The Amnesia Rockfest has announced its 2014 lineup, and you’re not going to want to miss this.
Held in Montebello, Quebec, along the Ottawa River, Amnesia Rockfest is proudly Canada’s biggest rock festival. Last year, the festival attracted more than 100,000 fans and generated $10 million for the local economy. But that’s boring statistics. The festival, while primarily a heavy metal and punk rock affair, attracts bands from a variety of related genres, including classic rock, hardcore, pop punk, ska, and death metal.
Basically, the point here is that if you’re a metalhead, a rock fan or a punker, and you live in eastern Ontario, Quebec, or in any of the north-eastern states, you’re going to want to mark your calendar and make plans for the weekend of June 20th – 21st.
Seriously, Amnesia Rockfest aways seems to outdo itself each and every year with its lineup. This year’s includes heavyweights like Megadeth (a favorite of mine), Motley Crue (who will start their “Final Tour” in July), Blink-182 (who will be taking a break from the studio to play Amnesia), Alice in Chains, Danzig, Primus, Five Finger Death Punch, NOFX, Cyprus Hill, Mastadon, Black Flag, Misfits, Suicidal Tendencies, and so many more. In fact, there will be about 150 bands to try to see over the two day festival.
Highlights of the Amnesia Rockfest include the all new international stage that will focus on heavy metal acts and the Punk Rock Karaoke on Friday night where fans will be able to get on stage and perform with members of NOFX and Bad Religion. There is also the promise to fans that there will be many surprises and secret performances in store. Also, there will be rides, a rock n’ roll museum, a haunted house, street entertainers, and fire-eaters to help enhance the carnival-like and festive atmosphere.
Tickets are now on sale at www.amnesiarockfest.com and soon at all Amnesia stores. See the site and press release below for additional details.
Rock Hard \m/
The Outaouais Rock team is proud to announce the complete lineup for the 9th edition of Amnesia Rockfest, the largest rock festival in Canada, to be held on June 20-21 at the Montebello marina in the Outaouais. Approximately 150 bands in all will hit the festival’s stages.
The Lineup
Headliners will include the very popular California punk-rock band Blink-182, who will leave the studio for a rare concert this year to close out the first night. Iconic rock ’n roll band Mötley Crüe will headline the second night a week before kicking off their Final Tour.
Also performing will be the alternative band Weezer, grunge band Alice In Chains, metal pioneers Megadeth, Canadian rock/punk band Billy Talent and the inimitable Primus. Among the other bands on hand will be NOFX, as well as Five Finger Death Punch, Cypress Hill, A Day To Remember, Danzig with Doyle, Mastodon, The Used, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, Joan Jett, Reverend Horton Heat, Fishbone and many more.
As always, punk-rock will be featured: Lagwagon, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Streetlight Manifesto, Bigwig (reunion), Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, Face To Face, Strung Out, Anti-Flag, 88 Fingers Louie (reunion), MXPX, The Vandals, Guttermouth, Alkaline Trio, New Found Glory, The Casualties and many others. Several punk and hardcore legends will add to the mix, including Cock Sparrer, Black Flag and Fear, none of whom have appeared in Quebec for over 20 years. Groups such as Misfits, Dead Kennedys, Henry Rollins and Suicidal Tendencies will also be appearing.
Rockfest will also introduce a new international stage focusing on metal. Bands will include Venom (after not appearing in Quebec for over 20 years), Meshuggah, Cradle Of Filth, Cannibal Corpse and August Burns Red.
In rotation with the main stage, the Quebec stage will present the pillars of the Quebec alternative scene. Several defunct groups will reunite for one show at Amnesia Rockfest: Despised Icon (exclusive Canadian reunion), Mononc’ Serge & Anonymus (exclusive reunion), Reset (original band with Pierre Bouvier and Chuck Comeau of Simple Plan; exclusive reunion), The Sainte Catherines (exclusive reunion), Exterio (exclusive reunion), Obliveon (exclusive reunion), Anonymus (original band with Marco Calliari) and Fifty Nutz. Along with these reunions, bands such as Grimskunk, The Planet Smashers and many more will also be performing.
Finally, several emerging artists will open the various stages in order to gain maximum visibility and each of them will receive a fee. At the end of the evening on Friday, the original Punk Rock Karaoke will provide an opportunity for festival-goers to sing their favourite songs on stage with members of NOFX and Bad Religion. At the end of the evening on Saturday, there will be a tribute to No Use For A Name; it should be noted that the last time the band performed with Tony Sly before he died was at Rockfest 2012. Several surprises and secret performances are also in store for festival-goers.
Important Changes to the Site, Hosting and Logistics
Changes made by management to the festival this year include the expansion of the festival site and the camping areas, as well as indoor evening showcases (the lineup will be unveiled in the coming weeks). Several activities will also be added to the usual festivities, including rides, a rock n’ roll museum and a haunted house. Street entertainers and fire-eaters will help boost the carnival-like and festive atmosphere.
The Festival d’été de Québec, through its sister company 3E évènement-expérience-émotion (event-experience-emotion), will be in charge of production and logistics for the 9th edition of Rockfest. Other partners include P. Miron Consultants, specialized in field logistics and Orkestra, a Gatineau agency that will be in charge of managing the festival’s peripheral activities
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale at www.amnesiarockfest.com and soon at all Amnesia stores. Once again, the festival is offering passports at a very affordable price: $99 + fees and taxes, which works out to $0.66 per group! With the enthusiasm generated so far and such a solid lineup, the team is confident that the festival will sell out for the 2nd straight year.
Please note that VIP packages are available. Finally, bus packages from Montreal, Quebec City and other cities will also be available soon.
