Concert Review and Photo Gallery: Edgefest 17 at Pizza Hut Park (April 27)

by Kenneth Smith of 2K7 Photography

Over 20 bands + about 20,000 fans + countless vendors + Roller Derby & BMX Demonstrations + Unusually cold weather + Pizza Hut Park = Edgefest 17. That pretty much sums it up. This year's annual festival (courtesy of 102.1 The Edge) certainly delivered in a big way, as we have all come to expect. Mother Nature unfortunately must have missed the memo. With a wind chill that had to be in the negative 20's, concert-goers braved the cold to rock out pretty much all day to some awesome acts. The only positive to the weather would have to be that the usual rancid sweat smell that encompasses the crowd each year was absent, and any band selling hoodies can pretty much retire now based on merch sales alone.

The 2nd and 3rd stages (which were positioned out in the parking lot) rotated in a back-and-forth manner as in past years with one band starting as soon as another finished. Both stages were packed full of great bands but the evening came to a head with Atreyu. These guys put on a stellar performance and really had the crowd going. Local boys Fair To Midland finished off the 3rd stage in a highly energized set, complete with vocalist Darroh Sudderth climbing all over the overhead rafters multiple times. Story of the Year gets the award for Best Entrance of the day. Seconds before their scheduled start time, a tour bus came barreling out of nowhere blowing the horn. It then pulled right up to the backstage ramp to let a few members off right at the stage.

Main Stage had already begun around 1 p.m. with Miser opening the show. Boasting multiple huge acts this year such as Filter, Chevelle, Seether, Puddle of Mudd and Blue October all leading up to (should-be headliners) My Chemical Romance and (Why are they headliners?) 3 Doors Down; the lineup (though notably not as good as previous years) was still able to draw a massive crowd. All in all the show was great and everyone looked to be having a blast. Another toast to The Edge is due, I believe, for making sure that these shows happen each year. As a side note: My Chemical Romance gets the Honorable Mention in the Best Entrance category for emerging onto the stage by running through a giant paper banner that read "EAT SHIT" wearing letterman jackets and football under-eye makeup. Nice job guys!