2-day ‘all-encompassing’ rock festival rolling into Edmonton this weekend

Def Leppard, Weezer, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Bret Michaels, and Stone Temple Pilots will be in Edmonton this weekend for the Rockin Thunder Music Festiva

The forecast this weekend might be calling for some thunder – Rockin’ Thunder, that is – as the inaugural rock festival hits Exhibition Lands race track this weekend.

“The term ‘rock festival’ is all-encompassing,” said director of corporate partnerships Gerry Krochak.

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The two-day festival on July 11 and 12 is indeed a variety of rock genres, with legends Def Leppard, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Weezer among the lineup.

Krochak said it’s a “thrill” to bring rock back to the city of festivals.

“There’s plenty of great country festivals and EDM festivals … but we’ve kind of gotten away from the rock aesthetic,” he said.

Krochak said the race track is “quickly proving itself to be perfect for this type of event” because of its ample space and ability to accommodate “lots of food, lots of refreshments, and some terrific merch.”

Tickets are still on sale in limited quantities. The festival offers tiers of admission ranging from $200 to $800 for a full, “hardcore” experience.

Krochak also said there are already talks to bring the festival back next year.

“It’s going to be a great vibe, it’s going to be loud, it’s going to be a blast,” he said.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Alex Antoneshyn