The morning started off cool and lightly sprinkling as fans made their way to Oshkosh for XRoads41 Rock Detour on August 9. By the time the first performances were underway, however, the clouds began to break, the sun started peeking through, and the temperature quickly began to rise, setting the stage for a full day of rock music, packed performances, and plenty of energy.
XRoads41 Rock Detour may have felt smaller than some of the larger rock festivals, but that ended up being part of its charm. The festival grounds were inviting and easy to navigate, with a handful of vendors offering some seriously good food. With a stacked lineup featuring artists such as Dorothy, Saliva, Memphis May Fire, Atreyu, Daughtry, Drowning Pool, Saving Abel and headliner Breaking Benjamin, there was no shortage of music to keep fans entertained, without the festival ever feeling overwhelming.
Dorothy kicked things off for me, and she was immediately captivating. She has the kind of stage presence that makes it difficult to look away. She did an excellent job warming up the crowd and getting everyone ready for the long day of rock ahead.
Keep up with Dorothy here: https://www.dorothyonfire.com and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorothy/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6IOvhXyk5edbA2DVaeP9Up?si=XC0e_dV-ScCY2iORIOkr4w
From there, Saliva took the stage to an audience that was clearly excited to see them. The enthusiasm surrounding their performance was hard to miss. One fan even mentioned that Saliva was the reason she came to the festival in the first place, which really summed up the connection the band still has with its fans.
Keep up with Saliva here: https://saliva.com/?srsltid=AfmBOortxXPwCEZiUmnUBrgUqp1icGrWRWZJ7z0E2f1MuHsSsNuZobbL and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saliva/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5S6hjAxgxjsLylsTtMIimO?si=IjgoNMl8TByimfCSodl4QA
Next up was Memphis May Fire, a personal favorite of mine. Having watched the band before, I knew they were going to bring the energy, and they absolutely delivered. They always go hard on stage, and their energy is infectious. Before long, they had people moving and the crowd fully engaged with their performance.
Keep up with Memphis May Fire here: https://www.memphismayfire.com and on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memphismayfire/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7cNNNhdJDrt3vgQjwSavNf?si=r61069whQpyIVBGMtScPpw
Atreyu followed, and as a longtime fan, I was excited to photograph them. They never disappoint when it comes to live performances. Their stage presence is incredible, and they have a natural ability to get the crowd involved. Their interactions with the audience were just as entertaining as the music itself, making their set one of the highlights of the day for me.
Keep up with Atreyu here: https://www.atreyumerch.com and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atreyuofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3LkSiHbjqOHCKCqBfEZOTv?si=_u3fXLSUQ0eWajJ4qi0j5g
Daughtry brought a different kind of energy to the festival. While I’m not personally a huge fan of the band, it was impossible not to appreciate how much the crowd enjoyed their performance. Large numbers of people gathered to watch, and they remained completely engaged throughout the set. It was clear that Daughtry had plenty of fans in the audience.
Keep up with Daughtry here: https://daughtryofficial.com and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughtry/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5P5FTygHyx2G57oszR3Wot?si=cLp1B-6GTauaiGwMkpH2ZA
Drowning Pool was another major crowd draw. People packed in to watch their performance, and it was especially cool to see families enjoying the set together. There were even kids in the crowd, and seeing parents and their children bonding over rock music was one of those moments that makes a festival like this feel special.
Keep up with Drowning Pool here: https://drowningpool.com and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drowningpoolofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1E4r4z7ivGUcSAnCbINJ9v?si=Bl4pH69PSLqmBDEuqDc4Ag
Saving Abel took the stage in a tent that had become noticeably hot, but the heat certainly didn’t stop them from giving the audience everything they had. Despite the conditions, the band continued to bring the energy and put on a performance worthy of the crowd that had gathered to see them.
Keep up with Saving Abel here: https://www.savingabel.com and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesavingabel/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2AVVj8ezW2mJ0v8u7XydiF?si=rTZ1XqN4R8yZsUx8fV2haw
Then came the headliner: Breaking Benjamin.
As a longtime fan who has seen Breaking Benjamin live countless times, I had high expectations, and once again, they delivered. The crowd was completely invested in the performance, with fans singing along and moving with the music throughout the set. Their stage presence and overall performance showed exactly why they continue to be such a major force in rock.
One of the most memorable moments of the entire festival came when Ben his son on stage to perform alongside him. Watching the two of them share the stage was genuinely special. You could see the pride on Ben’s face as he watched and encouraged his son throughout the performance. It was a personal moment in the middle of a huge rock show, and one that I’m sure many people in the crowd won’t soon forget.
Keep up with Breaking Benjamin here: https://www.breakingbenjamin.com and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingbenjamin/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5BtHciL0e0zOP7prIHn3pP?si=unzvGnELR7aTyaLKmPj6ew
Overall, XRoads41 Rock Detour delivered a full day of rock without feeling like too much. The lineup offered something for a variety of rock fans, the grounds had a comfortable and welcoming feel, and the crowd brought plenty of energy to every performance. From the opening moments with Dorothy to the final notes of Breaking Benjamin, the festival was filled with memorable performances and moments that made the day worth being there for.
For fans looking for a rock festival with a strong lineup, good food, an energetic crowd, and a more intimate atmosphere, XRoads41 Rock Detour is definitely one to keep an eye on.
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