So this year's Pachanga Fest line up was announced this week and I liked what I saw. It is now a two day festival, taking place on May 21st and May 22nd. They kept the variety of musical genres that they have always had since the festival's inception in 2008. Other than it being a celebration of Latino musicians, that variety of genres is what makes Pachanga one of my favorite music festivals. There really is something for everyone, not just Latinos.
Metal's ultimate summer tour experience, Mayhem Fest, is back in 2010 with none other than Korn and Rob Zombie. Sure, it lacks the star power from last year with Slayer and Marilyn Manson on the bill, but it is hard to complain about any "fest" with Rob Zombie. Sharing the main stage will be Lamb of God and Five Finger Death Punch. Good bands, but main stage worthy? Hmmm....we can debate that all day I suppose.
The mid-level stage or "Festival Stage" has a couple of pretty good groups I'm looking forward to checking out. On the lighter side of metal is In This Moment, a female fronted band that is radio friendly at times and just heavy enough to win over some of the Mayhem Fest fans. It will help that lead singer Maria Brink is smokin' hot, so event he meanest of metal fans should be nice to her. I hate to say it, but you know it's true. Check her out with In This Moment here:
Also on the Festival Stage will be Norma Jean, 3 Inches of Blood and the hit or miss, Atreyu. I want to like Atreyu, but sometimes they just get to corny. For me, they never have a song that is just "alright". They either kick ass or they don't. I still prefer some of their earlier stuff versus what I have heard lately from them. All that being said, I'm stoked to check them out live.
On the third stage or the Jagermeister Stage, I'm super stoked about getting to see Hatebreed. I love that band and have never seen them live either. Chimaira, Winds of Plague and Shadows Fall round out that stage's acts. Not bad.
As always, I will have to travel because Austin never gets a big metal fest. That's really lame, but it is what it is. San Antonio here I come!
For more on this year's Mayhem Fest, visit the official website at www.mayhemfest.com.
Ian is a graduate of Round Rock High School and attended St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. In 2008 he joined the team at Double Stereo (formerly CD Fuse) as their Blog editor where he reviewed concerts, albums, and did interviews for the popular music site.In January 2009, he became the Editor in Chief for Austin Vida. In 2010, with the help of some of his most talented friends, he launched Red River Noise. "Ian's Music Blog" is also one of the few blogs selected to be a Do512 All-Star.
On any given night of the week he can be found in downtown Austin on 6th Street and the Red River live music district.
