On Saturday, July 20th, Upheaval Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan opened its gates for the second of the two-day festival. The event was held at Belknap Park, a baseball field with plenty of space for the three stages set up.
After only a few hours of sleep, it was time to return to Belknap Park for day two of the very anticipated Upheaval Festival. Since day one went so smoothly and without many hitches, I was excited to come back and see some of my favorite bands perform. With the likes of Beartooth, From Ashes to New, I See Stars, Badflower, and the night’s headliner, Bad Omens, the day was certain to be remarkable.
The lineup of bands was truly well-chosen. With a mix of new, local, smaller, and already-established acts, there was something for everyone to enjoy. The variations in styles were noted and admired, especially since each band brought something special to the stage.
Just like the previous day, the weather was sunny and warm, though this time with a bit of overcast, which I’m sure many of the sunburnt people from the day before could appreciate. Though it was a little hotter, the cloud coverage made the heat bearable, and whenever a breeze decided to grace us, it felt quite pleasant.
Additionally, everything enjoyable about the first day was present for the second. The organization of the festival is one to be commended. The layout was easily accessible, and for the parts that weren’t–such as the hill leading to the Lookout stage–accommodations were offered, like the shuttle service. The set up of the three stages offered the ability for people to enjoy the music no matter where they were located on the grounds, while never detracting from the acts on each stage.
One part that I particularly enjoyed was the food. The selection of vendors provided different dietary options, and all around, the food was excellent. I sampled from a few different vendors over both days between breaks in sets, and I was always impressed with everything I had.
All of these things made Upheaval Festival a fantastic choice, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. From what I heard from other festival goers, they were equally as pleased.
As for the music, I got to hear from some incredible bands, beginning on the Lookout stage with Ovtlier, a metal band from Rochester, NY. Dressed in all black, decorated with either grungy black makeup or in bassist Cosmo Pusateri’s case–all-black contacts, the band created a mysterious aura that fit the dark melodies of their music. Their energy was the perfect start to the day, and it’s truly a shame they had to play first when the crowd was still filtering in. I expect we’ll see more from them one day soon.
Next, I caught Sleep Theory’s set on the Upheaval stage. This rock band from Memphis, TN is one I’ve had the pleasure of seeing before and will absolutely see again. The band’s catchy beats and emotional lyrics were a crowd favorite as fans shouted along to the lyrics with others already crowd surfing. Excitingly, we got to hear some unreleased and newer music from them. Each band member brought infectious energy to their playing, making it impossible to look away from their performance. Vocalist Cullen Moore was especially fun to watch as he ran around the stage and then had the crowd hold him up by his legs while he sang the final chorus of their last song. I’ve no doubt we’ll see them headline one of these festivals sooner rather than later.
After Sleep Theory’s set, I made my way back up the hill to the Lookout stage to catch Shallow Side’s set. Since they’re a rock band from Cullman, AL, I knew I had to see their performance, since I’m also from Alabama. Despite being unfamiliar with them, as soon as their set began, the crowd was immediately engaged, especially as guitarist Codey Red and bassist Sam Bower headbanged as they played, making expressive faces to the crowd. Their set was a lot of fun, and I hope to see them again soon!
Back down at the Upheaval Stage was Drowning Pool, a rock band from Dallas, TX. Even though all of the bands up until this point had been energetic in their performances, Drowning Pool really took it up a notch, all of their members in constant motion. Vocalist Ryan McCombs engrossed the crowd as he picked up his microphone stand, raising it high over his head to thunderous applause before swinging it around as he headbanged. Their setlist was a perfect blend of their iconic hits and newer tracks, showcasing their evolution as a band and showcasing their heavy rock roots. The crowd clearly fed off the band’s energy, since we saw a big increase in crowd surfers and moshers by the end of their set.
