Good festivals can bring together different types of people that are into different kinds of things. Sure, you have events that are specific to a certain crowd, but that can get boring and monotonous. El Pasoans are good at accepting diversity and are open to going to events that include a mix of different styles of music and art. Take for instance an event like La Parada—a super successful monthly event that brings together a very diverse mix of artist; it comes together like magic and the event is a blast. That type of appeal can group together all the great people of El Paso at The Texas Showdown Festival coming this July, which will be 3 days of non-stop excitement. Aside from all of the killer ink, yummy food, TV celebrities and sideshow craziness, one of the best reasons to go to the fest will be the music.
On the first day of the event (Friday July 18) the headlining spot goes to platinum selling rockers the Deftones. These 90s alternative rockers have been making records and keeping a steady fan-base thanks to their ethereal atmosphere and driving loud guitar sound. Their last album Koi No Yokan released in 2012 was a grinding noise-fest full of pedal effects and the signature vocal extremities of Chino Moreno. The first day of the fest may be a madhouse, partly because the event is housing these rock monsters.
Moshing and pogo dancing may start earlier though, as the first day will also be rocked by New York punkers The Casualties, who have consistently been banging out albums since the 90s also. Punk and tattoos goes hand in hand and is as part of the soundtrack to the lifestyle—these dudes will fit right in at the festival, even if they’re just walking around and not rocking out. It’s time to get sweaty!
On the second day of the event (Saturday July 19) the fun continues with all the festival radness and the music is going to be awesome. No slowing down or turning the music down on this day—heavy metal group Drowning Pool headlines the festival. These radio favorites will draw a heavy crowd having popular songs on the radio and memorable music videos. There will be plenty of head banging and devil horns in the air as these dudes let out a heavy dose of rock. Let the bodies hit the floor!
But don’t run out of energy and get all tired yet. Get some good sleep, wake up, eat a good meal, drink an energy drink and go on the third day (Sunday July 20) because you can’t miss the headliner this day—the festival will bring east coast reppin’ hip-hop legends the Wu-Tang Clan. The rowdy-ness continues on Sunday as these lyrical masters hit the stage with more than enough material to get the crowd going swaying to the classic songs—hands in the air waving like they just don’t care, rapping along to the extensive list of hits these icons have up their sleeves. Bringing a different element and style to the event, these long time favorites may bring the biggest crowd participation of the event. Wu-Tang! Wu-Tang! Wu-Tang!
texastattooshowdownfestival.com
TEXT: DANIEL SALAS
