Aftershock Festival 2024: Four Days of Glorious Madness

Aftershock 2024, my ninth year, and I’m still here, crawling through the dust and sweat for more. Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) once again showed that they know how to orchestrate four days of beautifully chaotic rock and metal

mayhem. These guys don’t just throw a festival; they create a battlefield for music lovers, and we all keep signing up for more.

DWP’s got festival production down to a science. From free water stations to food that fuels you through the madness, they think of everything. 

The artists? Treated like royalty. Every single band I’ve talked to raves about the

crew at DWP. And if you think they’re not listening, try Facebooking a complaint, they fix issues faster than you can finish your overpriced beer. That’s why Aftershock keeps climbing the ranks of legendary festivals.

Day 1:

Let’s start with day one. I’m late to the party because life happens, but the second I step in and hear Til Lindemann’s voice, I know I’m home.

Static-X kicks off with a tribute to Wayne Static, and the energy is already through the roof. 

Aftershock, baby! But first things first I beeline for the food trucks and grab some carnita fries. We’re talking piles of carnitas, cheese, and crispy fries! A messy, glorious meal that set the tone for the weekend.

Insane Clown Posse does what they do best—turning the crowd into a sticky, Faygo-drenched mess. It’s the kind of madness you expect

at Aftershock, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

The VIP area was a nice retreat, nothing too flashy, but a good place to escape when the chaos becomes too much.

But hey, DWP, let’s reconsider the porta-potty placement next to the food tents, okay? Nobody wants to enjoy their fries next to a dude crawling out of a stall like he’s just seen the end times.

Day 2:

Day two started with some killer interviews

This set the mood for what was

bound to be an unforgettable day. But let me tell you, the women in metal are bringing the heat this year. Day two was a testament to just how much they’re dominating the scene. Whether they were shredding guitars or unleashing vocals that shook the ground, the women ruled the day. There was power, passion, and enough energy to fuel the crowd for hours.

On the food front, I re-discovered the magical creation known as gyro fries.

It’s all the goodness of a gyro dumped on top of fries, and I’m pretty sure I transcended for a moment while eating it. Between the music and the food, it was perfection.

As the day wrapped up, I hit up the essential Aftershock post-show hotdog stand. If you leave this festival without one of those loaded street dogs, drenched in onions and peppers, you’re doing it wrong. This is festival tradition, people.

Day 3:

Day three is when things get real. You’re tired, your ears are ringing, but you’re too far gone to care. Aaron Lewis from Staind did what he does

best, rant about politics mid-set, but that’s part of the charm at Aftershock.

The festival thrives on raw energy, passion, and a little bit of chaos. Breaking Benjamin and Tech N9ne hit stages, reminding everyone why we show up year after year. The riffs, the beats, the crowd, it was electric.

By now, the dust is swirling, and the festival grounds have morphed into a full-on battleground. But you know what? We thrive in this. Aftershock fans live for the chaos. The dirt, the sweat, the noise… bring it on. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Day 4:

By day four, the ground is more dust than grass, and you’re running on adrenaline. Hed PE and Drowning Pool kick things off, but the night belongs to Disturbed and Mötley Crüe. 

The energy during Disturbed’s set was nothing short of explosive and the kind of performance that reminds you why they’re still at the top of the game.

As the festival winds down, I can’t help but think: it’s time to take this festival to the next level. DWP has the production locked down, but what

about giving Aftershock even more of a local vibe? How about adding The Mikey Podcast Chill Zone!? a place for people to recharge in more ways than one? Imagine a spot in the general admission area where you can get a quick massage, charge your phone, play some games, and yeah, maybe even sneak in a

smoke. It’s more than just a break from the chaos; it’s a connection to Sacramento’s favorite podcaster and the voice of the city.

DWP, if you want Aftershock to feel even more like Sacramento’s own, let’s get The Mikey Podcast involved. I’ve been at this festival for nine years, and no one knows the scene, or the people, better. Let’s make it happen.

Aftershock 2024 delivered everything I expected massive performances, insane energy, and unforgettable moments. But you know what would make it even better? More Sacramento. We’re the farm-to-fork capital! Where’s the NorCal culture? Let’s get some more Sacramento-based bands on those smaller stages, throw in some spooky season flair, and really embrace what this city has to offer.

DWP, you’ve got the festival magic down to a science. Now it’s time to add more of the local soul. After nine years, I’m still coming back, but

there’s always room to grow. Let’s make Aftershock not just the best festival

in Sacramento, but the best in the world. And we’re all ready to help make that happen.