Welcome to Rockville Takes Over Daytona

Words by: Scott Keller

Photos: Canonblue Lalley

All music images minus Badflower are from previous shows of the same artists featured at WTR2021 due to Covid restrictions.

-Rockville slays at new venue, Officially becomes America's biggest rock festival-

The tenth edition of Welcome to Rockville grew out of a period of uncertainty and emerged a screaming success. Previously held during the spring in Jacksonville, Florida's Metropolitan Park, Rockville had recently announced their relocation to Daytona International Speedway and a mammoth lineup just before Covid came along and shut down live music around the world. Rather than waiting until 2022's event, Danny Wimmer Presents and company managed to get the show rolling again for us just before Thanksgiving (Thanks!). For thousands of those in attendance, it was the first major festival or perhaps even the first concert that they had been to in over a year. A different time of year, a new venue, lineup changes and lingering pandemic concerns meant that many festivalgoers didn't know exactly what to expect when they showed up...

But they showed up.

Over 161,000 headbangers rolled into Daytona for this year's four day event (five if you count Wednesday's preparty), plus 1.2 million joined in on the festival's live stream from abroad, breaking event records and allowing Welcome to Rockville to claim the title of America's biggest rock festival. 

-THE MUSIC-

2021's lineup was enormous. The four day bill was led by heavy hitters such as Slipknot, Disturbed, The Offspring, the recently reunited Mudvayne, and not one, but two powerhouse performances from Metallica, one of which featured the band performing their iconic "Black Album" in its entirety for its 30th anniversary. Cypress Hill had the entire speedway in party mode, and Lynyrd Skynyrd had people singing their hearts out to songs they've loved for decades. The middle tier of bands was packed full of many of the strongest newer acts in active rock, such as Badflower, and one of my personal favorite sets of the weekend, Ayron Jones.

"All the bands did great, but I thought the chicks really brought it this year," said Chassity from Ocean Springs, referring to killer day one performances from Dorothy, Dead Sara, Spiritbox and Siiickbrain.

"Metallica's first show was absolutely amazing with the pyro," said Joanne, who traveled with her husband Jesse to Rockville all the way from Alaska. "My other favorite was Disturbed. I may be a little biased due to they are my favorite band... I did love how both bands played great music and interacted with the crowd and fans."

This year's addition of the Twitch Stage, situated in an enclave between the main festival grounds and the campgrounds, featured a variety of unsigned and up-and-coming acts. The Twitch stage offered a festival pre-party, and kept the live music going after the main headliners had finished, offering guests a place to hang and keep rocking out until later in the evening.

In all, over seventy bands rocked Daytona for 2021's event.

-THE GROUNDS-

Moving into a new venue can be a major change for any recurring event, but even though this was the first time at Daytona, it still felt like Rockville. Two massive main stages (Space Zebra and SiriusXM Octane) sat at either end of the festival grounds, with the midsize Rockvillian stage at the edge of the midsection, and the Twitch stage near the campground and parking lot entrances. Rows of food vendors, bars, art, sponsors and more are scattered throughout. Wanna buy a vape? Some original artwork? They have shops for that. Want to sample Metallica's Blackened Whiskey, or Maynard James Keenan's delicious Caduceus wine? Yep, they're out there. Thinking about a career in the U.S. Army? Hell, they were rocking out with us too. 

Large box murals were scattered throughout the grounds, many of which featured iconic album covers, photography or lyrics from performing bands, completely sealing that feeling that you are actively living in one of rock and roll's great moments. Some featured original art that was created on the spot, and changed from day to day. One such piece had "Welcome to Rockville" slashed out and replaced with "Welcome to the Jungle," serving as a subtle teaser just a day prior to the official announcement of Guns n' Roses for 2022. 

I might add, they also come in handy for keeping up with your party in the crowd... "Meet me by the plague doctor at 7:30 before Lamb of God."

"I enjoyed the whole experience of being inside the speedway and being able to come and go from the campground," said Chassity, "Everything was right there."

As beautiful and enjoyable as Metropolitan Park was, the relocation to Daytona allowed Welcome to Rockville to accommodate record numbers, and the organizers will continue pushing forward with the location. 

-THE CAMPING-

Welcome to Rockville offers both RV and car/tent camping inside the speedway. My group has sworn by the campgrounds ever since the festival began offering the option back in Jacksonville, as I firmly believe it adds to the immersion and the overall fun of a music festival experience. While some attendees may live nearby, or prefer other accommodations such as nearby hotels or other lodging, I find that there's no better way to wrap up a long day of rock and roll than skipping the traffic and taking a short walk back to your site, throwing something on a grill and enjoying your own afterparty alongside a few thousand other likeminded music lovers.

Camping at the speedway isn't exactly "roughing it" either. Built in restroom facilities, port-o-lets, on site shower trailers, a general store and food vendors ensure campers have everything they need for a comfortable stay. The grounds are well maintained and lit just enough for you to be able to see at night without being too bright to sleep. Campers are typically respectful of each other and the quiet hours once the revelry is over, though the  metalhead's call of "SLAAAAYEERRR!" still occasionally break's the night's silence. The only real drawback to camping is if the weather happens to go south (2019, anyone?), but for those who are prepared to handle the outdoors and like a taste of adventure with their music, camping at Rockville is definitely something to look into.

-ROCKVILLE 2022-

Welcome to Rockville returns to the spring this year and is set for May 19th through 22nd at Daytona International Speedway, and promises to be just as badass as ever.

Guns n' Roses, KISS, Foo Fighters and Korn have been announced as the headlining acts, and tickets are on sale now. The return to May means we only have a few months to go, so if you wanna get loud with us, head over to their website and start planning your most excellent journey now. We'll see you at the speedway.

--

Scott Keller

Music Writer, Coast Observer

scott@coastobserver.com

IG @scottiredd9