The Rockpit has been proudly covering Rocklahoma since 2009 – the year we formed and we’ve been back every year since with the exception of 2020 when the Festival fell victim to Covid like so many. So back this year and bumped from its regular Memorial day slot I think it’s fair to say despite a few hiccups Rocklahoma 2021 roared back to life!
So despite delays and line-up changes challenging the event right up until kick-off the organizers came through with a Festival that kicked both the pandemic and the hurricane in Louisiana challenges in the pants. With new sponsors and a new line-up and an encouraging nudge to vax and mask-up we got there after a traditional rain delay! Maybe not like the tornadoes of old but we had more than enough to contend with!
At the end of the day the young guns took their chances and the Headliners were exceptional with Anthrax, Rob Zombie, and Slipknot all lighting up proceedings. At the end of the day you’d have to say that this year the fighting spirit prevailed and everyone enjoyed the show!
FRIDAY
Friday started with some great new faces with Austin Meade putting on a great set that for Metal fans really didn’t need a Dua Lipa cover but they just about got away with it. For many though it was another new act – Jelly Roll that packed most punch and a very big crowd. But there was plenty to love today with both Grandson and Knocked Loose both new to us and both impressing equally.
The set of the day of course though belonged to Rob Zombie and co who held the mainstage and the crowd if not the complete control of the premium ticket-holders. Visually stunning and sonically on-point they know how to play the large stage so well. Friday saw great weather with the move to Labor Day from Memorial Day and so it was a great start to the weekend.
SATURDAY
Saturday saw so much to like – from mainstays to old favourites. Anthrax who first played here in 2009 were back to perform one of the sets of the day as Sunset hit the Festival grounds – it couldn’t have been scripted better. However with worse weather and a storm predicted for later Saturday there was a reworking of set times to give Slipknot an earlier start and thankfully things went ahead albeit with a thinning crowd.
One other thing that changed this year no matter what wristband you had there was none of the free beer that had been with us since 2008 it actually made the reserved seating options a little less enticing and you could see the empty seats before the stage. You can understand why – robbed of a Festival last year, but it did feel like a change too far for some.
Slipknot of course made the day. As their set got nearer the crowds grew and when the came out it was to a huge production of industrial proportions with platforms, pillars and stage props. It was a blast – these guys know their game and you could tell the relief in band and crowd that we’d been robbed of music so long. ‘Wait and Bleed’ was dedicated to the fans and all members of the band past and present. It was a great way to close the day. And when you add The Hu and Motionlessin White to proceedings then Sunday might have just stolen the day against all odds!
SUNDAY
Sunday was a loss for some with Limp Bizkit cancelling a couple of weeks past and the Festival unable to fill the sizeable gap at short notice. There was plenty of speculation but by Festival eve there was nothing so it was great to get the Friday announcement that Mastodon were ready to go! Sadly on the debit side Phil Anselmo’s Pantera tribute cancelled due to Hurricane Ida. As a result it was eft to Halestorm to close out Sunday and you can’t argue with that as the much loved ‘Rok’ veterans returned.
Mastodon though are great – for a band with 20 years on teh clock to be making the music they still are is criminal! With an unchanging line-up they made their Rok debut in incredible style. Metal at its very best! You know what though one of the very best was saved for last as Andrew W.K. that perennial Festival favourite is still kicking ass after seeing him in Europe and Australia he rocked Rocklahoma with a set for the people on the ‘Renegade’ stage that was just plain fun like Rock and Rol should be.
You can’t keep this Festival down!
See you in 2022!
Words by Mark Diggins all Photos by Jess Yarbrough