The next band I saw perform is a personal favorite of mine, I See Stars, an Electronicore group from Warren, MI. Every time I’ve seen I See Stars live, their performance has been dazzling, and today was no different. As soon as the opening chords to “Running with Scissors” rang out, vocalist Devin Oliver burst onto the stage, where he faced the crowd, arms wide. Their stage presence can only be described as breathtaking. It was impossible to look away from any of the band members as they rocked out while playing their instruments. Soon enough, though, Oliver called for the second song to stop when someone in the crowd was injured. He waited until the situation had been handled before resuming, stating that we all needed to take care of each other. Then, in a touching moment, Oliver talked about the importance of mental health. He explained why I See Stars had to take a break for a bit, but that it allowed them to come back stronger than ever. The crowd shouted out their support. By the time I See Stars finished their set, I knew theirs would be one of the most memorable performances of the day.
Since I stayed until the end of I See Stars’s set, which ran over a little because of a second crowd injury halfway through, I was a bit late in getting to Badflower’s set back down the hill at the Upheaval stage. The alternative band is based in Los Angeles, CA, and is composed of vocalist/guitarist Josh Katz, lead guitarist Joey Morrow, bassist Alex Espiritu, and drummer Anthony Sonetti. The crowd was endlessly entertained and constantly laughing as Josh Katz bantered with everyone. In contrast to Katz’s lightheartedness, several of Badflower’s songs are renowned for tackling heavy subjects with a raw intensity and unflinching honesty. Their song “Ghost” is one of the most devastating yet cathartic songs I’ve ever listened to, and seeing it live was both healing and emotional in ways I find difficult to explain. Their set displayed Katz’s powerful and gritty vocals, as well as the dynamic heavy-hitting instrumentals from Morrow, Espiritu, and Sonetti.
Once again, it was time to make my way back up the hill to the Lookout Stage, this time to see Stabbing Westward, an alternative rock band formed in Macomb, IL in 1992. The band’s energy was infectious as they opened their first song, their stage presence equally electrifying. Vocalist Christopher Hall immediately leaped onto the speakers in front of the stage to get closer to the crowd. His guttural vocals carried across the festival grounds, while guitarist/keyboardist Walter Flakus, guitarist Cyamak Ashtiani, and drummer Bobby Amaro put on a powerful display of gripping instrumentals. The crowd was so excited to see them live that several mosh pits opened throughout. About halfway through the set, a wheelchair user was lifted into the air to crowdsurf. Hall, who was mid-lyric, saw the display and exclaimed, “this is crazy!” in excited astonishment. Stabbing Westeard’s performance showcased just how relevant they still are in the rock scene today.
Down at the Upheaval stage, it was time for Beartooth, a hard rock band from Columbus, OH. Despite having seen them three times before, because of Beartooth’s ability to put on a unique performance each time, it felt like my first show all over again, which is not something I often get to experience. The band’s heavy riffs and powerful vocals immediately enraptured the crowd. Many were familiar with the lyrics and sang at the top of their lungs with vocalist Caleb Shomo, who belted out the words in a powerful cadence. Each band member displayed an electric energy that was completely contagious. Shomo especially was the perfect showman, constantly in motion and engaging with the crowd. Every few songs, he would change his outfits to match either the song or album being performed. Combining that extra detail with the visuals on the screens at the back of the stage, really enhanced their stage show.
Before beginning their song “Disease,” Shomo talked a bit about the band’s journey, and how it hasn’t always been an easy one. He stated how grateful he is to be able to sing about being happy now since that wasn’t always the case. He told the crowd, “Wherever you are in your journey, we’re just here to give you an hour to let it all go,” and let it go the crowd did.
Drummer Connor Denis had his moment to shine during a drum solo, where every eye in the crowd was on him. His striking technique was captivating, and it was further enhanced by the utilization of pyrotechnics. The crowd roared their approval as he played, and when he finished, they cheered for more.
Excitingly, during their last song, “In Between,” Shomo invited vocalist Cullen Moore of Sleep Theory to join him on vocals, and it was an incredible experience. Moore is one talented vocalist, and getting to hear him in a range unfamiliar to Sleep Theory songs was a true treat.
Beartooth’s performance was absolutely one of the highlights of day 2, if not the whole festival. They are a must-see band!
