Aftershock 2023, Day 3: Viral Rising Stars

And just like that, Day 3 of Aftershock has already come and passed, but not before we caught a few viral rising stars as they shoot up, far, and away. We’re going to highlight a few acts that have caught mega attention online before we saw them for the first time.

Fresh off a tour with Corey Taylor, Luna Aura brought an energetic stage presence that the audience loved and they vibed along with her. Between songs she asked them, “Are we friends yet? Do you want to be more than friends? Me too!” Her fun and bright vocals and bouncing guitar riffs made for a very catchy performance.

Positive messages are the new direction for Escape the Fate, as they continue to make music as an escape for the lost and broken. Craig Mabbitt, lead vocals, celebrated 3 years sober with the crowd, and wanted to let them know that they are stronger than their addiction. Escape the Fate’s powerful guitar riffs and meaningful lyricism make them a force to be reckoned with and also a voice for the disenfranchised.

No newbies to the Aftershock stage, BABYMETAL arrived in colorful iridescent costumes that glimmered in the hot afternoon sun. While they danced in sharp formations and well planned choreography, they sang in perfect harmony and their band added a powerful metal sound. The excitement was palpable in the crowd as they sang and danced along to every chorus.

Possibly to protect himself from being crushed to death by his fans, Sueco donned an impressive set of chainmail armor for his set. Even with all that added weight he was the life of the party and kept the crowd worked up. By the end of the performance he was drenched in sweat, but that didn’t stop him from jumping down into the audience and moshing with them before his last song.

The crowd was absolutely packed in tight to catch a glimpse of the strange and anonymous band Sleep Token. Every member wore a mask and cloak, adding layers to the mystique. The lead singer, only known as Vessel, danced across the stage like some sort of mystical creature as he effortlessly switched between the crisp and beautiful clean vocals of a pop star and the strong rasping screams of an experienced metal vocalist. Each song seemingly a different genre from the last, and each getting the audience more excited than the last. Even after the final song, they couldn’t get enough and begged for an encore, but the mystery band had already vanished.

With no intro and not a word spoken or sung the entire time, Polyphia launched into a cavalcade of beautifully complex guitar riffs and atmospheric melodies. Two guitarists split the stage and took turns leading the charge, with a bassist and drummer, and even the lighting couldn’t help but harmonize with them. A sound so sweet, construction workers on the freeway above the stage stopped to watch the performance.

As we walk into the night of Day 3, we can’t help but look into the sky and notice that there are a few more bright stars than there were before. We can’t wait to see what the last day of Aftershock 2023 has in store and we sure hope you will be there with us to witness the grand finale.