The crew was back in town, and Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival brought the house down – again! Over 175,000 music fans descended upon Historic Crew Stadium in Ohio for the sold-out extravaganza, held May 8-11, and it was a wild ride. More than 100 bands rocked four stages, with some seriously unexpected moments, including:
-METALLICA making their Sonic Temple debut, and they didn’t disappoint – they brought the “No Repeat Weekend” vibes with two unique sets, including the super rare “…And Justice For All” deep cut “The Shortest Straw” on Friday night. Fun fact: METALLICA’s James Hetfield is known for his iconic stage presence, and the band has sold over 125 million records worldwide!
-LINKIN PARK kicked off their 2025 festival tour with new singer Emily Armstrong, and they even brought out grandson (yep, that’s a real name!) for a blistering performance of “One Step Closer”. Did you know LINKIN PARK has sold over 100 million records worldwide and has been nominated for multiple Grammys?
-KORN kicked things off with fan fave “Blind” and surprised everyone with “Twisted Transistor” for the first time since 2019 and “4 U” for the first time since 2020 – score!
-Columbus natives BEARTOOTH made a surprise appearance on the lineup, because hometown heroes always bring the heat!
-BAD OMENS brought out HEALTH’s Jake Duzsik for a haunting performance of “The Drain” – talk about a killer collab!
-FILTER celebrated 30 years of “Hey Man Nice Shot” – that’s a whole lotta anniversary cake!
Other standout sets came from THREE DAYS GRACE, ROB ZOMBIE, ALICE COOPER, I PREVAIL, and CHEVELLE, among many more – it was a veritable who’s who of rock royalty!
But Sonic Temple is more than just a music fest – it’s an immersive art experience. Visual artists like Jay Howell (the genius behind Bob’s Burgers and Sanjay and Craig cartoons), Terry Urban (a triple threat as a visual artist, DJ, and music producer), and Mandi Caskey (a.k.a. Miss Birdy, muralist extraordinaire) brought the visual heat, making the festival grounds a living, breathing gallery. Who knew art and rock could mix so well?
If you needed a break from the mosh pit, Sonic Temple’s activations and lounges had you covered. You could sip on BLACKENED Whiskey at the METALLICA-themed BLACKENED Whiskey Bar, or chow down on some seriously tasty grub at the BLACKENED Burger Bar, courtesy of celeb chef Chris Santos (he’s a Chopped judge, too!). The pop-up was a collab between METALLICA, Blackened Whiskey, Chris Santos, and Danny Wimmer Presents – talk about a dream team! Fans even got to meet members of OF MICE & MEN, EXODUS, MINISTRY, and more in surprise “Meat & Greets”.
Other fun stuff included The Dive Bar and experiences from sponsors like BeatBox Beverages, BlackCraft, Blacktooth Whiskey, Casamigos, CELSIUS, Demons Behind Me, Dimebag Hardware, Eargasm, Fxck Cancer, Jack Daniel’s, Middle West Spirits, Mountain Dew, Parlor Root Beer, Take Me Home Animal Charity, To Write Love On Her Arms, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, and White Claw – that’s a whole lotta brands getting in on the rock ‘n’ roll action!
Before the party was over, Danny Wimmer Presents dropped some major news: they’re sticking around Columbus for the long haul, with a five-year extension of their partnership with Historic Crew Stadium. That means Sonic Temple is here to stay through at least 2030 – yessss! The festival is a major player in the local economy, pumping in millions and creating hundreds of jobs.
As Josh Glessing, Chief of Strategy and Development, Haslam Sports Group and President of Business Operations, Columbus Crew, said, “Sonic Temple has become a cornerstone event for Historic Crew Stadium and Columbus, and we’re proud to continue building on its success with this partnership extension.”
“We’re thrilled to keep this incredible attraction in Columbus for years to come,” Kari Kauffman, Chief Destination Experience Officer, Experience Columbus, chimed in. “The 2025 festival was a huge success, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Danny Wimmer, Founder of Danny Wimmer Presents, gushed, “It’s been nearly twenty years since I first became involved in bringing large-scale rock music to Columbus, and the city has had a special place in my heart ever since… Extending our partnership with the Historic Crew Stadium through 2030 is more than just a milestone—it’s a reflection of our long-standing commitment to this community.”
The 2026 festival dates for Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival will be announced soon – stay tuned!
