Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival’s inaugural lineup will replace Rock on the Range in May. Courtesty of Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival
Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, Columbus’ newest concert and comedy event, announced Monday that it will replace the popular rock festival Rock on the Range at MAPFRE Stadium in May.
During its 12-year-run, Rock on the Range, one of America’s largest and most acclaimed rock music festivals, had routinely sold out each year. Now, the new festival will span three days, bringing top musicians, art installations and comedy performances to Columbus from May 17-19.
Independent U.S. music festival producer Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents, is one of the co-creators of Rock on the Range, and has also organized music festivals such as Chicago Open Air, Louder Than Life and Welcome to Rockville. Wimmer said he is happy with the past success of Rock on the Range, but wants to bring a better and more expansive festival experience to Columbus.
“I am so proud of what we accomplished with Rock On The Range,” Wimmer said. “With the debut of Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, we’re excited to bring our devoted rock fans and the city of Columbus a one-of-a-kind, world-class event that expands on the festival experience.”
Sonic Temple will feature dozens of acts over the weekend, but main festival headliners include Foo Fighters, System of a Down, and Disturbed. The headliners will be joined by Bring Me the Horizon, Ghost, Chevelle, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, The Cult and many other up-and-coming acts.
The festival will also feature a Comedy & Spoken Word Tent, which will include stand-up comedy sets from Andrew Dice Clay, Pauly Shore and other acts to be announced at a later date. The tent will also showcase a spoken word set from renowned punk musician and actor Henry Rollins.
Wimmer has been producing concerts and festivals since 1993, but said he hopes Sonic Temple + Art Festival will turn into a haven for rock music fans.
“The idea behind Sonic Temple is walking into something bigger than yourself, where you belong, or where you were always meant to be. The crowd is unparalleled, and the energy is electrifying, like going to a place of worship,” Wimmer said. “We want this festival to be a temple of rock ‘n’ roll. We want this to be the ultimate rock experience for the true fans who love the genre as much as we do.”
General admission packages for the entire weekend range from $99 to $199, VIP packages begin at $379 and RV camping packages begin at $250.
General admission, VIP and Premium VIP tickets and hotel and camping packages for the festival will go on sale Nov. 30 at noon. More information on the festival can be found at sonictemplefestival.com.
