Northwest Metal Invasion

05/11/2024

With Blue Ridge Rock Festival announcing their cancellation for this year and not acknowledging the terrible work environment and unprepared medical staff from the previous year, blows my mind.

I understand it's difficult to get ahead of the situation when there's a massive outpour of unhappy fans posting about their terrible experiences but I haven't heard about an almost completely unorganized large scale festival since hearing about Woodstock '99
(Fyre fest never actually took place)

While my festivals Northwest Metal Invasion & Flathead Metalfest have reached anywhere from 500 - 800 in attendance, safety & staying hydrated has always been the top two constant thoughts in my head throughout the entirety of the event. I warn the bands and as many people who are expecting to attend that it is BYOB and while I will provide water for each stage, still bring extra water. With two stages, I provided cases (24 bottles) of bottled water for each stage and a case for admissions. Then replenished the water the next day unless someone let me know there was no water at one of the locations at which I try to get another case at that location. Staying hydrated is so incredibly crucial to me and is why I advertise it so strongly.

Having unprepared medical staff is insane. My festival had a hospital at least within 20 mins. There was also plenty of ground for setting up tents.

How does Jon and his team (not considering the hired workers who were also unaware of details) not obsess over every little detail for this festival?

Even after my festivals, I still think about little things that could make my next festival flow easier as I want everyone who comes to my shows/festivals to have a memorable time, to see the bands they wanted to see, learn about a new band they never heard of and the bands to get paid.

04/16/2024

I have to admit, whenever I see anyone wearing a Northwest Metal Invasion shirt or a Flathead Metalfest shirt, my face just lights up. I become all smiles.

I saw a co worker wearing a Northwest Metal Invasion shirt and it just made my day.

I usually present myself as the coordinator of those events and say thank you for showing up. Then I'll chill with you for a bit and start asking questions about the event. Which was your favorite band? How much fun did you have? But I'll also ask if there was any way it could get better? Just to hear from the people who spend their hard earned cash at one of my shows and to show you how much it means to me that you decided to come watch a bunch of incredibly rad bands do what they do best and that is perform for you guys. And give you an awesome distraction from all of the sorrows and annoyance of everyday life.

I've always believed that live entertainment is the realest form of magic. And I believe if anyone supports your shows, never miss taking the time to hang with the crowd to show your appreciation because it feels amazing when your hard work pays off by seeing everyone at your shows having a freaking blast.

-Anthony

02/01/2024

Upcoming show announcements during band changeovers is something I believe venues and promoters should start doing. Major headlining bands already take their sweet time getting to the stage to perform so why not utilize the downtime time to announce upcoming shows under your promotion, and even announce shows at other venues to show unity in the music scene.

Not everyone sees every single flier you put up on the venue walls.

Thoughts?

01/16/2024

I respect anyone involved in the concert business who is kind to everyone they are around. Doesn't come off conceited or have the egoism sickness. If you see value in everyone who is involved in the concert business then you are the type of people I like to associate with. Thinkers with a vision. All about bringing up the music scene and showing that other intelligent visionaries are welcome. This is the most passion driven business to be involved in.

01/09/2024

Working with these dudes is always rad. Super laid back and willing to work whomever as long as you're professional.

I had The Gray Goo scheduled to open for day 1 of Flathead Metalfest 2021 (before we rebranded) and the rain hit us pretty hard about an hour before The Gray Goo was supposed to start. We couldn't start on time and The Gray Goo boys thought they weren't going to be able to play, so I told Max, Matt and Zach, you guys get your gear back on that stage, every band that shows up to play, will play. Set times were pushed back because of the rain but everyone still had a blast.

Drawing from deep within their collective memory, the three bandmates responsible for the musical mayhem that is The Gray Goo wind back the clock nearly three years to describe the Mosh in the Mountains – the local group’s inaugural live performance in a rural and remote pocket of northwest Mont...

12/28/2023

To band or to promote...

12/23/2023

Metalheads will look at this and "HELL YEAH" while not being able to decide which version of this song is better. I personally loved both.

11/23/2023

Happy slaughtered turkey day!

Enjoy turkey dismemberment time with the family!

Devour well!

🤘

11/20/2023

Northwest Metal Invasion preplanning has begun.

Already getting lots of bands reaching out requesting to play.

Be ready for a stacked Northwest Metal Invasion 2024!

10/25/2023

Festivals, concerts, raves, shows are the best forms of real-life magic.

You get to witness random people make noise from inanimate objects.

You get to witness the artists be the purest form of who they are when they're on stage sharing their music & story with you.

There's a good chance it can replace whatever your substance addiction is with a healthier addiction. You'll never question why you spend your money at shows.

You get to meet fans who are at the shows for the same reasons you are.

Never turn down a chance to go to a show, because it could be the show that changes your life for the best, permanently.