Sun, dust greets music fans as Amnesia Rockfest kicks off in Montebello

[guest]

MONTEBELLO — The performances at Amnesia Rockfest on Friday not only highlighted the showmanship of the acts but also brought out the celebratory spirit of the crowd, despite the hot sun and clouds of dust.

Tens of thousands of fans have descended on the quiet community of Montebello, Que., on the shores of the Ottawa River about halfway between Ottawa and Montreal. The village marina is the main site, where 125 bands are playing on five stages.

The crowd at the Budweiser stage as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal.


From the creepy masks of Insane Clown Posse to the hair-flinging anthems of Twisted Sister and the groovy theatrics of Pulsifer and Jane’s Addiction, every act on the bill Friday was determined to entertain, to the delight of the sweaty, tattooed masses. For them, letting loose was more important than staying hydrated or avoiding sunburn.

The second day of the 11th annual edition of the festival, which started Thursday with a showcase of Quebec talent for Saint-Jean Baptiste Day, featured a fairly mainstream lineup, with many bands representing the pop-punk end of the hard-rock spectrum.

The band Demence belts out the music as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal.


Headliners Blink-182, always a favourite at Rockfest, attracted a huge crowd as they demonstrated they’re just as capable of rocking out with new singer, Matt Skiba.

Afternoon highlights included a fun and furious afternoon romp by L.A. veterans NOFX; a triumphant comeback by Canada’s Sum 41, whose singer Deryk Whibley looked (and sounded) in good shape after nearly drinking himself to death a couple of years ago; and an intense workout by Billy Talent, who dedicated a song to the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie.

With a different band on stage every hour, the sets were short. The tight schedule prompted a complaint by Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider. After losing their drummer to a heart attack last year, the 80s metal band decided to call it quits after this year’s farewell tour.

But their Rockfest gig only gave them a 45-minute set, and it wasn’t on the main stage.

“How do we say goodbye in 45 minutes?” demanded Snider, noting that Canada is Twisted Sister’s biggest country in terms of album sales.

He answered his own question emphatically.

“Like this,” he declared and the band lit into a fist-pumping version of You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n Roll, soon followed by the rebellious chant of their biggest hit, We’re Not Gonna Take It.

Instead of leaving with a sour taste, Snider redirected the song to rage against recent shootings in Orlando and Paris, essentially reclaiming the right of people to party without fear.

“We will not be afraid of a bunch of assholes with guns,” he declared to a rousing cheer.

Photos: Amnesia Rockfest


Tens of thousands of fans descended on the quiet community of Montebello, Que., for Amnesia Rockfest on Friday.

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  Johnny sports spikes as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Johnny sports spikes as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  A woman watches the band Demence from backstage as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Lead singer of the band Demence, Joël Lamontagne, as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Ear plugs on sale as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Some real characters were on the main street, Rue Notre-Dame, as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Rue Notre-Name was full of festival goers as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  The crowd at the Budweiser stage as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  The crowd at the Budweiser stage as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  One reveller wears a fleur-de-lis assemble in honour of St Jean Baptiste Day as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Punk rock fans get into the spirit as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Stephanie Sauve and Maddy Jovani of Headrush Clothing hand out lanyards to festival attendees as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Amy Munro takes a pause from the festival to seek some shade as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Punk rock fans get into the spirit as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  The band Demence belts out the music as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  The band Demence belts out the music as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Jay Hodgson (from Left) Allix Wallace, and Jayme Wallace from Kitchener set up their tent along HWY 148 with loads of others as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Festival goers take advantage of a man on his balcony offering a cool spray of water as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Bailey Fudge takes advantage of a man on his balcony offering a cool spray of water as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  The crowds begin to build as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Punk rock fans get into the spirit as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Punk rock fans get into the spirit as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Long lines to get through security as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Police patrol along Rue Notre-Dame as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Long lines to get through security as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  A festival goer wears some fun makeup as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  A brave soul wears a thong as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Lead singer Rob Watson of Lionheart as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Lead singer Rob Watson of Lionheart as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Long lines to get through security as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Eric Graham traveled all the way from Kelowna, B.C., for the weekend festival, as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Eric Graham traveled all the way from Kelowna, B.C., for the weekend festival, as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Daryl Leblanc takes in the sights as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Daryl Leblanc takes in the sights as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Some of the interesting people attending as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Rachelle Guignard, (from left) Bryan Lensch, Denis Pinecone, and Johnny have their hair all spiked up as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Daryl Leblanc and Elizabeth Piercey are in the spirit as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  
  
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  Eric Graham traveled all the way from Kelowna, B.C., for the weekend festival, as the annual Amnesia Rockfest invades the village of Montebello in Quebec, about an hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. Wayne Cuddington / Postmedia
  

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