Krockathon Reboot made its fiery return to Syracuse this past Saturday, July 26, under the blazing summer sun at the New York State Fairgrounds‘ Chevy Court.
With a lineup blending nostalgic heavy hitters and rising rock stars, fans were treated to an all-day rock spectacle filled with crowd surfing, meet-and-greets, and unforgettable live performances from Nothing More, Candlebox, Alien Ant Farm, Drowning, Set It Off, and local group School of Rock Fayetteville.
The heat didn’t slow anyone down. With temperatures soaring and barely a cloud in sight until later in the evening, attendees found shade wherever they could — or opted to grab free energy drinks at the Monster Energy booth, one of the festival’s key sponsors. Local food vendors kept the crowd fed with everything from pizza, smash burgers and vegan options, also can’t forget about the beer.
Kicking things off were a local talented young rockers from School of Rock Fayetteville. After each song, they had some of the students switch out so others could take the stage. These students may be the next generation of Krockathon headliners, showcasing impressive chops and infectious energy that set the tone early.
Set It Off brought a theatrical energy to the stage with a set that included “Rotten” and “Parasite,” electrifying the crowd. The band made the day even more personal with a meet-and-greet at the School of Rock tent earlier in the day. During their set, frontman Cody Carson jumped down to connect directly with fans, delivering that up-close-and-personal festival magic.
The day was not without incidents, as medics rushed to help some folks who had some heat related injuries and another person who was moshing a little too much.
Veterans of the hard rock scene, Drowning Pool tore through a gritty, aggressive set with hits like “Sinner” and “Tear Away,” before closing with their iconic anthem “Bodies.” The pit came alive as fans screamed every word, while frontman Ryan McCombs left the stage to join the sea of hands, blurring the line between performer and fan. At some point, you can hear the crowd chanting “drowning pool”.
Alien Ant Farm played a tight, high-energy set, building up to their unmistakable cover of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” which had the entire crowd bouncing. The nostalgic wave was real, and the band delivered it with full force.
Bringing a more melodic rock edge, Candlebox added a soulful depth to the evening lineup. Though the music was paused for a brief moment as a fan had to be attended by the onsite medics. Their set was a masterclass in raw emotion and gritty vocals, giving longtime fans a heartfelt performance that stood out amid the heavier acts.
As the sun finally dipped and a few clouds rolled in, Nothing More hit the stage last and took things to another level. The Texas-based alt-metal band played fan favorites including “Stuck,” “Go to War,” “Angel Song,” and “Down by the River.” Known for their dynamic live shows, frontman Jonny Hawkins didn’t disappoint — commanding the stage with intensity, even pausing mid-set to sign a fan’s vinyl.
Earlier in the day, the band got personal and did a meet and greet with fans. And as if the night couldn’t get more epic, Jonny, Mark, and Daniel, took the barricade with Jonny having folks in the crowd holding up drums, and finished up the night to what was an amazing day of music.
Krockathon Reboot once again proved why it’s one of New York’s most beloved rock festivals. With a mix of legacy acts and new blood, interactive fan experiences, and that unrelenting Upstate NY rock crowd, the Sweet Grass Krockathon at Chevy Court felt like a true return to form. Let’s hope this reboot becomes the new annual tradition it deserves to be.
School Of Rock
Set It Off
Drowning Pool
Alien Ant Farm
Krockathon Chevy Court
Candlebox
Nothing More
→ Continue reading at NYS Music
