Friday’s opening day of Upheaval at Grand Rapids’ Belknap Park unleased thunderous sets by Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, Of Mice and Men and more. The recap, highlights and photo galleries at Local Spins.

Hangbanging Scene: Belknap Park on Friday night. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS, DAY 2 SCHEDULE
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From an outsider’s perspective, a metal festival like Grand Rapids’ Upheaval Festival may look like nothing but chaos.
Though of course, there’s a little bit of that too, but the metal community is largely focused on inclusion, safety and creating a space for fans to let loose and have fun.
As Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach put it, “Have fun, take care of each other, but I need to see a f——ing circle pit!”
Returning for its fourth year, Upheaval drew thousands of fans to Belknap Park for opening night headliners Killswitch Engage and Godsmack. Some of the more daring attendees chose to participate in moshing and crowdsurfing near the front of the stage, while others were content to hang back in their lawn chairs or on picnic blankets spread across the massive Belknap Hill overlooking the Main Stage.

Sevendust at Sunset: On the Lookout Stage. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Fans of all ages, dressed mostly in band tees and monochromatic black ensembles, all shared the same enthusiasm for the festival, creating a lighthearted vibe despite the intensity of the music. There were even enough kids visible in the pit for a “Surf Your Kids!” chant to break out during one set.
When it was time for a set to get started on the Lookout Stage, fans made the reluctant hike up the hill, but were rewarded with a view of the city and, during Sevendust’s set in particular, a gorgeous sunset.
While the hill was likely seen as an obstacle for many, fan Jessica Rivera, who traveled to Upheaval from Plymouth, Ind., characterized the hill as a unique element of the festival that she really enjoys. “I’ve been to every year of the festival,” Rivera said proudly.
Meanwhile, Jade Larsen, of Greenville, was excited to catch her favorite band, California metalcore’s Of Mice and Men, in Grand Rapids instead of the group’s usual Detroit tour stops and even recorded Friday’s set for her boyfriend, who couldn’t make it to the festival. “I’m also here for all the other bands too. I’m really happy to be here,” said Larsen.
DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS
Killswitch Engage: Within the 10 minutes of the Massachusetts metalcore band’s set, lead vocalist Jesse Leach had to halt the show twice due to injuries in the crowd. “You guys know if somebody goes down you put up your X’s and we stop the show until they get help,” Leach declared from the stage. Killswitch Engage alternated between catchy melodic hooks and roaring metalcore screams, all of which was backed by heavy drumbeats and driving guitar riffs. Leach touched on the topic of mental health awareness before playing the 2006 track, “Arms of Sorrow.” Leach also made sure to give a shoutout to the hardworking security guards along the barricade.
Godsmack: Friday night’s closing set by Massachusetts hard rock band Godsmack may have been a little less intense than some of the day’s earlier sets, but the group’s catchy hits kept the crowd moving, this time with their feet on the ground rather than in the air. Flashing strobe lights and drone footage of the crowd projected onto massive screens onstage accompanied the high-energy performance. Although it was preceded by a slightly bizarre monologue about “men being men” and “making rock shows look like they did in 1985” from lead singer Sully Erna, Godsmack’s performance of “Something Different” was a highlight.
Bad Omens and Beartooth lead the charge for today’s edition of Upheaval. Get day passes online here and scroll down for the full schedule.
PHOTO GALLERY: Upheaval Festival 2024 – Day 1
Photos by Anthony Norkus
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
UPHEAVAL SCHEDULE: SATURDAY
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