Pointfest -Take 2 Was Worth the Wait
— by Robert Shaw
–photos by Keith Brake
105.7 the Point, St. Louis’ own alternative rock station once again brought Pointfest back to the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Saturday, September 24th for a second attempt after the original date in May had to be cancelled due to strong storms.
What a lineup, and worth the wait; Papa Roach, Highly Suspect, Halestorm, and The Struts were featured on the main stage during the evening. Euphoria, Sleepaway, New Year’s Day, Sometimes Y (featuring Yellawolf and Shooter Jennings), The Ricters, The Warning, and Shaman’s Harvest, spent the afternoon rocking the large crowd from the Black and White Stages.
If you love rock and roll, you certainly would have loved this Pointfest. There were so many styles of rock that there was something for everyone. Southern rock tunes from Shaman’s Harvest (sweet rocking sounds from Jefferson City Mo.) and Yellawolf with Shooter Jennings (Sometimes Y) were definitely my favorites of the afternoon. However, the rest of the afternoon line-up rocked the crowd that grew and grew as the day went on.
The vocals from sleepaway’s Alex Tiberia were spot on, and the musicianship of the band was top notch. While The Warning were very engaging and super high-energy. The three sisters from Mexico were solid throughout their set.
New Year’s Day wound the crowd even tighter as front woman Ash Costello had the head bangers in the palm of her hand as she and the New Year’s Day band thrashed and pounded heavy metal into the crowd.
The crowd was left reeling in the afternoon heat. Not to be out shined Shaman’s Harvest took the stage and grabbed the crowd by the throat and shook them with a down home rock and roll style. The crowd grew in size and excitement as Shaman’s Harvest finished a tasty set.
Shaman’s Harvest was followed by Sometimes Y (featuring Yellawolf and Shooter Jennings), the band revved up an already excited crowd and sent them to the main stage ready to rock.
The Struts got things started on the main stage, they sounded wonderful and as always looked fantastic. The Struts’ set was a smooth groove of alternative rock and roll leaving the crowd wanting more. More is what Halestorm brought to the table.
Lizzy’s intensity was definitely at a level 10. Halestorm had the crowd on its feet for the entire set, horns up and head banging. They opened with, “Back from the Dead”, followed by “Love bites (and so do I)”, “Strange Girl”, “Wicked Ways”, “Psycho Crazy”, “I Miss the Misery”, a solid drum solo from Arjay Hale, “Freak Like Me”, “Bombshell”, and finishing up with “The Steeple”. There was barely enough time to get a cold beverage and a much-needed bite to eat before Highly Suspect took to the stage.
Highly Suspect brought its brand of hard-hitting pop-rock to the stage. Their set was very entertaining as this power trio from Brooklyn kept the crowd out of their seats and rocking. By the time Papa Roach took the stage you would have thought the crowd may have been too tired from the fast-paced festival that had been going strong since early afternoon.
You would have thought wrong. Papa Roach came out and ramped the crowd back up into a near frenzy. Jacoby Shaddix is still one of the most entertaining front men in the business. Jacoby flat out worked the crowd and poured his sweat and soul into the screaming St. Louis horde. Papa Roach began with “Kill the Noise” and followed with “Getting Away with Murder”, “Help”, “Bloodbrothers”/”Dead Cell”, “Fire Starter”, “Still D.R.E.” (yes, the Dr. Dre cover) “Swerve”, “To Be Loved”, “None of the Above”, “Forever”. Papa Roach finished the set by dedicating it to 105.7 the Point’s Jeff Burton, (“Scars”, “No Apologies”, “Between Angels and Insects”, “Last Resort”, and “Born for Greatness”). Jeff lost his valiant fight with cancer earlier in the summer.
Throughout the day the dedications and remembrances for Jeff Burton (of 105.7 the Point) were many and often. The love for Jeff was made obvious by all the people, and artists, wearing shirts memorializing Jeff. Let me finish by saying Pointfest was a hit. Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre remains one of the best places in America to see a show. The employees and staff are friendly and helpful, they go out of their way to ensure fans enjoy the show in peace and comfort. I hope Jeff was looking down upon the show and could feel all the love the folks heaped upon him.
Rock on St. Louis!
