Rockstar Disrupt Festival Takes Over Mid Florida Amphitheater
June 26th
The first ever Rockstar Energy Disrupt Festival made its fifth stop of the tour in Tampa at the Mid Florida Amphitheater. Walking into the venue had the start of high expectations with the line of eager concert goes wrapping around the front of the entrance and the sound of ATTACK, ATTACK! being pumped through the monitors from the 98Rock tent (Tampa Bays Rock Station). Once through the gates, people were lining up at their favorite bands merch booths or one of the many tents selling everything from handmade jewelry and flags to even getting the chance to win an Indian motorcycle. But the big draw was to the Rockstar energy lounge next to the Festival Stage. Here you could take a seat and relax with your drink in the shade and be close enough to hear and see everyone playing with ease.
Aside from the many activities and attractions throughout the venue, something that set this tour apart form many other festivals was the setup of of one band performing at a time and closing out the Festival Stage prior to the main stage acts. This is something that was talked about in high regard not only by press covering the show, but many of the fans in attendance. Having this kind of production allows everyone to enjoy one stage at a time and not have to run back and forth and miss any of the bands. The Rockstar Disrupt Festival also offers 3 different VIP options offering limited edition merch and access and 4 different meet and great options for acts The Used, Memphis May Fire, Sleeping With Sirens and Atreyu.
Hyro The Hero kicked off the Festival Stage. Since his released his first mix tape back in 2007, Hyro has put out two albums 2011’s Birth, School, Work, Death and 2018’s Flagged Channel. He is also no stranger to the festival scene, having been on Soundwave, Warped Tour and Summer Sonic. Juliet Simms is no stranger to success. Her career started back in 2007 with her band Automatic Loveletter which produced two albums and two EP’s. Her solo career has produced 2016’s album From The Grave as well as an EP and two singles and just released a new single in June entitled “Bad Love”. In 2012 she soared to the final two on the hit show The Voice and was then signed to her coach on the show, CeeLo Green’s label. Coming to us from the Land Down Under, Trophy Eyes has been on the pop punk scene since 2013. The band has put out 3 full lengths on Hopeless Records, as well as an impressive list of 13 singles. Trophy Eyes is fresh of a success Australian tour with Bring Me The Horizon in April. Massachusetts is no stranger to producing successful punk and hardcore bands, and Four Years Strong is no exception. They are one of the more seasoned veterans on the tour. Starting out in 2001, Four Years Strong have toured the world over with some of the biggest names in music including Faith No More, Blink 182, Jane’s Addiction and Rise Against.
Black Veil Brides singer Andy Black started his solo career in 2016 with his first album The Shadow Side recently followed that up with The Ghost Of Ohio in February of this year. Another highlight from 2016 was his marriage to long time girlfriend and Disrupt Fest act Juliet Simms. Orlando based band Sleeping With Sirens closed out what was a dominate afternoon on the Festival Stage. Having the “home field advantage” helped the band put an exclamation point on a killer set which included at one point a photographer helping singer Kellin Quinn tie his shoe mid song.
At 6pm sharp, the main stage festivities kicked off with Memphis May Fire. Broken is the bands latest release on Rise Records, which gained billboard success right away with the singles “Live
Another Day” and “Heavy Is The Weight”. MMF played a blistering set to get the crowd going and serve up a taste of things to come. The Story So far followed with their edgier pop punk catalog stretching back to 2011’s Under Soil And Dirt. Though their onstage presence mite appear monotone, the band certainly got the fans moving the set. Doylestown, PA’s Circa Survive came out on stage with the agenda the set the pace high, and they certainly succeeded. Singer Anthony Green walked out to the edge of the stage, took a look out at the sea of fans and immediately jumped down to the barrier to greet the fans with hands shakes, hugs and an opportunity to belt out vocals. This quickly became the most talked about part of the entire show.
After 2011, everyone thought that Thrice had all but called it quits, but luckily in 2015 they reformed and have put out some of their best material to date. The band had been one of the most talked about acts on the bill since the lineup had been released. Thrice’s performance had left everyone on aww between their stage show and just how captivating the song selection had been. As night falls on the amphitheater, a stop animation cartoon starts to play on the screen covering the stage. But as the lights start and the band kicks in, it falls just in time to reveal Bert McCracken rushing on stage. The band break right into “Take It Away” and “The Bird And The Worm” bringing nothing but high energy the entire time. The Used brought the entire day to a close and it’s one the awill remember for a long time. The show was a unanimous success everywhere it was been and like everyone else, I can’t wait until next year.
The Rockstar Disrupt Festival finishes the tour in Albuquerque, NM on the 28th, so make sure to get to a show in a city near you. For tickets, VIP packages and other info, visit their website at www.rockstardisrupt.com. And a big thanks to the tours sponsors Rockstar Energy Drink, Loudwire, Mortus Viventi, Harder, Emo Nite, Blacklist, Uprise, SYKE, Ooze, Beyond The Lies, To Write Love On Her Arms and PeTA. And also to The Mid-Florida Credit Amphitheater for doing such a great job with hosting a show of this size.
