The Power Trip festival, at Polo Grounds in Indio, California, was a rare chance to witness six iconic heavy metal and hard rock bands on a single stage. Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Tool, and Metallica headlined the event. While some sets missed the chance to truly distinguish themselves from these bands’ typical tour performances, the festival saw raised devil horns, countless beers, and ears ringing – a resounding success in every sense.
Day 1
Iron Maiden was undeniably a big attraction, but their production seemed somewhat restrained. Singer Bruce Dickinson engaged in a battle with a gigantic robotic rendition of the band’s eerie mascot, Eddie, featuring pyrotechnics and elaborate weaponry. However, instead of performing hits like “Run to the Hills,” they opted for a more niche setlist that catered to die-hard fans.
Guns N’ Roses delivered a lengthy three-hour performance, which could have been more powerful if it had been more concise. While lead guitarist Slash showcased his best form, the same couldn’t be said for singer Axl Rose, whose vocals displayed inconsistency.
Day 2
Judas Priest and AC/DC unquestionably stole the weekend’s spotlight. Judas Priest energetically powered through classics like “A Touch Of Evil” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” exuding confidence and featuring a sound mix that showcased 72-year-old singer Rob Halford’s nearly operatic vocal range.
AC/DC, with the return of singer Brian Johnson (who took a hiatus in 2016 due to hearing issues), electrified the crowd with a 24-song set, covering nearly every fan-favorite: “Back in Black,” “Dirty Deeds,” “Hell’s Bells,” “For Those About To Rock,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “High Voltage,” “Highway to Hell,” and more.
Day 3
Tool delivered an incredibly loud and ambitiously moody set, filled with their signature progressive sound and trippy psychedelic visuals. Unfortunately, they disappointed fans in the back by not featuring close-ups of the band members on the video screens.
Metallica, undoubtedly the festival’s most anticipated act, ignited the crowd with hits like “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Orion,” and “Fuel.” The band closed out the festival with the iconic “Master Of Puppets,” which has enjoyed renewed popularity thanks to its prominent role in “Stranger Things.”
Power Trip celebrated heavy metal and hard rock, and by any measure, it was a resounding success.
