Epicenter Returns With an Epic 2020 Lineup
Epicenter Music Festival - Official 2020 Line Up Poster - Courtesy of Epicenter Festival
Epicenter Music Festival is an annual rock and metal focused festival at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Epicenter will be returning in 2020 over the weekend of May 1-3. In 2019, Epicenter filled the void left behind by Carolina Rebellion - another rock and metal-centric festival based in North Carolina that held its final year in 2018. Epicenter’s inaugural year in North Carolina in 2019 boasted an almost impossible-to-top lineup with Rob Zombie,New Years Day, Foo Fighters, Plague Vendor, and many more. You can check out our full review from 2019 in our archives or check out our full photo album! Though the festival faced the unfortunate wrath of mother nature in 2019, Epicenter fans are ready to rough it in rain boots again for 2020 should it come down to it. Should mother nature decide to grace us with a spectacular storm again - we simply ask that more of you understand the importance of staking your tents down this year. OK? OK - onto the full festival run down, now.
Epicenter Music Festival’s 2020 lineup stands in all its epic glory as it touches on many of the greatest acts in the history of every sub-category of rock n roll and metal. Epicenter 2020 attendees will have the opportunity to get down to TWO completely unique sets from Metallica, Deftones, Papa Roach, Chevelle, New Years Day, HELLYEAH and many more out-of-this world artists. Metallica is one of America’s most iconic heavy metal bands from Los Angeles, California that made their debut in the ‘80s. Metallica had a massive world tour scheduled in 2019 that was subsequently postponed after lead vocalist and guitarist, James Hetfield, entered rehab. After putting their massive tour with support from Slipknot on-hold, the band was determined to make a come back for the sake of their fans. They will be headlining several of the major rock and metal festivals throughout 2020 to make up for their absence in the prior year. Their back-to-back performances at Epicenter are definitely set to be the highlight of the weekend as they will definitely be bringing their A-Game to the stage. Another staple in American alternative metal music also hailing from California would be Deftones. Deftones also made their debut in the ‘80s with their infamous artistic, experimental nu-metal sound that they have reprised as their very own. They have been gracing festival lineups around the world and for their tour schedule lately. With their appearances becoming more frequent, fans are left wondering if new Deftones music could possibly be rearing its head sometime soon. The Epicenter Music Festival lineup is definitely oozing with alternative and nu-metal talent from top-to-bottom. Another American heavy-metal group from Texas known as HELLYEAH will be performing at the festival. Many may know lead singer, Chad Gray, from his time in the infamous experimental, heavy metal band Mudvayne. Gray’s vocals has an infamous, distinguishable growl that sends his lyrics to another level when performed live. Alongside these amazing metal bands, several staple rock and punk rock artists will be performing over the weekend like Lynyrd Skynyrd, David Lee Roth, and Dropkick Murphys.
While the headliners really turn Epicenter Music Festival into a star studded red carpet of the rock n’ roll world, the under-card acts is where the true talent lies. The two sleeper hit performances of the weekend are guaranteed to be Plague Vendor and New Years Day. Plague Vendor is an alternative, indie punk band from California with an out-of-this-world, energetic on stage presence that is sure to get you up off your feet and moshing in no time. Comprised of singer Brandon Blaine, guitarist Jay Rodgers, bassist Michael Perez, and drummer Luke Perine, the band’s sound is a righteous blend of post-punk, hardcore punk vibes that sends you into a spin-kicking frenzy. Their latest album By Night was released in 2019. The single “New Comedown” has an indie, garage rock vibe that leaves you absolutely unable to sit still. The music video is also the perfect demonstration of some of Brandon' Blaine’s sweet dance moves. Then to flip the script and hit attendees with some in-your-face gothic rock, gothic metal vibes - New Years Day will be performing on Friday. New Years Day made their debut back in 2007 with their album My Dear and Ashley Costello won the hearts of alternative, punk, and scene kids around the world. Their latest album Unbreakable was released through Century Records in April of 2019 and debuted at #3 in the US Current Hard Music Album Chart. Their lead single “Shut Up” is an absolute banger with a KILLER music video. No - seriously - Ashley Costello is killer in this performance, check it out here to see what we mean. Other hits from their latest album include “Come For Me” and “My Monsters”. Don’t worry - we totally won’t judge you if you start rocking the #HalfHead look after falling for Ashley Costello and her wickedly powerful vocals.