It was time for my final trip up the hill to see From Ashes to New, a nu metal band from Lancaster, PA, headline the Lookout stage. They’re another band I’ve seen several times before, and even though it’s close to the double digits, I never get tired of seeing them live. Their crowd interactions are always the best. It always feels so personal at a From Ashes to New show with the way vocalists Danny Case and Matt Brandyberry take the time to chat with the crowd between songs. In watching them live, it’s clear how much they care about their fans. Not only are they always thanking them for their support, but they’re always looking out for everyone, too. In fact, during the second song, Brandyberry stopped their set because two young girls were having a difficult time dealing with the crowd surfers. To make sure they still got to have a good time, Brandyberry had security lift them over the barricade and let them stand near the stage for the rest of the show. He gave both girls a high five before resuming the song.
Something else to be enjoyed about their shows is the fun antics between each other and with the crowd. Between songs, Case and Brandyberry assigned themselves one side of the crowd, and then they had a cheering contest to see which side was the loudest. The crowd was loving it, especially when the two vocalists would pick fun at each other and try to sway fans from the other person’s side to cheer for them instead.
Even though the sun hadn’t set yet, the crowd lit up their cellphones and held them high in the air as they sang along to the band’s iconic “Through it All.” There was such a sense of community as the crowd harmonized with the vocalists. Guitarist Lance Dowdle, touring guitarist Jimmy Bennett, and drummer Matty Madiro added to the song with enlivened instrumentals, bringing the energy in the field to a crescendo.
Finally, it was time for the moment everyone had been waiting for. There were many times throughout the day when people mentioned how excited they were for Bad Omens, day 2’s headliner. This metalcore band from Richmond, VA has recently skyrocketed into fame, and their large fan base was definitely apparent in the festival’s audience who crowded the grounds of Belknap Park. Because Bad Omens closed their photo pit, I had to take my pictures for this review from the crowd. This isn’t the first show I’ve had to do this for, but it was certainly the most difficult, with fans clambering to get as close to the stage as possible, and others loathe to let anyone else through. Once the music started, it was almost impossible to move around.
Bad Omens opened their fourteen-song set list with “Artificial Suicide,” one of their heaviest songs. The crowd instantly responded by opening a mosh pit and sending out a wave of crowdsurfers. For the first song, the stage was shrouded in fog, and with the lighting set to a dramatic intensity, and each band member wearing a black ski mask, it really made for a commanding presence. Additionally, the LED screens across the entire back wall of the stage that showcased different artwork and lights to match their songs really emphasized their technicalities as a band. And when the pyrotechnics and C02 cannons began firing, it was nothing short of impressive.
Each band member was captivated as they performed to the crowd. Drummer Nick Folio is especially to be complimented with his constant energy and intense focus that was visually compelling and impossible to look away from. And considering the fact that his drumkit was raised high on a platform, the entire festival grounds had the perfect view of him.
While I do wish the band had interacted with the crowd a little bit, their dynamic stage presence definitely made up for it. Bassist Nicholas Ruffilo and guitarist Joakim “Jolly” Karlsson were tight and technical in their playing, while vocalist Noah Sebastian dazzled the crowd with his impressive vocal range, switching effortlessly from a breezy falsetto to a harsh growl.
Bad Omens closed their set out with their other heavy song, “Dethrone,” and I daresay not a single person refrained from headbanging. When the final notes rang out, the crowd shouted for more as the band made their way off the stage.
I couldn’t be more pleased with my first festival experience. Upheaval Festival was so well managed and organized, and the staff was attentive to the crowd the entire time. I watched the security and med teams run all over the place both days just to make sure everyone was taken care of. Their efforts were noticed and greatly appreciated by all!
The lineup of bands was excellently curated. There was a perfect mix of bands both familiar and not, which allowed the crowd to rock out to their favorites while also being introduced to some new talent.
If you’re looking for a festival to attend, I can confidently recommend Upheaval Festival. This may have been my first time in attendance, but after the experience I had, I’m sure I’ll be back!
Upheaval Festival Day 1 Coverage can be found HERE
I’ve always been the creative type, but nothing quite beats how it felt the first time I picked up a camera. Once I photographed my first concert, I knew I had found my passion. As an avid concert-goer, getting to combine my love of music with my love of photography is like a dream come true!