More and more, festivals are becoming the driving force for touring rock and metal bands. While obviously there were none in 2020, festivals are returning in force in 2021, mostly in late summer and early fall. Headliners and co-headliners include such heavy hitters as Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, the original Misfits, Korn, Judas Priest, Five Finger Death Punch and Shinedown. Live Metal’s “2021 Festival Spotlight” series aims to bring attention to some of the names in smaller print on the festival admats—the bands you can get up close and personal with at the smaller stages—along with a few higher profile acts we find worth calling out here. See you at the shows.
Playing: Rock Fest, Upheaval, Blue Ridge Rock Festival, Rebel Rock
Website: www.nonpoint.com
Latest release: Nonpoint released its most recent album, “X,” in 2018. Its latest single, “Ruthless,” is available digitally and for pre-order on 7-inch vinyl, via 361 Degrees Records.
What You Need to Know: Forming in the late ‘90s in South Florida, Nonpoint was part of the initial nu metal boom and has continued to produce new music and tour consistently for the past 20-plus years. Vocalist Elias Soriano and drummer Robb Rivera have been the constants as guitarists and bassists have come and gone, with each lineup change seemingly making the band a tighter, more cohesive unit. No matter who has been on stage, Nonpoint always has been a dynamite, high-energy live act. Hit singles over the years have included “What a Day,” “The Truth,” “Bullet with a Name,” a cover of “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, “Miracle” (featuring Chad Gray of Mudvayne/Hellyeah) and “Breaking Skin.” Earlier in 2021, Nonpoint announced it had created its own independent label, 361 Degrees Records, for future releases.
What You Need to Hear:
Leave a Reply