Alongside an epic lineup of music artists, Epicenter Music Festival provides a completely immersive festival experience for all attendees onsite. Epicenter will feature a full art tent filled from wall-to-wall with insanely creative pieces from a variety of artists as well as massive, sixteen-foot tall pillars scattered throughout the grounds where artists will be bringing the grounds to life through live-painting. Curators at Epicenter Music Festival have also brought together The Music Experience for guests which features all the elements involved in making music in a professional band setup. The interactive exhibit will feature all the major instruments that are used by today’s most popular artists. The Music Experience tent will be hosting members from many of the performing bands from the weekend with contests to win your own equipment to haul home. That’s right dudes - you could win guitar, amps, basses, and a ton of other free gear just by stopping by The Music Experience during your festival weekend. Don’t sleep on this chance to score some sweet new gear for your artistic lair at home. For another chance to meet some of your favorite artists for the weekend, you can also make sure to stop by the F.Y.E. Fan Experience. F.Y.E. will be hosting the ultimate fan & artist interactive experience with autograph signings and meet & greets. Besides meeting your rock n’ roll heroes and scoring some brand new gear for free - what’s a music festival without a little drink or two? Curators at Epicenter will be bringing the Boilermaker Bar, Caduceus Wine Garden, and Heavy Tiki to the party for attendees to quench their thirsts in between each raging set. The Boilermaker Bar will be featuring a collaboration with Metallica’s Blackended Whiskey and Enter Night Pilsner. If beer isn’t your thing and maybe you want to sip on an elegantly poured glass of wine instead, head over to the Caduceus Wine Garden to taste wines handcrafted from the Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards. Caduceus is owned by Maynard James Keenan of TOOL, A Perfect Circle, and PUSCIFER. If neither of these tickle your fancy - you can hop over to Heavy Tiki to say “Aloha!” to a heavy dose of tropical vibes with their island inspired cocktails. Make sure you check back after the festival for our full review of the delicious eats, treats, and cocktails available at Epicenter 2020 on our Bars & Bites page.
Epicenter Music Festival 2020 tickets are on sale now with several different options available depending on the type of experience you are looking for. Attendees have the option to purchase single day, GA tickets for $99.50 now or $109.50 closer to the event - or a full three-day ticket for $189.50 right now. Prices will soon be going up to the third tier pricing for three-day, GA tickets and that will bump the price up to $209.50. If you’re looking to upgrade your experience to VIP to have access to a special, fast track entry lane, access to exclusive viewing areas, and access to the VIP tent, then you can check out the single day VIP passes for $199.50 or the full, three-day VIP experience for $499.50. Curators are also offering special Military discounts for GA tickets at $175.50 or a deal on a pack of (4) GA tickets for $179.50 per pass. It is so important to understand if you’re making you’re way to the venue for Epicenter 2020 that camping is NOT included in your ticket purchase and additional passes must be purchased. RV passes are completely SOLD OUT, however car camping is still available for $225 per car and includes a 20 x 20 camping space to fit one tent and one vehicle. If you have any questions about the camping set up for Epicenter 2020 or want to check out the map, you can head over to their camping page on the website. As you gear up to head into the festival, make sure you download the official Epicenter App for the weekend for up-to-date notifications while onsite. You can also follow the festival on their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If camping really isn’t your thing and you’re planning on catching a hotel for the weekend, you can check our HotelTonight for some wicked savings on last minute hotel rooms. For a little added bonus, use my code KADMARTIN101. If you’re planning it safe - as you should - and catching a ride-share to the event, you can use my Lyft code KADE750129 or my uber cobe KADEm69UE for a little extra saving. Be sure you’re following ConcertHopper on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as we are kicking off a full year of shenanigans for 2020 - you won’t want to miss a single beat of this action! As always, remember to stay hydrated, stay groovy, if you see something then say something, and we hope to see you at a festival very soon this season!
