Amidst a plethora of tornado warnings, copious amounts of rainfall and flooding, nearly 70,000 fans poured into the Rocklahoma festival grounds over Memorial Day weekend for a joyous celebration of life, liberty and the pursuit of rock.
2019 marked the 13th year that the event has been held in Pryor, Oklahoma and the less-than-ideal weather and late lineup change would not keep fans from enjoying three stages of eclectic entertainment.
Friday was highlighted by a riveting performance from Shinedown, but it was Steel Panther that really brought the house down with their tongue-in-cheek set of sexually laden material. This year, a most welcome inclusion was the DB Roadhouse stage, which was enclosed and provided much-needed solace for sun-drenched fans. Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley was a major hit on this stage Sunday as he dazzled an overflow crowd with Kiss classics and hits from his solo albums.
Sure, Saturday headliner Ozzy Osbourne was noticeably absent after suffering a fall recently but Korn filled in admirably, bringing a much-needed intense closing to night two after In the Moment and Tech Nine invigorated the crowd earlier in the day.
Sunday provided, by far, the best weather of the entire weekend with temps hovering in the low 80’s and no rain or tornado sirens to be seen. The day was highlighted by outstanding and crowd-pleasing performances from the tastefully bizarre Avatar, Rocklahoma veterans Jackyl and 90’s sensations Bush on the main stage. Bush delivered the performance of the night with set of hits that included many classics from their debut album “Sixteen Stone.”
Gavin Rossdale continues to exert himself as one of the most underrated frontmen in rock and he even bravely waded out into the masses and fought off unwelcomed hugs from large, sweaty men to perform “Little Things.” Rossdale’s crowd interaction and energy was extremely impressive and won over the fans from the opening chords of “Machinehead” to the final notes of their last song “Comedown.”
The truth is, regardless of lineups, weather or logistics, this festival has continued to endure year after year. People have no problem making their way to a desolate campground in the middle of nowhere, Oklahoma to celebrate “the fundamentals of rock n’ roll” as Jackyl frontman Jesse James Dupree would say. While other festivals are floundering and plagued with cancellations, Rocklahoma continues to be the most fan-friendly and consistent festival of its kind in America.
