In its sophomore year Orion Music and More relocated venues from Bader field in Atlantic City NJ to Belle Island in Detroit MI, while I am still unsure of the reason for the change in location, the weekend’s festivities carried out almost flawlessly. The biggest concern I had about the venue change was the challenge of having the concert on an island and restricting all non affiliated traffic to and from the venue. This means thousands of fans and workers being transported to and from the mainland of detroit via school bus. Getting to the island wasn’t the hard part, I figured fans would be coming more or less in waves throughout the
day, it was the end of the night I was worried about. The first night after the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s set the exit gates were absolutely atrocious, all of the lines were backed up and everything seemed to be at a stand still. It took us roughly a half an hour just to get to a bus, but once we got on it was pretty clear sailing. The second night following Metallica’s set went so much smoother, there were no lines what so ever, security kept everyone moving and the night ended without a hitch. I definitely think they found things that needed to be fixed and rectified the problem to the best of their ability. I am looking forward to a bigger, louder Orion in 2014!
Day 1
After covering Orion last year, I had somewhat an idea of what to expect, big muscle cars, horror movie enthusiasts and a very diverse lineup. This year was no exception. Once again there was a section of the festival grounds reserved for muscle car enthusiasts, Kirt’s Crypt featuring Kirt’s
massive collection of horror movie memorabilia and even a designated area where you can meet a couple of your favorite actors from various horror movies. This year there was also a vans skate ramp where in-between sets professional skaters would preform on the half pipe. The thing I love about Orion is there is so much to do, and so much to check out even before the music starts and everything down to the line up of bands was hand selected by the members of Metallica. This is a very unique festival and there is definitely something for everyone here.
The Orwells
Introduced by Rob Trujilo, the first band to start the day was a young band, The Orwells. There is no question these guys are incredibly talented, but their showmanship is somewhat lacking. The most exciting thing about their set was their bassist, Grant Brinner, he was hovering around the top of the stage playing to the crowd the entire set. The rest of the band just seemed to blend into the background for me. With a little more time and experience these guys could be really good.
Battlecross
Coming on stage to an introduction from both Rob Trujilo and James Hetfield, local act Battlecross was easily one of the biggest surprise bands of the day. When these guys came out they jumped right into their set and immediate won the crowd over. They were constantly in everyones face and all over the stage, they were relentless. They had a good balance of thrash and metal core that could appease the diverse crowd. The next day people were still talking about their set, Battlefield showed up to make a name and they did just that.
Foals
I had no idea what to expect from these guys heading into the photo pit. Jimmy Smith came onstage playing a very melodic style riff on the guitar segueing into their set. They weren’t very enthusiastic, it looked like they were just going through the motions. The people who did gather for their set really got into it but it was definitely a change of scene for me.
Dead Sara
Throughout the day everyone was telling me this is a band I should check out, so I figured I would. When they first came out, they weren’t very exciting they just stood around and when I was just about to give up on them, lead vocalist, Emily Armstrong ripped off her jacket and most literally started rocking out. From there their set got progressively better, while I couldn’t really get into their sound, they were definitely entertaining.
Dropkick Murphys
The Dropkick Murphys were everything I had expected them to be, big jolly dudes running around on stage with a man wearing a kilt and playing a bagpipe. These guys were incredibly entertaining and their energy was infectious, everyone in the crowd looked like they were having so much fun with the rest of the band. Very excited to have knocked this band off my bucket list.
Dehaan
This was by far hands down my favorite band of the day, and the biggest surprise of the day. The guys calling themselves “Dehaan” were actually Metallica, playing on the smallest stage at the show. I was lucky enough to be tipped off by someone in the press tent about the surprise, not everyone was as fortunate. There were people running from every direction once they heard metallica on stage. The only people at the set before the show had started were Metallica fan club members from all over the globe. One of the biggest tip offs was the back drop with the band name Dehaan crossed off with “Metal up your ass” replacing it. This was the original name of their second debut album, “Kill ’em all” and thats just what they played, Kill ’em all in its entirety. Killer set, it was a huge surprise and a lot of fun, glad to see these guys in a more intimate setting and I’m sure everyone else felt the same!
