Festival Noize: Rock On The Range & Glastonbury

Linkin Park, Slipknot and Judas Priest will lead the multitudes through a May weekend … Glastonbury announces Lionel Richie as the festival’s first confirmed artist.

The rumbling from Rock On The Range organizers is the festival’s lineup, an almost endless list of bands descending on Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, May 15-17. 

Featuring Linkin Park, Slipknot and Judas Priest topping the ticket, ROTR will also host Godsmack, Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benjamin, Rise Against, Volbeat, Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Papa Roach, Halestorm, Of Mice & Men, and Ministry.

But that’s just a quick brush across the ROTR surface.  The festival, part of the “World’s Loudest Month,” will also present Anthrax, Tech N9ne, In This Moment, Hollywood Undead, Live, Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts, Yelawolf, In Flames, Motionless in White, Saxon and many, many others.

“We’re very excited to be back and playing Rock On The Range,” Breaking Benjamin’s Ben Burnley said.  “It was an honor to be a part of the very first ROTR back in ’07 and we’re grateful to return to be a part of this amazing rock ’n’ roll event.”

Visit ROTR’s Facebook page and grab the code for a specially priced presale going on now through Dec. 5 at 9:59 a.m. EST.  Regularly priced general admission tickets go on sale Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. EST.  Check out RockOnTheRange.com for everything you need to know.

Photo: Edison Graff
Pearl Concert Theater, Las Vegas, Nev.

The , scheduled for June 24-28, is also known for fielding a zillion or so acts but at this time organizers are only talking about one single artist – Lionel Richie.

The man whose long list of hits includes “Truly,” “All Night Long (All Night),” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me” and “Dancing On The Ceiling” will play the Sunday teatime slot on the Pyramid Stage June 28.

“We are over the moon,” Glastonbury’s Emily Eavis said. “We’ve had some amazing performances in the Sunday teatime slot over the years, from Neil Diamond, Shirley Bassey, Paul Simon and many others. And, of course, Dolly Parton played an incredible set this year.  So we felt very lucky to get the call from a true Motown legend asking to play next year.”

What does Richie have to say about his Glastonbury debut?

 “I’m really excited to play Glastonbury next year as it’s one of the most iconic festivals in the world,” Richie said, according to London’s Guardian.  “It has a phenomenal history and the alumni of artists who have previously played is incredible so I’m honoured to be joining that club.  It will be a really special moment for me and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.  I can now say ‘Yes, I’m playing Glastonbury!”

Photo: AP Photo / Gerald Herbert
Essence Music Festival, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.

Alas, there are no tickets available, at least not through official channels.  Glastonbury sold out of its 150,000 tickets almost immediately after the festival launched its onsale in October.