Festival Noize: Gathering Of The Vibes, Mayhem and Rockapalooza

Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule are return guests for the 18^th annual Gathering Of The Vibes festival set for July 25-28 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Conn.  The Haynes-helmed Gov’t Mule joins a lineup featuring Phil Lesh & Friends (two nights!), The Black Crowes, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Grace Potter And The Nocturnals and others.

“I love playing the Vibes,” Haynes said.  “Vibes is one of the early festivals built around the ‘jam band’ community.  As we are half jam band (and half rock ’n’ roll band), it’s important to us to stay connected with all the roots as they grow.”

Gov’t Mule will appear on the Vibes’ main stage July 27.

There’s a good reason the annual Vibes has jam-band roots.  Launched as “Deadhead Heaven: Gathering Of The Tribe” in 1996, founder Ken Hays and a couple of his friends established the first festival as a way for Grateful Dead fans to come together one year after the passing of Jerry Garcia.

Another addition to this year’s Vibes will be saxman Bill Evans who will perform with various acts throughout the weekend.  For more Vibes news, including the festival opening up its Late Night Stage to single-day ticketholders for the first time ever, visit GatheringOfTheVibes.com.

Beer may not be the first thing that comes to mind when a festival is sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink.  However, the caffeinated company’s annual touring Mayhem festival sez it will serve $4 beers throughout the tour.  That is, except in Houston where the price will be $5 per brew and in Bangor and Boise where prices will vary.

There’s plenty of metal on this year’s tour to go with those $4 beers.  This year’s lineup features Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Mastodon, Amon Amarth, Machine Head, Children Of Bodom and many more.

The festival recently announced a radio contest for 20 markets in which winners will have a pre-show meet-and-greet with Zombie and receive all of his CDs and DVDs.  The prize package also includes a golf cart ride with Five Finger Death Punch’s Chris Kael in which the winner will watch the band of his/her choice from the stage and an opportunity to intro Zombie onstage.  Other prizes include a Jägermeister “Shot Meister” machine for home use and a one-year supply of Rockstar Energy Drink.

The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour begins June 29 in San Bernardino, Calif.  Check out the festival’s website for more info. 

Speaking of festivals with energy-drink companies in their titles, the Monster Energy Rockapalooza extravaganza scheduled for June 21-23 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Jackson, Mich., has added IROG pro wrestling.

The festival launches the weekend with a free pre-party featuring headliner Mushroomhead.  Organizers have also added  a pre-party car show.

Although we’re talking about Rockapalooza, the actual Rockapalooza Festival takes place June 22 and features Mushroomhead along with Candlebox, Saliva, Adam Gontier, Surrender The Fall and others.

On Sunday the weekend morphs into “Countrypalooza” with headliners Jacob Martin, Hellbound Glory and Gunner & The Grizzly Boys along with Scott Thompson Band, Matt Ryan and more.

Back to the grappling.  Wrestling is slotted for Friday and Sunday while Saturday is reserved for steel cage matches.  Click here for more Rockapalooza info.