Making the trek to Amnesia Rockfest

Article and photo by Jason Setnyk

Montebello Quebec – The 11th edition of Amnesia Rockfest, the largest rock festival in Canada, will take place from June 23rd to 26th, 2016, at the Montebello Marina in Western Quebec. This year’s festival will feature approximately 130 bands across different musical genres including rock, metal, punk, hardcore and hip hop performers!

Among this year’s headliners are Blink-182, Rise Against, Jane’s Addiction, Limp Bizkit, and Ice Cube. Also playing are Korn, Billy Talent, Bring Me the Horizon, A Day to Remember, At the Drive-in, Sum 41, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Twisted Sister, Nofx, the Dead Kennedy’s, Steve Ignorant of Crass, (Black) Flag, DOA, Against Me, Streetlight Manifesto, Millencolin, Lagwagon, D.R.I, Sepultura, the Insane Clown Posse and many more.

Amnesia Rockfest was founded by Alex Martel in 2005. He was “a kid” from Montebello who wanted to transform his hometown into a rock paradise. Amnesia Rockfest quickly became the largest rock music festival in Canada and the largest in the Outaouais region thanks to its impressive lineup, its supercharged atmosphere, its unique camping experience and its affordable prices. Rockfest is set in the heart of the countryside, on the shores of the Outaouais River between Montreal and Ottawa, and each year welcomes thousands of rockers from all over the world.

Over 200,000 people are expected in attendance. Many people from Ottawa, Montreal, Brockville, Cornwall, SDSG and other near by areas will make the trip to Montebello Quebec to see their favourite bands live in concert.

Local music fan Andrew Robertson is making the trek to see a bunch of his favourite bands, and the thought of that makes him feel nostalgic.

“I was originally excited to see The Misfits, as they would have frontman Danzig performing with them for the first time in 33 years. Unfortunately they couldn’t make it. However I’m looking forward to Nofx, Lagwagon, Strung-out and all the Fat Wreck Chord family bands playing. I grew up on all of these bands and no matter how many times I see them, they take me back to the kid who just wanted to skate and skank in the pit!” said Andrew Robertson.

Cornwall resident, and former Canada’s Next Top Model contestant, Steff Groulx also see the sojourn to Rockfest as nostalgic.

“I am most excited to see The Used. They are performing their album, In Love and Death, which was released when I was in high school. So it’s somewhat nostalgic for me. Also, bands like Blink 182, Limp Bizkit, Billy Talent and Korn should put on some great shows and bring me back to when I was just a young teenager filled with angst,” Steff Groulx concluded.

Jonah Newton, a former member of the Cornwall metal band Hail to Thee, has called this years Rockfest Nostaliga Fest.

“This year, for our generation, is Nostalgia Fest. Many of the bands I’m going to see this year; Billy Talent, Despised Icon, Limp Bizkit, Sum 41, The Used, Unearth are all oldies but goodies! Many bands I still listen to often include; Bring Me the Horizon, A Day to Remember, and Blink-182. A lot of these bands were made famous by our generation. I believe Blink-182 will be the biggest band I’m excited for this weekend. There will be little time this year to sit in the shade as this years line up will fulfill any metal head, like myself,” Jonah Newton reflected.

One of the bands on the Rockfest line-up played a gig in Cornwall two years ago. Local metal fans might remember Silverstein (pictured above) playing the Vu Nightclub back in 2014.

The complete lineup and ticket sales information is available at www.amnesiarockfest.com.