The first act, Burning Witches was scheduled for 1:00pm and Keifer was to hit the stage at 9:15pm, and I’ll be damned if that didn’t happen. This was the night after and I was preparing to see eight bands, with ex-Cinderella frontman Tom Keifer as a headliner. The night before (Friday, September 9) I saw Jackyl headline a seven band extravaganza. Got into the pit, talked with some great and competent security folks, and the crowd was chock full of “my people.” No incidents, no drama, just a great time for everyone beyond the front gate.

I walked up to the gate, they sent me to will call, everything was there waiting for me. This is what I expected because, honestly, it’s fairly standard in my experience. Soundboards and electronics taking a dump, bands needing more time, security having an issue with a knucklehead or two (or dozens), and the infamous “I don’t see anything here for you” when I go to get my credentials. This business of rock and roll can be turbulent, and things very rarely go as planned. I have to begin by telling you how clean and well organized this was. After seven and a half hours of interchanges and chicken coop transport trucks, I had arrived at this beautiful venue.

I live just outside of Chicago, so this was quite the road trip for me. Over the course of two days in early September, Rocktember Music Festival sets the stage for upwards of fifteen hard rock and metal acts to strut their stuff. Apparently, this is a festival that the Grand Casino, up in the Great White North of Hinckley Minnesota, has hosted for 10 years now.

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