Northern Invasion 2017, Somerset, WI

Northern Invasion, May 13-14, 2017

Somerset Amphitheater, Somerset, WI, USA, May 13-14, 2017

Story by Rich Kwasniewski

This was the 3rd year Northwest Wisconsin experienced an "Invasion" by some the biggest bands in rock, metalcore, grunge and rap rock. Growing from a single day event in 2015 to its current two day format, this year's event was sure to please a wide variety of musical tastes. If you're a fan of good old American rock, metalcore influenced rock, melodic death metal, grunge, pop punk, even rap rock, there was plenty to see and hear during these 2 days.

Held at the spacious Somerset Amphitheater Music and Event Center in Somerset WI, 2 day passes and campground packages were available and each day the crowd was at capacity. An abundance of various food and drink fed your primal instincts, and t-shirts and other memorabilia made sure you didn't forget where you were. A "Meet and Greet" area was set up so avid fans could get a chance to chat with some of their idols. Selfies anyone?? This year mother nature even shined down on all of us "literally LOL.". Last year temperatures were c-o-o-l in the high 40s. Nothing like that this time around, plenty of sun and warm temps for 2 days and 12 hours of music on 3 different stages.

Saturday, May 13th

Day one had a little of every music genre. Bruce Dickinson and AS Lions started the day on the Stillwater Stage, while Sleep Signals, Every Time I Die and In Flames had metal fans headbanging and raising their fists in unison. Godsmack and Soundgarden closed out the night over at the Monster Energy Main Stage, and little did we know we were witnessing one of the last performances by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, who sadly died a few days later on May 18th, 2017.

St Croix Stage
Sleep Signals, Wage War, Citizen Zero, Volumes. Every Time I Die, Dillinger Escape Plan, In Flames

Stillwater Stage
As Lions, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Dorothy, I Prevail, The Story So Far, Sum 41, Pierce The Veil

Monster Energy Main Stage
Rival Sons, Of Mice & Men, The Struts, The Pretty Reckless, Bush, Godsmack, Soundgarden

Sunday, May 14th

Day two continued with the same energy and musical onslaught that started on Saturday. Heavy metal sounds from Fozzy and Gojira kept the St. Croix stage crowds thrusting their arms high in the air. Radkey and their garage punk energy pleased everyone hanging out at the Stillwater Stage, and the epic Amon Amarth, a Viking metal band from Sweden, showed what raw energy might've been like in the era of Vikings. Motionless in White energized the Sunday crowd over at the main stage with their gothic metalcore and Papa Roach made sure there was plenty of body surfing during his set. Kid Rock successfully completed the 2017 "Invasion" with his rap-meets-rock-meets-country hybrid style of music. As the night fell, we all slowly drove off into the night, wondering who would be invading us next year.....

St Croix Stage
Cold Kingdom, Badflower, Sylar, Bleeker, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Fozzy, Gojira

Stillwater Stage
The Charm The Fury, Goodbye June, Radkey, Attila, Opeth, Amon Amarth

Monster Energy Main Stage
Starset, Motionless In White, Nothing More, Alter Bridge, Papa Roach, The Offspring, Kid Rock

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