The 2015 Monster Energy Aftershock festival didn’t come off without a hitch, but for most people it turned out to be a great weekend of music, food, music, fun and music.
Did I mention the music? Saturday was anchored by Marilyn Manson, Shinedown and horror-rock masters, Slipknot while Sunday was headlined by Jane’s Addiction (with Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro), Faith No More and Sacramento’s own Deftones.
The Saturday night exodus was marred by waits of more than two hours to exit the parking lots, and many attendees went to the Aftershock and Gibson Ranch Facebook pages to vent their frustrations. However, Sunday’s exit times were slashed with many reports of people on the freeways 20-45 minutes after leaving the event.
With nearly 50,000 people attending across both days, Elverta Road was extremely busy for the entire weekend. The adjustments made from Saturday to Sunday made a big difference.
Some neighbors took to Facebook to complain about the noise, and others about illegal parking on Dutch Haven. I encourage those who have issues with the event to take the time to attend the Dry Creek Parkway Advisory Committee meetings at Gibson Ranch and work with Doug Ose’s team to make next year’s event better for everyone.
As an attendee, I arrived on Saturday morning at 10am, and was parked inside 20 minutes. I left early Saturday and again, I was home 20 minutes after getting in my car.
The site was masterfully planned. You don’t realize how big Gibson Ranch is until you’ve walked it in circles ten or more times. The two main stages were side by side, with bands alternating sets on each stage. There was a third stage with headliners as well, and the Coors Light stage near the entrance which smaller, less well known bands played. One of the best sets I saw on Saturday was from Hell or Highwater on the small stage. Vocalist Brandon Saller freely walked in the crowd, microphone in hand while belting out the tunes.
Even World Wrestling Entertainment had a tent set up with a stage and a ring and held four sets of matches with it’s NXT developmental league. In one match, Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor got involved and delivered a blow to wrestler Baron Corbin at ringside.
Aside from an event worker’s truck catching on fire late Saturday afternoon, there were no incidents to mar the event. Port-a-potties, food trucks, and beer booths were plentiful, and from the many people I talked to Saturday, there were no complaints.
Talented Sacramento photographer Cassandra Goddard joined me for the weekend and has delivered some high-quality photographs that are exclusive to RioLindaOnline.com.
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