumped to see?
A Day To Remember. Loving their new single, and they always know how to entertain.
What makes Rock'n Derby different from other festivals?
The fact that it's also a demolition derby. That definitely makes this festival stand out more than anything!
ULIANA PREOTU, CILVER
What are you most excited for?
I'm very excited to play the Rock'n Derby Festival and mingle with new friends I'm gonna make. But also I can't wait to see the demolition derby. I have never seen one before and I think that's gonna be as rock 'n' roll as it can get.
What band’s set are you pumped to see?
On the day we play I'm gonna see a lot of familiar faces and friends like Halestorm, Anthrax, Avatar. That's always so nice. It's like a big family you are part of. So that being said, I'm also exited to see live bands like A Day To Remember and We Came As Romans. Also, I have actually never seen Extreme or Sebastian Bach live, so that's exciting, as well as learning about new bands that we are sharing the stage with. It's clear I'll be by the stage or in the crowd watching everyone playing.
What makes Rock'n Derby different from other festivals?
Besides awesome artists I think the experiences that Rock'n Derby is combining are so fun and engaging. It gets me excited just thinking about it! Mud wrestling? Come on! Who doesn't wanna watch that? I know I do!
MIKE PROTICH, RED SUN RISING
What are you most excited for?
Well it's somewhat of a homecoming show for our drummer Pat [Gerasia]. Hometown shows always feel awesome and have a warm welcome. So that will be exciting for the band for sure. The lineup is similar to a lot of the festivals we are playing, so it will be a blast hanging with our friends we've grown to know on the road.
What band’s set are you pumped to see?
Well, all around it will be a great show. However, there are some bands we haven't seen yet like Extreme, they are just amazing musicians. Also Wolfmother and Coheed.
What makes Rock'n Derby different from other festivals?
Well, we haven't played it yet so we can let you know. Maybe there will be some wild shenanigans that make us remember it forever.
TRAVIS STEVER, COHEED AND CAMBRIA
[Photo credit: Manel Casanova]
What are you most excited for?
We’re excited to do an upstate New York show. We generally stick to doing NYC shows when rolling through on tour. It will also be a nice to see some familiar faces there. Our good friend Joey B works with Trivium, so we have known those guys for a long time. We have also gotten to know a couple of the guys from Shinedown. It’ll be super nice to catch up.
What band's set are you pumped to see?
I’m definitely excited to see Ghost. I have a lot of friends that have told me the live show is quite an experience. I have also always been a huge Megadeth fan. Every time I have seen them play I have had a blast. I have not been able to see them with David Ellefson back on bass so I look forward to that.
What makes Rock'n Derby different from other festivals?
I think the festivities around it really make it stand out. We definitely look forward to exploring the other entertainment as well. Should be a hell of a day.
MATTY MULLINS, MEMPHIS MAY FIRE
What are you most excited for?
We're excited to check out some bands we've never seen before and catch up with some old friends all at once! The fest itself should be a real treat for the fans, and we're very much looking forward to elevating their experience to a whole new level.
What band's set are you pumped to see?
Chevy Metal for sure! We're likely all gonna be trying to get selfies with Dave Grohl. But really, they're great and we can't wait to hang out with our friends in A Day To Remember, Beartooth and more!
What makes Rock'n Derby different from other festivals?
The demolition derby and pro wrestling set it apart for sure! It's always a good time when music comes together with other areas of entertainment to create a lifestyle destination event such as this one. Everyone camp safely, and save your strength for our Day Two party!
TYLER SZALKWOSKI, STATE CHAMPS
What are you most excited for?
We're excited to be playing with such different bands! We definitely feel like we're one of the oddballs on the lineup, so it should be a fun new experience. I'm personally excited for the demolition derby.
What band's set are you pumped to see?
A Day To Remember, Coheed and Cambria, Anthrax, Lamb of God, Stray From The Path, Beartooth. Also excited to catch some of the GCW [wrestling] matches that day.
What makes Rock'n Derby different from other festivals?
I think what makes it different from the other festivals is that they seem to offer so much more than just music. There is wrestling, there is a demolition derby, there’s three-day camping. They seem to be offering you a much more broad experience than just going and watching live music.
