LIVE: UPHEAVAL FESTIVAL – Grand Rapids, MI, USA – July 18-19, 2025

Venue: Belknap Park

City: Grand Rapids, MI

Dates: July 18-19, 2025

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

Having left Michigan for the summer due to a crazy busy work schedule chasing the NASCAR industry from city to city, track to track, and meeting to meeting, I found myself venturing back to Michigan’s west side with a flight to DTW.  With the bands announced this year stacked on top of the memories of covering the first four years of the festival, I had to venture out and up once again, and I was not disappointed.  With a lineup that covered many different facets of the hard rock and metal genres (as well as the multitude of subgenres) and there was, simply stated, something for everybody at the festival.  Even weather aficionados were treated to this festivals first evacuation.  This was also the first year I spent time in front of bands on the Rising Stage as well as many trips to and from the Lookout and Main Stages.

First up at the top of the hill (and my first trip without the assistance of a cart) was to see Death Metal rockers The Convalescence in all their corpse painted glory.  While the message and music are lost on me, it was a visually exciting set that allowed me to get dialed in from behind a camera.  Additionally, the climb and the heavy-handed bottom end got the blood flowing to prepare me for the rest of the day.  COMPLETE SET OF THE CONVALESCENCE PHOTOS

Working my way down the hill and to the Main Stage where The Funeral Portrait found me in front of a band I had heard of but wasn’t quite familiar with the music.  Sonically, they were a bit on the poppier side of core music, but not too much saccharine for all the music lovers that pushed their way to the front of the general admission area and the barricades in front of the stage.  COMPLETE SET OF THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT PHOTOS — THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT SETLIST

Next up was my first experience at the Rising Stage with an up-n-coming band The Lonely Ones, who I had previously seen opening a show nearby at The Machine Shop.  These guys give it their all every time they hit the stage and flex their rock n roll muscles from first note to last.  Be sure to keep an eye on their guitarist as he struts, slithers, and moves without abandon across the stage.  COMPLETE SET OF THE LONELY ONES PHOTOS

Skipping the jaunt up the hill, I waited for Taproot to grace us with their presence and rock the crowd on the main stage as Michigan-based rockers have done for years.  Making their way to the stage with Backstreet Boys blasting through the sound system set the fun tone for their set.  The band was on fire and delivered their set with high energy from first note to last.  COMPLETE SET OF TAPROOT PHOTOS — TAPROOT SETLIST

Continuing my musical education on at the Rising Stage was Florida rockers Paralandra.  I have reviewed their music and always dug what they put out, but their tour calendar never seemed to line up when I was around.  The band was fun and energetic and it’s hard to hate the music that has a hard rock sound delivered with such a cool vibe.  There was nothing about these guys I didn’t like – the solid music and killer vocals are a perfect storm of rock and roll.  COMPLETE SET OF PARALANDRA PHOTOS

Taking another long hike up the hill after catching part of the Rising Stage set, I made it in time to catch Return To Dust as they played their asses off with vocals that were very Soundgarden / Cornell influenced while the lead guitarist worked overtime to impress everyone that ventured to the Lookout Stage with his playing and stage dynamics.  These guys have a sound that, while reminiscent of other alt rock bands, carried their own sonic stamp of individuality.  COMPLETE SET OF RETURN TO DUST PHOTOS

After taking some time to hang out with a dear guitar tech friend (so hard to do when we are both constantly headed in different directions), I returned to the Lookout to catch Scene Queen deliver one of the most surprising sets in my opinion.  What I thought might be a bunch of songs pulled together for lyrical shock value, the Queen delivered an explicit set with a female positive message.  While the subject matter may not be my full-time cup of tea, there was something about the set that kept you watching and listening.  COMPLETE SET OF SCENE QUEEN PHOTOS — SCENE QUEEN SETLIST

The biggest surprise of Day 1 hit me when Architects hit the Main Stage and rocked me while I shifted around in the pit trying to catch the musical magic from behind a camera.  While a lot of hardcore, emo, post whatever is lost on me, these guys were entertaining and good listening.  The music was tight and melodic without losing itself in its musicality and the vocals were just enough to keep everyone happy and dialed back just enough to let me enjoy the moment and the set.  The musicianship was tight and perfectly counterbalanced by the vocals.  Be sure to check them out if you get the chance.  COMPLETE SET OF ARCHITECTS PHOTOS — ARCHITECTS SETLIST

Up the hill was Crossfade and they packed it out for fans that had waited a long time to hear them play once again.  Full disclosure, I wasn’t familiar with their catalog or sound, so it wasn’t something that set me on fire.  COMPLETE SET OF CROSSFADE PHOTOS — CROSSFADE SETLIST

Headliner Rob Zombie returned to close out the first day of Upheaval and brought two members (original guitarist Riggs and bassist Blasko) that weren’t with the band when he played the first year of the festival in 2021.  Dragging out the solo hits and some White Zombie hits and obscure tracks saw Zombie delivering a slightly different set than most of us were expecting or used to.  The stage and presentation were like years past, but it’s part of the magic that is a Rob Zombie show.  While the lighting isn’t a photographer’s friend, it certainly adds to the sets feel and delivery.  Say what you will, Zombie and his crew (including longtime drummer Ginger Fish) bring a killer show full of hits and fan favorites that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.  COMPLETE SET OF ROB ZOMBIE PHOTOS — ROB ZOMBIE SETLIST

