National acts to headline outdoor show

GUY D’ASTOLFO

vindicator entertainment writer

YOUNGSTOWN — When Jonesfest moved to Nelson Ledges Quarry Park this year, it left a gaping hole in the early-summer downtown festival schedule.

Business owners wanted something to take its place. Enter Rock the Block, an all-day rock show featuring four national acts and four strong local acts.

“Barley’s and Downtown 36 came to us to see if we could fill the void,” said Jason Tibolla of 3rd Arm Promotions. “It worked out right.”

As usual for downtown rock festivals, West Federal Street will be closed between Phelps Street and Wick Avenue.

There will be one outdoor stage, with additional acts playing inside at D36 and Barley’s, said Tibolla.

What’s not usual is that, for the first time in recent memory, there will be an admission charge.

Downtown is the scene of numerous free festivals and fairs every year, but there is no city ordinance that prohibits charging an admission fee.

“I looked but I didn’t find one,” said Anthony Farris, deputy law director.

The promoters of Rock the Block were not sure if it would be legal to charge a fee for an event on public property, and asked the city to clarify the law.

Apparently, there is no law prohibiting admission fees, said Farris.

Still, the news might come as a surprise to people who assumed admission to city-owned land must always be free.

But those people will agree that Rock the Block is still a bargain, said Tibolla.

Admission will be $5, said Tibolla, who pointed out that the bands on the bill usually command much higher ticket prices.

Each of the four national acts on the bill has a single on the Billboard charts this spring: Halestorm (“I Get Off”), Burn Halo (“Dirty Little Girl”), The Veer Union (“Seasons”) and Since October (“Guilty”).

Halestorm has played Youngstown before: the female-fronted rockers were the opener for the Shinedown/Saliva concert March 23 at the Wedge.

The four bands are not on the same record label but are being packaged together for summer gigs, said Tibolla.

“You would pay $15 to see all four of the these acts at the same show anywhere else,” said Tibolla, who noted that sponsorship deals allow him to keep the price low.

Festival sponsors include Miller Lite and Wholesale Fireworks.

Tibolla has also assembled a strong — and rather eclectic — four-pack of local acts.

Music will start at 4 p.m. on the outdoor stage with a lineup consisting of progressive-rockers Asleep, reggae-flavored 5 Elements, pop rockers Haven and hard-core act Wake the Lion, which is featured in this month’s issue of Alternative Press magazine as a band to watch.

The national acts will take over afterward and play until about midnight.

Performing inside Barley’s will be Donovan Rice, Denny London, Triple Threat, Subourbon Son and Acoustic Juggernaut, who will play from midnight until 2 a.m. Inside D36, dance music will be provided by a DJ.

Rock the Block will also have an array of food, beer and other vendors. Doors open at 3 p.m., and the music will go on rain or shine.

Weather is iffy in early June, but Tibolla is confident it will cooperate.

“The Farmers Almanac says it will be dry and sticky,” he said. “People think I’m crazy, but I always consult the Farmers Almanac before scheduling a show.”