Images and assessment by Sean Matthews
Day 1 (Arch Enemy, Three Days Grace, Shinedown, The Fairly Reckless, Halestorm, Bullet For My Valentine, Asking Alexandria)
Day 2 (Elegant, Social Distortion, Kublai Khan TX, Killswitch Interact, Jimmy Eat World, Inexperienced Day)
Day 3 (Pierce The Veil, Linkin Park, Incubus, I Prevail, Hollywood Undead, Beartooth)
Day 4 (Mudvayne, Immobile In White, Memphis Could Fireplace, Korn, The Black Dahlia Homicide)
Welcome to Rockville 2025: A Scorcher of a Competition, However a Celebration Like No Different
Welcome to Rockville was a furnace. The four-day marathon at Daytona Worldwide Speedway introduced record-high temperatures but in addition delivered unforgettable performances, considerate fan experiences, and a group spirit that refused to soften underneath the Florida solar. Over 200,000 followers braved the warmth to witness greater than 150 bands tear by way of 5 phases, and due to the wonderful administration by Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP), the occasion remained secure, energized, and downright legendary.
From the get-go, it was clear this yr’s Rockville can be completely different. With temperatures hovering effectively above 100°F each day, DWP stepped up in a giant method. They added extra shade, tents, and water refill stations in a single day, dropped the value of bottled water, and saved crowds cool with sprinklers and fireplace hoses. Their consideration to element didn’t go unnoticed, with followers appreciating the dedication to security and luxury in really brutal circumstances.
A welcome addition this yr was the Sirius XM Tent, the place fan-favorite hosts Caity Babs, Shannon Gunz, and Jose Mangin performed stay interviews with bands proper in entrance of followers, providing a novel, intimate behind-the-scenes expertise.
Thursday
The pageant kicked off with phases spaced extensive aside and overlapping schedules, making it tough to catch each act… particularly underneath the scorching solar. Nonetheless, the vitality was excessive.
The Fairly Reckless delivered their ordinary punch of powerhouse vocals and charisma. Taylor Momsen appeared particularly related to the gang, roaming the stage and soaking within the second of their third Welcome To Rockville look.
Halestorm, launched warmly by Jose Mangin, shocked followers with 4 stay debuts from their upcoming album Fallen Star. Songs like “WATCH OUT!” and “Everest” hit onerous, and the Octane Stage grew to become a fan-favorite launchpad.
Asking Alexandria, nonetheless channeling their signature edge, introduced a extra animated efficiency than their Sonic Temple set, regardless of Danny Worsnop braving the potential for warmth stroke underneath his newly discovered layers of heavy clothes.
Three Days Grace, now fronted by each Matt Walst and Adam Gontier, paid emotional tribute to Three Doorways Down (who needed to cancel) with a crowd-shaking cowl of “Away From the Solar.”
Bullet for My Valentine proved their lasting relevance by drawing an enormous crowd to the aspect phases with a career-spanning set and their customary fiery visuals.
Closing the evening was Shinedown, who ignited the Speedway, fairly actually, with explosive vitality. Pyro capturing from all angles, backstage, and even the sound board, it appears as if they’ve taken a web page out of Rammstein’s playbook. Their setlist blended previous and new, featured a stirring cowl of “Kryptonite,” and ended on a excessive be aware with “Easy Man” alongside Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Friday
The second day was all about catching bands missed at earlier festivals.
Jimmy Eat World radiated pleasure, visibly grateful for his or her place on the Rockville lineup, whereas Jinjer surprised with Tatiana Shmailyuk’s jaw-dropping vocal transitions and commanding presence.
Elegant introduced the seashore vibes to the Octane Stage. Jakob Nowell saved his father’s legacy alive with appeal, swagger, and a contagious smile. He requested the gang if he ought to surf a bit, and that was finally vetoed by his workforce.
Kublai Khan TX packed the aspect phases past capability, dominating with uncooked depth and fan interplay. They’re clearly destined for larger billing.
Killswitch Interact turned up the warmth fairly actually, with fire-heavy visuals whilst temperatures hit triple digits. A setlist mixing old-school bangers with new hits like “I Consider” saved the gang fired up.
The night closed with a bang… Inexperienced Day. Initially met with skepticism as a Rockville headliner, the punk legends threw the most important celebration of the weekend. That they had the gang singing alongside to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” earlier than even hitting the stage. Billie Joe, Tre, and Mike proved they haven’t aged a day, bringing vitality, nostalgia, and one of the vital joyful units in pageant historical past.
Saturday
Saturday was brutal. With warmth indexes pushing 110°F, many followers (and even bands) struggled. Attendance dipped on the smaller, much less shaded phases, however the music didn’t cease.
Hollywood Undead lifted spirits with rotating vocals and instrumentals, even inviting a younger fan, Colton, on stage for an unforgettable second. Their cowl of “Candy Caroline” was a sing-along spotlight.
Beartooth closed their tour with emotion and fireplace… actually. Caleb Shomo thanked followers sincerely as fireworks lit up the sky.
Regardless of lately shedding vocalist Brian Burkheiser, I Prevail placed on a masterclass in resilience. Dylan Bowman stepped up in a giant method, and their artistic cowl medley (that includes Deftones, Alice in Chains, and System of a Down) proved they’re getting into a daring new chapter.
Incubus introduced polished precision, whereas Pierce The Veil captured youthful hearts and rocked a darkish, electrical set, debuting a canopy of Radiohead’s “Karma Police” and bringing out Sleeping with Sirens’ Kellin Quinn for “King for a Day.”
Linkin Park closed the evening, with Mike Shinoda beaming and Emily Armstrong hitting her stride vocally. Whether or not or not followers are offered on the brand new lineup, there’s little doubt Emily offers it her all. Classics like “Crawling” and “Numb” blended seamlessly with new tracks like “The Vacancy Machine,” exhibiting that LP’s evolution is value watching.
Sunday:
Sunday introduced an surprising schedule shift and extra warmth… but in addition among the weekend’s finest moments.
Immobile In White impressed with full make-up and pyro, regardless of the oppressive climate. Chris Cerulli even tossed roses to the gang throughout “Eternally Yours.”
Memphis Could Fireplace pulled a big viewers, many seeing them for the primary time, whereas The Black Dahlia Homicide unleashed chaos on the Vortex Stage with countless crowd surfers.
Mudvayne gave followers each music and a present. Launched by Jose Mangin, Chad Grey’s notorious face paint melted and peeled underneath the warmth… and he threw items of it into the gang!
Lastly, Korn closed out Rockville with brooding lighting, fan-favorite classics (“Blind,” “Twist,” “Falling Away From Me”), and a ferocious crowd response. The pit boiled with emotion and warmth, however nobody was prepared to go away.
Closing Ideas
The 14th version of Welcome to Rockville was a triumph underneath fireplace… actually. The warmth examined followers and bands alike, however the music, group, and energy from the organizers made all of it worthwhile.
If you happen to missed it, mark your calendars. For updates on the 2026 version or upcoming DWP occasions, go to WelcomeToRockville.com.
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See you within the pit (however carry sunscreen subsequent yr).
