Rockfest
Westfair Amphitheater
Council Bluffs, Iowa
May 29th, 2015
SOLD OUT
Arson City, Screaming For Silence, We Are Harlot, Emphatic, Starset, In This Moment, Halestorm, Papa Roach
The Pretty Reckless cancelled due to drummer’s injury.
It’s always a party when KIWR 89.7 The River gathers a few tens of thousands of fans together for a Rockfest. Gathering upwards of twenty thousand people into the natural valley that is Westfair Amphitheatre is always a sight to see. The festival had sold out weeks earlier, and that’s not surprising. KIWR knows what their listeners want and has never let us down.
The storm clouds and cooling winds kept the temperature at a manageable level all day, and made for perfect concert weather. As the gates opened, fans flooded into the amphitheater and staked their claims on prime seating. There literally isn’t a bad spot to watch a concert at Westfair.
Local boys Arson City opened the festival, and set the tone of the day to come. Having formed from other local bands, most noted Emphatic, Arson City is one of those bands that shouldn’t be called a “local band”. Their live show has been evolving for the past several years, and has gotten more and more gigantic sounding. I saw the band last summer open for Stone Sour at Sokol Auditorium, but seeing them on the massive Westfair stage is where Arson City belongs. The addition of two percussionists added to the massive sound of the band, and was just damn impressive to see.
During “Not Coming Home”, lead vocalist and Arson City Mayor, Patrick Wilson, entrusted his life with the citizens of Arson City, launched a platform into the crowd and surfed standing on the platform for nearly all of the song. Truly an epic sight to see.
Pay close attention to Arson City’s journey. This band is meant for world domination.
Screaming For Silence were up next. Even though I’m not a fan, the band’s agro-metal sound was welcomed by the fans.
We Are Harlot were next on stage. The super group burst on stage and took the crowd on a rambunctious journey. Today marked the 3rd time I’ve seen the band live, and each time is just as impressive as the previous.
Local boys Emphatic picked up where We Are Harlot left off and kept the crowd bouncing. Pun intended.
Today’s Rockfest marked the return of Starset to the Omaha metro. It would also be my 5th time seeing one of the band’s Demonstrations.
