WASHINGTON — Everything old will be new again at Merriweather Post Pavillion this weekend. Not only will concertgoers get a glimpse at renovations to the 48-year-old venue — expected to be completed in June — they’ll also transport back in time to 1989 with big hair, spandex and guitar-driven rock.
The M3 Rock Festival makes its triumphant return to Merriweather for the seventh year in a row, showcasing a lot of the hard rock and hair metal bands of that era.
The weekend kicks off Friday with the annual Kix-off party, featuring local favorites Kix as the headliners for the evening. The fun continues Saturday with a full day of music and people watching. That means tight pants, short skirts, hair with enough Aqua Net to hold a style for days, guys with long hair and guys that still wish they had that long hair!
With so few metal-centric festivals available, fans come from all over the world to be there. TV and radio personality Eddie Truck returns to host the festival with two new additions: “Video Vixens” Tawny Kitaen and Bobbie Brown. If those names don’t ring a bell, watching Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” and Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” video may jog your memories.
With 20 bands over two stages and no overlapping sets, there is definitely something for everyone.
Friday’s bands include Trixter, Dio Disciples, Quiet Riot, Dokken and the aforementioned Kix. However, the day will kick off on a somber yet heartwarming note, as Maryland band Korupt takes the stage at 4 p.m. Billed as a memorial show, the band will honor lead singer and founding bandmate Sean (McCall) McAuliffe, who passed away earlier this year. Long time friend and roadie Buddy Zappa will front the band and all proceeds from the memorial T-shirts will go to McAuliffe’s family.
Saturday brings the addition of the second stage, featuring Killer Dwarfs, Tyketto, Black N Blue, Bang Tango, Winery Dogs and Y & T. It will also feature Cinderella’s Tom Keifer performing solo with songs from his debut album “The Way Life Goes,” as well as some Cinderella favorites. The main stage will see Bad Seed Rising, Rhino Bucket, Vixen, LA Guns, Krokus, Warrant and Queensryche.
Closing out the night will be Swedish rock band Europe, who just released its tenth studio album “War of Kings” in March, but you probably know them best from the song “The Final Countdown.”
If committing a whole weekend to a festival isn’t your thing, single day tickets are available.
Click here for ticket information.
