So, since this festival is already underway this might be more of a retrospective pick thing, but anyway here are some picks from our contributors of standout performers at this year’s Rock on the Range Festival, held at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH.

Marco Castro:

1. Brian “Head” Welch: Yes, I want to see him play on his own band Love and Death and returning to Korn.
2. Thousand Foot Krutch: From Canada to the world, they put a great live show. Must see.
3. o’brother: Saw them with Thrice a few times… A mix of intensity and chillness.
4. RED: Man… I really like Red. Super intense melodic nu-metal.
5. Skillet: Skillet puts great arena rock show on legit arenas. Fireworks, masks, fire, etc. Something the ROTR crowd loves!

Chris McLafferty:

For me it’s hard to differentiate alot of the newer rock bands because most of these new bands sound the same to me with a real disappointment in the lack of progression. Most rock stations are playing the same songs from when we were in High School. But here’s a few I’d be pumped to see this weekend.

1. The Smashing Pumpkins: One of the pioneers of Rock for my early ages, a melodic band that knows when to put in the roughness and when to scale it back. This is definitely the most talented overall band in this, or probably any, Rock on the Range.
2. Korn: A lot of the things I know about ROTR comes from growing up amd Korn was the biggest, best and early co-founders of the “nu-metal” style that brought Rock back into the mainstream. This show would be a trip down nostalgia lane accompanied by a talented guitar clown for me.
3. In Flames(Official): Unreal! When you’re the beast mode song on Guitar Hero, chances are you know how to thrash. When In Flames takes the stage, they’ll be bringing the best rock guitar duo to the party.
4. A Day To Remember: Warped Tour mainstays harden up to take the ROTR stage. This bands pounds in your favorite Warped Tour type of way. They’ll be bringing the energy, the tunes and the punch-pits, so watch out.
5. Bullet for My Valentine: YES! Bullet can give any of these bands a run for their money, especially on my earlier claim that In Flames brings the best rock guitar duo. Get ready to loose your mind and get crazy. For people who like their Rock all coked up

The Rest:

• Black Veil Brides: There’s something interesting and growing here for me. A performance I wouldn’t want to miss.
• Thousand Foot Krutch: Huge fan back in the day. I keep waiting for them to either grow more or go back to the early stages. Their singles keep being amazing, so if it’s a singles show be prepared to be blown away, but sometimes they get lost in trying.
• Sevendust: Very enjoyable, just never really hit the next level for me. Tons of good songs, few great ones. Still very underappreciated and a HUGE blessing at 1pm.
• Middle Class Rut: From what I’ve heard, I’ve enjoyed. Just haven’t heard enough to be put in my top 5. Should be a nice surprise in the early day.