STP's Scott Weiland belts out a tune as the band played a host of the band's greatest hits at the Rock N' Rev Festival in Sturgis Wednesday night.
There was an air of electricity Wednesday night at the Rock N’ Rev Amphitheater at Monkey Rock in
Sturgis as Stone Temple Pilots and Wolfmother wowed the crowd with a high-energy set. As soon as Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale strummed the first chord, bodies were in motion as the crowd jumped, danced and swayed to the hard-driving riffs. Stockdale battled bandmate Ian Peres for the title of best big hair as the curly coifed duo entertained the crowd with penetrating vocals, shredding guitar work and grooving bass lines.
Though the band attracted a younger crowd, many of the old guard campers staying at the Glencoe Resort also enjoyed the Australian band’s driving music which would have been just as popular in the ‘70s as it is today. Not only do Stockdale and Peres sport throwback afros, the band showcased its musical influences by playing covers of The Doors and The Who. Stockdale’s voice channeled Morrison perfectly and when the band tore into “Baba O'Riley,” Wolfmother gained instant fans amongst the bikers. The band wrapped up a high-energy set with its popular hit, “Joker and the Thief.”
The twisted troupe of the Jim Rose Circus worked their extreme performance art magic on the crowd while the Rock N’ Rev crew was busy switching out sets in preparation for the night’s headliner, Stone Temple Pilots. It didn’t take long before a roar arose from the Rock N’ Rev Amphitheater as STP burst into its first song. Scott Weiland grabbed the mic and instantly had the crowd hypnotized by his stage presence.
The band was tight as it played a long list of crowd favorites with fans singing along with every
Wolfmother's Andrew Stockdale had an energy that was contagious as he wowed the crowd at the Rock N' Rev Festival in Sturgis.
song. The performance was larger-than-life as three huge screens flashed images of the band as Dean Deleo picked his guitar masterfully and Weiland bounced around stage. Cameras on long booms swept over people’s heads as multiple film crews captured the pounding performance on film. Kudos to the people behind Rock N’ Rev for putting on a high-quality production.
One thing that was apparent about last night’s show was the way in which music transcends age. There were bikers in their 60s with beards older than some of the kids at the show. Next to me were a father and son who were enjoying the concert together, the boy strumming an air guitar for most of the night. There were girls on guy’s shoulders and everybody pressed closer to the stage in a collective mass as we all became one with the music. Sturgis is turning into quite the showcase for musical talent, a trend I hope continues.
The Rock N’ Rev Amphitheatre should be even more packed on Friday night as both Alice in Chains and Guns & Roses are scheduled to perform. Sturgis rocks, in more ways than one.
