Rock and heavy metal festivals are among the most exciting events worldwide, offering something exciting for every music genre and taste imaginable. No matter where you live there are plenty of amazing festivals worth attending.
No matter if it be for an entire weekend festival or just one day of music celebrations with your favorite bands, there is something to please every music enthusiast in 2023! There are some exciting rock and metal festivals happening all across America in 2023 from classic rock through hard rock, heavy metal and alternative music – but for something different why not visit some amazing rock and metal festivals happening this year in 2023!
Slipknot
Slipknot is one of the world’s best-known metal bands, thanks to their eye-catching image and explosive live performances that have propelled them to such fame. Even after multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, Slipknot has managed to remain almost untouchable in their standing in music circles.
Des Moines-based metal group formed in 1995 when guitarist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray assembled several local musicians into the band. They self-financed their debut album Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat; initially their music featured hard rock/heavy metal elements while later they began experimenting with melodic vocals.
After several lineup shifts, their current lineup consists of Corey Taylor, Sid Wilson, Joey Jordison, Jim Root, Craig Jones, Alessandro Venturella, Mick Thomson and Chris Fehn. Recently released was their album.5: The Gray Chapter which paid homage to their late bassist Paul Gray who passed away earlier this year.
Slipknot’s live performances are well-known for their dramatic antics and spectacular production value, making their concerts an indispensable staple of many heavy metal music festivals worldwide.
Slipknot will release their ninth studio album, The End, So Far in 2019; marking their first effort since Paul Gray and Joey Jordison died, it also signals a new phase in Slipknot’s evolution.
The new album from Sigh No More will address various subjects such as empathy’s apparent death, the negative impacts of social media use, love, loss and regret as well as community expectations about them. Even after recent lineup changes have taken place within their ranks, Sigh No More remains determined to make their mark in metal music by crafting songs with lasting memories that stand the test of time.
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold are an American heavy metal band formed in 1999 in Huntington Beach, California. Comprised of vocalist M Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ and former Bad Religion and Suicidal Tendencies drummer Brooks Wackerman (2016-present), they began performing live.
While their style has undergone many alterations over time, they have always managed to stay true to themselves and maintain their individuality. Their musical style consists of modern hard rock with heavier “screamo” music elements. Additionally, they’ve played classic metal songs which cover topics like death, war, depression, drug addiction and mental health.
Pixies is best known for its spectacular live shows, selling out arenas and headlining some of the world’s most acclaimed rock festivals. Additionally, two No.1 albums on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart were achieved (2010’s Nightmare and 2013’s Hail To The King) along with multiple No. 1 singles on rock radio stations.
Bat Country have received many accolades and nominations, such as being nominated for “Bat Country” as best rock video at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.
Avenged Sevenfold are one of the premier heavy metal bands in North America. They have sold over 10 million records worldwide and earned two consecutive No.1 albums on Billboard 200 (2010’s Nightmare and 2013’s Hail To The King).
Avenged Sevenfold are an amazing band and rightfully deserve induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Not only have they revolutionized hard rock music with each of their albums being successful hits, they have done it so successfully as to deserve this distinction.
Nightwish
Nightwish, one of Finland’s most successful rock groups, has amassed sales of seven million albums – making them one of its best-known heavy metal acts. Nightwish are famed for writing melodic tracks with orchestral arrangements; and their concerts often include large video screens and pyrotechnic displays.
Tarja Turunen’s classical singer voice and heavy metal influences provide them with their distinct sound; filled with melodies and unique operatic vocals which create an engaging performance atmosphere.
Tuomas Holopainen founded his band in 1996 and soon after, joined by guitarist Emppu Vuorinen and vocalist Tarja Turunen. They produced their first demo in early 1997 and quickly established themselves as one of Finland’s premiere musical acts.
Since their inception, the group has gone through various vocalist changes since Tarja Turunen joined. She was eventually replaced by Anette Olzon until they settled upon Floor Jansen as lead vocalist in 2013.
Human:||: Nature is their most ambitious album to date and features numerous references from literature and scientific sources, along with tracks about their own history as a band and current difficulties within Spinefarm Records.
After the release of their album, the band embarked on an extensive European tour. They played iconic venues like Hanns-Martin-Schleyer Hall in Stuttgart and Hallenstadion in Zurich – each capable of accommodating more than 10,000 spectators – among many others.
Once their tour concluded, Nightwish’s future plans became uncertain. In late 2012, they made the difficult decision to part ways with Anette Olzon and replace her with Floor Jansen, as his voice proved better suited for their heavy metal style than Olzon’s had been.
Mayhem
Mayhem, founded in 1984, has quickly established themselves as an international sensation with their electrifying live shows and genre-bending musical compositions featuring dark savagery, blastbeats and vocalist Attila Csihar’s distinctive shrieks.
Attila is an accomplished vocalist who can express a wide range of emotion while also offering up screaming-style delivery. Additionally, Attila has shown aptitude in providing melodic guitar solos as well.
The band has released six studio albums and several EPs since 2000; their most recent offering was Daemon in 2019.
Mayhem are a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 by guitarist and lead vocalist Oystein “Euronymous” Aarseth, bassist Jorn “Necrobutcher” Stubberud, drummer Kjetil Manheim, and Per Yngve “Dead” Ohlin. Mayhem are well-known for their intense and violent live performances featuring severed pig heads impaled on wooden spikes along with Dead’s self-harming acts.
Early on in Mayhem’s history, Dead and Euronymous were its sole members; however, following Dead’s suicide and Euronymous’ murder by his bassist Necrobutcher left the band, leaving only two members.
He was replaced by Occultus, an former member of Thyabhorrent and partner in Euronymous’ Helvete shop. Occultus sang and played bass for several months with Thyabhorrent before leaving after receiving death threats from Euronymous.
Since their formation, this band has released an impressive amount of material and performed at various festivals – even appearing in a film called Lords of Chaos! Furthermore, they continue to release new music while maintaining their signature brand of death metal while continuing to evolve as an ensemble.
Emperor
No matter the change of heavy metal acts in recent times, there remain an array of amazing rock and metal festivals across America that provide audiences with classic bands as well as up-and-comers from your genre of choice. Be sure to attend one of these incredible rock and metal events in 2023!
Emperor are a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1991 by Ihsahn (vocals, guitar) and Samoth (guitar). Later adding drummer Faust and bassist Tchort as members.
In 1994, In the Nightside Eclipse became their debut album and proved an instantaneous hit within black metal circles.
Unfortunately, their band soon ran into trouble when three of its members were arrested for murder and arson charges; Ihsahn managed to avoid arrest while Samoth and Tchort were both sentenced to jail time.
Emperor never gave up, however. Following their release they reunited to record Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk – an album which would go on to become one of the most influential works in black metal history. Additionally during this time Trym Torson (former member of Enslaved) joined as drummer.
Emperor has since released seven albums, including Luciferian Towers in 2017. Additionally, they performed live with Holy Body Tattoo and unveiled their work for the 100th Anniversary of Messines Battle.
Emperor is currently touring 8 countries and have 14 scheduled shows scheduled. See where to catch them live by checking out their concert calendar below!