Rise against
Rise Against is a band I have always loved seeing live, they come out to every set with so much energy its hard not to get into their set. This time was no different. They came out chanting Rise! Rise! and got the whole crowed to join in before they jumped into their set. Lead vocalist, Tim Mcllrath has such a unique and powerful voice, he is hard to pass up. Guitarist Zach Blair is another guy who is hard to miss. He is constantly in the air jumping off the risers, speakers, what ever he can mange really. Rise Against is one of those bands I always try to see when they come through town.
Infectious Grooves
I was very excited to hear these guys were on the bill, especially after last year having Suicidal Tendencies tear up the stage at Orion, it was good to see Muir back for another year and side by side with Rob Trujillo. These guys were a lot of fun to watch, it is a super group who doesn’t take themselves too seriously, on stage they were joined by a bunch of people dressed up as trippy clowns. Their set was a nice break from the show, not to mention a lot of fun to shoot!
Red Hot Chili Peppers
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to make the hike to Detroit to cover Orion this year, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. This is a band I had trouble getting into until recently, as musicians they are incredibly talented and over the years they have had a huge influence in roc N roll, mixing funk, blues and rock N roll into one. Anthony Kiedis still sounds phenomenal and puts on quite the show, running all over the stage, and song by song stripping down until he was left with just his pants. But my favorite part of the show was the bassist Flea. He looked like he was just so in tune with the music and loving every second. Nothing translates better than when a musician genuinely loves what they do. It was the perfect end to wrap of the first day of Orion.
Day 2
The second day was a little more subdued, hitting all of the areas that we didn’t explore the previous day, car show awards and not to mention Metallica headlining in the evening.
All Shall Perish
To get day two started, All Shall Perish opened the Budweiser main stage these guys were a good choice as an opener, they were very enthusiastic and a lot a fun to watch but unfortunately they weren’t just all there for me. Their singer was stuck up at the top of the stage screaming throughout the entire set, while I am not totally opposed to the metal – core, thrash, screaming style, they just weren’t up to par with some of the other acts on the bill. After my three songs in the photo pit I wandered off.
The Dillinger Escape Plan
I havent heard too much about these guys or their set but coming immediately Rob Trujillo came out to announce them and set up a chair for their guitarist, Ben Weinman who had recently broken an arm and was forced to sit on the stage and watch. Fortunately he entertained himself by reading the latest edition of revolver magazine that featured the band and rating each song. These guys had the most energetic set at Orion, hands down. Lead vocalist, Greg Puciato waited all of about 3 minuets to jump off one of the speakers directly into the crowd. They were a lot of fun and a band I cannot wait to see again.
Metallica
This was the set I was most excited for and most nervous to shoot. Last year when they headlined Orion, they played “Ride the lighting” in its entirety on Saturday and “The Black Album” on Sunday, this year they surprised everyone and came out to play, “Kill ’em All” the previous day. I was curious as to what direction they would take with their set list this year. They did a greatest hits type mash up featuring, One, Harvester of Sorrow and Battery. James Hetfield has such a commanding presence on stage, its hard not to take notice. Hetfield had mic stands set up on every corner of the stage he really got everyone one amped up and involved in their set. It is such a production, whether you love them or hate them, you can appreciate their showmanship. Kirk Hammett also does a great job of getting in your face and just shredding on his guitar. Complete with pyro, a laser show and fireworks Metallica is hands down one of my favorite performances I have ever seen. Killer weekend, and we are already stoked to see what is in store for next year!
The Orwells
Battlecross
Foals
Dead Sara
Dropkick Murphys
Rise Against
Infectious Grooves
Red Hot Chili Peppers
All Shall Perish
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Metallica
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