Starting Day 2 in the same vein as the previous, I carried my ass (and bag full of camera gear) up the hill before they ran carts and positioned myself to check out POET The Band on the advice of my festival mates and I was not disappointed as the young guys on stage gave their all.  The songs were tight, and the sound was perfect to jump start the final day of the festival.  COMPLETE SET OF POET THE BAND PHOTOS — POET THE BAND SETLIST

Another favorite of mine that I had seen at The Machine Shop, A Killer’s Confession, brought their musical mayhem and masked fury to the main stage.  With lineage buried in another band, it was cool to see Waylon Reavis touring with Stitch and Lil Dan.  These guys made killer rock music and are still doing it in 2025.  Don’t sleep on this band as they make their way back and forth across the country this summer.  COMPLETE SET OF A KILLER’S CONFESSION PHOTOS

One of the bands I was most excited to see and hear live was Living Dead Girl and they did not disappoint.  From drummer Steve hitting the stage first and kicking the show off as the band took their places and the living dead girl herself Molly Haining took her rightful place center stage, singing, screaming, and charming anyone and everyone that would pay attention… as if it were possible not to.  Seeing them early in the daylight was cool and photo-friendly, but I hope to catch them soon playing a full set on stage in a dark club.  COMPLETE SET OF LIVING DEAD GIRL PHOTOS

I was able to catch a bit of Nevertel‘s set and was pleasantly surprised as I had never heard of them but one of my festival buddies told me not to miss out, and he was on to something.  The sound and vibe of the band reminded me of From Ashes To New, but there was something about these guys that I thought was more accessible musically.  The tandem of vocalists worked well together and kept the crowd in sync with their energy from open to close of their set.  COMPLETE SET OF NEVERTEL PHOTOS — NEVERTEL SETLIST

Hanging up the hill to check out Royale Lynn was on my agenda, as her straight forward rock sound was something I wanted to dig into and just enjoy for a bit.  My friends caught her at a small radio show the previous year and suggested I check it out and just ease back and enjoy, which I did after my time in the pit with a camera in hand.  The vocals were cool and didn’t push too hard or come off too soft at all.  Another band I would like to check out in another setting.  COMPLETE SET OF ROYALE LYNN PHOTOS

As the inclement weather moved in, Yelawolf kicked his set off a little early trying to avoid any issues.  A before he could complete a second song, his music was cut off and he announced the venue was being evacuated due to storms and lightning, but not before crooning Garth Brooks’ “Friend In High Places” letting everyone know we were all in this together… as did his joining fans in the crowd and parking lot, taking selfies and hanging out while we waited out the storm.  COMPLETE SET OF YELAWOLF PHOTOS

After evacuating and hanging out in the car, the five of us that ventured to Grand Rapids made our way back in to catch some more rock before making our way to different cities the next morning.  While some made their way to see Vended, I didn’t make the trek up the hill and still regret that decision.  Next on the Main Stage was Wage War and they were definitely worth the time and effort of getting back in the venue and jockeying for position in the pit.  These Florida rockers hit us all hard and solidly to start the wind down of the day and festivities.  While it was a bit heavier than my normal fare, they were cool to check out.  COMPLETE SET OF WAGE WAR PHOTOS — WAGE WAR SETLIST

Venturing up the hill one more time at a friend’s suggestion, I caught Dead Poet Society as they closed out the Lookout Stage for another year.  The band had a chill rock vibe wrapped around some cool melodies and vocals that perfectly delivered the band’s lyrical message.  While I may not spin them regularly while working in the office, they were definitely good festival fare.  COMPLETE SET OF DEAD POET SOCIETY PHOTOS

And like that, we were at the final band of the weekend and 2025 edition of Upheaval Festival… and Falling In Reverse delivered on every level.  Having seen them many times over the years in different venues, on different tours and festivals, and even different times of day, I have to say this was Ronnie Radke and his band firing on every cylinder.  This was one of the best sets of the weekend, with pyro, attitude, crowd engagement, and overall good vibes.  There were some fun exchanges and interaction with the crowd that added to the sets overall feelgood vibe.  Be sure to put these guys on your must-see list.  COMPLETE SET OF FALLING IN REVERSE PHOTOS — FALLING IN REVERSE SETLIST

As quickly as it started, it was over and we were all caught between the memories & recollection of the last two days’ worth of music and the anticipation of the 2026 festival, I packed my shit, boarded a plane, and headed for Charlotte.  Fred and Jordan – thanks for another year of great rock and even better memories… Mariam and Brad – glad you guys were along for the ride once again. Can’t wait to do this shit again next year.

Another lookback at this festival reminds me of the work required to make it happen, to cover it, and to build the anticipation for next year…  The festival in numbers…

• 1,462 miles traveled from Charlotte, NC to Belknap Park…
• 19 bands seen and heard…
• 90 minutes of uncertainty waiting out weather in the car after an evacuation…
• 18 hours of music and comradery with other rockers, music fans, and photographers…
• 4 long climbs straight up the face of the hill with my camera gear…
• 4,200+ photos taken and edited…
• Unlimited cherished memories with my festival gang to hold me over until 2026…

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