As Australia's Summer music festival season starts to thaw, our attention has turned to the US who are smack bang in the middle of their own and it brings us immense joy to announce Wall Of Sound will be heading over to the United States at the end of the month to cover the monstrous West Coast event, Aftershock Festival.
Held in Sacramento, California, the EPIC four-day celebration finds Aussie bands Northlane, SPEED and Sick Puppies rubbing shoulders with daily headliners blink-182, Deftones, KoRn and Bring Me The Horizon alongside a cavalcade of who's who from the heavy // alternative scene.
There's no denying it - we are frothing at the mouth to venture over and see how America handles the festival scene.
In anticipation of our arrival, we caught up with Danny Wimmer Presents CMO Chamie McCurry to discuss what it takes to put on these massive events each year, the core memories that will stick with the team for years to come and what they look for in Australian bands...
Thanks for taking the time to chat Chamie, the big one for us is seeing Australian bands like Northlane, SPEED and Sick Puppies spread across the festival. What do you look for when booking international bands and what is it about Australian bands that keeps you coming back for more?
When we’re booking talent, we’re looking at who’s moving the needle globally — not just in the U.S. And over the last several years, Australia has become a real hotbed for heavy music, especially in the metalcore space.
The wave of talent coming out of there is undeniable. Our team sees so many Australian bands with incredibly bright futures, and honestly, several have the potential to be future DWP headliners.
What makes it even more exciting is that our fans feel the same way, and that validation is what drives us to keep bringing them back.
Danny Wimmer Presents spreads across multiple US festivals such as Aftershock, Inkcarceration, Louder Than Life and Welcome to Rockville to name a few - how hard is it to keep things fresh with exciting lineups that appeal to such a "niche" genre of music fan - or has the US taken to metal bigger and better than the rest of the world?
At the heart of it, our mission is to create moments that feel truly special. From reunions and once-in-a-lifetime performances to full album plays, we aim to build a lineup that fans simply can’t miss year after year, no matter how many times they’ve attended before.
Rock and metal continue to thrive in America, and we see ourselves as proud ambassadors championing that growth.
While headliners naturally draw attention, our passion extends across the entire bill. We believe every slot matters, and we’re more committed than ever to booking with intention and delivering an unforgettable experience from the moment fans step through the gates each day.
Were there any notable acts from the lineup that made the team cheer amongst yourselves when you secured their name for this outing?
Internally, everyone has a particular taste within rock and metal, from hardcore to active rock to classic thrash and beyond. However, the reaction from the team was not so different from the fans – there are certain pieces that help tie the lineup together for individuals, and booking those unexpected acts across subgenres is what turn your festival into a truly must-see event. These acts aren’t always on the radar for most fans or even remotely considered a possibility. It’s our job as tastemakers to deliver on a different level.
If we can make our diverse team of super fans happy, we know we’ve accomplished something special.
Who do you anticipate to be the show stealing band of the entire festival and why isn't it Turnstile?
As you mentioned, we do expect Turnstile to be one of those can't-miss sets — but with more than 125 bands packing the lineup at the West Coast’s Biggest Rock Festival, every artist is coming in at full force.
This is a bucket-list stage, and we know each and every band will pull out all the stops to give fans everything they’ve got.
Apart from the bands, what else does Aftershock have to offer fans attending for the first time and do you have any recommendations for those heading to Sacramento for the first time?
Sacramento is an incredible host city, and first-time visitors are in for a treat. We always recommend heading to Midtown — Sacramento is America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital, and some of the best food in the country is right there.
Plus, we’ve got some exciting after shows in the works, so be sure to keep an eye on aftershockfestival.com for the latest updates.
Have you got a core memory from any previous Aftershock Festivals that you constantly think about each time the name is mentioned by someone?
Every year brings its own unforgettable memories. We’re honored to produce the West Coast’s Biggest Rock Festival at the stunning Discovery Park in downtown Sacramento. The setting itself adds so much to the celebration of rock, alt, punk, and metal — and the best part is knowing each year’s lineup creates a whole new set of moments that will stay with fans and our team forever. We can’t wait to see what this year adds to the memory bank.
If the headliners - blink-182, Deftones, KoRn and BMTH - had to do a charity jelly wrestling competition... who would you put your hard earned money on?
Honestly, I’d pay good money just to see THAT lineup in a jelly pit. I think the real winners would be the fans watching it unfold. That’s a main stage spectacle in itself!
Interview by Paul 'Browny' Brown @brownypaul
Aftershock Festival takes place from October 2-5 in Sacramento, California
Get your tickets and join in the chaos.
Aftershock Festival
October 2-5 at Discovery Park, Sacramento California
.webp)
