Rock Fest 2023 Day Two – Friday – Cadott WI – July 14th 2023

Rock Fest 2023 – Friday – Cadott, Wisconsin

Review and photo by Kyle Hansen

Rock Fest 2023 in Cadott, Wisconsin was a celebration of heavy music, and Day 3 (July 15th) proved to be an absolute standout with some of the biggest names in metal and rock taking the stage. Fans were treated to a wild day of metalcore, post-hardcore, and nu-metal as Gideon, Ice Nine Kills, The Cherry Bombs, Falling in Reverse, and Slipknot delivered performances that had the crowd moshing, headbanging, and screaming every word.

Gideon

Early Set

Gideon, kicking off the day with their energetic metalcore sound, set the tone for the rest of the day. With their recent album More Power. More Pain. still fresh in fans’ minds, the band didn’t waste time getting the pit moving. From the get-go, their blend of aggressive breakdowns, catchy choruses, and emotionally charged lyrics hit hard. Mikey Powell’s vocals were gritty, while the rest of the band—guitarists Tyler Riley and Daniel McWhorter, bassist Sean O’Keefe, and drummer Zach Johnson—brought the heat with tight, punishing rhythms. The crowd was already getting rowdy, and tracks like “The Abyss” and “Champions” helped the early crowd get into the festival spirit. By the end of their set, Gideon had established their presence, making it clear they are a band to watch out for.

Rating: 8/10
An electrifying start to the day with heavy riffs and crowd participation that set the stage for what was to come.

The Cherry Bombs

Mid-afternoon

A rock fest wouldn’t be complete without a dose of entertainment beyond just the music, and The Cherry Bombs brought that with their high-octane, theatrical performance. Known for their mix of rock, burlesque, and acrobatics, The Cherry Bombs offered a unique and wildly fun spectacle in the middle of the festival. With dancers and performers in bold, colorful outfits, they added a touch of glam and entertainment to the day. It wasn’t just about the music—The Cherry Bombs brought a full sensory experience with fiery stunts, aerial acts, and dazzling lights. Their performance was the perfect break between heavier acts, giving fans a chance to relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the visual feast.

Rating: 7.5/10
Energetic, visually stunning, and an unexpected highlight that added flair to the day.

Ice Nine Kills

Afternoon Set

Ice Nine Kills was one of the biggest draws of the day, and they did not disappoint. The band’s blend of metalcore and post-hardcore with theatrical influences has earned them a dedicated following, and their set at Rock Fest 2023 was the definition of high energy. Spencer Charnas led the band with his dynamic stage presence and impressive vocal range, moving seamlessly between guttural screams and clean, melodic moments.

The band performed a mix of crowd favorites like “A Grave Mistake” and “Savages,” while also showcasing material from their 2021 album The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood. Tracks like “Assault & Batteries” (with its nod to Child’s Play) and “Hip to Be Scared” (a riff on American Psycho) had fans singing along and moshing in the pit. What set Ice Nine Kills apart, aside from their brutal sound, was their passion for storytelling—each song felt like a mini-horror film, with the stage acting as their twisted set. By the end of their set, Ice Nine Kills had earned even more fans, making it one of the day’s highlights.

Rating: 9/10
An absolute high-energy, theatrical, and thrilling performance that had the crowd completely hooked.

Falling in Reverse

Late Afternoon

Next up was Falling in Reverse, a band that has grown exponentially in popularity over the past decade, and their set was packed with everything fans could ask for—huge anthems, catchy hooks, and explosive energy. Ronnie Radke, the band’s often controversial frontman, had full control of the crowd, who were ready to scream along to hits like “Popular Monster,” “The Drug in Me Is You,” and “Good Girls Bad Guys.” Radke’s charismatic performance, filled with fiery stage presence and humor, kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.

The band’s sound has evolved over the years, moving from post-hardcore to a more mainstream rock style, and their set reflected that. Tracks like “Zombified” showed their new direction, blending elements of hard rock, metal, and even rap. The high-energy performance and emotional depth in songs like “The Drug in Me Is You” made it clear why Falling in Reverse is so beloved—fans connected with the music on a visceral level.

Rating: 8.5/10
A tight, high-energy performance that showed why Falling in Reverse remains a favorite in the scene.

Slipknot

Headliner

And finally, the moment fans had been waiting for: Slipknot. The iconic band from Des Moines, Iowa, brought the full force of their signature blend of chaotic, brutal metal and visually intense performances. From the moment the opening beats of “The Blister Exists” hit, the Xcel Energy Center and surrounding grounds erupted with energy. Corey Taylor commanded the stage like a true frontman, his vocals both guttural and melodic, leading the band through a set that spanned their entire career.

Highlights included the crowd’s explosive reaction to “Duality” and “Psychosocial,” two of the band’s biggest anthems, while “Spit It Out” had fans screaming the iconic “jump the fuck up!” as they dove into the mosh pits. The band’s stage setup was its own spectacle, with elaborate pyrotechnics, fire, and ominous projections adding to the theatrical feel. The performance was aggressive, heavy, and cathartic, with Joey Jordison’s absence felt but the band carrying on with full force. Slipknot’s ability to control the crowd’s energy and keep it at a fever pitch throughout their set solidified their place as one of the most dominant live acts in metal today.

Rating: 10/10
An explosive, cathartic, and unforgettable performance from one of metal’s greatest live acts.

Final Thoughts on Rock Fest 2023:

Rock Fest 2023 delivered on every front. From up-and-coming bands like Gideon to legends like Slipknot, the day was packed with diverse performances, incredible energy, and standout moments. Whether you were getting into the heavy mosh pits or just enjoying the incredible spectacle of The Cherry Bombs, there was something for everyone. The festival’s laid-back yet electrifying atmosphere made it an unforgettable experience, and this year’s lineup showed that Rock Fest continues to be a major player in the rock and metal festival circuit.

Overall Rating: 9/10
An incredible day filled with the best of metal, rock, and everything in between—Rock Fest 2023 was a monster of a day.